A Pixel Story

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

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

76%

Audience ScoreBased on 33 reviews

story10 positive mentions

grinding2 negative mentions

A Pixel Story features a charming aesthetic with a nostalgic nod to classic platformers, enhanced by a delightful soundtrack.
The game offers a unique teleportation mechanic that adds depth to the platforming experience, allowing for creative puzzle-solving.
Many players appreciate the clever level design and the variety of challenges, which keep the gameplay engaging and rewarding.

The controls can feel clunky and imprecise, leading to frustrating moments, especially during precision-based platforming sections.
Difficulty spikes throughout the game can be discouraging, making it hard for casual players to enjoy the experience fully.
Some mechanics, such as the awkward vertical movement and inconsistent spring behavior, detract from the overall enjoyment and flow of the game.

story
42 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
69%
7%
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 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 strengths, 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 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
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
65%
15%
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 awkward movement mechanics and significant difficulty spikes that can detract from the overall enjoyment. Despite these issues, the game offers a fun and challenging experience, with clever puzzles that keep players engaged.
- “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.”
- “Some of the mechanics are designed so that they don't work the moment you respawn.”
graphics
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
45%
27%
The game features three distinct graphic styles reminiscent of 8, 16, and 32-bit eras, showcasing a retro aesthetic that evolves as players progress through different video game history eras. While the initial graphics are basic and minimalistic, they improve significantly, introducing a watercolor aesthetic inspired by titles like *Braid*. Overall, the diverse styles are well-executed, complemented by engaging music and numerous gaming references.
- “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, a pixel story 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.”
- “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
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
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 the lack of a unified aesthetic across different areas is noted, the diverse styles are executed well, contributing positively to the overall experience. Reviewers consistently highlight the music as a standout element, enhancing the game's humor and storytelling.
- “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 variety and quickly becomes repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged during longer play sessions.”
- “While the music is technically sound, it fails to create an emotional connection, leaving the experience feeling flat.”
- “The soundtrack feels disjointed and doesn't match the game's tone, which detracts from the overall immersion.”
humor
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's humor is prominently featured, with a charming atmosphere and a story filled with hilarious references, including numerous computer-related jokes and gaming nods. Players appreciate the clever easter eggs and the overall lighthearted tone that enhances the 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
100%
Players express frustration with the grinding aspect of the game, feeling that it demands excessive time investment for limited progression, 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 Call of Duty: Black Ops, you find that you're still grinding in the same first death room that Pixel Story has to offer. Frankly, I think it's a lot for an indie developer to expect someone to waste their finite time on this instead of experiencing twenty or so big studio AAA titles.”
- “Each level 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
100%
The atmosphere of the game is praised for its humor and nostalgic references, evoking a sense of joy reminiscent of classic titles like Crash Bandicoot. Players appreciate the vibrant and engaging environment that enhances their 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).”