Brotato: A Quick, Quirky Roguelike Shooter for Casual Thrills
As someone who loves speedrunning, I enjoy games that test my skill, planning, and accuracy. When I first heard about Brotato—a game with quick runs and the chance to use six weapons at once—I was interested. But I wasn’t as excited because I usually avoid roguelike shooters, since I often find them repetitive and without much story.
Delightfully Absurd Premise
In Brotato, you play as the titular character, Brotato. A lone potato survivor who crash-lands on an alien planet and must fend off waves of enemies while awaiting rescue. The game’s premise is delightfully absurd, and its quirky humor is a welcome touch. However, the novelty can only carry a game so far.
Fast-Paced Gameplay Mechanics
Brotato excels in its fast-paced, frenetic combat. The auto-firing weapons feature is a standout, allowing you to focus on dodging and strategy. Manual aiming is available but often feels unnecessary given the game’s chaotic nature. The short, snappy waves ranging from 20 to 90 seconds keep the action moving, making it perfect for quick gaming sessions. The game also offers dozens of characters and hundreds of items and weapons, ensuring each run can feel fresh and different.
Accessibility Options
The accessibility options are a fantastic inclusion, allowing you to tweak health, damage, and enemy speed to tailor the difficulty to your preference. This feature caters to both seasoned gamers and newcomers alike.
Serviceable Graphics and Design
The graphics are serviceable but unremarkable. The art style falls into the ‘retro pixel’ category, which can be charming but also feels overused in indie titles. The alien environments and character designs are adequately distinct but don’t offer much in the way of visual variety.
Lackluster Storyline and Characters
Here lies my biggest gripe with the game. While the concept of an armed potato is amusing, the storyline is virtually non-existent beyond the initial setup. Characters, while customizable, lack depth and personality. For a genre that thrives on replayability, a compelling narrative could have added significant value.
Strengths
- Fast-paced, frenetic combat
- Extensive customization options
- Accessibility features
Weaknesses
- Lack of a compelling narrative
- Repetitive gameplay
- Unremarkable graphics
Overall Impression
Brotato offers a fun, albeit shallow, experience. Its fast-paced gameplay and extensive customization options make it a decent choice for quick, casual gaming sessions. However, the lack of a compelling story and the repetitive nature of the gameplay prevent it from achieving greatness in my book. It’s a game I’ll play intermittently but not one I’ll invest serious time into for world-record speedruns.
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
If you enjoy roguelike shooters and want a quick adrenaline rush, Brotato is worth a try. But for those looking for depth and narrative, this game might leave you wanting.
Gaming Tip for Beginners
Focus on upgrading your weapons and items early on. Balancing your loadout with both offensive and defensive capabilities can help you survive the increasingly difficult waves of enemies.
