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. Shadowsoal
    Apr 22, 2017
    10
    Game looks great, ignore the 1 score review.
    Disgruntle co worker, perhaps?
    Perhaps a jealous fellow pupil...
    When all ither reviews are 7 or more and there's one review with a 1 score and a novel saying just why they thinks... you know something's not quite right. Hopefully this will go some way to normalising the score.
  2. dinkydarko
    Apr 21, 2017
    9
    This is a very well thought out game, with a surprising amount of depth.

    The point of this game is not to worry about the enemy AI, or why your blaster has a cool down, or why you can't dash through bullets.. The point is to dance around the enemy, smashing them with style, upping your combo bonus. Using the right weapon at the right time, dashing just when you need to, avoiding    This is a very well thought out game, with a surprising amount of depth.

    The point of this game is not to worry about the enemy AI, or why your blaster has a cool down, or why you can't dash through bullets.. The point is to dance around the enemy, smashing them with style, upping your combo bonus. Using the right weapon at the right time, dashing just when you need to, avoiding certain death.

    This is the same experience of games like Sonic, where you complete something that looks impossible, avoiding spikes or enemies, collecting all the rings and just making the jump. It's a type of euphoria. Constantly being on the edge of your seat, about to lose control, but pulling through against all the odds.    … Expand
  3. axbu89
    Apr 7, 2017
    9
    This is the kind of game that works very well on the Switch. I wouldn't bother with a game like this on PC which is where these games have lived primarily to this point but the ability to play it on the go in short bursts is great.

    The controls are tight, the aesthetic is pleasing and it doesn't get cluttered which is a pitfall (or boon, depending on your preference) for the genre. The    This is the kind of game that works very well on the Switch. I wouldn't bother with a game like this on PC which is where these games have lived primarily to this point but the ability to play it on the go in short bursts is great.

    The controls are tight, the aesthetic is pleasing and it doesn't get cluttered which is a pitfall (or boon, depending on your preference) for the genre. The gameplay is 'fun', for want of a better word and it keeps interest for long enough for a quick play session.

    For the game alone it would be an 8 but given the price and the use case (Switch handheld mode) it deserves a 9 in my opinion.    … Expand
  4. Orangedrop
    Apr 7, 2017
    9
    I'm a pretty big fan of shooters and this is one of the best I have picked up in a very long time! The art direction is stunning, controls are tight and dodging the enemy to later blast them is seriously additive fun. This game provides a huge bang for buck and I wouldn't hesitate in recommending it to anyone that enjoys a good SHMUP or someone that is looking for something they can pickI'm a pretty big fan of shooters and this is one of the best I have picked up in a very long time! The art direction is stunning, controls are tight and dodging the enemy to later blast them is seriously additive fun. This game provides a huge bang for buck and I wouldn't hesitate in recommending it to anyone that enjoys a good SHMUP or someone that is looking for something they can pick up and play for short bursts on the go. This is how you make an arcade shooter and massive kudos to the development team behind it.… Expand
  5. fbnaulin
    Aug 16, 2017
    8
    Simple, elegant, and beatiful shmup. There's some Fantasy Zone vibe in it, and I love it. I didn't expect it to be so addictive. I'm not good trying to meet high scores, but I'm fine beating every level. Great game.
  6. chezer
    Apr 7, 2017
    9
    Super good fun
    Pretty
    Addictive
    Decent Price
    Offers a good challenge
    Leaderboard support will make you want to beat others.
    Quick Restart times
    Satisfying to destroy everything
  7. Memulatron
    Apr 8, 2017
    9
    Man, this game is just so much fun to play. It looks beautiful, the controls are smooth and responsive, and while the core concept is always the same, each level is always different enough to keep me interested. If you have a Switch, this is a must-own.
  8. newnez
    Apr 7, 2017
    9
    This game aims to be a fun, fast, point based shooter with a clean minimal design. It achieves those things perfectly. The game is fun, fast and pleasant to view. I've played the game around 10 hours in the past couple of days and had a blast! (pun intended)

    There are four worlds, each consisting of 9 levels. You also unlock 2 challenge levels after beating each world. So, unless I've    This game aims to be a fun, fast, point based shooter with a clean minimal design. It achieves those things perfectly. The game is fun, fast and pleasant to view. I've played the game around 10 hours in the past couple of days and had a blast! (pun intended)

    There are four worlds, each consisting of 9 levels. You also unlock 2 challenge levels after beating each world. So, unless I've failed to unlock something as of yet, in total there around 42 levels. Each has 3 'phases' which are sort of like save points. At first, the game is quite easy, but as your progress, it gets very challenging! Also, if you are a completionist then you will want to get the highly acclaimed S+ rating on each level. All of this, along with online leaderboards...the 12.99 price tag is a no-brainer if you are a fan of the genre.

    Things I would have liked to see: More incentive. Things such as achievements, maybe simple unlockables, different skinned ships. Any of this would have gone a long way for me.

    Last bit of review: Understand what you are getting. A point based shooter where the goal is simple, get better and better at shooting aliens without getting hit and/or losing your hit multiplier. That's it! If you enjoy that sort of thing, then get ready for hours of entertainment. Otherwise, it's not for you.    … Expand
  9. RedrexXx
    Apr 11, 2017
    10
    Super cute and cool addictive game. Love the HD rumble feature and since I'm a perfectionist, I'm always trying to reach that A score! Perfect for a handle console. For the price I HIGHLY recommend it.
  10. crashmstr
    Apr 26, 2017
    8
    Fun space shooter reminiscent of the arcade classic Defender. Additional weapon types and new enemy types as you progress add to the enjoyment. One of my favorites currently to fill time.
  11. Rtrochford90
    Apr 14, 2017
    9
    Good game, Good art direction. Its like someone combined Geometry Wars with a Side Scroller. The only thing i wish is that the control scheme was twin-stick (one for movement and one for firing weapon). it uses ZR to flip directions and "A" to fire and can feel clunky. Otherwise, amazing game, especially for the price.
  12. The_EpicGamerYT
    Aug 4, 2017
    9
    Graceful Explosion Machine is one of the games of the Switch that is worth buying at a low cost. The art direction is amazing, featuring simplistic graphics and a multitude of different enemy types. The controls are tight, which is good for a game that constantly has enemies with different strengths and weaknesses coming after you. The gameplay is very addictive and challenging and is bestGraceful Explosion Machine is one of the games of the Switch that is worth buying at a low cost. The art direction is amazing, featuring simplistic graphics and a multitude of different enemy types. The controls are tight, which is good for a game that constantly has enemies with different strengths and weaknesses coming after you. The gameplay is very addictive and challenging and is best played in short bursts. In a recent update, when a level is finished, the game shows you your best stats and a highlight for you to screenshot. This is the game for anyone looking for an SHUMP on the Nintendo Switch.… Expand
  13. WhiteWolf81
    May 5, 2017
    8
    Uno sparatutto 2D con navicella spaziale tanto semplice quanto molto divertente...crea assuefazione e, nonostante i livelli non siano tantissimi (ma nemmeno pochi), ha una potenziale longevità molto elevata considerati gli stimoli a migliorare i propri punteggi e scalare magari le classifiche online. Prezzo onesto. Consigliato.
  14. ScreenScraggy22
    Aug 10, 2017
    8
    I've had such a fun time with this game. Once I got used to the controls this game just pulled me in and i couldn't stop playing. All the different abilities and enemies keep it interesting and the scoring system is nice so you can compare with friends. Beware this game is NOT easy it can be pretty stressful but if you get good enough at the game you will have a fantastic time with it.I've had such a fun time with this game. Once I got used to the controls this game just pulled me in and i couldn't stop playing. All the different abilities and enemies keep it interesting and the scoring system is nice so you can compare with friends. Beware this game is NOT easy it can be pretty stressful but if you get good enough at the game you will have a fantastic time with it. 100% would recommend.… Expand
  15. chepecarlos
    Apr 16, 2017
    9
    It is great to be able to take it and play in short sessions, is perfect for Nintendo Switch, very addictive and is a good challenge, highly recommended for travel
  16. GeekGirlPhilly
    Apr 20, 2017
    9
    After 7 days of play, here's what I have to say. I wasn't wowwed at first. I thought the presentation was nice. The two tutorials were a bit boring. I put the game down for 2 days and bought other Switch games to play. Then I came back to Graceful Explosion Machine (GEM?) and found it to be sort of a hidden gem. Things started opening up for me as I got used to the weird mechanics and theAfter 7 days of play, here's what I have to say. I wasn't wowwed at first. I thought the presentation was nice. The two tutorials were a bit boring. I put the game down for 2 days and bought other Switch games to play. Then I came back to Graceful Explosion Machine (GEM?) and found it to be sort of a hidden gem. Things started opening up for me as I got used to the weird mechanics and the quirky missile system. I found it difficult to play with the JoyCons. My thumb hit the B button the most and I kept feeling the joystick in the way. The Pro Controller offered a better feel, but I couldn't pause the game as quickly as I could with the JoyCon. Ah, tradeoffs. I discovered I could get through most of the first planet with just the B button with some A presses thrown in for good measure. Ah, the joys of button mashing. But wait... I could just hold down B and fire continuously! No, not so. There's an overheat/cooldown system. I'd be defenseless at the most inopportune times, especially in the second much more challenging world. I found myself playing this game endlessly during my lunch hours with a look of expressionless zombie, mouth agape, drool dripping out of the corners of my mouth, an exaggeration to be sure, but that's how spellbinding this game is to me. A little repetitive at times, but always making you come back for more. It's almost a perfect shmup, on par with some of the best shmups on the TurboGrafx-16.… Expand
  17. brownieman182
    Aug 10, 2017
    10
    I had a great time with this game. When you're in full flow this game feels fantastic to play. Reminded me of a 2D, more colorful version of Resogun on the PS4.
  18. SuitonSwitch
    Apr 15, 2018
    8
    Simple & casual arcade style, colorful and handles well & gets exponentially harder. I found it a bit repetitive playing for a long stretch but was fun to zone out to. worth picking up on sale. 6-10hrs to finish
  19. Pete112
    May 11, 2020
    9
    I am terrible at this game but it is so much fun, I keep coming back for more.

    Perfect for a quick 5 minute game.

    The graphics are clear and bright.

    I wish there was an easier difficulty mode but I am slowly progressing and deaths are always fair.
  20. chosen0ne
    Sep 22, 2021
    10
    This game looks and controls great. It's a great shoot 'em up with character and bi-directional movement. I love this game!!!

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.
    Read full review
  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]
See all critic reviews »