Pixel Ripped 1989

83%
Game Brain Score Based on 266 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

83%
Audience ScoreBased on 266 reviews
gameplay23 positive mentions
grinding6 negative mentions
  • Pixel Ripped 1989 is a nostalgic trip that effectively captures the essence of retro gaming, blending 2D platforming with VR elements in a unique way.
  • The game features creative mechanics, such as multitasking between playing a handheld game and avoiding detection by a teacher, which adds to the fun and immersion.
  • Many players appreciate the charming visuals, engaging story, and the love and attention to detail that the developers put into the game.
  • The game suffers from control issues, particularly with certain VR controllers, making gameplay frustrating and sometimes unplayable.
  • Some players found the difficulty spikes, especially during the final boss, to be excessively punishing, detracting from the overall enjoyment.
  • The game is relatively short, with many players feeling that it could benefit from additional content or levels to enhance replayability.
  • gameplay69 mentions

    The gameplay is a mix of nostalgic 2D platforming reminiscent of classic titles like Mega Man, combined with innovative mechanics that incorporate real-world interactions, though some players find these elements gimmicky. While many appreciate the engaging visuals and creative scenarios, opinions are divided on the core gameplay, with some describing it as tedious and unpolished. Overall, the game offers a unique experience that appeals to fans of retro gaming, despite some inconsistencies in execution.

    • “The gameplay is innovative and challenging.”
    • “Gameplay is excellent and presentation is exemplary; can't recommend this one enough.”
    • “The engaging gameplay, impressive visuals, funny dialogue, 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.”
  • graphics31 mentions

    The graphics in both "Pixel Ripped '89" and "Pixel Ripped '95" are praised for their nostalgic pixel art style, vibrant colors, and engaging aesthetics that effectively evoke the feel of classic gaming. While "95" is noted for its improved polish and overall visual quality, some critiques highlight that certain models and textures fall short. Overall, the games successfully blend retro charm with modern gameplay, though they lack customizable graphic settings.

    • “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.”
    • “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.”
    • “- no options to control the graphic settings (like anti-aliasing or shadow/texture quality).”
    • “Graphics were a little better than what I expected due to its age, and playing a game inside a game takes a little getting used to.”
  • story25 mentions

    The game's story is a nostalgic homage to 80s gaming, effectively blending a classic side-scrolling adventure with a unique meta-narrative that intertwines the 2D game world with the player's reality. Players appreciate the well-crafted characters, engaging plot, and the seamless integration of interactive segments, all enhanced by excellent visual effects and sound design. While not as polished as its sequel, the charm and creativity of the story remain a highlight for many players.

    • “They seamlessly weave the 2D gaming world with the 3D reality world together with a fantastic story and visual effects.”
    • “You play a game on the fictional 'Gear Kid' handheld in 1989, but through a meta-story, you battle for a magical kingdom, and through the powers of the enemy wizard, the world of the game collides with your reality!”
    • “I really enjoyed this game; the story is interesting and really well told.”
    • “Unlike most VR titles, the story works well as a background to the gameplay.”
    • “You play a game on the fictional 'Gear Kid' handheld in 1989, but through a meta-story, you battle for a magical kingdom. Through the powers of the enemy wizard, the world of the game collides with your reality!”
    • “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.”
  • humor17 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its cleverness, quirkiness, and nostalgic references, creating a unique and engaging experience. Players find the combination of funny dialogue, surprising elements, and the ironic use of VR in a retro-inspired setting to be particularly entertaining. Overall, the humor enhances the gameplay, making it a memorable and enjoyable aspect of the game.

    • “It's funny, clever, and relatable.”
    • “Unique concept, nice execution, and quirky humor with a lot of references.”
    • “The engaging gameplay, impressive visuals, funny dialog, and surprises around every corner truly demand admiration.”
  • music10 mentions

    The music in the game is highly praised for its nostalgic blend of 80's synthwave and 8-bit MIDI video game sounds, creating an engaging and lively atmosphere. Reviewers appreciate how the soundtrack complements the level design and enhances the overall gaming experience.

    • “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.”
  • grinding6 mentions

    Reviews highlight that the grinding aspect of the game is marked by dull and tedious gameplay, overshadowing its stylistic elements and unique moments. While some acknowledge that the difficulty spikes and repetitive nature are reminiscent of older games, the overall sentiment leans towards frustration with the lack of engaging interaction and the monotonous core mechanics.

    • “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.”
    • “And as much as I hate tedious levels and difficulty spikes, those are completely characteristic of 1989 games, so I can't complain.”
  • replayability6 mentions

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

    • “Worlds differ slightly when you replay them, which enhances the replayability.”
    • “Replayability exists, especially for those moments when you want to scratch that nostalgic itch.”
    • “Replayability does exist, but more for that occasion where you have to scratch the nostalgic itch.”
    • “Worlds differ slightly when you replay them, which helps with replayability.”
    • “I think there should be a few more hours of replayability.”
  • stability4 mentions

    The reviews for stability are mixed; while some users report that the game runs great and is polished, others experience significant bugs and issues with handling, leading to frustration. Overall, the game's stability appears inconsistent, with a divide between those who enjoy a smooth experience and those who encounter problems.

    • “It's polished, runs great, and is so much fun.”
    • “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.”
  • emotional4 mentions

    Players express a profound emotional connection to "Pixel Ripped 1989," with many stating it evokes nostalgic feelings of childhood and fulfills their gaming desires. The game is praised for its ability to transport players back to their youth, leaving them feeling satisfied and emotionally fulfilled.

    • “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.”
  • optimization3 mentions

    The game's optimization has been criticized for not being tailored to the Valve Index and its Knuckles controllers, which are considered standard for serious VR users. However, some players reported smooth performance and control when using alternative setups, such as the Quest 3 via Steam Link. Overall, the lack of optimization for widely-used hardware has left some users dissatisfied.

    • “I played it using Steam Link on my Quest 3 and didn't have any issues with performance or controls.”
    • “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.”
  • atmosphere2 mentions

    The atmosphere of Pixel Ripped 1989 is highly praised for its effective art style, which aligns well with the game's nostalgic theme. Reviewers appreciate how the visual elements contribute to the overall immersive experience.

    • “The art style and atmosphere of Pixel Ripped 1989 is great for what they're going for.”
  • character development2 mentions

    The character development is visually represented through a transformation from simple, greenish pixel designs to vibrant, multi-colored graphics that retain a retro aesthetic, reflecting the characters' growth and maturity throughout the game.

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