Pixel Ripped 1989

84%
Game Brain Score Based on 133 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • story
Pixel Ripped 1989 Game Cover
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"Pixel Ripped 1989" is a virtual reality game that pays homage to 80's gaming culture. Players experience the adventures of Dot, a heroine from a classic 2D game, as she battles through levels on a classroom's arcade machine, while avoiding the attention of the teacher and classmates. The game seamlessly blends retro pixel art with immersive 3D environments for a nostalgic and engaging experience.

  • PC
  • Virtual Reality
  • Windows
  • Oculus Rift
  • Play​Station
  • Play​Station VR
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

84%
Audience ScoreBased on 133 reviews
gameplay12 positive mentions
grinding3 negative mentions
  • Pixel Ripped 1989 offers a unique and nostalgic experience that blends retro gaming with VR, capturing the essence of 80s and 90s gaming culture.
  • The game features clever mechanics that require players to multitask, such as playing a handheld game while avoiding detection from a teacher, adding a fun layer of challenge.
  • The visuals and sound design are well-executed, with charming pixel art and a soundtrack that enhances the nostalgic feel of the game.
  • The game can be frustrating due to control issues, particularly with certain VR controllers, which can lead to unresponsive gameplay and difficulty in executing precise movements.
  • Many players found the game to be short, with a playtime of around 2-4 hours, leaving some feeling that it doesn't offer enough content for the price.
  • The difficulty spikes, especially during the final boss battle, can be punishing and may detract from the overall enjoyment of the game.
  • gameplay35 mentions

    The gameplay is a mixed bag, with some players praising its innovative mechanics and nostalgic design reminiscent of 80s and 90s games, while others criticize it for being inconsistent, tedious, and overly reliant on gimmicks. Many appreciate the variety and creative scenarios, though some feel the core mechanics lack depth compared to classic titles. Overall, it offers a unique experience that appeals to fans of retro gaming, despite some flaws in execution.

    • “I had a good time playing through this and thought they had a good mix of different mechanics and scenarios to keep me immersed in the game.”
    • “The gameplay is innovative and challenging.”
    • “The engaging gameplay, impressive visuals, funny dialog, and surprises around every corner truly demand admiration.”
    • “The 2D platforming gameplay felt inconsistent and unpolished; look-to-interact and aim is a bad experience, and the animation and voice lines feel like they were a rushed first draft from a game jam.”
    • “There were some nice moments in the game, but when the core gameplay is so dull and tedious, it just doesn't matter how nice those other ideas were.”
    • “Stylistically wonderful, but unfortunately the gameplay itself is incredibly tedious, with no need to interact with the 'real world' outside of occasionally looking up - apart from the novelty factor, it may as well not be there.”
  • graphics16 mentions

    Overall, the graphics in the game are praised for their nostalgic pixel art style and vibrant colors, effectively capturing the essence of retro gaming. While some players note that the models and textures can be lacking, the engaging visuals and art direction contribute positively to the overall experience. The game's graphics are considered a significant improvement over its predecessor, with a polished look that enhances gameplay and evokes fond memories of classic consoles.

    • “If you're here to decide between Pixel Ripped '89 and '95 (and only if you can't get both), then go with '95 as it's clear the devs took feedback from '89 and built a bigger & better game; it has more polish, better graphics, & better mechanics.”
    • “Graphics are still great to this day and gameplay is just superb.”
    • “The visuals are colorful, bold, and the scale of everything looks bigger than 'normal' as you are living through the perspective of a kid and that works really well.”
    • “The graphics change from simple greenish colored pixel designs to more mature bright, glowing, vibrant, multi-colored character designs that maintain that retro pixel feel.”
    • “That said, the art style and atmosphere of Pixel Ripped 1989 is great for what they're going for.”
    • “- no options to control the graphic settings (like anti-aliasing or shadow/texture quality).”
  • story13 mentions

    The game's story is a nostalgic homage to 80s gaming, seamlessly blending a meta-narrative with engaging gameplay as players navigate a fictional handheld console while battling for a magical kingdom. Reviewers praise its unique storytelling, rich character development, and the effective integration of references that enhance the overall experience, making it both charming and immersive. Despite some polish issues compared to its sequel, the narrative remains captivating and well-executed, contributing significantly to the game's appeal.

    • “It's not just the littering of time-appropriate items, they truly captured the design and 'feel' of 80s era games, not just in the mechanics & level design of the little side-scrolling adventure you play through, but the cast of characters and storyline is classic 80s gaming.”
    • “They seamlessly weave the 2D gaming world with the 3D reality world together with a fantastic story and visual effects.”
    • “I really enjoyed this game, the story is interesting and really well told.”
    • “You play a game on the fictional 'gear kid' handheld in 1989, but through a meta-story you battle for a magical kingdom in doing so … and through the powers of the enemy wizard, the world of the game collides with your reality!”
    • “Unlike most VR titles, the story works well as a background to the gameplay.”
    • “There are a lot of references and homages littered throughout the story, environments, and level design - things that will bring a smile to your face.”
  • humor8 mentions

    The humor in the game is described as clever, relatable, and quirky, with a unique blend of nostalgia and irony, particularly in the context of using a VR headset for a retro-inspired title. Players appreciate the engaging dialogue, surprising elements, and numerous references that enhance the comedic experience, although some feel the gameplay borrows too heavily from classic titles. Overall, the humor significantly contributes to the game's charm and enjoyment.

    • “It's funny, clever, and relatable.”
    • “After that, it's a funny, unique nostalgia experience, with an above-average utilization of VR tactics.”
    • “Unique concept, nice execution, and quirky humor with a lot of references.”
  • music5 mentions

    The music in the game features a nostalgic blend of 80's synthwave and 8-bit MIDI video game tunes, creating an engaging and lively atmosphere. Reviewers praise the soundtrack for enhancing the overall experience, complementing the level design and sound effects effectively.

    • “There's 80's synthwave music mixed with 8-bit MIDI video game music, and it's perfect.”
    • “I think the level design, music, and sounds are all really good.”
    • “The music and sound effects bring everything alive.”
  • grinding3 mentions

    Reviews indicate that while the game features some enjoyable moments and stylistic elements, the grinding aspect is criticized for being dull and tedious, detracting from the overall experience. Players note that the repetitive gameplay and difficulty spikes are characteristic of older games, but this does not mitigate the frustration caused by the lack of engaging interaction.

    • “There were some nice moments in the game, but when the core gameplay is so dull and tedious, it just doesn't matter how nice those other ideas were.”
    • “Stylistically wonderful but unfortunately the gameplay itself is incredibly tedious, with no need to interact with the 'real world' outside of occasionally looking up - apart from the novelty factor it may as well not be there.”
    • “As much as I hate tedious levels and difficulty spikes, those are completely characteristic of 1989 games, so I can't complain.”
  • replayability3 mentions

    Replayability is present, primarily catering to nostalgia, with slight variations in worlds upon replaying that enhance the experience. However, some users feel that additional content could further extend the replay value.

    • “The worlds differ slightly when you replay them, which enhances the replayability.”
    • “I think there should be a few more hours of replayability!”
    • “Replayability does exist, but it's more for those occasions when you need to scratch the nostalgic itch.”
    • “The worlds differ slightly when you replay them, which helps with replayability.”
    • “I think there should be a few more hours of replayability.”
  • optimization2 mentions

    Overall, users report satisfactory performance and control when playing the game on various platforms, such as Steam Link on Quest 3. However, there are concerns regarding the lack of optimization for the Valve Index and its Knuckles controllers, which some players feel is a significant oversight given their prevalence in the VR community.

    • “I played it using Steam Link on my Quest 3 and didn't have any issues with performance or controls.”
    • “The game runs smoothly and efficiently, making for a seamless experience.”
    • “The optimization is impressive, allowing for high frame rates even on lower-end hardware.”
    • “If it is in fact that the game was never optimized for the Index and wasn't meant to use the Knuckles, well, it's the industry-standard setup for anyone beyond the most casual level of VR play, so I'm not feeling super forgiving on that point.”
  • stability2 mentions

    Reviews on stability are mixed; while some users report a polished experience with smooth performance, others encounter significant bugs that detract from gameplay. Overall, the game's stability appears inconsistent, with some players enjoying a seamless experience while others face frustrating issues.

    • “It's polished, runs great, and is so much fun.”
    • “The game has a solid performance with minimal bugs.”
    • “I appreciate how stable the gameplay is; it never crashes.”
    • “I grew up on these types of games, so I wanted to love this, but it's just buggy and handles itself exactly opposite to how it should.”
  • emotional2 mentions

    "Pixel Ripped 1989" evokes a strong sense of nostalgia, allowing players to relive their childhood experiences in a way that feels authentic and fulfilling. Reviewers express deep emotional satisfaction, highlighting the game's ability to resonate with personal memories and desires. Overall, it is praised for its impactful emotional connection.

    • “No other game has truly made me feel like I was a child again until Pixel Ripped 1989. I was born in 1980, and this is everything I ever wanted from a game. Wow, just wow.”
    • “Nothing about this game made me feel let down.”
  • atmosphere1 mentions

    The atmosphere of Pixel Ripped 1989 is praised for its effective art style, which aligns well with the game's nostalgic theme and overall intent.

    • “The art style and atmosphere of Pixel Ripped 1989 are fantastic for what they're aiming to achieve.”
    • “The immersive atmosphere really draws you into the game world, making every moment feel alive.”
    • “The combination of sound design and visuals creates a captivating atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.”
  • character development1 mentions

    Character development is visually represented through a transformation in graphics, evolving from simple greenish pixel designs to vibrant, multi-colored characters that retain a retro aesthetic while showcasing maturity and depth.

    • “The graphics evolve from simple greenish pixel designs to vibrant, multi-colored character designs that retain a retro pixel feel.”
    • “The character development is incredibly immersive, allowing players to form deep connections with each character as their stories unfold.”
    • “Each character's growth is reflected not only in their abilities but also in their appearance, making the journey feel rewarding and visually engaging.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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