Dead Pixels

About

Dead Pixels is a single player and multiplayer role playing shooter game with a horror theme. It was developed by CSR-Studios and was released on December 7, 2012. It received positive reviews from players.

In Dead Pixels, a toxic waste spill reanimates the dead, and you must fight your way through hordes of zombies to escape the city. The game offers three ways to play, over 100 weapons and items, and a procedurally generated city for a unique experience each time. With single-player and local co-op options, online leaderboards, and 30 achievements, there's plenty of replayability.

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87%

Audience ScoreBased on 2,140 reviews

gameplay100 positive mentions

grinding22 negative mentions

Fun and addictive gameplay, especially in local co-op mode.
Great retro 8-bit graphics and a nostalgic feel reminiscent of classic games.
Offers a variety of weapons, upgrades, and different game modes for replayability.

Can become repetitive and lacks depth after a few playthroughs.
No online multiplayer, limiting co-op play to local only.
Difficulty spikes can be frustrating, especially on higher levels.

gameplay
262 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
57%
5%
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 the game features a variety of weapons and multiple modes that enhance replayability, some players find the gameplay repetitive and lacking in depth. Overall, it offers a fun, arcade-like experience with a retro aesthetic, making it a solid choice for casual gaming sessions, especially in co-op mode.
- “Dead Pixels is a really good side-scrolling, pixel-art-based zombie shooter that has a well-balanced feeling of simplicity to its gameplay.”
- “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 was boring to me, and overall I felt like each run I did was the same.”
- “The gameplay is as repetitive and tedious as a game can get.”
- “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.”
graphics
200 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
57%
3%
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 it subpar. While the simplistic visuals may deter those seeking modern graphics, many reviews highlight that the pixel art effectively complements the game's atmosphere and gameplay, making it a nostalgic experience for fans of the genre. Overall, the graphics are seen as fitting for the game's indie and zombie themes, though opinions vary on their appeal.
- “Great pixel art style.”
- “The graphics look fantastic, even being made as an 8-bit game the graphics are still fantastic.”
- “Dead Pixels is a very simple side-scroller that surprisingly does zombie survival really well with gnarly retro graphics.”
- “This game is graphically poor but a great pastime; to summarize its old school style, but it doesn't really disappoint.”
- “Meaning, if you don't like 8-bit style graphics, this game will turn you off fast.”
- “Do I look like someone who likes zombie games and horrible pixelated graphics and doesn't go outside, because that would involve putting on pants?”
music
150 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
48%
50%
2%
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 reviews note that the soundtrack can become repetitive and lacks variety, with limited options for adjusting volume levels. Overall, the music complements the retro aesthetic and gameplay, making it a highlight for fans of the genre.
- “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.”
- “The music makes you feel like a zombie-massacring badass.”
- “The music is out of place given the game's slow pace.”
- “The music is on a short loop.”
- “The inclusion of an obscure copy of 'romanza' in every shop seeks to destroy an otherwise elegant piece of music by placing it in a completely nonsensical setting.”
story
120 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
69%
8%
The game's story is described as fun and charming, with some players appreciating its retro zombie theme and engaging elements, while others find it uninspired and lacking depth. Although there are multiple story modes and campaigns, many reviews note that the narrative is straightforward and not particularly original, often serving as a backdrop to the gameplay rather than a focal point. Overall, the story is seen as enjoyable but not essential, with gameplay taking precedence.
- “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.”
replayability
80 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
69%
8%
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 others find it lacking depth and limited in content. Some reviews highlight the fun of experimenting with different strategies and modes, suggesting a decent level of replayability, especially for casual play. However, several users note that the game can feel short and repetitive, leading to a consensus that while it offers some replay value, it may not be substantial for all players.
- “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 choice.”
- “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.”
- “And hence zero replay value... they boasted 100 weapons, but I ran out of the first weapon they gave me and I couldn't pass the first zone.”
humor
42 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is generally well-received, with many players finding it funny and entertaining, particularly in short bursts or during multiplayer sessions. While some reviews mention that the humor can be tasteless or repetitive over time, the overall sentiment highlights a blend of amusing gameplay, nostalgic references, and a hilarious storyline that appeals to fans of retro games and zombie themes.
- “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.”
grinding
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
4%
11%
85%
The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being tedious and repetitive, with many players feeling that it detracts from the overall enjoyment. While some find multiplayer more engaging, the single-player experience can become a bore, especially due to a lack of itemization and slow combat. Overall, players suggest that the game could benefit from a more gradual introduction of new weapons and items to alleviate the grind.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “What an utter bore of a grindy game.”
- “Playable, but not really fun and very grindy in the long run.”
- “The gameplay is as repetitive and tedious as a game can get.”
stability
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability is frequently criticized, with users reporting numerous bugs and issues that detract from the overall experience. While some players find moments of enjoyment when the game functions properly, the presence of persistent bugs, particularly with achievements, suggests a lack of polish. Overall, the game is described as a "buggy mess," indicating significant stability concerns.
- “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 as a whole 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.”
atmosphere
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
58%
25%
The game's atmosphere is generally well-received, with players appreciating the effective use of simplistic graphics and 8-bit pixel art that enhances the retro feel. However, some critiques mention that certain effects, like the grain filter, feel gimmicky and do not contribute significantly to an "old" atmosphere. Overall, the atmosphere is described as cute and engaging, particularly in the intro and menus, though some players suggest improvements, such as warning signals during intense moments.
- “The atmosphere is neat, I love the 8-bit pixels, and the controls are perfect (in my opinion).”
- “If you like shooting zombies in a retro-styled atmosphere, you'll like this game.”
- “The grain effect is just a gimmick - the game doesn't have enough style to give it an 'old' atmosphere.”
- “When the horde is inbound, a flashing warning would add atmosphere to the game.”
- “Even with simplistic graphics, the atmosphere in this game is quite effective.”
monetization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
25%
50%
The monetization model of the game is well-received, featuring microtransactions that support the developer while keeping the game affordable and free of ads. Players appreciate the opportunity to contribute to the game's success without intrusive advertising.
- “Microtransactions for a good cause.”
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The optimization of the game has received mixed feedback, with some users praising its performance while others report issues that hinder smooth gameplay. Overall, the game's optimization appears to be a work in progress, with room for improvement to enhance user experience.
character development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The character development system is considered decent, offering a satisfactory level of progression alongside a variety of challenging modes.
- “There is a nice selection of challenging modes and a decent character development system.”