98xx

About

98xx is a single player platformer game with a horror theme. It was developed by JacksonGameStudios and was released on May 29, 2023. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

"98xx" is a collection of vintage software, including games, art, and utilities, such as the strange 2D platformer "Jumping Julian," where things get weird as you play. Other highlights are Surfur , VidPlayer, Pixel Paint, and Puzzle Patterns. The occasional unnerving messages that appear add an intriguing layer of mystery to the gameplay. With its nostalgic graphical interface and replayable mini-games, 98xx offers a unique and eerie experience for players.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

79%

Audience ScoreBased on 275 reviews

story5 positive mentions

gameplay3 negative mentions

The game offers a unique and immersive horror experience with engaging lore and hidden secrets that encourage exploration.
Many players find the jumpscares effective and the overall atmosphere to be genuinely creepy, making it a thrilling experience.
The game is praised for its nostalgic aesthetic and creative use of analog horror elements, appealing to fans of the genre.

Numerous players report technical issues, including crashes and bugs that hinder gameplay, leading to frustration.
The jumpscares are often criticized for being predictable and lacking creativity, detracting from the overall horror experience.
Some reviewers feel the game is too short and lacks depth, with many puzzles being tedious or poorly designed.

story
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
55%
17%
The game's story is a mixed bag, with some players praising its intriguing lore and the engaging process of uncovering secrets through gameplay, while others criticize it for being generic and lacking direction. Many appreciate the alternate reality game (ARG) elements and the connection to analog horror, but some find the plot buildup insufficient and the scares predictable. Overall, the narrative has potential, but its execution varies significantly among players.
- “The story is incredible.”
- “98xx seems on the surface like a Windows XP simulator, but means to be an ARG (alternate reality game). Every executable holds secrets that uncover the story behind the haunted computer.”
- “The storyline build-up is also super interesting, and I'm excited to see what new lore comes up as the game is updated.”
- “Poor photoshop, lackluster story, zero direction.”
- “The jump scares suck, the plot buildup is non-existent, and it rushes to be scary.”
- “Was only really interested as it was a Windows 98 horror game; other than that, the plot is kinda generic and the scares aren't all that scary. It's not a horrible game, but it's also not a good game either.”
gameplay
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
60%
The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with some users finding it engaging due to the story, while others criticize it for being comprised of unexciting mini-games. Despite these criticisms, there is anticipation for future gameplay features and developments in the storyline.
- “I don't know when I found this, but I got really into the story and the gameplay.”
- “Overall, really interesting game and I'm excited to see more of the storyline and other gameplay features :)”
- “10% crappy gameplay”
- “However, the actual gameplay consists of these little mini-games, which are not exciting.”
- “Exe type of horror/gameplay”
graphics
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
60%
The graphics have received mixed reviews, with some players criticizing them for appearing low-quality and reminiscent of outdated software, while others appreciate their nostalgic aesthetic and thematic alignment. However, issues such as hard-to-interpret visuals and graphical glitches have detracted from the overall experience for some users.
- “The graphics are aesthetically nostalgic and enjoyable, matching the theme very well!”
- “Trying to find out what something says because of hard-to-interpret visuals isn't really what I like in a mystery.”
- “The graphics look like they're being run off of a Samsung refrigerator.”
- “Other than the graphics, they look like they were made in MS Paint.”
- “I encountered at least two graphical glitches that changed how I interacted with the game.”
music
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
67%
The music in the game is described as calming and enjoyable, with a catchy soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. While some comparisons are made to other games like Baldi's Basics and Sonic.exe, the music stands out as a positive aspect that can keep players engaged for extended periods. Overall, it is highly recommended for its entertaining qualities.
- “The music is really calming and doesn't make you panic at all; I could sit and play with pixel paint for hours.”
- “The soundtrack was a bop and very entertaining for me and my stream; I really recommend trying this game!”
- “The theme song feels like a blend of nostalgic gaming vibes, making the experience even more enjoyable.”
- “The theme song feels like a mix of Baldi's Basics and something else, which is quite jarring.”
- “The music is almost reminiscent of Sonic.exe, and while it can be calming, it doesn't evoke any sense of urgency or excitement.”
stability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users report significant stability issues following the 5.0 update, including frequent freezes, crashes upon launching, and graphical glitches that disrupt gameplay. These problems have detracted from the overall experience, despite the game's prior acclaim.
- “After the full release update, it just freezes halfway through the video and you can't do anything.”
- “This was an amazing game and I loved it truly, but after the 5.0 update, the game started to close down every time I enter. The game stays open for a minute or two, and then while I'm trying to explore the new files, it randomly freezes and then closes down. I don't know if it's intentional or a glitch.”
- “I encountered at least two graphical glitches that changed how I interacted with the game.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players appreciate the concept of the game but find the grinding aspect tedious, often feeling it relies on repetitive tropes and minigames that detract from the overall experience.
- “Really nice concept, I love games like these, but it's just the same tropes combined with tedious minigames.”
- “The grinding feels endless and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged with the game.”
- “I appreciate the effort put into the game, but the grind is so monotonous that it takes away from the overall experience.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game's atmosphere is praised as top tier, effectively creating a sense of tension and unease throughout the experience. However, some players note that the reliance on predictable jumpscares detracts from the overall immersion.
- “I found this game's atmosphere to be top tier and felt on edge throughout play.”
- “There's no real build-up for the atmosphere, only predictable jumpscares.”
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is largely criticized as being lazy and unoriginal, resulting in a boring and unfunny experience for players.
- “Lazy in a boring, unfunny way.”