Earth Atlantis mixes exploration and scrolling shooter elements to create a challenging, if occasionally frustrating experience. The map-inspired visuals are the most unique and eye-catching aspect of this game, but under the hood it’s a good distraction that works best in portable mode when you have some time to kill.
[Update] A BIG Patch 1.0.1 (more like 2.0.1) fixed most issues and drastically reduced times to collect weapons. Balance is also better. Some boss is easier bit still challenging enough. The game is much more fun now. It' good to know that the dev listened to all criticisms. (I give 9.5 score)
Earth Atlantis Review - Visual is amazing !! Gameplay concept is interesting. If you love retro space shooters (R-type, Blood Money, In the hunt, Gradius, steel Empire), buy this game.
Graphics - Obviously, the visual is very unique and also very beautiful. It use monochrome pencil-drawing style. When I saw only screenshots, I though it must be very eye-soaring to play this game, but NO, It looks great. I also like the parallax FX on the background. For some reason, It looks even better On handheld mode.
Concept - I really love "Monster-Hunting" concept. Also, the game has only one large level "Metroidvania" style. I think it's s great combination. You have 38 monsters to hunt. In Quest mode, you have to kill some boss to open new locations/areas. Bosses are very different - some are swimming type/ some standing type.
Gameplay - This one is tricky. This game is quite challenging . It's definitely just like old retro shooter game on NES/Genesis - people might consider them hard. Some boss are difficult but challenging. You need to carefully learn each boss attacking pattern. You can die easily even on easy setting if you are not careful enough, some boss has one hit-kill attack that might be difficult to some casual player and when you die, you need to upgrade your ship again from O, again just like old games. I will frustrate some casual gamers. It's not "Dark-Soul" difficult though.
The game have a decent pace. Not as fast as, I thought. But it will get faster when you use new ships, they are faster than a default one. (I have unlocked 2 more ships so far.)
Performance - the game run very well. I have never found any frame-rate drop problem. No glitch found.
I've played this game for more than 6 hours (~50% completed) - I really enjoyed it.
Conclusion: If you are a retro space-shooter fan (Genesis/NES) - buy this game. If you a casual gamer - probably not.
Pro
- Amazing Graphic!! So unique and beautiful
- Metroidvania style level
- 25+ Bosses !!
- Bring some great memories of some classic shooter on Genesis system
Con
- Take time to gather all weapons again if you die.
- Some types of enemy's bullet are difficult to see if you are near water surface
- A couple of boss is too difficult. You need to get the right combination of weapons to kill them.
Even if you're not a 2D 'shmup' veteran, or are looking for something a little off the beaten, sidescrolling track, there is plenty to enjoy here - we have tight controls, plenty of unique monstrous bosses to defeat and exploration of a broken but beautiful submerged world. While it lacks a few options, has occasional boss fight difficulty spikes and is not the relentless action that some genre fans prefer, Earth Atlantis has enough old school shoot 'em up substance to back up its glorious and organic style.
Earth Atlantis is a game that is best played if you pace yourself. The quick boss encounters and ease with which you can find enemy mobs makes for some frantic gaming, but that high frequency also means that the experience can get repetitive. The overall mechanics are good, and the look is certainly distinct. It differs enough from normal shooters that it's worth a look, especially if you want a more exploratory adventure to go with your shooting.
While the physical limitations of its content are clear, it takes little away from the intrigue and challenge Earth Atlantis generates through its fusion of explorative design with the shoot-em-up mechanics that it unquestionably pays homage to. The variety of boss designs (and the way the hand-drawn, sharp-lined visuals give them that added bold presence) and encounters are offered in just the right doses, and while they may feel at times like a chore just to arrive at, they come across as satisfying to partake in. Everything else surrounding it, if not startling or visually depth-inducing, does complement to a sufficient manner, ultimately shaping the journey through Earth Atlantis into one that can be savored but is easy enough to resume on later playthroughs.
Earth Atlantis is a fascinatingly experimental hybrid of a game. While not entirely perfect in its attempt to merge the two genres it takes inspiration from, a unique art style and interesting creature designs definitely make it worth checking out. Even more so if you’re hungry for some bullet hell action on the go!
Great game! Unfairly judged by some. Best played in small periods of time. Yes, you’ll lose all the upgrades but the creatures in the water will give it back to you in no time. Every boss is interesting and has it’s pattern. The visuals are absolutely original and excellent. The music is ok but you’re in here for the fun not the music. I finished the game in 4 small sittings. Totally recommended!!
This game is just simply gorgeous. I love the environment the most. It feels like i am in an adventure ans exploring the abandoned towns , the place where it is at the most peak of itself and to what is left in the future. Just made me so hyped! It's insanely beautiful with those amount of detail. I can not believe it. I enjoy the game so far and still exploring. The game is not easy. I died a countless of times but it fell very rewarding when I find the way to defeat a new boss.
Once the initial novelty has worn off, this is a tedious game with some glaring design faults that other reviewers have somehow managed to simply overlook! Whoever thought one giant level (full of dead ends) that you are forced to back track over and over again is good level design? How about background music consisting only of 2 or 3 single short soundtracks that continuously loop? Or a map that really doesn't help you navigate successfully at all? Or enemy bullets that look the same as your own? Or bosses that can 'one hit' you to death? Or losing all your power ups when you die? After playing for 2 hours this game really starts to feel like a chore. Your ship actually handles fine, some of the boss fights are fun, and the graphics are novel for the first half hour of play, but this game has no long term appeal to me what-so-ever. I am a genuine shoot-em-up fan, but I find this game disappointing, mostly because of some unintelligent and frustrating design choices made very early on in development. I can't really believe how positive most of the other reviews are for this game. At least once you finish the quest mode (3 hours) you unlock a slightly more appealing 'boss rush' mode (although you still need to navigate the giant maze to fight the bosses!). Try Super Hydorah or SHUMP Collection instead of this.
I like the level progression and I appreciate the developers making the game stick out. However simple mistakes hold this game back. Rarely, some enemies will blend in with the environment which can be slightly annoying. Item power ups are unbalanced. The "E" power up dominates over the others to the point you'll want to restart until you get it. The "B" power up is a nuisance that distracts you because there is nothing that differentiates your bullets from enemy attacks. Once you get use to looking for enemies in the art style and you've got your "E" power up the only thing that will ruin your fun and pace is when certain bosses one-hit you.
It's appealing appearance can only go so far. I'm a big shoot 'em up fan, but this one just felt clunky and weirdly stiff. I didn't enjoy the level design or the choices made with how the weapons function. Overall it just felt like a poor game that I'm disappointed I wasted a few bucks on even though it was on sale. It showed genuine promise, but couldn't follow through.
SummaryEarth Atlantis is a side-scrolling shooter with an original "Monster-Hunting" gameplay. Search and hunt down dreadful sea monsters and explore the post-apocalyptic underwater world. Unlock multiple ships with special weapons and abilities for your journey and become a legendary hunter. [Nintendo]