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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?
72%Game Brain Score
story, gameplay
graphics, grinding
76% User Score Based on 66 reviews
Critic Score 66%Based on 6 reviews

Platforms

Mac OSMac OSPCPCPlaystation 4Playstation 4Playstation 5Playstation 5WindowsWindowsXbox OneXbox OneXbox Series X|SXbox Series X|SPlayStationPlayStationXboxXbox
Buy Nowfrom $4.32
Buy NowGet on Steam$11.99

About

"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

76%
Audience ScoreBased on 72 reviews
story22 positive mentions
graphics4 negative mentions
  • A Pixel Story features clever level design and a charming retro-inspired art style that evolves throughout the game.
  • The game offers a unique teleportation mechanic that adds depth to the platforming and puzzle-solving experience.
  • It includes a variety of fun content, including interesting puzzles, quests, and humorous pop-culture references.
  • The controls can feel imprecise and floaty, making platforming frustrating, especially during challenging sections.
  • The game suffers from difficulty spikes and some poorly designed mechanics that can lead to trial-and-error gameplay.
  • Long dialogue sequences and a lack of engaging story elements detract from the overall experience.
  • story
    87 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 entertaining. However, some reviewers noted that the narrative integration could be improved, as essential story elements are often relegated to menu flavor text, making it possible to progress without fully engaging with the plot. Overall, while the story has its charm and creativity, opinions vary on its depth and execution.

    • “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/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
    42 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Gameplay in the game is a mix of classic platforming mechanics and inventive twists, featuring unique elements like teleportation and programmable NPCs that enhance the experience across various worlds. However, players have noted awkward vertical movement mechanics and frustrating difficulty spikes that can detract from the overall enjoyment. While the core mechanics are engaging and provide depth, some aspects, such as stiff jumping and inconsistent springboard functionality, lead to a somewhat uneven gameplay experience.

    • “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
    25 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics in the game feature a nostalgic blend of retro styles reminiscent of 8, 16, and 32-bit eras, evolving as players progress through different video game history periods. While the initial aesthetic is basic and pixelated, it transitions to more sophisticated styles, including a watercolor influence, showcasing competent execution throughout. Overall, the graphics are praised for their charm and creativity, despite some critiques regarding consistency and clarity.

    • “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.”
    • “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.”
    • “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.”
    • “After a third transition, bits don't matter anymore and the art style has changed to one that is heavily inspired by [i]Braid[/i]'s watercolor aesthetic.”
  • music
    12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is widely praised for its charm and quality, featuring a diverse range of styles that evolve from chiptunes to modern arrangements. While some reviewers note a lack of a unified aesthetic across different areas, the overall execution is competent, contributing to a delightful soundtrack that enhances the game's humor and storytelling. Many players rate the music highly, with some giving perfect scores.

    • “A great story and some really good music earns this game a 10 out of 10 from me.”
    • “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.”
    • “The music and art is, as mentioned, charming and lovely, and the game's sense of humor is very much worn on its sleeve.”
    • “Similar to that, the music evolves as well, changing from simple chiptunes to more modern arrangements.”
  • humor
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's humor is prominently featured, with a story filled with hilarious references and a charming atmosphere. Players appreciate the clever computer-related jokes and gaming nods, alongside the delightful pixel art and music, which enhance the overall comedic experience.

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

    Players express frustration with the grinding aspect of the game, feeling that it consumes too much time without offering significant rewards or progression. The repetitive nature of the gameplay, characterized by navigating through similar environments filled with obstacles, detracts from the overall experience and limits opportunities to engage with other, more substantial titles.

    • “While friends have completed all three Dark Souls 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
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is described as wonderful and nostalgic, evoking feelings reminiscent of classic titles like Crash Bandicoot. Users appreciate the humorous story filled with references, which enhances the overall experience.

    • “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 as when I played Crash Bandicoot on my PS1 when I was a child (atmospherically speaking).”

66%Critics’ scoreBased on 7 critic reviews

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