Full Metal Schoolgirl
Top Critic Average
Critics Recommend
Critic Reviews for Full Metal Schoolgirl
Once you've given Full Metal Schoolgirl a couple runs, you've pretty much seen it all. There are decent ideas with potential that meld the shooter genre and roguelike framework well – it's unfortunate that they get squandered by foundational shortcomings.
Full Metal Schoolgirl is an action-roguelike where the company Meternity Jobz has angered a couple of Japanese schoolgirls.
Roguelites are all about repetition, and Full Metal Schoolgirl has that "one more go" factor that makes the genre so darn compelling.Its tongue in cheek premise resonates in these wild times, and its gameplay – with a bit of tinkering – blends character action with third-person shooting in a fresh and interesting way.You just need to be prepared for a bit of frustration and a pinch of jank: this isn't a straight-A student by any stretch, but its robotic heart's in the right place.
Full Metal Schoolgirl offers a sharp, satirical look at corporate life. It's humorous throughout, but the roguelike, action-oriented gameplay does become redundant. I'd rather my time slogging be spent in an actual office I'm meant to survive, not a virtual one I'm meant to destroy.
Full Metal Schoolgirl isn’t quite as sharp as a satirical commentary (though it is there), and it doesn’t have quite the slick brawler action or memorable boss battles (though they are there). What it does have, though, is an excellent example of a roguelike formula largely done right, with great loot loops and an upgrade path that doesn’t make you feel like you’ve taken too many steps backwards every time you “die” and need to start a new run.
Full Metal Schoolgirl is both ridiculous and addictive. The hack-and-slash and shooting gameplay isn't hindered by the inclusion of a stamina meter, and the constant slew of upgrades keeps the roguelike gameplay feeling fresh even after going through 100+ levels. The presentation has occasional hiccups, as does some parts of the gameplay, but there's nothing that actively takes away from a fun experience. Don't expect anything groundbreaking, but those looking for action in a cheesy setting won't be disappointed by Full Metal Schoolgirl.
