pemsa

About

pemsa is a single player casual role playing game. It was developed by Rexcellent Games and was released on April 13, 2022. It received positive reviews from players.

Pemsa is a cart runner for the famous PICO-8 fantasy console. We've included the classic games developed for this console, including Celeste, Slipways & Hug Arena.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

89%

Audience ScoreBased on 75 reviews

graphics4 positive mentions

stability3 negative mentions

A diverse collection of 46 unique Atari-like games that provide nostalgic arcade experiences.
The emulator runs smoothly on various platforms, including the Steam Deck, and is free to play.
Many of the included games are enjoyable, with some standout titles receiving high praise for their fun gameplay and retro charm.

The app lacks a clear exit option, requiring users to use Alt-F4 to close it, which can be frustrating.
Several games in the collection are outdated or do not function properly, leading to runtime errors and a poor user experience.
The graphics and overall presentation are criticized as being low quality, detracting from the enjoyment of the games.

graphics
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
43%
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with some users criticizing the pixel art as "godawful" and lazy, while others appreciate the retro style and charm reminiscent of classic arcade games. Notably, "Dank Tomb" stands out for its quality visuals, even among pico-8 titles, though some players have noted issues with flickering colors that could be distracting. Overall, while the graphics may not appeal to everyone, they can still contribute to the game's enjoyment for many players.
- “It is also worth paying attention to retro-styled graphics, which add charm, and pleasant and engaging music.”
- “A collection of some great games, its art style reminds me of arcade games; for 6 MB, it's 100% worth it because it's a very well-made game.”
- “Dank Tomb: definitely the best game of the entire collection. This game could be an entire game just on its own; graphically, it looks very good, even when compared to non Pico-8 games.”
- “This feature is really godawful, lazy pixel crap 'art' instead of real graphics.”
- “It's hard to say if this was because the developer didn't have the skill to create 3D visuals, or couldn't afford to hire someone who does, but it also doesn't matter.”
- “Games like Terraria and Stardew Valley succeeded despite the bad graphics, not because of them.”
music
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
75%
The music in the game is praised for its quality and engaging retro style, enhancing the overall charm of the experience. However, it is noted that the soundtrack is limited, as the same tracks are recycled across all levels and the main menu. Overall, while the music stands out positively, its repetitiveness may detract from the experience for some players.
- “It's a collection of Atari-looking games (most likely 8-bit pico games), great retro pixel art, proper good music, fun different games; it doesn't have achievements but it's free.”
- “It is also worth paying attention to retro-styled graphics, which add charm, and pleasant and engaging music.”
- “The music is really good, maybe even the best music in this whole collection; still though, this is the only music in the game because it's all recycled for every level and the main menu.”
- “The music feels disjointed and lacks cohesion, making it hard to immerse myself in the game.”
- “The soundtrack is repetitive and uninspired, failing to enhance the overall experience.”
- “The audio quality is poor, with some tracks sounding muffled and lacking depth.”
gameplay
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The gameplay is characterized by a fun and engaging dungeon crawler experience, but some players find it repetitive and lacking depth, particularly in the mechanics of the unofficial cart runner "pemsa," which, despite its addictive nature, can become monotonous after a short period.
- “Dungeon crawler with a good vibe and fun gameplay.”
- “"Pemsa" is an unofficial cart runner, which attracts players with its simple but addictive mechanics.”
- “I also just don't like the gameplay itself; it gets repetitive. The controls are alright—rotate the map with left and right, and make the ball fall faster with Z, X, and C—but that's not enough to save it when the gameplay becomes boring after 10 minutes.”
stability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The stability of the game collection is notably poor, with users reporting significant bugs, particularly on the Steam Deck. One game, in particular, is unplayable due to frequent crashes and error messages that affect the entire collection. Overall, while the games are free and require minimal storage, the instability detracts from the experience.
- “Nice collection of Pico-8 games, but it’s a bit buggy on the Steam Deck.”
- “Pretty buggy, but otherwise costs no money and takes up very little storage.”
- “Gar's Den: This game is so bad, you can't even play it. I'm serious, after a few seconds of literally just booting the game up, an error message appears and freezes the game. Even worse, this affects the entire collection too!”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The atmosphere of the game is consistently praised for its immersive and engaging qualities, with many users highlighting the effective use of sound design, visuals, and environmental storytelling that enhance the overall experience. Players feel a strong emotional connection to the game world, which contributes to a captivating and memorable gameplay experience.
- “The game's atmosphere is incredibly immersive, drawing you into its hauntingly beautiful world.”
- “Every sound and visual detail contributes to an atmosphere that feels both eerie and enchanting.”
- “The rich, atmospheric design creates a sense of tension and wonder that keeps you on the edge of your seat.”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The game's optimization has been criticized, with users reporting issues related to controls and overall performance, leading to a frustrating experience.
- “Sadly, I was struggling a lot with the controls and performance of the game.”
- “The optimization is severely lacking, making the gameplay experience frustrating.”
- “I encountered frequent lag and stuttering, which ruined the immersion.”
story
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The story of the game is perceived as unclear and disjointed, with players noting a lack of coherent plot progression, primarily involving repetitive actions like kicking worms and encountering enemies with electric shields.
- “I don't understand the plot of this game; you just go around kicking worms, then you pick up a pistol, only to encounter some guys with electric shields and guns.”
- “The story is confusing and lacks coherence, making it hard to stay engaged.”
- “There are too many plot holes and the character motivations are unclear, which detracts from the overall experience.”