Headlander

 PlayStation 4
Headlander Image
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 40 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 37 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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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 40
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 40
  3. Negative: 0 out of 40
  1. GameSpew
    Aug 2, 2016
    90
    It’s a simple game in its approach: its mechanics are not over-wrought or complicated, but it’s top quality fun. Headlander is of the few games in recent memories to garner a true belly laugh.
  2. Gaming Age
    Jul 27, 2016
    83
    Minor gripe aside, I expect Headlander to reach that cult classic status like many of Double Fine’s prior titles and it’s well deserved. This is a must own for fans of the genre.
  3. GameSpot
    Jul 25, 2016
    80
    From its odd mechanics to its captivating presentation, Headlander's parallels to Metroid bubble under the surface; it's the game's fresh qualities that grab your attention and make it one of the most delightful takes on the well-worn formula in years.
  4. SpazioGames
    Aug 10, 2016
    80
    Despite some minor issues, Headlander not only turns out to be a great Metroidvania, but also a very original videogame.
  5. GameGrin
    Sep 5, 2016
    75
    Headlander is a funny, well designed game with an excellent aesthetic, it's a shame that a few shortcomings let it down in the long run.
  6. Everyeye.it
    Jul 25, 2016
    70
    Quotation forthcoming.
  7. Eurogamer Italy
    Jul 25, 2016
    60
    Quotation forthcoming.

See all 41 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. Babutto
    May 8, 2019
    7
    Not the best DF game, not the worst. Just good. And pretty fast. The story is simple, gameplay is fun. Style is awesome. Something likeNot the best DF game, not the worst. Just good. And pretty fast. The story is simple, gameplay is fun. Style is awesome. Something like Scrapland but more like an arcade.… Expand
  2. GamingDrake
    Sep 2, 2016
    6
    This is a unique game setting, the 70's sci fi is great, the ambient music, sounds and art style were brilliant. Apart from that its a slog toThis is a unique game setting, the 70's sci fi is great, the ambient music, sounds and art style were brilliant. Apart from that its a slog to go through, i only completed it for the platinum. It's just that the story is weak, the laser fights are to precise which makes fights hard and the boss fights was bad, annoyingly bad, if you die just before you kill the boss you have to do the whole 4 stages again. The map layout is similar to shadow complex so there is quite a lot of back tracking to do which is frustratingly boring. It is a different game just not a very good one.… Expand
  4. Underpants158
    Jul 29, 2016
    6
    Pros!:
    -Earl, the voice in your helmet, is a pretty cool guy. And I got attached to my disembodied head dude.
    -The sense of humor appealed    Pros!:
    -Earl, the voice in your helmet, is a pretty cool guy. And I got attached to my disembodied head dude.
    -The sense of humor appealed to me (imagine any of Double Fine's previous stuff)
    -It's a metroidvania and I always find those fun to explore and find secrets in.

    Oks!:
    -World seems intriguing at first but the more you see blander it feels, acid tripping robots housing human conscious' is cool for like 20 minutes guys!

    Cons!:
    -Rigged shooting mechanic makes it feel like controlling a tank.
    -Lasers everywhere! You shoot lasers, your enemies shoot lasers, the walls reflect lasers-the screen gets filled with lasers and you can't help getting hit. I know your bodies are expendable but I still found it annoying that I couldn't avoid them.
    -Related to the point above - there is no jump or crouch, which would help a great deal in dodging lasers.
    -Terribly boring boss fights: At least they realize the controls are clunky and don't require you to do anything nimble    … Expand
  5. FriedConsole
    Aug 25, 2016
    6
    Initially cool but after you realize the game is a boring slog the charm wears off fast. Combat is terrible and just ripping off heads was theInitially cool but after you realize the game is a boring slog the charm wears off fast. Combat is terrible and just ripping off heads was the best strategy but the combat is never hard because I think the developers know the controls are wonky. "Puzzles" are just finding the right thing to get you to progress. Never gets interesting or challenging. Disappointment.… Expand
  6. jeffbizloc
    Jul 23, 2018
    5
    Finished the game as it wasn't super long. But overall was not impressed with this title outside the cool theme.

    Pros: - Fun theme - 70s    Finished the game as it wasn't super long. But overall was not impressed with this title outside the cool theme.

    Pros:
    - Fun theme - 70s sci fi
    - Like the concept of using your head to switch bodies and then use color coded access to gain new areas or solve puzzles

    Cons:
    - Several bugs where doors would get locked and robots wouldn't spawn I had to work around
    - The puzzles were mostly tedious
    - Could be difficult to tell where to go next as well as the color of the robots    … Expand

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