Polybius

 PlayStation 4
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 55 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 39 out of 55
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 55
  3. Negative: 11 out of 55

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  1. gusto43
    May 15, 2017
    10
    Polybius is fine wine decanted into new bottles. The premise and execution is from the golden age of arcade gaming and the furrow Minter has been ploughing his entire career which he now does with a master's touch, the presentation now includes the latest in console technology: home VR, and the result is intense and fantastic. Few games actually deliver on the promise of being 'trips', butPolybius is fine wine decanted into new bottles. The premise and execution is from the golden age of arcade gaming and the furrow Minter has been ploughing his entire career which he now does with a master's touch, the presentation now includes the latest in console technology: home VR, and the result is intense and fantastic. Few games actually deliver on the promise of being 'trips', but every game of Polybius is a slice of sensory overload, but tempered so that it's never actually overwhelming and the game remains not only playable but sophisticated. This is an essential part of any PSVR library and an instant gaming classic along the lines of Tempest 2000.… Expand
  2. MarcG
    May 11, 2017
    10
    They say a picture paints a 1000 words. Well images and video do NO justice to this game. You need to get in there in VR and lose yourself in the trippy visuals. It's both a frantic yet oddly relaxing and easily my favourite thing on PSVR right now.
  3. r1ckyrock
    May 17, 2017
    10
    Super fast psychedelic trancey shooty goodness from Llamasoft. Basically you control a ship, ever moving forwards, although it can be moved left and right, shooting everything which moves, and ideally flying through gates which increase speed and score. Of course, being a Jeff Minter game, there are many more subtleties, twists and tweaks to this mechanism as the levels progress, or ratherSuper fast psychedelic trancey shooty goodness from Llamasoft. Basically you control a ship, ever moving forwards, although it can be moved left and right, shooting everything which moves, and ideally flying through gates which increase speed and score. Of course, being a Jeff Minter game, there are many more subtleties, twists and tweaks to this mechanism as the levels progress, or rather hurtle past at hilarious speed, accompanied gloriously by an appropriately atmospheric soundtrack.
    Having only played it in VR, I can't comment on the 2D or 3D TV modes, as I have yet to experience them. In VR it is best described as if you were inside an '80s arcade game, except of course powered by modern tech for the sheer amount of stuff going on at such a smooth framerate. It's the closest sensation yet, possibly along with Rez Infinite and Battlezone VR, to being inside Tron's "The Grid". It's narcotic neon bright and beautiful - an eye melting, head rushing, hypnotic helter-skelter holiday to Minterland, and an absolutely essential purchase. Thank you again, Jeff and Giles. My game of the year.    … Expand
  4. Cateye10
    May 30, 2017
    9
    Polybius forse è esistito, forse no, ma la creatura di Llamasoft adesso c'è, esiste, nella sua eterea fisicità. Una sinestesia completa che mescola i sensi, che da un senso al PSVR quando si parla di shooter, un emblematico esempio di come un gioco seppur piccolo, sviluppi un'onda di emotività, creata miscelando con sapienza velocità, musica e giocabilità.
    Se avete una PSVR dovete avere    Polybius forse è esistito, forse no, ma la creatura di Llamasoft adesso c'è, esiste, nella sua eterea fisicità. Una sinestesia completa che mescola i sensi, che da un senso al PSVR quando si parla di shooter, un emblematico esempio di come un gioco seppur piccolo, sviluppi un'onda di emotività, creata miscelando con sapienza velocità, musica e giocabilità.
    Se avete una PSVR dovete avere Polybius, se avete Polybius dovete avere una PSVR. Non ci sono mezze misure.
    Qua la recensione completa
    http://giocatoreanziano.blogspot.it/2017/05/polybius-ps4-provr3dtv-recensione.html    … Expand
  5. ItsAllOgre5
    May 15, 2017
    8
    Very trippy, inspired by all the descriptions of the supposed 1980's arcade game of the same name. It suffers from the same issue as Pac-Man Championship Edition 2, in that all the flashy colors can make it very difficult to tell what is happening. Aside from that, this is the best shoot-em-up I have played in years. It's fun zooming through the arches and blasting shapes in the distance,Very trippy, inspired by all the descriptions of the supposed 1980's arcade game of the same name. It suffers from the same issue as Pac-Man Championship Edition 2, in that all the flashy colors can make it very difficult to tell what is happening. Aside from that, this is the best shoot-em-up I have played in years. It's fun zooming through the arches and blasting shapes in the distance, though the extreme speed, coupled with the aforementioned flashy colors, make it a pretty hard game.… Expand
  6. FlumpStudios
    May 14, 2017
    10
    Amazing game!
    Space Giraffe and TxK are 2 of my favourite games but IMO this blows them both away.

    Perfectly balanced between insane and sublime!!!
  7. kch3691
    Dec 28, 2017
    9
    Polybius is a VR shooter that while very simple mechanically can be best described as an acid trip. Easily one of the best VR games out there.
  8. Ali_
    May 10, 2017
    10
    Definitely not a game for everyone but fellow Minter fans will lap it up. I've only played it in 2D and even then it is brain meltingly fast and noisy. Everything that makes Tempest 2000, Space Giraffe etc loved and hated in equal measure. If you're a fan, buy it. But take heed of the heavy handed epilepsy warnings at the beginning. They are serious about the strobing effects!
  9. gribbles
    May 12, 2017
    10
    Quite rightly, everyone is going full bore on the wow factor of the graphics. Lot's of old school feel with new school shininess that defines the Llamasoft lloveliness we've come to expect. And it delivers this in spades. And in VR. What's not to like?

    But there's something else that defines a Minter game. And that's balance. Jeff groks games and he groks gamers. In Polybius, Llamasoft    Quite rightly, everyone is going full bore on the wow factor of the graphics. Lot's of old school feel with new school shininess that defines the Llamasoft lloveliness we've come to expect. And it delivers this in spades. And in VR. What's not to like?

    But there's something else that defines a Minter game. And that's balance. Jeff groks games and he groks gamers. In Polybius, Llamasoft chucks a simple concept on the table, wraps it up in some gorgeous visuals, and sprinkles some attractive gameplay over the top. You have fun. it draws you in. On top of laughing in awe at the rush if the gfx, this thing is playable for the getgo. Then, bit by bit, the challenge is ramped up. Sometimes in some really subtle ways. Sometimes with a big lovely slap across the chops (flags, anyone?). And you die. But you always know why. And you try again. And you do a bit better. So you try again. And then, you realise you're past the pinch point. And he brings on the next. This is fantastically supported by the really simple and clever restart best system. Forge on, or rewind and give yourself a better start with more shields? Or a better score of you're leaderboard chasing.

    So you progress, and because the game's balance has educated you that with practice and patience, you will get further, you never feel like a wall has been shoved in front of you. and anyway, with a game as elegant as Polybius, failing has never been so much fun! Which moves us to the fact that this game fells like it has been designed to get you to the zone as quickly as possible. And, despite the speed and trips chaos, it's a remarkably relaxing experience. You get into a rhythm, a flow. It's llovely.

    So, a beautifully crafted game, both visually (obviously), but also more importantly from a gameplay/balance aspect. I came for the graphics, I stayed for the experience. Created by a couple of master craftsmen. At last one of which is also something else beginning with C, as his fans regularly tell him.    … Expand
  10. TTV69
    May 11, 2017
    10
    What to say! Take some of the best shooters every made (star wars, empire strikes back, IRobot, Tempest, Ball blazer, Stun Runner, Space Harrier), add some Llamasoft magic; and hey presto.. The new pinnacle in 3D psychedelic shooting goodness. But wait there's more... Plug in the PSVR and truly experience being "inside" a game like never before. Amazing, genre defining work!!! *importantWhat to say! Take some of the best shooters every made (star wars, empire strikes back, IRobot, Tempest, Ball blazer, Stun Runner, Space Harrier), add some Llamasoft magic; and hey presto.. The new pinnacle in 3D psychedelic shooting goodness. But wait there's more... Plug in the PSVR and truly experience being "inside" a game like never before. Amazing, genre defining work!!! *important safety notice : if you suffer with strobe/flashing effects, this _might_ not be the game for you, sorry for your loss :-(… Expand
  11. FuturePanda
    May 12, 2017
    10
    I heart this game and it may have overtaken SYNSO 2: Squid Harder as my favourite sensory shooter. Ultra sharp and ultra smooth, the visuals sing in VR and the playability factor just keeps on getting better the more you play. Awesome game design, great music and each level is distinct. I really dig the idiosyncratic touches too, like the "Thank you" you hear when you shoot certain things.I heart this game and it may have overtaken SYNSO 2: Squid Harder as my favourite sensory shooter. Ultra sharp and ultra smooth, the visuals sing in VR and the playability factor just keeps on getting better the more you play. Awesome game design, great music and each level is distinct. I really dig the idiosyncratic touches too, like the "Thank you" you hear when you shoot certain things. The only criticism I can think of is the sound effect when you fly into a wall on a couple of levels is a little harsh on my ears, but hey, gives me an incentive to play better. This is one of my favourite VR games and I hope the creators make more. Praise cattle!… Expand
  12. 36VWI
    May 11, 2017
    10
    Llamasoft is at the top of their game!
    A positive spin on the Urban Legend that is Polybius set in VR that engulfs you into the game. Instead of causing nausea or subliminal government brainwashing of the 1981 legend, this 2017 version rewards your fluid game play with increasing speed and effects that keep your eyes peeled and put a smile on your face.
    Expect gasps and exclamations of    Llamasoft is at the top of their game!
    A positive spin on the Urban Legend that is Polybius set in VR that engulfs you into the game. Instead of causing nausea or subliminal government brainwashing of the 1981 legend, this 2017 version rewards your fluid game play with increasing speed and effects that keep your eyes peeled and put a smile on your face.

    Expect gasps and exclamations of wonderment at what exactly you are experiencing while bright colorful horns, enemies, pills, bulls and fried eggs pulsate by while you're propelled forward at blindingly fast speeds as your scores fly high. The game continually intensifies through levels and is such a pleasurable experience.

    Polybius pushes the tube shooter genre to the Nth degree. Minter's Tempest 2000, 3000, Space Giraffe, TxK have laid the groundwork for other similar offerings such as InFramez' Hypervoid PSVR. As enjoyable as the latter game is, it is great to play another Jeff Minter original. Playable on PS4 with either a TV (good), 3DTV (excellent), or PSVR (Ideal) it carries a modest price tag and worth every penny.    … Expand
  13. thetillo
    May 12, 2017
    10
    Enjoy this trip. And it is a trip. Playing this game, you get the feeling that technology is finally catching up with Jeff Minter's vision of what a videogame should be - a fully immersive, tranced-out, psychedelic shooting odyssey, with cows.

    Playing on a 3d telly is fairly mind-blowing, I have no idea what it's like in VR but I hope to find out soon. All hail Jeff Minter!
  14. Mechajabber
    May 12, 2017
    10
    Simply put, Polybius (reviewed on PSVR) is a masterpiece, a genuine work of art in downloadable form. Whether retro gaming is your cup of tea or not, this game will enthrall and entrance with it's frantic pace, wild colours and pumping music. Some might sneer at the simplistic form of the graphics or the lack of narrative goal but those people would be missing out on the experience of aSimply put, Polybius (reviewed on PSVR) is a masterpiece, a genuine work of art in downloadable form. Whether retro gaming is your cup of tea or not, this game will enthrall and entrance with it's frantic pace, wild colours and pumping music. Some might sneer at the simplistic form of the graphics or the lack of narrative goal but those people would be missing out on the experience of a generation. Immersing yourself in Llamasoft's pulsating, vibrant world is like nothing else available on PSVR. Polybius takes gaming back to it's core, move, shoot, adapt, survive. Get a score. Try and get a bigger score next time. Compare your score to those of others. Brag. We all love to brag, don't we? Every PSVR owner should buy Polybius, it's pure gaming boiled down to it's essence: fun. Amazing, astounding, unashamedly loud fun.… Expand
  15. mR_jOHNNO
    May 13, 2017
    9
    Wow. Loving this **** ..it's like some huge mash up of all the best shooters from days gone by. Only playing on my old 2d tv at the mo while my 3D 4K ones getting repaired but it's such an intense experience. I was pretty keen to buy into PlayStation VR and this games the one that's going to hurry up that purchase.
    Anyone familiar with previous llamasoft games will appreciate the intense    Wow. Loving this **** ..it's like some huge mash up of all the best shooters from days gone by. Only playing on my old 2d tv at the mo while my 3D 4K ones getting repaired but it's such an intense experience. I was pretty keen to buy into PlayStation VR and this games the one that's going to hurry up that purchase.
    Anyone familiar with previous llamasoft games will appreciate the intense shooty goodness and old skool blasty greatness that this game exudes on so many levels. From the familiar sound effects to those wonderful trippy graphics this is one game that's worth every cent of its asking price.
    To the onlooker this game seems like it's just one big blast through a random hyperspace scene in your darkest dreams. The reality of actually picking up the controller and beginning to grasp the basics of the controls and the game mechanics.. this games got flow.. it's that kind of game you can quite easily play for a couple hours and just zone out in..
    My teenage son was over watching me play..and his the generation of gamer that was bought up on call of duty and whatever it is kids play these days.. he was genuinely impressed and spun out my the hecticness of it all and was like wow about the whole thing..
    Anyway to sum up.. if your a fan of old skool arcade games.. Jeffs previous work from decades ago on the c64 to the more recent stuff on the iPad then your simply missing out on llamasofts best ever work by not buying this..
    Big ups Jeff and Giles.. really nice work fellas and I hope this game gets the recognition it truly deserves . Peace    … Expand
  16. PVBuk
    Oct 11, 2018
    10
    Love this!
    Definitely Llamasoft's best game ever!
    Note: Some mentions on here about the game being "too fast". You mainly increase speed by going through the horn-shaped gates. If you don't like going fast, don't go through so many. ;-) Also, another review saying that “by level 5 you’ve seen everything there is to see in the game” obviously didn’t get much further, as there are new    Love this!
    Definitely Llamasoft's best game ever!
    Note: Some mentions on here about the game being "too fast".
    You mainly increase speed by going through the horn-shaped gates. If you don't like going fast, don't go through so many. ;-)
    Also, another review saying that “by level 5 you’ve seen everything there is to see in the game” obviously didn’t get much further, as there are new enemy/level/gameplay changes all the way through the game.    … Expand
  17. over5000
    Nov 30, 2018
    10
    This game pushed me over the edge to buy a PSVR after playing it for a while in 2D. I would have rated it a 9 or 10 before playing it in VR. I really liked it but the one aspect that was most challenging was lining up boost gates. In VR this is much easier and the game displays an entirely new degree of perfection. Playing this for the first time in VR I was honestly shocked that such anThis game pushed me over the edge to buy a PSVR after playing it for a while in 2D. I would have rated it a 9 or 10 before playing it in VR. I really liked it but the one aspect that was most challenging was lining up boost gates. In VR this is much easier and the game displays an entirely new degree of perfection. Playing this for the first time in VR I was honestly shocked that such an incredible experience is now possible. I would rate the game 11 if I could. At its price of under $16 it is highly worth getting whether you have VR or not if you like shooting games or easy to learn hard to master types of gameplay loops.… Expand
  18. GoldenGamer20k
    Dec 5, 2021
    10
    The only thing that hurts more than my eyes after playing this is the overwhelming emotional pain that some people don't support our troops. 10/10, God bless our government!
  19. QuantumGamer
    Jul 15, 2023
    10
    So, the year is now 2023 and I only just discovered this game for PSVR. I seen it for sale a few times but didn't think it looked like anything special. I was finally bored one day and decided to give it a try. My mind was blown from just playing for the first 5 minutes. This is a truly amazing experience and a great shooter game. The sense of speed is incredible and the intense actionSo, the year is now 2023 and I only just discovered this game for PSVR. I seen it for sale a few times but didn't think it looked like anything special. I was finally bored one day and decided to give it a try. My mind was blown from just playing for the first 5 minutes. This is a truly amazing experience and a great shooter game. The sense of speed is incredible and the intense action and explosions and lights are very well done. I experienced no VR sickness while playing this and that is amazing considering everything going on in the game and the speed.
    The soundtrack is equally amazing and I found myself enjoying the music as much as i was enjoying the game. The music is perfect for the game and honestly this is a near perfect game as far as I am concerned.
    The devs also filled the game with general weirdness such as flying cows and other wonderful nonsense. The devs apparently loosely based this game on the legendary Polybius game that may or may not have actually existed back in the 80s and as you play it, it certainly feels like you could be playing that game.
    In conclusion, if you own PSVR, this game is definitely worth the price as it is relatively cheap even at full price.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

33
#33 Best PS4 Game of 2017

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
84

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. GMW3
    Aug 22, 2017
    100
    Polybius is an excellent shooter that takes inspiration from the 80s arcade scene in the best of ways. It is a finely crafted experience that only benefits from being on the PlayStation VR. It can be an intense experience, however, and one best left to relatively short gameplay sessions lest the visual overload become too much. Owners of PlayStation VR should definitely look to add this to their library, as it is one of the best VR titles on the PlayStation at present. Jeff Minter and Llamasoft have got another winner.
    Read full review
  2. CD-Action
    Jul 20, 2017
    80
    An awesome, extremely trippy game of a kind we rarely see these days. The speeds are so great here that you need to achieve total unity with the game to avoid obstacles. [08/2017, p.71]
  3. The Games Machine
    Jul 18, 2017
    80
    Fasten your seat belts, because you're about to go for an authentic Jeff-Minter-trance-lysergic-VR ride. Polybius offers pretty simple yet robust gameplay basics, and a good punishment-reward balance that requires a little bit of strategy. Protip: take a breath, once in a while, or you may send your brain in overdrive.
    Read full review
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