MagNets: Fully Charged

 Xbox One
Metascore
49

Generally unfavorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 9
  3. Negative: 5 out of 9
  1. MondoXbox
    Mar 17, 2016
    70
    A nice arcade game with some original gameplay elements, capable of offering a good challenge level but with a quite low longevity due to the not many contents.
  2. IGN Spain
    Mar 16, 2016
    60
    An extended version of a PC game that wasn't perfect but managed to entertain in short bursts. The same thing happened on the Xbox One version, but it's a bit more expensive.
  3. GameSpew
    Apr 6, 2016
    50
    At the end of my time with MagNets: Fully Charged, I never felt the thrill I get from the very best video games, or even pushed through the rough to find a diamond. I found a game with limited appeal, repetitive gameplay, basic mechanics, and a pointless attempt at a story. It’s never a bad game, but it’s never a good game either. I remain indifferent and somehow, that is both the best and worst thing I can say about any game.
  5. Brash Games
    Mar 18, 2016
    50
    The simple arcade gameplay is addictive & fun but the lack of variety, lack of available multi-player (currently) & visual bugs hurt the overall package.

User Reviews

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User Score
4.1

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 7 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 7
  3. Negative: 3 out of 7
  1. GameSplash
    Mar 16, 2016
    5
    What first grabbed my attention when jumping into MagNets:Fully Charged was the soundtrack. You're immediately met with a dancey chip-tune/What first grabbed my attention when jumping into MagNets:Fully Charged was the soundtrack. You're immediately met with a dancey chip-tune/ electro track when you hit the menu screen and this instantly has you appreciating the games style. The beat definitely compliments the theme and sets up the somewhat frantic nature of the experience going further.

    As the chip-tune style of music brings on waves of nostalgia, reminding us of classic childhood games like Pokémon, the art style certainly does the same. My first comparison to the art style was Spyro The Dragon, a staple of many young gamers' childhoods, the color is vibrant and is also very cutesy. The look of games like this, with an almost Plasticine finish to environmental design, lends to create an atmosphere of childlike innocence and just plain and simple fun.

    TotalMonkery really do let their typical British humor shine, through on screen text delivered dialogue. Interactions with other characters in the game are littered with classic British sarcasm and packed with tech based puns, though these are often pretty lame, it does strengthen that feel of innocence and fun. It has a very child orientated feel, however do not let this fool you as the difficulty through the levels really does contradict this later on (to my despair!)

    Gameplay is understandably simple and basic, which is what is expected from a title like this with the team developing. But if I'm honest i found the simplicity of the gameplay rather refreshing and enjoyable, i wasn't being over encumbered with masses of information or mechanics that would usually deter me from over complex titles.

    As the playable character you'll utilize your magnet ability, which casts a radius in which you can stun and ultimately destroy the evil BloxBots. Once destroyed the BloxBots will drop chips that you'll need to collect and deposit at recycling points, which when a threshold is met will drop items needed to complete objectives. During this time you will also need to defend various 'towers' which may come in the form of protecting a techno band while they preform, or protecting exhibits in a museum. This process is repeated on pretty much every level which can sound very tedious and repetitive, however the level design and the inclusion of classic arena type boss battles really keeps you from noticing the repetition for the most part. These elements really do boost the life and character of MagNets.

    Boss battles are similar to those we've seen in games like Spyro, set in mostly circular arenas, requiring you to collect chips for recycling to activate objectives that momentarily incapacitate the enemy for you to attack. These battles are generally easy and don't really increase the challenge. Despite claiming the boss battles aren't difficult, beware the robot dinosaur conflict at the relay dish, this was honestly on a level with Dark Souls. Or was i just really awful...

    Ultimately the simplicity of MagNets and its childlike atmosphere should not be underestimated. As levels progress and defense objectives because more numerous, enemies become more frequent and your ability to be overwhelmed drastically increases. Don't confuse this game for something that is very easy and not challenging, because at times it can be rock solid.

    MagNets is a fun, simple and quirky fast-paced bot-collection action game that leaves you with an enjoyable experience when all is said and done. I'm tentative about suggesting this title for its £11.99 retail price (Xbox One) as it may be lacking in replayablility for some players. You can pick this title up on Steam Store for £7.99 which i feel is a much more reasonable price, however the cost of Xbox development is understandable for the given price. However if you're craving a little nostalgic trip down memory lane then this game is for you.    … Full Review »
  2. GBHBL
    Apr 20, 2016
    6
    Coming from UK studio Total Monkery, MagNets: Fully Charged is an arcade style collect-athon where you control a small robot called FaradayComing from UK studio Total Monkery, MagNets: Fully Charged is an arcade style collect-athon where you control a small robot called Faraday tasked with saving Polarity City from the Bloxbots.

    Using your MagNet, an electro-magnetic net you can stun & destroy the attacking Bloxbots collecting their scrap to put in a recycling machine that then spits out an item required to progress in the level.

    Upgraded significantly from its original release on Steam, it’s retro look is appealing to the eyes & the gameplay easy to get into.

    Early tutorials give you the basics, you cast your net using the trigger buttons, this extends from behind you but has limited range. Stun or destroy enemies (depending on how many times they have already been caught in the net), collect the scrap then repeat. It’s a formula that has very little variation unfortunately.

    The game is very easy at first…you’ll fly through the first 2 zones of which there are 4 with 5 levels in each. The Factory is when things finally get a bit tougher requiring you to become a bit adept with the dash & slam moves. These can get you out of trouble in a pinch but most of the game will just see you running, casting a net then running some more.

    It’s these later levels where the game massively improves, urgency is needed & much more skill to survive the relentless attacks of the Bloxbots.

    The enemies only ever really become a threat when you find yourself surrounded by many but a quick slam can see you away to safety quickly. Faraday’s speed far outmatches the Bloxbots so running circles around them while casting nets is the sensible way to survive. Standing still for too long in this game will not only see you take damage but scatter your collected scrap around forcing you to pick it up again.

    It’s repetitive but addictive too, it’s the kind of game where you tell yourself you’re just going to do one more level but keep carrying on.

    The main story can be completed in a handful of hours depending upon your skill level but where the game really comes alive is in its challenge mode. Timed challenges spread across all the levels offering a more intense experience, easily my favourite part of the game.

    There are a different types of robots to unlock which adds a bit more replay value to the overall package but it’s not going to hold your attention for very long.

    The game does suffer from a few visual bugs & roughness, nothing game-breaking thankfully. The level designs are a mixed bunch, a bright & colourful world but with some levels lacking inventiveness.

    The music is well worth praising though, retro & catchy as hell. It fits the game perfectly and some of the later levels really capture the desperation you’ll feel as you try to survive the relentless attacks of the Bloxbots.

    Unfortunately the mutli-player side of the game is currently unavailable, going to be included in a free update soon. Local co-op/competitive modes will be a great addition to the game & when it is available will probably knock the final score up by a point or so.

    Overall: 6/10

    The simple arcade gameplay is addictive & fun but the lack of variety, lack of available multi-player (currently) & visual bugs hurt the overall package.    … Full Review »
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