Brotato is a 2023 top-down shoot 'em up roguelite video game developed by French independent developer Thomas Gervraud under the studio name Blobfish. It was initially released in early access on Steam in 2022, during which it sold over one million copies. Brotato has garnered positive reviews from both critics and players and has since been ported to multiple platforms.
| Brotato | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Thomas Gervraud[a] |
| Publisher(s) | Blobfish[a] |
| Programmer(s) | Thomas Gervraud |
| Engine | Godot[1] |
| Platform(s) | |
| Release |
|
| Genre(s) | Top-down, shoot 'em up, roguelite |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Gameplay
editPlayers control one of several potatoes from a top-down perspective. Many of these characters are unlocked at the start and possess different starting attributes. The objective is to defeat as many waves of enemies as possible using the potato. After each wave, players can upgrade and enhance various attributes and weapons, which can be purchased with materials collected during gameplay. Brotato is classified as a shoot 'em up. Shooting is automatically managed by the computer, although players have the option to change this setting to enable manual aiming.[2]
Development and release
editBrotato is the fourth game developed by Blobfish, a one-man indie studio based in Lyon, France during its development.[3] It entered early access on Steam for Windows on September 27, 2022, followed by the full release on June 23, 2023.[4]
The Android and iOS ports, developed and published by Erabit Studios, were released on March 28, 2023. On mobile devices, Brotato is available in both free-to-play and premium versions.[5] The Nintendo Switch version was released on August 3, 2023.[4] Versions for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S were released on January 30, 2024, and became available via Xbox Game Pass at launch.[6]
In April 2024, the company announced a free upcoming update for local co-op gameplay, as well as their first paid DLC titled "Abyssal Terrors", scheduled for release in 2024.[7][8]
Reception
edit| Aggregator | Score |
|---|---|
| Metacritic | PC: 76/100[9] |
Rock Paper Shotgun, which reviewed the game during early access, compared it to "a hit Flash game on Newgrounds in 2006". While they appreciated the retro gameplay, they noted that death occurred a bit too easily.[2] TouchArcade remarked that although it initially appears to be a simple clone of Vampire Survivors, it incorporates roguelite elements and is more strategic, thereby establishing a distinct identity.[10] Screen Rant described the game mechanics as addictive, quick, and easily accessible, providing ample freedom for strategy and experimentation. The website included it in their list of the best indie games of 2022.[11] Digital Trends referred to it as a "smart evolution of the Vampire Survivors formula" that emphasizes more dynamic character builds.[12]
It was one of the most popular roguelite games on Steam in 2022 and 2023,[13] receiving "overwhelmingly positive" reviews from users.[12] As of September 2022, it had sold over a million copies.[14] It was nominated for "Best Steam Deck Game" at the 2023 Steam Awards.[15]
Notes
editReferences
edit- ^ Linietsky, Juan (2022-12-31). "2022: A Retrospective". Godot. Archived from the original on 2023-12-05. Retrieved 2023-12-15.
- ^ a b O'Connor, Alice (2022-11-15). "Brotato scratches that Vampire Survivors itch, faster and bloodier". Rock Paper Shotgun. Archived from the original on 2024-10-09. Retrieved 2023-12-15.
- ^ "Press Kit". thomasgervraud.com. Archived from the original on 2024-02-14. Retrieved 2024-01-03.
- ^ a b "Brotato". Gematsu. 19 April 2023. Archived from the original on 2024-10-09. Retrieved 2023-12-15.
- ^ Madnani, Mikhail (March 28, 2023). "Top Down Roguelite Shooter 'Brotato' Is Out Now on iOS and Android as a Premium Release". TouchArcade. Archived from the original on October 9, 2024. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
- ^ Megan Spurr (2024-01-16). "Coming to Xbox Game Pass: Palworld, Persona 3 Reload, F1 23, and More". Xbox Wire. Archived from the original on 2024-01-16. Retrieved 2024-01-16.
- ^ "Brotato: Abyssal Terrors Revealed as First Official DLC, Including Local Co-Op". 10 April 2024. Archived from the original on 12 April 2024. Retrieved 24 August 2024.
- ^ Bolding, Jonathan (21 April 2024). "Brotato has a DLC and a free, 4-player local co-op expansion incoming". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on 9 October 2024. Retrieved 24 August 2024.
- ^ "Brotato for PC Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on January 17, 2024. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
- ^ Nelson, Jared (2023-04-01). "TouchArcade Game of the Week: Brotato". TouchArcade. Archived from the original on 2023-12-15. Retrieved 2023-12-15.
- ^ Hon, Jason (2023-06-26). "Brotato Review: A Starchy Arena Shooter Without Enough Glamour". ScreenRant. Archived from the original on 2023-06-27. Retrieved 2023-10-20.
- ^ a b Colantonio, Giovanni (2023-06-23). "This $5 Steam indie might just be the game of the summer". Digital Trends. Archived from the original on 2023-12-15. Retrieved 2023-12-15.
- ^ Serin, Kaan (2023-07-01). "One of the highest-rated roguelikes of all time is now officially out, and it's only gotten better". Games Radar. Archived from the original on 2023-12-15. Retrieved 2023-12-15.
- ^ Rosenberg, Yair (2023-03-16). "Why Are 1 Million People Playing Brotato?". The Atlantic. Archived from the original on 2023-12-15. Retrieved 2023-12-15.
- ^ Chalk, Andy (2023-12-15). "Starfield is nominated for the Most Innovative Gameplay award in the 2023 Steam Awards". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on 2023-12-15. Retrieved 2023-12-15.