Press X to Not Die

Starting at $2.94Buy now

In "Press X to Not Die," you play as a game developer thrust into a zombie apocalypse. With only your knowledge of game mechanics and the mysterious "X" button, you must survive encounters with the undead and other challenges. This fast-paced, joke-filled game offers a unique blend of humor and survival, where your choices and reactions determine whether you live or become zombie food.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

89%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,178 reviews

humor302 positive mentions

music3 negative mentions

Hilarious and absurd humor that keeps players entertained.
Short playtime of around 30 minutes, making it a quick and fun experience.
Creative use of FMV and quick time events, reminiscent of classic B-movie games.

Very short, with limited replay value after the initial playthrough.
Poor acting and production quality that may detract from the experience.
Gameplay can be frustrating due to difficult quick time events and button combinations.

humor
307 mentions
98 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its absurdity, self-awareness, and campy charm, often drawing comparisons to B-movie horror films and 90s interactive movies. While many players found the comedic elements genuinely hilarious and entertaining, some critiques noted that the humor can be hit-or-miss, with certain jokes feeling outdated or cringy. Overall, the game is considered a fun, lighthearted experience that excels in delivering laughs, despite its short playtime.
- “This game is so random and the QTEs are funny as hell, 10/10.”
- “The humor is great, and it breaks the 4th wall, which I love.”
- “This game is hilarious, and absolutely worth the asking price - a playthrough will take you 20-30 minutes, but you'll probably want to try it at least twice due to all the branching paths.”
- “I'm sorry to say it's just not funny.”
- “The jokes are unfunny and the gameplay is bad.”
- “Bad, unfunny acting; spoken jokes are all pop culture references; story is the definition of generic; story is pandering to how meta gamers are... without irony; no replay-ability; completely devoid of inspiration; short (less than 30 minutes), with planned future episodes; overall a black mark on the already stained FMV genre.”
story
176 mentions
28 % positive mentions
60 % neutral mentions
12 % negative mentions
The game's story is a mix of absurdity and humor, often described as intentionally cheesy and reminiscent of old horror films, appealing to those who enjoy "so bad it's good" narratives. While some players appreciate its comedic elements and branching paths, many criticize the story for being overly simplistic, short, and poorly executed, with a lack of emotional depth and engaging characters. Overall, it offers a lighthearted experience that prioritizes fun over a serious plot, though it may not satisfy those seeking a more substantial narrative.
- “The best story game ever made.”
- “The story is hilariously fun, the campy acting is perfect, and the gameplay mechanics will keep you on your toes, because you need quick thinking to survive.”
- “This game has a good story with multiple endings and good romance.”
- “The storyline of 'Press X to Not Die' is absurd and incredibly cheesy.”
- “The story is terrible, and the whole thing is just ridiculous.”
- “The story doesn't really make you feel anything for the characters and you're just bored out of your mind as you wait for the game to end.”
gameplay
73 mentions
18 % positive mentions
74 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The gameplay primarily revolves around quick-time events (QTEs) and dialogue choices, offering a straightforward yet engaging experience that ties into the game's humorous plot. While some players find the mechanics repetitive and simplistic, others appreciate the campy charm and unique approach reminiscent of classic FMV games. Overall, the gameplay is short, with a mix of fun and frustration, appealing mainly to those who enjoy light-hearted, interactive storytelling.
- “The gameplay is weird, the story is ridiculous, the acting is silly.”
- “Press X to not die combines elements of endearing, pretty good amateur theatre (ala Trailer Park Boys); 4th wall breaking, tongue-in-cheek, pop culture bashing humour (ala Deadpool); and fun, well-placed and enjoyably challenging button mashing prompt gameplay combined with regular story-affecting choices.”
- “Despite being short, I had a lot of fun playing it thanks to its very tongue-in-cheek way of handling the gameplay style.”
- “Gameplay simply revolves around quick time events, and take note that it's about 1 hour long, very short.”
- “The gameplay is mediocre at best.”
- “The gameplay consists completely of dialogue options and quick time events (QTEs), which are a bit clumsy on a keyboard.”
graphics
38 mentions
32 % positive mentions
61 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their realism and high quality, with many reviewers praising the use of real-time ray tracing and the overall visual fidelity. While some users noted a few limitations in content and occasional performance issues, the majority highlighted the impressive graphics as a standout feature, often comparing them favorably to other high-profile titles. Overall, the visuals are described as both stunning and immersive, making a significant impact on the gaming experience.
- “The graphics are amazing, so realistic even with real-time ray tracing!”
- “And the graphics... damn... the graphics are incredible!”
- “If you like cheesy 90s FMV games, chocolate, and the most realistic graphics of this or any generation of gaming, it's a great way to spend some time.”
- “The visuals are boring and seem rushed.”
- “There is one graphics option for resolution.”
- “More graphics settings would be nice.”
replayability
36 mentions
11 % positive mentions
81 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players finding value in exploring different choices and outcomes, while others feel it lacks depth due to its short playtime of around 30 minutes. Many appreciate the humor and alternate timelines that encourage multiple playthroughs, particularly for achievement hunters, but some note that once the story is completed, there is limited incentive to replay. Overall, while it offers some replay value, especially for those interested in unlocking all content, it may not sustain long-term engagement for everyone.
- “You can actually play and beat this game around the 20ish minute mark, but it does have replay value if you're into increasing levels of difficulty as well as achievement hunting and card mining.”
- “Although that being said, the game certainly has replay value, as there are various combinations of 'alternate timelines' involving different scenes based on your choices and the consequences of passing or failing the button prompt challenges, and is absolutely entertaining enough to want to experience them.”
- “Each playthrough lasts half an hour and the replay value lies in making different choices, which can lead to unexpected consequences.”
- “Not much replay value.”
- “It has little replayability and it can be hard to do one of the missions to get an achievement.”
- “However, the replayability is poor; once you finish the story, you don't want to repeat it because there is only one ending and only one story.”
music
7 mentions
29 % positive mentions
29 % neutral mentions
43 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players finding it relaxing and enjoyable, while others describe it as mediocre and not very prominent. Overall, it seems to serve its purpose without being intrusive, but it may not leave a lasting impression.
- “I relaxed for 5 minutes listening to this music, long enough to realize that I would be okay.”
- “Good game and music.”
- “Story is meh, humor is meh, music is meh.”
- “Nearly no music, though it is not very intrusive.”
- “Paid $0.83 for this game with soundtrack.”
grinding
6 mentions
50 % positive mentions
-33 % neutral mentions
83 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that grinding in the game can quickly become tedious, with some players feeling that the short game length (15-20 minutes) and achievement farming detract from the overall experience. While there is some replay value due to Steam achievements and dialogue farming, many players suggest that the grinding aspect may not be worth the effort for a targeted purchase. Overall, the game is seen as enjoyable but could benefit from more content to alleviate the grind.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Grinding in this game is rewarding and keeps you engaged.”
- “The grind is challenging but ultimately satisfying.”
- “I do not recommend this project for a targeted purchase due to the short game session (about 15-20 minutes), pointless achievement farming, and low-budget humor.”
- “But for most, it's likely to grow tedious.”
- “The game grows tedious within minutes, and ends up feeling more akin to a psychology study where a requirement for participation is to occasionally react to a prompt on the screen.”
monetization
2 mentions
0 % positive mentions
-50 % neutral mentions
150 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game appears to be misleading, as players expected a humorous and self-aware experience based on positive reviews and advertising, but found it lacking in depth and homage to the genre.
- “The monetization model feels exploitative, pushing players to spend money to enjoy the game fully.”
- “I was disappointed to find that many features are locked behind paywalls, making it hard to progress without spending extra.”
- “The constant prompts to purchase in-game currency really detract from the overall experience.”
atmosphere
2 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in the game is largely criticized, with reviewers noting a lack of depth and emotional engagement, resulting in a feeling of emptiness and disconnection from the characters.
- “It's way too short, the acting is mediocre, and there's just no atmosphere.”
- “There is no atmosphere, and no empathy for the characters.”
optimization
2 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The game is noted for its solid optimization, allowing for enjoyable performance despite its B-movie quality. While the acting may not be top-tier, the overall experience is enhanced by effective optimization.
- “The game is well optimized.”
- “You can honestly see in the performances that they were having fun with this; sure their acting isn't A+, but that's not what this is - this is total B-movie quality.”
character development
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
300 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is widely criticized, with players expressing dissatisfaction over the lack of depth and care put into the characters, leading to an overall unsatisfying experience.
- “The character development is seriously lacking; it feels like the developers didn't care at all about creating meaningful growth or depth.”
- “I was really disappointed with the character development; it felt rushed and superficial, leaving me disconnected from the story.”
- “There was no real investment in character development, making it hard to care about the characters or their journeys.”