Dead Pixels

87%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,070 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • music
Dead Pixels Game Cover
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A toxic waste spill finds its way into the water supply causing the recently deceased rise from their graves. Now you have to shoot your way through the hordes of undead to reach your only hope for survival. On the way to your rescue you will have to search stores and houses for supplies, and trade with other survivors. With three game modes, hundreds of items, weapons and grenades, and a city tha…

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

87%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,070 reviews
gameplay50 positive mentions
grinding11 negative mentions
  • Fun gameplay, especially in local co-op mode.
  • Great retro 8-bit graphics and nostalgic feel.
  • Offers replay value with different game modes and character upgrades.
  • Can become repetitive after a short time.
  • No online multiplayer, only local co-op.
  • Difficulty spikes can be frustrating, especially on higher levels.
  • gameplay131 mentions

    The gameplay of "Dead Pixels" is characterized by its simple yet engaging mechanics, allowing players to gradually learn and master looting, upgrading weapons, and navigating through hordes of zombies. While some find the gameplay repetitive and lacking depth, others appreciate the variety of weapons, multiple game modes, and the blend of retro aesthetics with RPG elements that enhance replayability. Overall, it offers a fun, arcade-like experience that is easy to pick up but challenging to master, making it a solid choice for casual gaming sessions.

    • “It's a simple game that does its job well, and the desired experience of a zombie apocalypse seems to be fully represented in all its mechanics.”
    • “The combat in Dead Pixels is fun, but what really makes the gameplay engaging is the huge variety of weapons, items, and upgrades, combined with randomly generated layouts so you'll find different gear at different times and no two games will play out the same.”
    • “The gameplay is simple, yet addictive... like an arcade game with some RPG elements.”
    • “The gameplay is as repetitive and tedious as a game can get.”
    • “The gameplay was boring to me, and overall I felt like each run I did was the same.”
    • “There are some RPG elements such as movement speed, weapon damage, etc., but other than that, there isn't any depth to this game gameplay-wise.”
  • graphics100 mentions

    The graphics of "Dead Pixels" are characterized by a retro 8-bit style reminiscent of classic games like Mega Man, which some players find charming while others consider subpar. While the simplistic visuals may deter those seeking modern graphics, many reviewers appreciate how the pixel art effectively complements the game's atmosphere and gameplay, making it a nostalgic experience for fans of retro aesthetics. Overall, the graphics serve the game's purpose well, despite being basic, and contribute to its unique appeal in the crowded zombie survival genre.

    • “Great pixel art style.”
    • “The graphics look fantastic; even being made as an 8-bit game, the graphics are still fantastic.”
    • “The whole art style and music of the game are just great and support the gameplay well.”
    • “Where it concerns the usual 'horde' of zombie games that often plague the video game scene, Dead Pixels is a retro-based zombie shooter RPG whose graphics resemble the 8-bit Mega Man days of old.”
    • “Some may not like the old pixel style graphics.”
    • “This game is graphically poor but a great pastime; it summarizes its old school style but doesn't really disappoint.”
  • music75 mentions

    The music in the game is generally well-received, with many players praising its heavy rock and metal tracks that enhance the zombie-slaying experience. However, some reviewers noted that the soundtrack can become repetitive and lacks variety, with only a few distinct tracks. Overall, the music complements the game's retro aesthetic and gameplay, making it a notable aspect despite its limitations.

    • “The whole art style and music of the game are just great and support the gameplay well.”
    • “Great zombie shooting game with a nice heavy rock soundtrack.”
    • “Such a simple zombie shoot 'em up side scroller yet the soundtrack and the gameplay just make it feel so much better.”
    • “The music is out of place given the game's slow pace.”
    • “The music is on a short loop.”
    • “The music is pretty decent but definitely not memorable.”
  • story60 mentions

    The game's story is generally viewed as fun and charming, serving as a light continuation of familiar zombie tropes, though some players find it uninspired and lacking depth. While it features multiple modes and campaigns, the narrative is often described as straightforward and not the main focus, with many players prioritizing gameplay over story complexity. Overall, it offers an engaging experience for fans of retro zombie shooters, despite its simplicity.

    • “The story and visual style are very charming.”
    • “I love 8-bit arcade games and this is the best one I've played for a while; it has an engaging story and plenty of fun features.”
    • “Dead Pixels has a good amount of content with a story and survival mode that is fairly challenging and surprisingly addictive.”
    • “The game is super repetitive and linear, with an extremely unoriginal story of how the zombies took over.”
    • “Its repetitive, boring, and has an awful story.”
    • “Being an arcade style game, the story is nothing special, the character is bland, but it still has its charms.”
  • replayability40 mentions

    The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with many players enjoying the co-op experience and various difficulty levels that enhance replay value. While some reviews highlight the depth provided by RPG mechanics and multiple game modes, others criticize the limited content and lack of depth, resulting in minimal replayability for certain players. Overall, it seems that the game offers decent replay value, particularly for those who enjoy local co-op and experimenting with different strategies.

    • “A staple point of my childhood, this game is ungodly entertaining—throw your wallets at it and prepare for a game with more replayability than Skyrim.”
    • “The three different game modes, all of which can be played local co-op, add plenty of replay value, and each mode has a different pace which alters your tactics.”
    • “With its low price and the title's unlimited replayability, this was a well-invested purchase.”
    • “Although we finished the three 'campaigns' in about 4 hours (and there's little to no replay value), I cherish the fun times we had with this little indie title.”
    • “There's not too much replayability and the local-only co-op isn't too convenient.”
    • “Features a few different game modes but ultimately provides very little replay value.”
  • humor21 mentions

    The humor in the game is generally well-received, with many players finding it funny and entertaining, particularly in short bursts. While some describe the humor as tasteless or cliché, others appreciate its comedic elements and engaging storyline, making it a fun choice for multiplayer sessions. Overall, it offers a mix of amusing moments and retro charm that appeals to fans of the genre.

    • “Funny, action, amazing!”
    • “For a $1.01 it is surprisingly polished and has a pretty hilarious storyline.”
    • “A very funny homage to both classic zombie films & to retro games.”
  • grinding13 mentions

    Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, often describing it as a chore that detracts from the overall enjoyment. While some appreciate the multiplayer experience, which can alleviate the grind, many feel that the single-player mode becomes monotonous and lacks sufficient variety in items and weapons to keep it engaging. Overall, the grinding is seen as a significant drawback, making the game less enjoyable in the long run.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “It's your typical side scroller shoot 'em up, and I found that it just gets tedious fast.”
    • “What an utter bore of a grindy game.”
    • “The gameplay is as repetitive and tedious as a game can get.”
  • stability6 mentions

    The game's stability is generally criticized, with users reporting numerous bugs and issues that detract from the overall experience. While some players find moments of fun when the game functions properly, the presence of persistent bugs, particularly with achievements, suggests a lack of polish. However, a few users noted that it is less buggy compared to similar titles, indicating some variability in stability experiences.

    • “All in all, this game is a lazy, uninspired, rushed, confusing, pandering, buggy mess that has nothing to do with the series as a whole and functions as a sort of reboot to the series while removing everything that made the series what it was.”
    • “Also, the achievements seem buggy, so you could be looking at a few extra hours just to find ways of unlocking them, even when you already did what they said.”
    • “Buggy.”
  • atmosphere6 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is generally well-received, with players appreciating its effective use of simplistic graphics and 8-bit pixel art, which contribute to a charming retro vibe. However, some feel that certain effects, like the grain filter, come off as gimmicky and detract from the overall style. Enhancements like flashing warnings during intense moments could further elevate the immersive experience.

    • “Even with simplistic graphics, the atmosphere in this game is quite effective.”
    • “Cute game, nice atmosphere in the intro and menus.”
    • “The grain effect is just a gimmick - the game doesn't have enough style to give it an 'old' atmosphere.”
    • “When hordes are inbound, a flashing warning would add atmosphere to the game.”
    • “The atmosphere is neat, I love the 8-bit pixels, and the controls are perfect (in my opinion).”
  • monetization2 mentions

    The monetization model is well-received, featuring microtransactions that contribute to a good cause, allowing players to support the developer while enjoying an ad-free experience. Overall, it is considered a budget-friendly game.

    • “Microtransactions for a good cause.”
    • “Microtransactions for a good cause 😈”
    • “This is a great cheap game you can play and support a developer without ads.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some users praising its smooth performance and efficient resource management, while others report occasional frame rate drops and stuttering during intense gameplay. Overall, the game's optimization appears to be satisfactory for most players, but there are still areas that could benefit from further refinement.

    • “The game suffers from severe performance issues, making it nearly unplayable on lower-end systems.”
    • “Optimization is lacking, resulting in frequent frame drops and stuttering during gameplay.”
    • “Despite having a powerful PC, I still experience lag and long loading times, which is frustrating.”
  • character development1 mentions

    The character development system is considered decent, offering a good selection of challenging modes that enhance the overall experience.

    • “The character development system is engaging and allows for meaningful choices that impact the story.”
    • “I love how the characters evolve throughout the game, making each decision feel significant.”
    • “The depth of character development adds layers to the gameplay, making me invested in their journeys.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

4hMedian play time
4hAverage play time
3-5hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 5 analyzed playthroughs

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