Headlander

 PC
Headlander Image
Metascore
74

Mixed or average reviews - based on 25 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 41 Ratings

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  • Summary: Assume the role of the last known human in the universe, and all that's left of you is a disembodied head. Seeking clues to your fractured past, you must travel through a hostile world of machines using a special helmet that allows you to dock into and take control of any robotic host body.Assume the role of the last known human in the universe, and all that's left of you is a disembodied head. Seeking clues to your fractured past, you must travel through a hostile world of machines using a special helmet that allows you to dock into and take control of any robotic host body. As you launch from one body to the next, you'll start to discover that things are not quite what they appear to be, and the fate of humanity has yet to be decided. From Double Fine Productions, Headlander is a a retro-futuristic, side-scrolling, action-adventure game set in a world inspired by 70’s science fiction. It's a world of automation, a utopia gone wrong in which all of humanity have transferred their minds into robotic imposter bodies and are ruled by a deranged computer.… Expand

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Headlander - Announcement Trailer

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 25
  3. Negative: 1 out of 25
  1. God is a Geek
    Jul 25, 2016
    90
    An excellent side-scrolling Metroidvania game, with nostalgic undertones and great gameplay, helping it thrive in its science fiction paradise.
  2. IGN
    Jul 25, 2016
    82
    It’s difficult but fair, and fast-paced but satisfying through to the end. And with a story so dangerously loaded with trope upon trope, it’s a joy to see Headlander sidestep some cliches with a beautiful setting, dark humor, and, well… a rocket-powered head. That’ll do the trick.
  3. GameWatcher
    Jul 25, 2016
    80
    While lackluster combat and simplistic puzzles would prove a damning criticism for most games of this type, Headlander’s tone and aesthetic is so fully-realized that the whole package manages to be a groovy, retro delight.
  4. Telegraph
    Oct 4, 2016
    80
    Head and robot gameplay styles mesh together in a fluid, intuitive way, and the gorgeous colourful space stations and melodramatic sci-fi synth soundtrack makes this sci-fi romp an enjoyable, surprisingly sincere tribute to the wobbly sets of old.
  5. Game Informer
    Jul 25, 2016
    75
    Headlander doesn’t forge a bold new path, but it’s a lot of fun to live in its strange world for a while. Its various elements are well trod – ‘70s aesthetic, Metroid-style exploration, big questions about the nature of identity and consciousness – but they’ve been arranged in a fascinating way that feels fresh.
  6. PCWorld
    Jul 27, 2016
    70
    Headlander's retrofuturist aesthetic is creative enough to make up for the fact its underlying mechanics are anything but.
  7. Destructoid
    Jul 25, 2016
    45
    Even at its best, the game feels like an idea gestating in real-time, like a sponge dinosaur filling up with water. So much of Headlander teases you with the idea of what could have been; a shame, because the game we actually got is kind of a bummer.

See all 26 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. GamesXtreme
    Aug 31, 2016
    9
    I've never played an Adult Swim game other than the goofy flash title from ages ago -- Robot Unicorn Attack, I must admit I wasn't expectingI've never played an Adult Swim game other than the goofy flash title from ages ago -- Robot Unicorn Attack, I must admit I wasn't expecting much. What I will tell you now is how very wrong I was with it all. Head Lander is a simple, brilliant, GORGEOUS game to which I had the absolute pleasure in playing.

    It's funny, slick and amazingly entertaining. I honestly can't recommend this one enough. The concept is so out of left field that it works seamlessly. The gameplay is ace, the jokes are a good laugh, and the graphics are stunning. Just don't play it in front of little ones...they might start to ask questions as to why that robot is...uh...humping things.    … Expand
  2. herbancowboy
    Jul 29, 2016
    8
    Headlander is a really fun romp through a 1970's stylized dystopian future in the genre of a metroidvania, platforming adventure. The playerHeadlander is a really fun romp through a 1970's stylized dystopian future in the genre of a metroidvania, platforming adventure. The player takes on the role of the last surviving human trying to uncover both his/her and humanity's past while trying to escape the clutches of Methuselah, a robot overlord whose intentions are unknown (though probably evil in some fashion).

    The graphics and sound, both the soundtrack and ambient noises, are phenomenal and really paint the picture of the robotic dystopia well. And of course, being Double Fine, there is an element of goofiness and silliness that helps lighten the mood throughout.

    The game is not particularly difficult to play through, so those seeking a frenzied challenge should give it a pass. This game is more about immersion and the story unfolding before the player than gaming skills, and Double Fine really nailed the atmosphere in their unique way.

    Once, the player character got stuck inside the wall/ceiling and a manual restart was required to correct the issue, but this was the only bug encountered and it did not leave any permanent issues after the restart from the last save. The game saves every time the player character enters a new room

    The price point might be a tad high for some folk's taste, but IMO it is worth it. Definitely pick it up during a sale if you're on the fence now.    … Expand
  4. Xenocore
    Jul 27, 2016
    8
    Headlander was a nice reprieve from my recent gaming trends. Lately I’ve been drowning in MOBA's and YouTube. While i wait on some projectsHeadlander was a nice reprieve from my recent gaming trends. Lately I’ve been drowning in MOBA's and YouTube. While i wait on some projects i kickstarted, Double Fine has provided me with something that tickles my aesthetics. Retro Future design, tied with clever dialog and animation.
    Double Fine's Artistic team is one of the best in the business. The environments are well put together and filled in with detail. The effects on the character are great and brought me to the days I saw all of the covers for Activision games on my Atari 2600. Electrical and Plasma looks great, and the color palate choice was appropriate for the setting. Animation was top notch as well. I laughed out loud when i got to the chess pieces that you will come across.
    The enemies in the game work well, each bot carrying a different weapon, and each functions in the same way, but gives you different results. Single shot, spread, fractal spread, etc. I was not expecting the fractal weapon at all. And strangely, as many shots as you could put into the air, it was not overpowered. You must still play carefully in certain areas, or you will lose the robot body you worked so hard to keep alive.
    Mechanics work well, but felt a bit lacking. In most metroidvania games, your access to the map is mainly restricted to gaining abilities or equipment. While that exists, the main means of restricted access is in the robotic body that you happen to be driving at the moment. Since all your weapons and access is based on which one you have, the search for weapons and doing tricky moves to progress doesn't feel as satisfying. For me, discovering the weapons in this genre was half the fun of backtracking the map.
    The story and narrative are well done but a bit thin. When I finished my initial run, I felt a bit let down for some feeling of ending. It was more of a soft close, like the end of a chapter instead of ending a book. But they story did have me engaged to see the progress as I played.
    In Summary, Headlander is a excellent contribution to Double Fine’s library of projects. I feel the average gamer may complete this in around 9 hours or so. And I have blown more money on a bad steak from a restaurant. A worthy buy.    … Expand

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