Ape Out

 Switch
User Score
6.4

Mixed or average reviews- based on 95 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 50 out of 95
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 95
  3. Negative: 29 out of 95

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  1. nusco
    Apr 7, 2019
    6
    Ape Out is one of the most stylish games I've evere played, and an amazing visual and auditory experience. Pity that it's not much of a game.

    What really makes the game, fron an aesthetic point of view, is its uncompromising consistency. The design team clearly loves and understands that jazz-infused Soul Bass style of graphics. Their love shines through in everything, from the menus to    Ape Out is one of the most stylish games I've evere played, and an amazing visual and auditory experience. Pity that it's not much of a game.

    What really makes the game, fron an aesthetic point of view, is its uncompromising consistency. The design team clearly loves and understands that jazz-infused Soul Bass style of graphics. Their love shines through in everything, from the menus to the closing soundtrack. The fantastic dynamically generated jazz percussions don't miss a beat, and they propel the action forward better than any other game soundtrack I've ever experienced. The album covers that mark the chapters are so beautiful, I wish I had real albums based on them.

    When it comes down to playability, however, Ape Out is a disappointment. The gameplay is almost skeletal: you run, you grab, you smash. The randomly generated environments are consistent with the theme of jazz improvisation, but they result in wildly different runs, where you often feel like your success or failure come down to luck more than skill. The difficulty of levels has much more to do with their length than anything else, as it's just harder to survive a longer level by relying on one lucky sequence. Even though the game does its best to introduce new elements in most levels, the basic run/grab/smash gameplay loop is just too wiry not to give a feeling of repetition.

    Ape Out makes you want to keep playing thanks to its beautiful style, but you don't always have fun while doing so.    … Expand
  2. Blaine
    Mar 15, 2019
    6
    I was anticipating this game but I hate to say that it was a bit of a letdown.

    Visuals are mesmerizing at times and the soundtrack blends perfectly with the action...but that’s not much more left to it. The ape’s abilities are only two: grab, throw. 5 or 6 enemy types. Stage structure: left to right or right to left. The result is a very repetitive gameplay. Game length is fair for    I was anticipating this game but I hate to say that it was a bit of a letdown.

    Visuals are mesmerizing at times and the soundtrack blends perfectly with the action...but that’s not much more left to it.
    The ape’s abilities are only two: grab, throw. 5 or 6 enemy types. Stage structure: left to right or right to left. The result is a very repetitive gameplay.
    Game length is fair for what it has to offer.

    Much love and support to Gabe Cuzzillo and the developer team for building an original experience nonetheless. Will keep following your work.    … Expand
  3. drlowdon
    Jul 30, 2021
    7
    Played from a top-down perspective, Ape Out puts players in charge of a Gorilla attempting to run through a series of maze like levels, whilst evading and/or killing the many enemies that stand in the way.

    It won't take long for most players to see the entire game, and I didn't feel any real incentive to want to replay any of the levels, but the unique graphical style, reactive jazz    Played from a top-down perspective, Ape Out puts players in charge of a Gorilla attempting to run through a series of maze like levels, whilst evading and/or killing the many enemies that stand in the way.

    It won't take long for most players to see the entire game, and I didn't feel any real incentive to want to replay any of the levels, but the unique graphical style, reactive jazz soundtrack and fast paced gameplay made for a fairly enjoyable 2-3 hours of gaming.    … Expand
  4. coorhys
    Jun 18, 2019
    7
    Really fun game, good for something to switch on for a quick blast if you've only got half hour or so, or as a nice little palate cleanser between big games. Controls are tight and responsive, and procedurally-generated levels mean no two runs are the same, with new layouts and enemy placements every time.

    Ape Out has an excellent monochrome art style that cleverly changes during    Really fun game, good for something to switch on for a quick blast if you've only got half hour or so, or as a nice little palate cleanser between big games. Controls are tight and responsive, and procedurally-generated levels mean no two runs are the same, with new layouts and enemy placements every time.

    Ape Out has an excellent monochrome art style that cleverly changes during different parts of each level in ways that add to the atmosphere and frenetic pace of this game.

    It can quite simply be boiled down to 'get to the end of the level alive while smashing everything in your way', but sometimes being that simple is just what you need for some fun, and this game is definitely fun, however this can wear off after a while due to the simplicity and inevitable repetitive nature, and truthfully there is not much more to it than that.

    By far my favourite bit however is the soundtrack, full of frantic improvisational jazz-inspired drums which actually respond to the action on screen, such as adding cymbal crashes to your attacks and dynamically rolling along to accompany the animalistic movements of your ape.

    It's not a particularly long game, although it does have different difficulty modes etc to try, but it is definitely an enjoyable purchase while it lasts, even if it is not up there with the best on Switch.    … Expand
  5. aukalender
    Jul 31, 2021
    7
    A fun game, I really liked it. The music and the art style is great. The way the gameplay interacts with the music is really entertaining. The gameplay is not complicated, the scale of actions available to the player is quite simple: run, grab, throw, smash. But this is not a downside, I think it helps that the gameplay dynamics are simple, because that plays well with the up-tempo energyA fun game, I really liked it. The music and the art style is great. The way the gameplay interacts with the music is really entertaining. The gameplay is not complicated, the scale of actions available to the player is quite simple: run, grab, throw, smash. But this is not a downside, I think it helps that the gameplay dynamics are simple, because that plays well with the up-tempo energy of the free jazz style, and the colorful, simple, top-down art style. The only complaint I would have is that the number of enemies assigned to each level are randomly generated, meaning player success is somewhat bound to luck, and also that some chapters can be frustrating. These are not major gripes and I would recomment this game regardless.… Expand
  6. Pete112
    May 19, 2020
    7
    Very original and fun game.

    After playing for an hour or 2 it gets very difficult. I didn't have the motivation to carry on as the gameplay and levels dont really change throughout the game apart from getting harder.

    I had fun for a couple of hours though so if you can pick it up during one of the regular sales I would say it is worth it.
  7. mikest
    Oct 2, 2020
    7
    It was fun but there's not much to it in my opinion. Good for a few hours of fun but i don't have any reason to come back and the main draw of the game are the artsy visuals and music that responds to the situation. These are novel ideas and make for a fun few hours.

Awards & Rankings

32
#32 Best Switch Game of 2019
86
#86 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2019
57
#57 Most Shared Switch Game of 2019

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
84

Generally favorable reviews - based on 31 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 29 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 31
  3. Negative: 0 out of 31
  1. Pure Nintendo
    Apr 17, 2019
    75
    While it can be fun to run around smashing stuff and listening to a cool soundtrack, Ape Out is a bit of a one-trick pony. When you boil it down, it’s a maze runner with a smash-the-bad-guys element. Don’t get me wrong—the theme may be simple, but the game is fun to play. It’s challenging enough to keep you entertained for several hours so go let your inner monkey run wild for a while.
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  2. Nintendojo
    Apr 3, 2019
    75
    While Ape Out doesn’t last all that long, it certainly doesn’t overstay its welcome, either. The game is an absolute blast to play, and an experience that will delight most players. Between the game’s stylish presentation and unique use of music, Ape Out feels unlike much else on eShop. The game is very much an impressive achievement from developer Gabe Cuzzillo, and those who value quality over length will find a great option in Ape Out.
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  3. GameSpace
    Mar 20, 2019
    95
    Honestly, I adore Ape Out. Visually it seems very uncomplicated, but step into the shoes of this gorilla and you will find that its simplicity belies a very considered approach to game design.
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