Graceful Explosion Machine

 Switch
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 85 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 63 out of 85
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 85
  3. Negative: 8 out of 85
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  1. bod11
    Apr 9, 2017
    5
    This game is almost good. The issues with this game are purely issues of design. The game seems to constantly want to slow you down, which is terrible for a bullet hell. Here is a list of the major issues, and why they are not helpful for a fun experience.
    1. The way the combo meter works. This combo meter has a tick down, if you aren't hitting enemies, it goes back to 1. This is not a    This game is almost good. The issues with this game are purely issues of design. The game seems to constantly want to slow you down, which is terrible for a bullet hell. Here is a list of the major issues, and why they are not helpful for a fun experience.
    1. The way the combo meter works. This combo meter has a tick down, if you aren't hitting enemies, it goes back to 1. This is not a major issue on it's own, but all of the other issues make this an issue, because it forces the player to not only uselessly micro manage, but get lucky and also use the same strategy.
    2. The blaster has an overheat, and it's really quick. This is a problem because the way the combo meter works, you need to keep shooting, but you can't. The cooldown for the gun is the same as the combo meter.
    3. Because of this, you are forced to stagger your special attacks between blaster attacks. The issue is that this becomes repetitive and forces you not to use the specials that cost too much because you need to save charge to stagger your normal fire and special fire, to keep the combo.
    4. The specials are incredibly week, and some enemies can only be reliably killed with the sniping beam. Every one of the specials does minimal damage, and there are some enemies that have ridiculous health, so they can't be killed without the charge beam. Even normal shots can't kill them.
    5. The AI is terrible, if you aren't in line of sight, they wont even come to you. This is an issue because some of the levels are fairly large, so keeping combo involves running around on a goose chase trying to locate the remaining enemies since they are just chilling in a corner somewhere.
    6. no power ups, the basic weapons you get are all you get, unlike most bullet hells. In other games of this genre, you power up if you don't get hit and collect enough energy, not here. To top it off the sword attack sucks. it won't even kill most later enemies.
    7. The controls aren't tight and the left-right shooting mechanic makes the game very unreliable. The enemies aren't designed with this in mind. If you activate the sword, you can still get it because of a delay on the activation.

    All in all, there are more minor gripes. The game isn't bad if you aren't looking for a super polished tight bullet hell. It's fun to play a bit, but it's gameplay isn't well designed in a way that creates a realistic and fun challenge. Often what determines whether or not you keep your combo is up to chance.    … Expand
  2. TheSeahorse
    May 4, 2017
    6
    Graceful explosion machine is a fun arcade shooter mini game for the Switch. I had a few hours of fun and got through 75% of the game. My problem with the game is that It's basically the same thing over and over with slightly different opponents. I don't really want to continue playing even though I'm only a few levels from completing the game.

    If you like shooting stuff and don't mind    Graceful explosion machine is a fun arcade shooter mini game for the Switch. I had a few hours of fun and got through 75% of the game. My problem with the game is that It's basically the same thing over and over with slightly different opponents. I don't really want to continue playing even though I'm only a few levels from completing the game.

    If you like shooting stuff and don't mind grinding to get the perfect score you could pick this game up, I mean, it's only 10€. But if you want to play an amazing indie title you should probably look somewhere else.    … Expand
  3. Laguardia
    Jul 22, 2017
    6
    Bem divertido e algumas vezes desafiador. Precisa de certa estratégia para passar de certas fases. 4 mundos apenas é pouco. Deveria haver mais mundos e/ou mais desafios para valer nota maior. Gráficos legais, trilha sonora meio fraca, mas passa

Awards & Rankings

63
#63 Best Switch Game of 2017
56
#56 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2017
43
#43 Most Shared Switch Game of 2017

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 19
  3. Negative: 0 out of 19
  1. God is a Geek
    Aug 7, 2017
    80
    Graceful Explosion Machine is a must play for arcade shooters with its precision gameplay, accessibility, and presentation.
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  2. Atomix
    Jul 30, 2017
    80
    Graceful Explosion Machine is a small but great arcade shooter that proves to be fun and addictive.
    Read full review
  3. Nintendo Force Magazine
    Jun 23, 2017
    85
    For what Graceful Explosion Machine aspires to be – that is, a stylish high score-focused shoot-'em-up – it excels in spades. [Issue #28 – July/August 2017, p. 21]
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