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A Pixel Story

As someone who gamed through the 8-bit and 16-bit eras, I was mildly concerned by A Pixel Story‘s assertion that it ‘charts the evolution of video games’. Would this also entail reliving the less desirable aspects of said eras?
A Pixel Story Game Cover
64%Game Brain Score
story, gameplay
graphics, music
74% User Score Based on 34 reviews
Critic Score 67%Based on 6 reviews

Platforms

Xbox Series X|SPCPlaystation 5Mac OSPlaystation 4Xbox OneXboxWindowsPlayStation
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A Pixel Story Game Cover

About

A Pixel Story is a single player platformer game. It was developed by Lamplight Studios and was released on March 29, 2015. It received mostly positive reviews from both critics and players.

"A Pixel Story" is a nostalgic platformer that takes you through the evolution of video games. Starting in a 8-bit world, you journey through four different generations of game graphics, each with their own unique challenges and puzzles. The goal is to reach the core of an evil operating system and delete it, saving your pixel world from certain doom. With tight controls and clever level design, "A Pixel Story" is a love letter to the history of video games.

Genres & Tags
Play Modes
A Pixel Story screenshot
A Pixel Story screenshot
A Pixel Story screenshot
A Pixel Story screenshot
A Pixel Story screenshot
A Pixel Story screenshot
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74%
Audience ScoreBased on 34 reviews
story11 positive mentions
grinding2 negative mentions
  • A Pixel Story features charming graphics and a nostalgic soundtrack that pays homage to classic platformers, enhancing the overall experience.
  • The game offers clever level design and inventive mechanics, particularly the teleportation hat, which adds depth to the gameplay and keeps it engaging.
  • Many players appreciate the humor and pop culture references throughout the game, making it a fun and entertaining journey.
  • The controls can be frustratingly imprecise, with awkward jumping mechanics and inconsistent springboard behavior that detracts from the precision required in a platformer.
  • Difficulty spikes and poorly designed challenge rooms can lead to a frustrating experience, especially for casual players who may find the game overly punishing.
  • The narrative is often delivered through lengthy dialogue, which can feel tedious and detracts from the overall pacing of the game.
  • story
    44 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of "A Pixel Story" is a mix of humor and nostalgia, featuring numerous references to classic video games and pop culture, which many players found engaging and enjoyable. However, some reviewers noted that the narrative could feel disjointed, with essential story elements often relegated to flavor text rather than being integrated into gameplay. Overall, while the story has its charm and intrigue, its execution may leave some players wanting more depth and cohesion.

    • “The story is hilarious (lots of references) and the atmosphere was wonderful.”
    • “A pixel story is an amazing platformer with a really interesting story and tons of really cool references to old titles and pop culture.”
    • “Now there is a story that's being told; you're the chosen pixel to bring down the operator of the system and set all the programs in it free.”
    • “I originally intended to at least complete the story of the game, but I'm not sure I can force myself to do so, nor that I want to, despite only scratching the surface of the second area.”
    • “You can essentially progress through the game without ever reading any substantial storyline.”
    • “I wish they integrated the story a bit better.”
  • gameplay
    21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Gameplay in the reviewed game features a mix of classic platforming mechanics and inventive twists, such as teleportation and programmable NPCs, which enhance the experience across various unique worlds. However, players have noted issues with awkward movement mechanics, frustrating difficulty spikes, and a lack of variety, leading to a mixed reception regarding overall enjoyment and challenge. While some mechanics are praised for their creativity, others are criticized for being poorly implemented, resulting in a gameplay experience that can feel both nostalgic and frustrating.

    • “What begins as very simple platforming quickly becomes a fun and inventive trip through several unique worlds, each adding on to the existing mechanics in play, ranging from a teleporting mechanic to having programmable NPCs that need to perform specific tasks to help you get through an area.”
    • “Love how the graphics keep improving as you travel through the genres and it keeps introducing new mechanics to keep you on your toes from beginning to end.”
    • “This game has very fun, classic platformer mechanics with a twist.”
    • “Even after playing through the whole game, I cannot figure out why the developer wanted to include such awkward vertical movement mechanics in it.”
    • “But the game also has some atrocious difficulty spikes that, combined with the awkward movement mechanics, make for a very weird experience.”
    • “[Jumping is far too stiff while springboards are frustratingly finicky, graphics can be ambiguous, gameplay is mostly unvaried and stale.]”
  • graphics
    14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game features a dynamic graphic style that evolves through three distinct retro-inspired aesthetics reminiscent of 8, 16, and 32-bit eras, enhancing the experience as players progress through different video game history periods. While the initial graphics are basic with a pixel art style, they improve significantly, culminating in a watercolor aesthetic that adds depth to the visual experience. Overall, the graphics are well-executed and complement the engaging gameplay, despite some critiques regarding ambiguity and stiffness in certain elements.

    • “It has three distinct graphic styles, similar to 8, 16, and 32-bit games from the past.”
    • “I love the pixel-styled artwork as well as the numerous computer-related humor and gaming references throughout.”
    • “As is typical for modern puzzle-platformers made by people who grew up in the 80's and 90's, [i]A Pixel Story[/i] boasts a retro aesthetic.”
    • “The graphics start out pretty basic with a retro aesthetic and minimal colors, but get better as you progress because the game has you traveling through different eras of video game history.”
    • “Even though it lacks a unified aesthetic - given the fact that it changes with every new area - all the styles it employs are executed competently and the music that accompanies you on your adventures is really good.”
    • “Jumping is far too stiff while springboards are frustratingly finicky, graphics can be ambiguous, gameplay is mostly unvaried and stale.”
  • music
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is widely praised for its charm and quality, featuring a great soundtrack that evolves from simple chiptunes to modern arrangements. While some reviewers note a lack of a unified aesthetic due to the varying styles in different areas, the execution remains competent and enhances the overall experience. Overall, the music significantly contributes to the game's appeal, earning high marks from players.

    • “The music and art is charming and lovely, and the game's sense of humor is very much worn on its sleeve.”
    • “A great story and some really good music earns this game a 10 out of 10 from me.”
    • “Similar to that, the music evolves as well, changing from simple chiptunes to more modern arrangements.”
    • “The music lacks a unified aesthetic, changing with every new area, which can be jarring and disrupts the overall experience.”
    • “While the music evolves from simple chiptunes to more modern arrangements, it often feels inconsistent and fails to create a cohesive atmosphere.”
    • “Although the styles employed in the music are executed competently, the frequent changes can detract from immersion and make it hard to connect with the game's world.”
  • humor
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's humor is prominently featured, with a charming atmosphere and a story filled with hilarious references and easter eggs. Players appreciate the blend of pixel art and computer-related jokes, enhancing the overall comedic experience.

    • “The music and art are charming and lovely, and the game's sense of humor is very much worn on its sleeve.”
    • “The story is hilarious, filled with references, and the atmosphere is wonderful.”
    • “I love the pixel-styled artwork as well as the numerous computer-related humor and gaming references throughout.”
  • grinding
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players express frustration with the grinding aspect of the game, feeling that it demands excessive time investment for limited rewards, especially when compared to more expansive AAA titles. The repetitive nature of the gameplay, characterized by single-screen challenges filled with obstacles, contributes to a sense of monotony and dissatisfaction.

    • “While friends have completed all three Dark Souls games and spoiled the endings for you, and others are at the top of the leaderboard in COD Black Ops, you find that you're still grinding the same first death room that Pixel Story has to offer. Frankly, I think never getting the time to experience twenty or so big studio AAA titles because you wasted your finite time on this is a lot for an indie developer to expect from someone.”
    • “Each one seems to be a single screen full of cannons, conveyor belts, grinding gears, and everything else you can imagine.”
  • atmosphere
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is praised for its nostalgic charm, evoking fond memories reminiscent of classic titles like Crash Bandicoot, while also being enhanced by a humorous story filled with references. Overall, it creates a delightful and engaging environment for players.

    • “The story is hilarious (lots of references) and the atmosphere was wonderful.”
    • “As a fan of the genre, I've found exactly the same feeling I had when I played Crash Bandicoot on my PS1 as a child (atmospherically speaking).”
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67%Critics’ scoreBased on 6 critic reviews
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Frequently Asked Questions

A Pixel Story is a platformer game.

A Pixel Story is available on Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5, Mac OS and others.

A Pixel Story was released on March 29, 2015.

A Pixel Story was developed by Lamplight Studios.

A Pixel Story has received mostly positive reviews from both players and critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its graphics.

A Pixel Story is a single player game.

Similar games include Castle In The Darkness, Unbound:Worlds Apart, The Messenger, Rebel Transmute, Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom and others.