Press X to Not Die

89%
Game Brain Score Based on 2,356 reviews
  • humor
  • story
  • gameplay
Press X to Not Die Game Cover
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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.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Linux
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

89%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,356 reviews
humor604 positive mentions
music3 negative mentions
  • Hilarious and entertaining, with a unique blend of humor and absurdity.
  • Short playtime of around 30 minutes, making it a quick and fun experience.
  • Offers multiple choices and outcomes, encouraging replayability.
  • Very short, with a single playthrough lasting only about 30 minutes.
  • Acting and production quality are low, which may detract from the experience for some players.
  • Gameplay primarily consists of quick time events, which can become repetitive and frustrating.
  • humor614 mentions

    The humor in "Press X to Not Die" is widely praised for its absurdity, self-awareness, and campy charm, often drawing comparisons to B-movie horror films and 90s interactive movies. Players appreciate the game's ability to elicit laughter through its cheesy dialogue, ridiculous scenarios, and quick-time events, although some critiques mention that the humor can be hit-or-miss and may feel outdated. Overall, it is considered a fun, lighthearted experience that is best enjoyed with a sense of humor and an appreciation for its quirky style.

    • “This game is so random and the QTEs are funny as hell, 10/10.”
    • “I really liked the humor and how the game is played. Very good game.”
    • “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.”
  • story352 mentions

    The game's story is characterized as absurd, cheesy, and intentionally bad, often drawing comparisons to campy B-movies and old horror films. While some players appreciate its humor and self-referential style, many criticize the short length and lack of depth, with the narrative often feeling like a series of comedic vignettes rather than a cohesive plot. Overall, it appeals to those who enjoy "so bad it's good" storytelling, but may disappoint players seeking a more serious or engaging narrative experience.

    • “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, and it is so fun when you don't die, you'll be like yes!”
    • “This game has a good story with multiple endings and good romance.”
    • “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.”
    • “It's just a poorly executed interactive video with a plot that seems deliberately cliché and just... bad.”
  • gameplay146 mentions

    The gameplay primarily revolves around quick-time events (QTEs) and dialogue choices, offering a unique but limited interactive experience reminiscent of classic FMV games. While some players appreciate the campy humor and engaging mechanics, many criticize the gameplay for being overly simplistic, repetitive, and short, with a runtime of about an hour. Overall, the game is seen as entertaining for those who enjoy QTEs, but it may not satisfy players seeking deeper gameplay mechanics.

    • “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, and it is so fun when you don't die, you'll be like yes!”
    • “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 is as simple as it can get: quick time events!”
  • graphics76 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, often comparing it favorably to other high-profile titles. While some users noted occasional frame rate drops and a desire for more graphics settings, the majority found the visuals to be stunning and immersive, contributing significantly to the game's appeal. Overall, the graphics are considered a standout feature, with many calling them among the best in recent gaming history.

    • “The graphics are amazing, so realistic even with real-time ray tracing!”
    • “And the graphics... damn... the graphics are incredible!”
    • “Although the amount of content is limited, its game mechanics and graphics are in its own league.”
    • “The visuals are boring and seem rushed.”
    • “Cons: bad graphics.”
    • “There is one graphics option for resolution.”
  • replayability72 mentions

    The game's replayability is mixed, with some players enjoying the variety of choices and alternate timelines that encourage multiple playthroughs, while others find it limited due to its short length and lack of significant content beyond the initial experience. Many appreciate the humor and silliness that make it entertaining enough for repeat plays, especially for achievement hunters, but overall, the consensus suggests that while there is some replay value, it may not be substantial for everyone.

    • “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.”
    • “Definitely some replay value here though, as I went back through and played a few times in an attempt to unlock all of the different deaths and nut shots.”
    • “Not much replay value.”
    • “However, the replayability is poor; once you finish the story, you don't want to repeat it because there is only one ending and one story.”
    • “This game is worth playing at least once; however, there isn't much replay value after you reach the end (unless you want to get all the achievements or see all the alternate clips).”
  • music14 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.”
  • grinding12 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, often comparing it to a psychology study rather than an engaging experience. While some appreciate the replay value and the pursuit of achievements, many feel that the short game length and low-budget humor detract from the overall enjoyment, making it less appealing for targeted purchases. Overall, the grinding can lead to frustration, but those who enjoy achievement hunting may still find some value in it.

    • “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.”
  • monetization4 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game appears to be a point of confusion for players, as many expected a humorous and self-aware experience based on advertising and positive reviews. However, the actual implementation may not align with these expectations, leading to disappointment regarding its approach to monetization.

  • atmosphere4 mentions

    The atmosphere in the game is widely criticized, with reviewers noting a lack of depth and emotional engagement, leading to a disconnection from the characters. Additionally, the overall experience is described as feeling too brief and lacking in impactful storytelling.

    • “There is no atmosphere, no empathy for the characters.”
    • “It's way too short, the acting is meh, and there's just no atmosphere.”
  • optimization4 mentions

    The optimization of the game is generally well-received, with users noting that while the performances may not be top-tier, the overall experience reflects a fun, B-movie quality that enhances enjoyment.

    • “- well optimized”
    • “- well optimized”
  • character development2 mentions

    Character development in the game is widely criticized, with players expressing frustration over its lack of depth and engagement, leading to an overall unsatisfying experience. Many feel that the developers neglected this aspect entirely, contributing to a sense of disappointment.

    • “Seriously unsatisfying game experience. They did not care for character development, and they did not even care for synchronization of video frames. Please just give me back my half hour (which is the maximum amount of time to finish).”
    • “The lack of character development made it hard to connect with any of the characters, leaving the story feeling flat and unengaging.”
    • “Character development is almost non-existent; I felt no attachment to the characters, which made the overall experience feel hollow.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

2hMedian play time
2hAverage play time
1-4hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 6 analyzed playthroughs

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