Bad Pad

I got the game today, and I liked it. It's a sweet platform game with puzzle elements.... (I am a big platform/run&gun fan) I played it with gamepad, and it was quite responsive. Love the fact that you can also jump on walls and you can climb on plants hanging from the ceiling... this makes sure that you have to learn several game meccanics. More skills=more fun :)

English: A hidden jewel for all platformer-aficionados. The graphic-style is somewhat retro, more like filtered SNES than muddy NES style. Some situations are really tricky, but they are never so hard so that you want to give up. The price of 12,49 EUR atm is more than fair. Edit: I ran into a few problems, and within a few minutes teh developer answered on the steam discussion boards. And he even released a patch after an hour or two which fixed the bug I've found. Another big thumbs up! German: EIn kleines Juwel für Plattformerfans. Die Grafik ist Retro, aber nicht so nervig pixelig wie andere Vertreter. Eher wie gefilterte 16-Bit Grafik als 8-Bit Pixelbrei. Der Schwierigkeitsgrad schrammt (bisher) immer an "nervig" vorbei, die Motivation reicht aus um es immer wieder aufs Neue zu versuchen. Preis derzeit: 12,49 EUR...geht in Ordnung.

Juego super entretenido, historia bastante simple, sos un cuadrado que tiene que rescatar a la chica :v Jugabilidad estilo super meat boy con toque de metroidvania El juego consta de 4 zonas, pudiendo acceder a las demas recolectando monedas y jugando un arcade Podemos encontrar varios jefes, cada uno único y que pone a prueba tus habilidades en el juego. Me llevó 25 horas platinarlo Lo unico malo es la traducción al español, a veces las frases no tienen mucho sentido No es muy conocido, asi que no van a encontrar guias de coleccionables o monedas por internet. Pero no es dificil conseguirlas todas Recomiendo que le den una oportunidad, eso si, te vas a frustrar bastante

I decided to finally buy this and give it a chance after seeing the creator advertise this on r/metroidvania and realizing a few days prior that "the metroidvania review" curator is a joke. This is basically super meat boy reimagined as a metroidvania. It's clearly someone's first game and it shows but it has undergone several patches and the developer is very active and will immediately fix any issues that get reported. Nonetheless, if you're going to buy this, you should wait for a sale. Also, keep in mind that this game has some of the worst world design ever in a metroidvania. edit: after playing more I've decided that this can't be recommended. The reason is that no amount of patches are going to be able to save this first attempt at a video game. The devs need to move on to their next project and stop clinging to the past.

Bad Pad, developed by Headbang Games in collaboration with Oray Studios, is a platformer that immediately separates itself from the crowd through sheer personality. While it sits within the familiar framework of a 2D precision platformer, it layers that foundation with a loud, unapologetic heavy metal identity that influences everything from its visuals to its pacing. What emerges is not just a game about jumping and avoiding hazards, but an experience that feels closer to an interactive musical performance, constantly pushing energy and style to the forefront. At its core, the gameplay revolves around tight, skill-based platforming. You control a small, square character navigating a series of obstacle-filled levels, each designed to test timing, reflexes, and pattern recognition. The controls are responsive and reliable, which is essential given the level of precision required. Mistakes are frequent, especially in later stages, but they rarely feel unfair. Instead, the game leans heavily into a trial-and-error approach, encouraging players to learn through repetition. Each failed attempt becomes part of the process, gradually building familiarity with the level until success feels earned. What elevates the experience beyond a standard platformer is how deeply music is woven into its design. The soundtrack is not just background noise—it drives the tone and rhythm of the game. Guitar-heavy tracks accompany each stage, giving the gameplay a sense of momentum that carries you forward even during repeated failures. Certain sequences feel almost synchronized with the music, creating moments where movement and sound align in a way that feels deliberate and engaging. This integration gives the game a unique identity, making it stand out in a genre that often relies on more conventional presentation. Level design plays a key role in maintaining that momentum. As you progress, new mechanics are introduced to keep the experience from becoming too predictable. Environmental hazards evolve, puzzles become more layered, and occasional gameplay variations—such as shifts in movement style or perspective—add brief changes of pace. These elements help prevent the game from feeling completely static, though the core challenge of precise jumping and timing remains consistent throughout. The game’s tone is another defining feature. Despite its difficulty, it maintains a sense of humor and absurdity that softens the frustration of repeated failure. Visual gags, exaggerated animations, and the overall concept of navigating a chaotic world as a sentient gamepad button add a playful edge to the experience. This lighthearted approach helps balance the intensity of the gameplay, making it easier to stay engaged even when progress slows. However, the game is not without its drawbacks. The reliance on precision platforming means that the experience can feel repetitive over longer sessions, especially for players who are not fully invested in the genre. While new elements are introduced, they often build on existing mechanics rather than fundamentally changing the gameplay. Additionally, the difficulty curve can be uneven, with certain sections presenting sharp spikes that may disrupt the overall pacing. Another consideration is the game’s niche appeal. Its heavy emphasis on both challenging platforming and a strong musical identity means it may not resonate with all players. Those who prefer more relaxed or narrative-driven experiences may find it demanding, while others may not connect with its stylistic choices. It is a game that knows exactly what it wants to be, but that clarity also limits its broader accessibility. Despite these limitations, Bad Pad succeeds in delivering a memorable and energetic experience. It combines responsive gameplay with a bold presentation that gives it a distinct voice within the platforming genre. While it may not offer the depth or variety of more expansive titles, it compensates with consistency and character, creating a journey that feels both challenging and expressive. In the end, Bad Pad is best appreciated by players who enjoy mastering difficult platformers and are willing to embrace repetition as part of the experience. Its blend of tight mechanics and musical flair creates something that feels unique, even if it occasionally leans too heavily on its core loop. For the right audience, it offers a rewarding and entertaining challenge that stands out through its personality alone. Rating: 7/10

Great gaming fun

This is a tight platformer metroidvania with a touch of awesome puzzle.

UPDATE #2 -- After playing this game for many hours, I wanted to add a pro and a con. First the con -- the level designs become enormous further along in the game, which can be a little bit irritating considering you have to explore all the area of the level in order to get all the coins. But the pro might outweigh everything -- this is the first game I have ever played in which the character animations of people playing instruments (guitar and drums) match up EXACTLY with the music that is being played. You can literally pull out your guitar and play along with the song by watching the guitarist while the music is playing. That is absolutely amazing!! UPDATE -- I now have an Xbox X/S controller. Noticed there was some updates to the game. Updated it and the options now allow me to map the controls. LOVE IT. Now I can play the game and I am very happy!! I don't know if it works with PS DualSense controller still, but I have had so many problems with that controller I decided to just use the Xbox X/S. Everything looks great and I have updated my rating. Noticed the update from the devs on my previous comment... glad they are still putting work into this game. My previous comment is null at this point... can't expect every controller to work perfectly with every game... my apologies! Thanks for such a great game!! PROS -- dope game with a lot of heart and soul, graphics are perfect, so much exploration, straight forward and easy to play out of the box CONS -- sometimes the music can be a little repetitive (especially if you are not a metal fan, though I am). Also it will take some getting used to the character movement with the controls in regards to gliding, sliding, and running. But that is part of the point of the game. Also the background sometimes blends in with the foreground, but if you die you can just get it right the next time. PLAY! This is a great game and I am extremely excited that I can now play it. Been looking forward to this for so long. Thanks yall! ----- Using PS5 DualShock through Steam with the generic drivers and no external controller mapping... controller doesn't work. Attempted to map the buttons in the options menu of the game and the controller is not recognized. I know it isn't my controller or system, so it must be an issue with the game itself. So... yeah, can't play the game. Kinda sucks as I bought this and Bad Run together as a package for Xmas and was excited to play both. Controller works with Bad Run, but not Bad Pad. I know this game is a few years old, but either it works directly out of the box with current tech or it doesn't. I doubt this issue will be addressed by the devs since its now 2021/2022, but this could cause a new generation of players to refrain from buying/playing the game.