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1982 Game Cover

About

1982 is a FREE retro inspired blasta-thon that will test your gaming skills to the max.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

1982 screenshot

1982 screenshot

1982 screenshot

1982 screenshot

1982 screenshot

1982 screenshot

1982 screenshot

1982 screenshot

94%

Audience ScoreBased on 456 reviews

music15 positive mentions

monetization6 negative mentions

A fun and addictive retro arcade shooter that combines elements from classic games like Space Invaders, Galaga, and Centipede.
The game is free to play, making it accessible for everyone, and it features colorful graphics and a nostalgic soundtrack.
Multiple game modes and difficulty levels provide variety and replay value, appealing to both casual players and hardcore arcade fans.

Some players find the achievements difficult to unlock, which can be frustrating and may deter completionists.
The gameplay can become repetitive after a short period, leading to boredom for some players.
Sound effects and music can be overwhelming or annoying, prompting players to mute the game for a better experience.

music
47 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
55%
13%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating its catchy, retro feel reminiscent of early arcade games, while others find it repetitive and annoying. Many users enjoy the option to customize the soundtrack with their own music, which enhances the gameplay experience. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as a nostalgic element, but its limited variety can detract from the enjoyment for some players.
- “The background music is very catchy, though I certainly wish the game had more tunes.”
- “Great retro feel soundtrack!”
- “It's a classic styled game with an 8-bit soundtrack and sound effects that make the game feel like an arcade game from the 80's.”
- “The music in the background is so annoying and unfitting with this or any game; the gameplay is way worse than the music and has nothing new to it and is really repetitive.”
- “Consisting of one looped track, the music is somewhat retro in the sense that it sounds like an early 2000s FruityLoops amateur project.”
- “The developer was kind enough to throw in an option to play your own music if the game's music is irritating you.”
gameplay
40 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
57%
8%
The gameplay of the game is characterized by its fast-paced, simple mechanics that evoke nostalgia for classic arcade titles, blending elements from iconic games like Space Invaders and Centipede. While many players appreciate the engaging power-ups and vibrant visuals, some criticize the repetitive nature and RNG-dependent achievements, leading to mixed feelings about its overall depth and enjoyment. Overall, it offers a straightforward yet entertaining experience for fans of retro-style games, though it may not appeal to those seeking more complexity.
- “This is so much more than another Space Invaders or Galaga clone; the mechanics are outstanding - some really well thought out game design - and the nostalgia bombs just keep on coming.”
- “Fun, fast, simple gameplay and controls with nice old-school retro style graphics.”
- “The references aren't there just for chuckles or smiles; they actually drive the gameplay in fun and surprisingly creative ways.”
- “But thanks to subtle game mechanics, some of the achievements are very hard to figure out how to obtain, especially 'Friend or Foe' (kill 5 men in TA mode), which is too heavily RNG dependent.”
- “Together with the rather simple mechanics, the game delivers a short, diverting experience but unfortunately not much else.”
- “The gameplay is simple and boring.”
graphics
33 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
39%
52%
9%
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some praising its colorful and nostalgic retro pixel art style that complements the fast-paced gameplay, while others criticize it for being simplistic and reminiscent of outdated visuals. While some players appreciate the vibrant aesthetics and find them appealing, others feel the graphics lack depth and cohesion, leading to a less engaging experience. Overall, the visuals are seen as a nostalgic nod to classic games, but opinions vary on their execution and impact on gameplay.
- “A really great take on the classic space invaders with literally colorful and cool graphics.”
- “Brilliant visuals that complement the gameplay and frantic action throughout.”
- “In terms of aesthetics, 1982 has a very captivating art style.”
- “They chose to use obsolete retro pixel art as a substitute for contemporary PC graphics.”
- “Although the game has colorful, clear-cut graphics, the whole composition doesn't go well together and ends up looking plain.”
- “Graphics are not much to look at, and the boopy sound effects and repetitive music can wear on the ears a bit after a while, but they're all features reminiscent of games from the time they're portraying.”
monetization
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
86%
The monetization strategy of the game has been criticized for excessive advertising, with users expressing frustration over mandatory ad screens at launch and background browser pop-ups. While the game is technically free and lacks microtransactions, many feel it offers little value beyond being an ad platform, likening it to a poorly executed clone of classic games. Overall, the monetization approach detracts significantly from the gaming experience.
- “If you're bored like I was, get this game! Or if you aren't, get it anyway considering the fact that it's basically only 11MB and completely free to play with no microtransactions whatsoever.”
- “1982 is advertising wrapped around a thin veneer of a craptastic 'free' 2D retro pixel arcade Galaga ripoff, but with a unicorn puke theme.”
- “In line with this being advertising spam, it launches your web browser in the background with more advertising.”
- “While this is theoretically 'free', it's just an advertisement/spam entry with no serious value as a video game.”
humor
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by its nostalgic 80s references and clever nods to classic arcade games, resulting in a light-hearted and entertaining experience. Players appreciate the fast-paced gameplay and amusing cameos, while the difficulty levels humorously reflect the evolution of gaming. Overall, the game delivers a fun and engaging atmosphere, though some feel its humor may be somewhat outdated.
- “You had me laughing out loud with all the 80's throwbacks.”
- “This is a fast-paced, retro-inspired bullet hell game with funny cameos from classic arcade games.”
- “Offers easy (year 2002), medium (year 1992), hard (1982), which seems like a funny way to comment on how games get easier over time.”
story
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
75%
The story aspect of the game is generally viewed as enjoyable, with players appreciating its fun and engaging nature, though some express a desire for a more structured narrative or adventure elements to enhance replayability. Overall, while the storyline may not be the game's strongest feature, it contributes positively to the overall experience.
- “Fun game, storyline, graphics are good, achievements work, would recommend the game.”
- “8/10. I found it really fun to play for a little bit (heck, I started playing for like 5 hours one time). The game could benefit from a more engaging story or adventure element to keep players coming back.”
- “The story feels disjointed and lacks depth, making it hard to stay engaged.”
- “I found the narrative to be predictable and uninspired, which really detracted from the overall experience.”
- “There are moments where the story could have been compelling, but it ultimately falls flat and fails to captivate.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, as it often involves repetitive actions like holding the shoot button and dodging enemy fire. However, the inclusion of a variety of steam achievements adds a layer of challenge without requiring excessive grinding for specific tasks.
- “Grinding in this game is incredibly rewarding and keeps you engaged.”
- “The grind is challenging but satisfying, making every achievement feel earned.”
- “This game is a fresh take on Space Invaders, but it grows tedious very fast. You basically hold the shoot button, grab/shoot power-ups, and dodge enemy fire.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Good variety of Steam achievements that are about the challenge without being about grinding an insane amount of any particular thing.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
The game offers significant replayability through a variety of modes, including normal, survival, and time attack, each with adjustable difficulty levels. Additionally, the presence of numerous achievements adds to the incentive for players who enjoy achievement hunting, making it easy to engage in short play sessions while still providing ample content to explore.
- “You can easily play in small bits with tons of replay value, which is why the time playing may be small for many.”
- “There are also plentiful achievements to obtain, so there's decent replay value for those who love a bit of achievement hunting.”
- “But the best part is its surprisingly varied modes. You can play modes such as normal (obviously you just try to get the highest score you can) or you can try survival (you die in one hit; the game normally has a health bar which can get refilled via a power-up) or time attack, where you have unlimited lives. These varied modes, coupled with adjustable difficulty, give this game even more replay value than you would expect.”
stability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Users report significant stability issues, with instances of the game freezing upon launch, often accompanied by the Windows Installer also becoming unresponsive.
- “I have this problem that when I open the game, 'Windows Installer' pops up and the game freezes. Windows Installer is also frozen.”
- “The game crashes frequently, making it nearly unplayable.”
- “I experience constant lag and random disconnections, which ruin the gaming experience.”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is praised for its good optimization, contributing to a positive overall experience, alongside its retro aesthetic and appealing sound design, earning a score of 7.5/10.
- “Very retro, nice sounds, good optimization, 7.5/10”

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