Psycho Starship Rampage
" Addictive action indie with deep ship customization and tactical combat but punishing permadeath "
Psycho Starship Rampage Review
Psycho Starship Rampage is a 2D side-scrolling space shooter roguelike that combines intense bullet-hell gameplay with deep ship customization. Players build modular starships from various parts, assigning weapon directions and keybindings to create unique combat styles. The game features a campaign and a survival mode, with progression involving collecting scrap and upgrades through randomized levels.
While the ship-building system is widely praised for its creativity and depth, the gameplay receives mixed feedback. Many players enjoy the addicting "one more run" loop but criticize the difficulty spikes caused by randomness, insta-death mechanics, and imprecise controls. The graphics are functional and distinctive but not highly detailed. The storyline is minimal and overshadowed by gameplay frustrations. Overall, the game offers a niche but rewarding experience for fans of arcade shooters who appreciate customization, though it may be daunting due to its punishing design and RNG elements.
Highlights
Players acclaim the ship customization system as ingenious and the core strength of the game, allowing for diverse and personalized builds. The gameplay loop is addictive, combining bullet-hell action with RPG-like loot and upgrade mechanics. The graphics, while simple and vector-like, are visually striking and fit the space shooter theme. The soundtrack complements the gameplay atmosphere well. The campaign and survival modes provide decent replayability, with survival mode unlocking new items and encouraging experimentation. Multiplayer local co-op is a unique feature, allowing players to control different ship modules.
Criticisms
Common criticisms include unfair difficulty spikes from random enemy spawns and insta-death laser attacks that lack warning. The permadeath system frustrates players by wiping progress and forcing restarts without meaningful checkpoints. Controls feel imprecise and floaty, clashing with the fast-paced gameplay. Enemy and boss variety are limited, with repetitive patterns and lackluster boss fights. The UI is cluttered, obscuring important gameplay elements and making ship stats hard to compare. Achievements and progression systems are confusing, with campaign and survival modes disconnected. Some players report bugs, crashes, and poor controller support.
Pros
- • Ship customization offers unparalleled freedom and tactical depth for varied playstyles.
- • Addictive gameplay loop encourages continuous experimentation and improvement.
- • Unique modular weapon keybinding system enhances combat control.
- • Visually striking vector-style graphics fit the retro space shooter aesthetic.
- • Engaging soundtrack complements the game's sci-fi atmosphere.
- • Local co-op allows multiple players to control different ship parts.
- • Campaign and survival modes provide different challenges and replay value.
Cons
- • Randomness causes unfair difficulty spikes and can ruin player progress.
- • Insta-death laser enemies and bosses often feel unavoidable and frustrating.
- • Permadeath wipes progress, making repeated restarts tedious and punishing.
- • Controls are imprecise and floaty, hindering precise maneuvering.
- • Limited enemy and boss variety leads to repetitive combat encounters.
- • UI clutter and lack of transparent elements obscure critical gameplay info.
- • Achievements and progression systems are confusing and disconnected between modes.
Rating Criteria
Screenshots
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Psycho Starship Rampage released?
Psycho Starship Rampage was released on September 28, 2015.
Who developed Psycho Starship Rampage?
Psycho Starship Rampage was developed by Ballistic Frogs.
Is Psycho Starship Rampage available on Mac?
Yes, Psycho Starship Rampage is available on Mac.
Is Psycho Starship Rampage available on Linux?
Yes, Psycho Starship Rampage is available on Linux.
Where can I buy Psycho Starship Rampage?
You can buy Psycho Starship Rampage on Steam.
Game Details
You play the psychotic A.I. of a warship lost in space which tries to come back to Earth. Build your spaceship from scratch. Load it with weapons. And use your creation to destroy waves of innocent aliens throughout numerous levels. Loot their carcasses, extend your ship and jump to the next sector for more action!