The Search For Above Average Life is a bullet-hell adventure game. Blending action with strategy, you’ll take control of SAAL, a lonely exploration robot tasked with scanning planets and attempting to make friends with eccentric alien inhabitants. The core conflict is not violence, but the language barrier as a plot element.

Violence is never the answer

The Search For Above Average Life lets you choose a communication method—like Speak, Write, Gesture, or Dance—and then dodge red "misunderstanding" projectiles. Success is achieved by collecting green "understanding" tokens, which gradually build trust with the alien, forcing you to use your reflexes to solve a much important social problem.

However, the current experience is limited by the game's Early Access status, which means players will find it lacking in overall content and scope compared to a fully released title. Furthermore, the 8-bit minimalist approach to both visuals and sound may be considered too simplistic for players who prefer complex graphics.

A promising game to watch out for

In conclusion, The Search For Above Average Life offers a refreshing and fun twist on the bullet-hell genre by prioritizing friendship over fighting, which is highly original. While the game's content is in Early Access, its unique premise and aesthetic make it a standout casual adventure title that is worth supporting.