THE VIDEOKID
- January 31, 2017
- PixelTrip Studios
The VideoKid clearly loves the 1980s, and it hopes you do too. But strip away the nostalgia and you're left with a pretty basic experience. Unless you REALLY enjoyed Paperboy, you're better off looking elsewhere.
Get on Steam"The Videokid" is an arcade-style skate game set in a hazardous 1980s neighborhood, where you skate, hitch, and grind your way through traffic while dodging various obstacles. The game is filled with 80s nostalgia, featuring references to classic movies, TV shows, and cartoons. As you progress, the references become more epic, making it an exciting trip down memory lane for 80s enthusiasts.
Reviews
- The Videokid is a nostalgic throwback to the 80s, filled with numerous pop culture references that fans of the era will appreciate.
- The gameplay is simple yet addictive, reminiscent of classic arcade games like Paperboy, making it enjoyable for both casual and hardcore gamers.
- The graphics and audio capture the retro feel effectively, enhancing the overall experience and charm of the game.
- Many players have reported issues with an infinite loading screen, making the game unplayable for some.
- The game lacks variety in power-ups and features, which can lead to a repetitive experience over time.
- There are complaints about the controls being overly sensitive, leading to frustrating gameplay moments.
- gameplay10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The gameplay of [i]the videokid[/i] is described as fun and addictive, drawing heavily from classic 80s arcade mechanics reminiscent of games like Paperboy, where players dodge obstacles while delivering items. While the game features a plethora of nostalgic pop culture references, it is marred by some bugs and slow transitions that can disrupt the flow, though these issues are generally considered minor. Overall, the game successfully captures the essence of retro gaming with its engaging mechanics and vibrant aesthetic, appealing to fans of the era.
“The game itself is a silly fun time waster with a ton of '80s references, but what actually draws me in is the fluid gameplay and the fact it reminds me of Paperboy but doesn't make me want to pull my hair out.”
“[i]The Videokid[/i] hearkens back to the good old days of the NES Paperboy arcade game with the time-tested mechanics of dodging traffic while tossing mail into mailboxes, trash cans, and even windows.”
“An insane amount of references that are really cool to see voxelized and an addictive game mechanic that makes you want to keep playing and reach the end!”
“Rating: 4 stars out of 5 - fun and addictive, but has bugs that negatively affect gameplay flow.”
“Like any game, there are some flaws that keep it from being perfect, like slow transitions from wipeout to next attempt, low variety of power-ups, and a few bugs that would make Bethesda want to buy this game out on the spot, but most of it is minor and doesn't disrupt gameplay too much when you know what to look for.”
“Next to this, maybe a lot of people would rage about 'it's too difficult' - but since it's an '80s styled' game with '80s styled gameplay, those games were hard this time.”
- music5 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising its quality and enjoyable composition, while others criticize the presence of muffled voice clips and overly repetitive sound effects. Additionally, the audio can become overwhelming due to the excessive layering of sounds, leading to a chaotic listening experience. Overall, while there are highlights, the execution leaves room for improvement.
“Audio: 4.5 stars out of 5 - great music, quality works well, but some sound clips are a bit too repetitive and get annoying fast.”
“Good concept, good music, nice art.”
“Instead of high-quality music and sound, we get muffled voice clips and chip-tuned music.”
“Too many sounds (background, characters, music) are going on, and sometimes it's just too much at once and very, very loud.”
“The music lacks variety and feels repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged.”
- graphics4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The game's graphics feature a retro 3D "box-pixel" style, earning a solid 4.5 out of 5 stars for its effective aesthetic that complements the gameplay. However, some animations, like lane changes, are noted to be overly fluid, which contrasts with the retro theme. Overall, the visuals are pleasing and align well with the game's paperboy-inspired design.
“The graphics of this game are retro-3D styled 'box-pixel' type.”
“Graphics: 4.5 stars out of 5 - 'boxel' style works well for the feel, but some animation (i.e. changing lanes) is too fluid for a retro-styled game.”
“Pleasing graphics and fair challenge, with a Paperboy-inspired game design.”
- story2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The story is straightforward and appropriately minimalistic, aligning well with the arcade-style gameplay.
“The narrative is engaging and keeps you invested in the characters.”
“I love how the story unfolds with each level, adding depth to the gameplay.”
“The story is as simple as it needs to be for an arcade-style game.”
“The narrative lacks depth and fails to engage the player.”
“I found the plot to be predictable and uninspired.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in *the videokid* is characterized as charming and lightly funny, appealing particularly to those who grew up in the 80s with nostalgic references to iconic characters like Inspector Gadget and TMNT, each accompanied by amusing sound effects. Despite some flaws, the game maintains an addictive quality that enhances its overall enjoyment.
“Despite its flaws, the Videokid is an addictive, charming, lightly funny, and satisfying game.”
“If you grew up during the 80s, you will recognize many of the characters that waltz by in the background, from Inspector Gadget, Duck Tales, TMNT, He-Man, Peewee Herman, Rocky, Eddie Murphy, etc. Each with their own funny sound effects as they pass.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game is widely criticized as a blatant cash grab, indicating that players feel it prioritizes profit over player experience.
“This is the pure definition of a cash grab!”
“The monetization system feels exploitative and unfair.”
“It's frustrating to see so many features locked behind paywalls.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players highlight the game's low entry cost and significant challenge as key factors contributing to its high replayability, making it an engaging experience that encourages multiple playthroughs.
“Games like this are the quintessential 'video game' in my book - very low-cost to jump into, super challenging with high replayability.”
Critic Reviews
The VideoKid Review
While its setup does make it look like one of those soulless endless runners that fill mobile app stores, The VideoKid overcomes that hollow association by offering up a nostalgic love letter to the characters that defined a decade. The random layout means you’ll never get the same run twice, but once you’ve played each section of its celebrity-filled suburbia a few times, you will start to notice plenty of bits being recycled as you head to your final destination. Still, with high-scores to chase and new character skins and tricks to unlock, this modern Paperboy has earned its pay packet.
80%The VideoKid (Switch) Review
VideoKid killed the Paperboy star.
75%The VideoKid review
The VideoKid clearly loves the 1980s, and it hopes you do too. But strip away the nostalgia and you're left with a pretty basic experience. Unless you REALLY enjoyed Paperboy, you're better off looking elsewhere.
65%
