Blue Estate The Game
First of all, I never really liked the original comics. Or “graphic novel” as they prefer to call them. The art style was all over the place, thanks to how different pages were made by different people, while the story was fully made of cliché. The only thing that used to make it special for people is the fact that it was all about Russian mafia fighting Italian mafia, but honestly, it was just the mixed art and a lot of cliché, nothing else. When you finished reading, you felt like you’ve experienced nothing new, so, it was really easy to forget about Blue Estate right the next day. The game, on the other hand, instantly caught my attention. Not only because we rarely see the games, based directly on comics without those being turned into the movies first, but also because it was a rail shooter. Back in the days the genre used to shine and we had many awesome games up to the PS 2 times, while after that the only console that tried to keep rail shooters alive was Wii. And after Wii died, there was literally nothing. And since yours truly is a huge fan of the genre since the NES times, when there were games like Freedom Force (not to be confused with 2002 game), you can easily guess that I was really glad to hear that there’s going to be another game of that kind, even though I really, really disliked the source material.
– Real player with 17.3 hrs in game
Read More: Best On-Rails Shooter Comedy Games.
So outside of an arcade, rail shooters are extremely hard to find nowadays, on any platform. It seems that fast paced multiplayer shooters (think Counter Strike and Call of Duty) or open world pseudo shooter/tactical games (think Day-Z, Far Cry, etc.) are the way to go for most developers nowadays. So it’s sadly pretty rare to find anything that breaks the mold, and when you do, the end result is not always that great.
With that being said, however, Blue Estate The Game was a welcome addition to my steam library and breath of fresh air after playing an endless stream of fast-twitch, zombie horde, open-world shoot ‘em ups. It’s actually based on a graphic novel of the same name, which I’ve read and definitely reccomend.
– Real player with 5.2 hrs in game
Heavy Fire: Afghanistan
Summary: Don’t let the low price fool you, this game is ok; I’d give it a B-. If you ever want a break from the usual modern FPS format, this is an option that’s just as entertaining, but in its own way. This game challenges the player; not always fairly, but usually so. The health meter is a welcome change from being able to recharge health by waiting under cover. Your weapons will sound a bit silly, but they get the job done. This is a game with a realistic setting, non-stop action (except for the shooting ranges) and despite its low price, it’s visuals are as breathtaking as any modern game.
– Real player with 20.8 hrs in game
Read More: Best On-Rails Shooter Military Games.
I guess the concept is kind of interesting… many people (myself included) quite enjoy rail shooters in arcades. So… why not take the concept, but allow people to play in the comfort of their own home. Unfortunately, without the virtual gun, and with a not-quite-as-intuitive cover system, this rail shooter falls flat. Whether you play with a gamepad or keyboard and mouse - the controls are slow and sluggish, and the movements and animations just don’t feel right. This is exacerbated by the Quick Time Events… probably one of my least favourite mechanics or gimmicks in any game - there is just no need for them, and they don’t add anything to the gameplay experience except annoyance.
– Real player with 15.6 hrs in game
Hyper Fighters
Well, this without any doubt is one of the worst games in my steam library. I got it as a part of a dirt-cheap bundle, so I don’t really complain about wasted money, but this game is just ridiculous.
When I saw the screenshots my first thoughts were “Well, it looks like a nice little flying arcade”, then I noticed the “rail shooter” part, but even this piece of news didn’t discourage me… But then I tried to play it.
Terrible graphics are one thing, I am tolerant to all that stuff, but when the resolution is fixed at 800x600, so you can’t play without your eyes starting to bleed is just beyond good and evil. The design of levels is “Hey, Ma, look, I’m using 3DsMAX!"-tier, however boss models and designs are not half bad, I have to admit. Basically it’s the only good thing in entire game: it has no plot, no good gameplay as it’s hard to dodge all of enemy projectiles, however bosses are too easy, so even the simplest balance is absent too. All the levels can be beaten in a couple of hours and the only thing that can drive you to play more is beating high scores. But why would anyone want to beat one’s score in this piece of shit? It’s just what people call ‘lazy’ in any way possible. I see no point of this being ported from WII.
– Real player with 11.3 hrs in game
Read More: Best On-Rails Shooter Flight Games.
That’s right, this is a thumbs up. Now I’m not recommending that anyone actually pay money for this game. That would be a very silly thing to do. But if you are among the thousands who already own the game from a bundle or a giveaway, I do recommend that you give it a shot. It can be fun, as long as you are aware of the following:
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This isn’t a flight sim, it’s a rail shooter. There is no freedom of movement, other than dodging enemy planes & projectiles
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You use arrow keys to dodge, the mouse to shoot, B to replenish missiles (usually not available), and R in conjunction with the arrow keys to barrel roll. Yes, you have to use your third hand for this last one.
– Real player with 3.1 hrs in game
Bubble Gun 3D
Bubble Gun 3D is the most unique, addicting and satisfying shooting game so far!
Progress through a multitude of challenging and unique levels, shooting bubbles to knock the enemies off their platforms.
Bubble Gun 3D has simple and intuitive controls, simply aim and shoot bubbles with the mouse or gamepad. Knock all the enemies off their platforms and progress to the goal of each level to progress. Collect gems to unlock new bubble guns and choose your own custom colours.
Desert Gunner
First let me get this out of the way: I’ve played this for probably an hour, despite what steam’s weird gametime tracking thing says. I’ve played it on a few different computers which is probably why it says I’ve played it for such a short time.
Secondly: This is probably the second worst game I’ve gotten on Steam, the worst obviously being Air Control.
In Desert Gunner, you’re a guy manning a turret. In the desert. That’s literally it. The “multifacited levels” the game description promises is really just one level where your convoy drives slowly in a straight line and you shoot at things.
– Real player with 2.9 hrs in game
I wasn’t able to use the controls effectively making Desert Gunner a disappointment for me. Unfortunately the turret view would snap rapidly around making it nearly impossible to aim and giving the enemies an easy time taking you out. In fact, I was so terrible at this game that even groups of soldiers wielding machine guns were able to easily destroy my tank. Realistic? Not at all. Fun? Not in the slightest. I don’t mind older games or dated graphics if the core gameplay is sound, but Desert Gunner was difficult because of poor controls and camera snapping. Unfortunately I can’t recommend this game to anyone.
– Real player with 2.1 hrs in game
Dual Guns Fantasy
only played acouple of minutes but graphics are good and fun to play only muzzle loaders are not repeaters other than that good game
– Real player with 1.1 hrs in game
Pretty fun for like 10mins then there isn’t anything to do. What a shame because its fun, has some lewdness for spice and surprisingly catchy music. Totally worth $2 or even $1 if on sale.
– Real player with 0.6 hrs in game
ExZeus 2 (Legacy)
Mecha Space Harrier
So this is another hidden gem on Steam, a sequel to an obscure classic Exzeus 1 from the Sega Naomi arcade boards and later ported to the PS2, Wii (renamed as Shoot Out and Counter Force) and PC. This one came out first for the Android platforms, then ported to Windows 8 store and a few years later here to Steam. So what is this?
Well in its core it is a Space Harrier type of game where you are on-rails, but can move around the screen blasting everything in your way. But Exzeus 2 puts his own spin on this formula by breaking the on-rails action with on-foot sections which are in 3rd person, in small areas where enemies spawn and you run around freely shooting and punching them. There are also occasional vehicle sections like bikes and jeeps which all have different moves you can pull off. At the end of each level, there is a huge boss with weak points to exploit.
– Real player with 4.6 hrs in game
I’m surprised to find that ExZeus 2 is pretty much the closest to a StarFox 64-style game I’ve seen on Steam so far… It’s got a good arcadey pace to it, with things happening all over that you have to react to and lots of mode switching to different kinds of action sequences. The main 3D shmup sequences are intense but tightly controlled with lots of shooting.
However: the constant mode switching means that they’ve implemented a bunch of different little action games, and I don’t like all of them equally. The combat on foot part is by far my least favorite, and the most common. Turning around and shooting enemies feels like driving a drunk pig, and it seems like they think that this mode is a good way to show you new character models, with little introductions each time a mechanically indistinguishable enemy is introduced, but this game isn’t good- or strange-looking enough for that to entertain me much at all.
– Real player with 1.9 hrs in game
Heavy Fire: Shattered Spear
ok people lets be real here , you can’t spend 3.99$ on a game and expecting it to be as good as battlefield I mean you get exactly what you paid for a simple and short indie rail-shooter game.
-the plot : I can resume the plot to this , you’re an US soldier in a mission to invade Iran cause they have nuclear plans lol and the game make it like you’re the hero who is risking his life and killing Iranian people because they are bad guys ( army propaganda ) the thing is if you invade a country you have to expect that those people of this country will fight back and defend their lands ,you can’t just walk in and do what you like in the name of freedom and the ending was so dumb and cheesy that makes you laugh , invade a foreign country and kill their people in the name of freedom and then call them terrorist cause they resisted and fought back to protect what they have ?!!! Seriously?!!! A soldier of a fighter is called a hero when he protects his country not invade others.
– Real player with 8.1 hrs in game
Achievements & Trading Cards! That’s all that it is worth with Heavy Fire: Shattered Spear, really. Buy that low-budget on-rail shooter only in the bundle, during some hard sale… Or avoid it, to save some self-respect.
Just like its predecessor, Heavy Fire: Afghanistan, this game fails to be enjoyable or impressive in any way. The devs made some homework, sure! Now the levels are a bit more colourful and engaging, the game’s sequences a bit more versatile, the visual effects and sounds - more tolerable… Even the forte - gunplay part - gain some additional work around, making this game looking more like proper war shooter, rather than some random virtual shooting range with wooden targets.
– Real player with 7.8 hrs in game
Hungry Boy
Cool game, I love pixel art games, definitely recommend with the passage of the game!
– Real player with 2.7 hrs in game
Fine platformer shooter game. Only 25 levels, it took me about 20 minutes to complete them all. The gameplay, the controls and the level design are good enough that these 20 minutes were enjoyable, so do not hesitate to give it a try !
– Real player with 0.3 hrs in game
Sky Squadron
Have you got what it takes to keep the skies safe from ruthless villains? Your island paradise is being invaded, and hot-shot Keith Koala needs to jump into the gunner’s seat and fight off some of the most menacing meanies that the Aussie Islands have ever seen! Grab the controls to blow them out of the sky before they plunder everything your home has to offer.
In Sky Squadron VR you take control of a plucky Koala and his friends while they defend their home from evil invaders. Grab the gun controls by both hands to aim and shoot in this classic arcade rail-shooter that sees the player destroy fighters, dismantle giant bosses and repair their plane on the fly. Invite a friend to join you in online co-op, or compete for the highest score on the global leaderboards.
Features
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An Australian take on the classic “Star Fox” universe with a WW2 twist
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Online co-op to easily play with friends
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Branching missions with different objectives
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Fully destructible bosses
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Compete on the global leaderboards to hold the highest score for each and every mission.