Underplayed Gems

A.R.M.: Absolutely Reliable Machine (2020)

A.R.M.: Absolutely Reliable Machine cover
Developer
Nevertheless Studio
Publisher
PsychoFlux Entertainment
Platforms
Windows
Genres
Action, Casual, Indie, Strategy
Rating
5.0 of 5, 18 player ratings
Typical playtime
about 29 minutes
Where to get it
Steam

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The 3D catalog: game boxes on wooden shelves, with the cat sitting at the counter next to its greeting.

The catalog in 3D

The same catalog has a room you can walk around in. The cat behind the counter is the AI Catbot, and they pick real games from it when you tell them what you feel like playing. Nothing is for sale, here or in there. Go in from here and this game is already out on the counter, with more like it waiting on the shelf next to it.

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How it feels

A high-risk arcade brawler where you stand your ground and fend off waves of monsters with precise, rhythmic attacks.

actionarcaderhythmpunishingretrofuturisticenemy wavestationary combat

What players say

Players describe this as a Punch-Out-style game where you dodge and strike from a fixed position, testing pattern recognition and quick reactions. Many note it is short, around one hour for all difficulties, and some wish it were a mobile game. The music and pixel art are praised, though a few find characters janky and the gameplay overstays its welcome slightly.

Screenshots

A.R.M.: Absolutely Reliable Machine screenshot 1A.R.M.: Absolutely Reliable Machine screenshot 2A.R.M.: Absolutely Reliable Machine screenshot 3A.R.M.: Absolutely Reliable Machine screenshot 4A.R.M.: Absolutely Reliable Machine screenshot 5

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More by Nevertheless Studio

This page is from Underplayed Gems, a catalog of older and overlooked games. Not quite it? You can browse by platform and genre, or take this one into the 3D catalog and ask the Catbot for something closer.