Voidface Review
Voidface is a punishing bullet hell arena shooter where each level pits you against a gauntlet of bosses.
Voidface. Credit: Frog Hat Labs / Mad Mushroom
Voidface is a tough-as-nails bossrush bullet hell arena shooter. It’s the kind of game I eat up despite being trash at it. Most players will probably find it frustrating. Even on the normal mode, the game is hard. Part of what makes it especially grueling, a true test of will, is that each level isn’t just a boss; it’s a gauntlet of bosses. You survive one by the skin of your teeth only to face two more.
Spells add some variety beyond just shooting and dodging. You hold one of the controller’s face buttons and input a series of directional button presses for powerful effects. The drawback is that you can’t move at all while casting, and of course you can get hit and die or cast the wrong spell because you’re rushing. Maybe the game could have slowed time just a little bit during casting to be slightly more forgiving.
Voidface. Credit: Frog Hat Labs / Mad Mushroom
You can also hold a button to slow down your own movement, a nice touch that helps you navigate some of the tighter bullet patterns. It’s better than relying entirely on analog joystick input to regulate your speed. It takes some getting used to, but it’s a lifesaver once you do.
The pixel art graphics are simple but provide total clarity. You and enemies are white with black outlines. Things that can hit and kill you are red. That simplicity is critical because the sheer number of moving bits on the screen would be overwhelming otherwise. The game understands that the graphics have to work in service of its unforgiving gameplay.
I haven’t even touched the hard version of any of the levels because I’m totally certain they’d kick my ass. I haven’t yet beaten them on normal difficulty either, but I find myself unable to stop throwing myself into the meat grinder that is Voidface.
Voidface
Voidface demands serious persistence, with clear visuals and precise movement controls helping me navigate the punishment.
Voidface is a punishing bullet hell arena shooter where each level pits you against a gauntlet of bosses.