About
Tape to Tape is a roguelite hockey game with an arcade feel. You guide a team through a branching map of games and events, attempting to reach the finals and restore hockey's glory. Each run offers different players to hire, unique abilities to acquire, and synergies to discover between your skaters. Between runs, you can permanently upgrade your team and facilities.
Verdict
Tape to Tape is the PC hockey game we've been waiting for, even if it arrived in an unexpected shape. It expertly blends the frantic, satisfying feel of 90s arcade hockey with a modern roguelite structure that makes every run a new puzzle. Building a team of oddballs with bizarre, powerful synergies is a consistent delight. It's an easy recommendation, held back only by some deeply frustrating goalie behavior and lingering bugs that can occasionally steal a hard-earned victory.
You'll like it if …
- +You have fond memories of arcade sports games like NHL Hitz or NBA Jam.
- +You enjoy roguelites that apply run-based progression to unexpected genres.
- +You're looking for a great pick-up-and-play sports title for the Steam Deck.
You'll dislike it if …
- −AI that feels unfair or unbalanced is a major source of frustration for you.
- −You prefer deep, realistic simulation over arcade wackiness.
- −The risk of a progress-wiping bug is enough to make you wait for more patches.
Breakdown
- +Fast-paced, smooth arcade hockey that recalls classics like NHL 94.
- +Controls are accessible and feel responsive on the ice.
- +The core minute-to-minute action of skating, checking, and shooting is consistently fun.
- −Goalkeeper AI for your own team feels unbalanced on higher difficulties, leading to frustrating losses.
- −The game can feel decided by goalie performance rather than player skill.
- +The roguelite structure successfully adds strategic variety to a sports game.
- +A wide range of player abilities and random events keeps runs feeling fresh.
- +Synergies between different players encourage experimentation with team composition.
- +Offers substantial local co-op and multiplayer modes.
- −Some runs can feel repetitive once you've seen most of the events and enemy teams.
- −The campaign could benefit from more content to extend its longevity.
- +A strong, lighthearted sense of humor runs through the game.
- +Wacky character designs and abilities, like a farting princess, give the world a memorable, silly personality.
- +Clean, cartoony art style that is visually appealing and easy to read during hectic matches.
- +Runs exceptionally well on the Steam Deck, making it an ideal portable game.
- +The user interface is clean and easy to navigate.
- +The game has seen significant polish and improvements since its early access period.
- −Some players report critical bugs that can wipe campaign progress after an update.
- −Issues with managing lineups during a run can disrupt play.
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