Devil Engine

 Switch
Metascore
72

Mixed or average reviews - based on 5 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 5
  3. Negative: 1 out of 5
  1. Cubed3
    Mar 29, 2019
    40
    Altogether, Devil Engine is an intriguing STG that's held back by rough fundamentals. Given enough tuning, it could turn out to be welcome entry in any fan's library. There's plenty of content, and the two playable ships are impressively realized. However, the weak arsenal is a constant nuisance. Attempting to destroy massive bosses or even moderately-sized foes with a pea shooter isn't fun. There are options for quickly eliminating adversity, but getting past their constant waves of fire is also an ordeal. Simply put, it feels like this is trying too hard to break its players.
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  1. Eurogamer
    Feb 28, 2019
    With a deep love of classics such as Thunder Force, Gradius and Darius, this horizontal shmup goes well beyond a simple cover version. [Eurogamer Recommended]

User Reviews

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User Score
7.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 9 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 9
  3. Negative: 2 out of 9
  1. M2Gaming
    Mar 4, 2019
    8
    Simply put, Devil Engine could best be described as a "Classic 90's Shoot'em up with 2019's tight controls, whipped with a ton of extras".Simply put, Devil Engine could best be described as a "Classic 90's Shoot'em up with 2019's tight controls, whipped with a ton of extras".

    The core gameplay system is really good and seems to be paying tribute to classic games such as Gate of Thunder, Aero Fighters and Thunder Force. Just like those old school shmups, the player must learn and memorize enemy patterns in order to succeed. But Devil Engine is helping the player in many ways, offering extra options almost each time you play, through a cumulative score system.

    The more you play, the more options you unlock and that's exactly why this game is so addictive and fun. You can unlock new types of ships, new skins, new bullet types, dimming the background, changing the screen's look, new levels and much more.

    And the game is just plain fun and gorgeous. Mechanics are quite simple and the whole game offers a quite a good challenge while offering all the help needed to succeed via all the gameplay options unlocked run after run.

    And if you like late 80's/mid 90's electro-hard rock music, you're in for a real treat! the music is right down fantastic! All tracks are quite good and sound like a mix of Lords of Thunder and Soldner-X's tunes.

    The only small negative points we could come with were that we felt like it would have been great to get some more diversity with the weapons and that some of the bosses are just plain insane. On Hard level, some of them are just plain stupid. Even after playing the game like 30 times, we could find any tactic or pattern to go with to be able to destroy them without getting killed like 10 times in a row...

    All in all, Dangen Entertainment proposes a really nice and polished old school shoot'em up, one that will definitely be enjoyed by any fan of the genre for sure. We highly recommend the game.    … Full Review »
  2. Ironplushy
    Apr 16, 2023
    7
    There's something not right about this game. The pixel work is quite gorgeous, but everything else is mid. There are too difficulty levels,There's something not right about this game. The pixel work is quite gorgeous, but everything else is mid. There are too difficulty levels, very easy and very hard, and the game calls you a **** whenever you pick easy because apparently this is 2006 and edginess sells games. It's just, there's nothing to say about this game beyond art direction. The gameplay is mid, the upgrade system is mid, music mid, there's just nothing to talk about. It's like a shmup designed by AI. Play anything else.… Full Review »
  3. MedusaMadman77
    Mar 7, 2019
    4
    Poorly balanced. Truthfully, it's just not fun. It's no thunder force IV and there's much better shooters on the system. Wait for a deep sale.
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