Pixel Descent

About

Pixel Descent is a single player and multiplayer casual role playing shooter game. It was developed by JC Bailey and was released on March 6, 2024. It received positive reviews from players.

Without fear, you signed the contract which would forever sever your ties to the world above, and now it is your sworn duty to brave the abyss and uncover the secrets of the old world. Your death is guaranteed, but so is your status as a legend.Gameplay The ever-shifting abyss provides an adequate challenge to fearless dungeoneers, but don't get too reckless as you only have one life to prove you…

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Skip User Reviews

85%

Audience ScoreBased on 117 reviews

gameplay8 positive mentions

grinding6 negative mentions

Captures the nostalgic essence of classic Gauntlet while incorporating modern roguelike mechanics, making it a fun and addictive experience.
Offers a variety of characters and upgrades, allowing for diverse gameplay and strategies, which keeps the game fresh and engaging.
The pixel art and soundtrack are well-crafted, enhancing the overall atmosphere and enjoyment of the game.

Progression feels slow and unimpactful, with many players finding the leveling system and upgrades to be lackluster and uninspiring.
Gameplay can become repetitive due to limited enemy variety and similar level designs, leading to a sense of monotony over time.
The game can be punishingly difficult, with some players feeling overwhelmed by the grind required to unlock characters and upgrades.

gameplay
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
54%
13%
The gameplay is a blend of nostalgic elements from classic Gauntlet and modern roguelite mechanics, offering a satisfying and addictive loop that rewards players with incremental advancements and unlockables. While the randomly generated levels provide variety, some players find them lacking in distinctiveness, and certain mechanics may feel slow or unexciting. Overall, the game delivers a fun and methodical combat experience, though it may not appeal to everyone due to its pacing and simplicity.
- “A fun and charming mix of gauntlet, roguelite mechanics, and a slight touch of bullet-hell projectiles to dodge.”
- “The gameplay is a mix of fun and methodical combat and tactics.”
- “Hours of fun and rewarding gameplay - a good dev who is working with playtesters and the community to hone in the game to perfection.”
- “I get it, this is not the Gauntlet of the arcade, did not expect it, but I did not expect dull, slow, and unexciting mechanics cluttering the game to be worth it.”
- “Sadly, while these levels are serviceable, no individual level stands out or enhances the gameplay experience.”
- “I wish leveling up was more exciting; games with similar mechanics will modify your attacks rather than just giving simple stat boosts, and then you can level up those modifications. Compared to other similar games, this one falls a little short.”
music
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
31%
19%
The music in the game has received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with many players praising its quality and composition, describing it as gorgeous and memorable. Reviewers appreciate the variety, noting that each level features a unique track that enhances the gameplay experience and keeps it engaging. Some players even expressed a desire to purchase the soundtrack, highlighting its significant contribution to the game's overall appeal.
- “The music in this game is absolutely gorgeous and so well made.”
- “Whoever made it needs an Oscar, and Oscars aren't even for music.”
- “Impressive soundtrack, every level has a new track and they are very well composed.”
- “Didn't really play with music on, so I don't have an opinion on that.”
- “In all, I'd say grab this game - it's a solid buy for its price (a definite at a discount) and the gauntlet vibes, graphics, layout, music, and co-op (local via gamepad) make for a nice slog-fest.”
- “Because each level has its own music, the music in the game is never boring – it would be hard to listen to the same music for one hour, but it is not boring if every 4-8 minutes you get to a new level and you get new music that fits that level perfectly.”
graphics
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
14%
43%
The graphics of the game are praised for their pixelated style, reminiscent of classic 80s games, which many players find appealing. Reviewers highlight the unique visual effects for each hero's attacks, showcasing the effort put into the pixel art. Overall, the graphics, combined with solid sound design, contribute to a nostalgic and enjoyable gaming experience.
- “Great graphics and sounds.”
- “Graphics: pixelated, I love them.”
- “In all, I'd say grab this game - it's a solid buy for its price (a definite at a discount) and the gauntlet vibes, graphics, layout, music, and co-op (local via gamepad) make for a nice slog-fest.”
- “All heroes' attacks also look good and are unique for each hero, thus showing the amount of work that was put into pixel graphics to represent these attacks and each hero's own identity.”
grinding
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively tedious, with slow progression and unlocks that require significant time investment. Many express frustration over the long attack cooldowns and the necessity to farm gold in early levels, which detracts from the overall enjoyment and sense of achievement. Overall, the grind feels more like a slog than a rewarding experience.
- “I wanted to like this game, but it is just too much of a grind to feel any real progress. I get that there are upgrades you can buy after grinding to make it slightly better, but you lost me at this point.”
- “I really want to like a gauntlet bullet heaven, but the unlocks are way too slow, and it just feels like a grindy slog.”
- “Be advised that it is difficult to level your character up, as gold grinding is slow going.”
story
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
40%
The game's story is minimal and often overshadowed by its gameplay elements, with players noting a lack of depth and complexity. Many reviews suggest that the narrative is simplistic, with some even questioning its existence altogether. Overall, the focus appears to be more on action and combat than on storytelling.
- “Story: what story?”
- “The story is pretty simple, so I will just copy it from the game description.”
stability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The multiplayer mode has stability issues, particularly with functionality, as only the first player is able to open doors, leading to a frustrating experience.
- “Unfortunately, the multiplayer mode is a bit buggy: only player one can open doors.”
- “The game crashes frequently, making it nearly unplayable at times.”
- “I experienced constant lag and disconnections during online matches.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game boasts high replayability, with multiple characters and an engaging soundtrack that enhances the fun factor, making it a highly enjoyable experience worth revisiting.
- “Lots of replayability, amazing soundtrack, fun to play, multiple characters.”
- “Replayability is really high.”
- “Replayability: best!!!”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users suggest that introducing a curse that causes instant death upon touching the reaper could enhance the emotional tension and threat within the game, potentially deepening the player's engagement and fear.