Graceful Explosion Machine Reviews

Graceful Explosion Machine is ranked in the 71st percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
8.5 / 10.0
Dec 10, 2018

In short, this game is something I think people can really enjoy. It's not a graphical powerhouse but what it lacks in the graphics department it definitely makes up for in the mechanics and gameplay. The overall difficulty to the game does tend to lend itself to the gamers looking for a challenge as it starts out feeling quite on the easier side building up to sometimes the frustratingly hard side of things (but truly in a fun way). Too many games with difficulty like this get a stigma about them. I find that when you beat a level that you've been trying multiple times to get past, one of the most rewarding feelings in gaming. Without this difficulty type, that feeling of accomplishment really isn't possible.

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Goomba Stomp
Paul Palumbo
6 / 10.0
Oct 22, 2018

'Graceful Explosion' Machine is an enjoyable game to try, but not worth sticking around for.

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9 / 10
Oct 5, 2017

Graceful Explosion Machine is a fast-paced and action-packed release that is highly addictive. You'll end up returning over and over again to each level as you first aim to get A grades in all of them before you move up to getting an S rank on them from near-perfect start-to-finish runs in each level, building up massive combos as you avoid being hit by enemies. There's plenty of content here and a nice variety of enemies to make this one an easy game to recommend on PS4.

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Digitally Downloaded
Matt C.
Top Critic
Aug 30, 2017

Graceful Explosion Machine is simple, pure arcade fun, with a level of polish and attention to detail in the design that's rarely seen. It's the sort of game that you can pick up for a quick 5 minute session, and then find yourself still playing hours later.

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Drew Hurley
Top Critic
7 / 10
Aug 26, 2017

There's just something about these types of games that make them intrinsically addictive. After playing Graceful Explosion Machine for long enough, and getting into the flow, the experience is fast, manic, and fluid - the sort of gameplay that harkens back to the pure and simplistic joy that was the core of arcade shooters of the '90s. That being said, the real draw of the game is the replayable rankings and leaderboards, and attempting to get those perfect runs on each stage. Without that, the game is a little short for the cost, with just over 2-3 hours of playtime to finish it off.

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7.5 / 10.0
Aug 22, 2017

Graceful Explosion Machine is a bright, colorful and quirky shooter with some interesting visuals that back up some pretty solid shooting gameplay. Having already been released on the Switch several months ago, Graceful Explosion Machine makes its way to the PlayStation 4 where it fills the screen with some pretty crazy action.

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7.2 / 10.0
Aug 15, 2017

Graceful Explosion Machine boasts exciting and frantic shooting action, colorful visuals, and a well implemented combo scoring system.

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Recommended
Aug 13, 2017

Graceful Explosion Machine knows what it wants to be, and delivers on that experience with flying, bright, bountiful colors. A top-notch title in the genre and worth every penny.

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Geeks Under Grace
Sydney Stoddard
7.8 / 10.0
Aug 13, 2017

If your PC is ready for this gem, Graceful Exploding Machine is a satisfying game that'll make your day.

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88 / 100
Aug 11, 2017

There are graphics that pop with color, and an entrancing techno soundtrack that just keeps pulling you into the frenzy.

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7.4 / 10.0
Aug 10, 2017

Despite feeling like a generic shooter, It does have solid gameplay.

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7.5 / 10.0
Aug 10, 2017

There are a lot of great ideas found within Graceful Explosion Machine, and I can't wait to see how they're build upon in future games. I never got the itch to better my scores after completing a level (some sort of unlockable structure would've helped), but I found myself enjoying the challenge that Vertex Pop had on offer more often than not. Occasionally it veers into being more frustrating than fun, but the joy of finally beating a level you failed several times before is worth those bouts of annoyance.

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75 / 100
Aug 8, 2017

Graceful Explosion Machine is an extremely simple and straightforward game. And this is both good and bad, since its scenarios and weapons do not change over the course of their short journey. This turns the game into a casual experience or into something for lovers of the side-scrolling arcade shooter genre.

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85 / 100
Aug 8, 2017

Graceful Explosion Machine is an excellent 2D shooter with clever ideas with a lot of near-death experiences, once you’re hooked you will not want to stop. The action is straightforward and combined with Graceful Explosion Machine's smart enemy design and weapons each level like an intense adrenaline rush.

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Aug 7, 2017

Graceful Explosion Machine certainly lives up to its name, but narrow-minded design and a complete lack of multiplayer deflate the experience.

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8 / 10
Aug 7, 2017

Graceful Explosion Machine is a gorgeous and innovative take on a now ancient genre of arcade shooter. The weapon system brings an element of combo juggling to the combat and challenge runs are addictive and, crucially, not too punishing. Simply put, this is another top-notch PS4 shmup.

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8 / 10.0
Aug 7, 2017

There's a solid amount of gameplay present within Graceful Explosion Machine and it's very entertaining to play.

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Cubed3
Top Critic
6 / 10
Aug 7, 2017

Graceful Explosion Machine is a thoroughly solid title with enough content to last. However, it lacks passion. It has an almost clinical approach to everything, which makes for a shmup that's only enjoyable with the right mind-set. This genre is designed around stoking a flame in one's heart. After spending enough time mere pixels away from death, there is this feeling that takes over. It's hard to describe, but it's amazing. Every moment thereafter is earned. The best STGs pummel and exhaust the player, but after succeeding, it's almost as if EVO has just been won. When playing this game, there isn't even a spark.

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TheSixthAxis
Top Critic
5 / 10
Aug 7, 2017

There is absolutely nothing wrong with Graceful Explosion Machine, and if you enjoy chasing high scores then it will provide you with a decent challenge. For the the rest of us, it's a dinky little shooter that you can complete in a couple of hours and will forget about in half that time.

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8 / 10.0
Aug 7, 2017

Graceful Explosion Machine is a must play for arcade shooters with its precision gameplay, accessibility, and presentation.

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