Galak-Z tries to be an arcade shooter with rougelike elements, while also taking inspiration from ‘retro’ action cartoons like Voltron.
The problem is that ‘rougelike elements’ actually just means that progress is heavily based on good luck and prayers. Missions and map layouts are randomized, which is fine. Weapon and ship upgrades are also random, but usually you’ll go deep into a season before finding something actually useful for you.
What’s not fine however, is that healing items are not guaranteed. In my playthrough, I had an unlucky encounter early on in a season, leaving me with one health. At this point I thought the shop would sell one health after every episode, but nope. Enemies refused to drop health, supply boxes refused to give me anything other than missiles I can’t carry. No one should have to go through an entire playthrough without being able to heal, unless it’s a difficulty option you can toggle.
The gameplay is great, though the controls can take some getting used to, and the mech does move a bit awkwardly. There’s a decent variety of upgrades to choose from, assuming you can find them. I once went through 3 or 4 episodes only finding different muzzles…
The story is basic, but not in a bad way, considering the types of shows it’s trying to emulate. However it does end on a cliffhanger, and the developers currently have no plans to continue it, as most people tend to stop playing after reaching the of Season 3, and didn’t see a point in making something only a few people will see. It sucks, but it’s understandable. Having played the end of Season 3, I also understand why so many people quit at this point, it’s such an unfair and infuriating experience, no matter what upgrades you have.
Galak-Z is like that cartoon you really loved watching as a kid, then you grew out of it as you older. Then years later, you start getting nostalgic for those days and you want to rewatch it. You buy the box set, binge watch it to the end, filled with childlike wonder the whole time. Then you get to the last episode, you’re wondering how everything is going to tie together, and it just ends. The last episode was a cliffhanger, setting up for the next season. A season that never happened.
The problem is that ‘rougelike elements’ actually just means that progress is heavily based on good luck and prayers. Missions and map layouts are randomized, which is fine. Weapon and ship upgrades are also random, but usually you’ll go deep into a season before finding something actually useful for you.
What’s not fine however, is that healing items are not guaranteed. In my playthrough, I had an unlucky encounter early on in a season, leaving me with one health. At this point I thought the shop would sell one health after every episode, but nope. Enemies refused to drop health, supply boxes refused to give me anything other than missiles I can’t carry. No one should have to go through an entire playthrough without being able to heal, unless it’s a difficulty option you can toggle.
The gameplay is great, though the controls can take some getting used to, and the mech does move a bit awkwardly. There’s a decent variety of upgrades to choose from, assuming you can find them. I once went through 3 or 4 episodes only finding different muzzles…
The story is basic, but not in a bad way, considering the types of shows it’s trying to emulate. However it does end on a cliffhanger, and the developers currently have no plans to continue it, as most people tend to stop playing after reaching the of Season 3, and didn’t see a point in making something only a few people will see. It sucks, but it’s understandable. Having played the end of Season 3, I also understand why so many people quit at this point, it’s such an unfair and infuriating experience, no matter what upgrades you have.
Galak-Z is like that cartoon you really loved watching as a kid, then you grew out of it as you older. Then years later, you start getting nostalgic for those days and you want to rewatch it. You buy the box set, binge watch it to the end, filled with childlike wonder the whole time. Then you get to the last episode, you’re wondering how everything is going to tie together, and it just ends. The last episode was a cliffhanger, setting up for the next season. A season that never happened.