Headlander

MonsterVineMonsterVine Staff

Headlander is a unexpected but pleasant title that has rekindled my interest in 2D side-scrollers. The title is both familiar and wholly unique, and the main mechanic of Headlanding is both entertaining and intuitive. A sleek and stylistic design matched with an incredible attention to detail more than make up for any frustrations with the game’s combat or puzzles.

GameSpewTom Willis

9/10

When the team previewed Headlander at EGX Rezzed they were justified in their excitement. Double Fine and Adult Swim have produced an immensely assured game that is highly recommended to any gamer. It’s a simple game in its approach: its mechanics are not over-wrought or complicated, but it’s top quality fun. Headlander is of the few games in recent memories to garner a true belly laugh. Now where did I leave those flares and dancing shoes? I’ve got a space disco to attend.

Worth PlayingBrian Dumlao

8/10

Headlander is a a retro-futuristic, side-scrolling, action-adventure game set in a world inspired by '70s science fiction.

The OuterHavenBy Keith Mitchell

When you stop and think about how far Adult Swim has come, it’s pretty cool. Back in the day, I witnessed the first broadcast of Adult Swim and fell in love with shows like Sealab 2020. Now, as I wrap up Adult Swim Games’ latest game as a publisher, Headlander, I’m…

Video ChumsA.J. Maciejewski

8/10

There are so many Metroidvania games releasing nowadays that innovation goes a long way. Thankfully, Headlander is bursting with uniqueness from its wacky premise to its gameplay, so let's get started. Off with your head!

Game RantDalton Cooper

8/10

Even though Headlander may be lacking in terms of quantity, the content it does have is quality. As far as Metroidvania games go, it's one of the betters ones, utilizing its unique premise for some effective dark humor and interesting gameplay mechanics. It's safe to say that both fans of the genre and fans of Double Fine's distinct style will enjoy Headlander, and it should serve to keep disgruntled Castlevania and Metroid fans satisfied for the time being.

DualShockersRyan Meitzler

8/10

While the game does have a few slight irritations when it comes to its design, Headlander still manages to keep its head on its shoulders (or traveling through space via rocket propulsion) thanks to its eclectic blend of old-school, side-scrolling gameplay and its art direction that sci-fi fans will truly enjoy. Though it shares more similarities with the likes of Metroid, Logan's Run, and so many of its other influences than it may for something completely new, Double Fine and Adult Swim Games have still managed to make Headlander into an experience that's funny, delightfully weird, and might...

PC GamerChris Schilling

80/100

Flash, wit and ‘70s chic lift Double Fine’s Headlander above its familiar systems.

COGConnectedSteven Ritz

79/100

Imagine if those heads in the jars from Futurama could fly. Now imagine that not only can they fly, but they can attach to any robotic body or generic computer port. That’s the basis for Double Fine’s newest game Headlander, a Metroidvania style 2D side-scroller. In a world where everyone’s consciousness exists in the ethereal cloud and downloads into any body they want, you are what seems to be last flesh and blood human…or at least the head of one. As the silent protagonist (silent because you have no lungs) you must uncover the mystery of where all the bodies went and expose the AI overlord...

VideogamerTom Orry

7/10

Headlander is entertaining, looks and sounds excellent, and gives off a cool vibe, but this isn't quite a classic.

Playstation LifestyleChandler Wood

7/10

What starts as a series of great concepts ends in a disparate and half-baked conclusion. Read our Headlander review to find out why.

WellPlayedArana Judith

6/10

Is Double Fine's head square on its shoulders?