198X
Main game
3.43 average rating based on 68 ratings
- Developers
- Hi-Bit Studios
- Publishers
- 8-4, Hi-Bit Studios
- Platforms
- Nintendo Switch, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One
- Genres
- Adventure, Arcade, Hack and slash/Beat 'em up, Indie, Racing, Role-playing (RPG), Shooter
- Themes
- Action, Fantasy, Science fiction
- Steam
- View on Steam
Release Dates
User Stats
How Long Is 198X?
Fantastic concept that leaves you craving more because it's criminally short
This game is basically the same edgy synthwave/cyberpunk aesthetic of VA-11 HALL-A It's also gimmicky and similar to Evoland in the way it presents old video game media in a series of interconnected minigames. The game(s) itself consist of four classic titles: a beat em up (like streets of rage), space shooter (like Darius) a car driving game (like Outrun) a side scrolling action game (some resemblance to shinobi) and a First Person dungeon crawler.
All of these games are very basic and not very difficult. like many remakes and retrogames they are gimmicky. But that's all okay because these minigames are not really the focus of this game. The idea of it is you are a kid who experiences arcade games for the first time and you day dream in and out of reality. It's heavily narrative based as the kid comes of age and explores his own fantasies through these video game minigames. It's something I think just about any gamer can relate to. The game unfortunately is criminally short and ends on a real cliff hanger.
It's a very unique experience in the way it weaves the minigames into the narrative pixelated cutscenes... These cutscenes are animated …
This game is basically the same edgy synthwave/cyberpunk aesthetic of VA-11 HALL-A It's also gimmicky and similar to Evoland in the way it presents old video game media in a series of interconnected minigames. The game(s) itself consist of four classic titles: a beat em up (like streets of rage), space shooter (like Darius) a car driving game (like Outrun) a side scrolling action game (some resemblance to shinobi) and a First Person dungeon crawler.
All of these games are very basic and not very difficult. like many remakes and retrogames they are gimmicky. But that's all okay because these minigames are not really the focus of this game. The idea of it is you are a kid who experiences arcade games for the first time and you day dream in and out of reality. It's heavily narrative based as the kid comes of age and explores his own fantasies through these video game minigames. It's something I think just about any gamer can relate to. The game unfortunately is criminally short and ends on a real cliff hanger.
It's a very unique experience in the way it weaves the minigames into the narrative pixelated cutscenes... These cutscenes are animated video and it's A-grade eye candy for those who like this style.
a short game it probably will take most people an hour to an hour and a half to complete.
"Games are for nerds"
You are playing as an ungrateful entitled brat that spends all his time and money in the arcades, complaining how his life is so miserable while having his own bedroom and something that looks like a Sony Walkman. I didn't have a Walkman until '95.
There are five minigames. First four are nice, while the last one is kind of Shin Megami Tensei, that wasn't in the arcades for obvious reasons, and feels quite meh.
Anyway, this all will end in an hour or two without any real conclusion besides "games are just an escape for troubled kids" message, which is really weird coming from a game that places itself as a "love letter to the games from 80ies". Feels mostly like a self-hate to me.
Tunnelmallinen alkupala, mutta mitä seuraavaksi?
198X on erittäin lyhyt (noin 1,5 tuntia pitkä) tarinavetoinen tribuutti menneisyyden peleille ja kasarinostalgialle. Pelissä seurataan The Kid -nimisen teinin maailmantuskaa ja välissä haetaan pelihallista eskapismia tunnettuja peliklassikoita lainaavilta minipeleiltä. Pikseligrafiikka ja musiikit ovat pelissä tajuttoman hyviä tunnelmanluojia, ja minipelitkin ovat yhtä lukuunottamatta hauskoja ja hyviä viihdykkeitä. Tarinavetoisen pelin tarinalta odottaa kuitenkin paljon, ja siinä 198X kompastelee. Pelin tarinassa ei oikeastaan tapahdu mitään. Se on lista kliseitä ja syvimmillään sisältää vain viitteitä ratkaistaviin konflikteihin tai päähahmon motivaatioihin. Ja sitten peli oikeastaan jo loppuukin cliffhangeriin, josta ei oikein tiedä, mitä ajatella. Peliä on mainostettu ensimmäisenä osana laajempaa tarinaa. Toivon, että jatkoa tulee ja että se sisältää tunnelman lisäksi myös tarinaa.
Hey, remember 80s video games?
Five short and not particularly interesting knock-offs of 80s video games tied together with a kinda dull story. For such a short game, this felt so very slow. Also a couple of the games have a weird amount of input lag.
The Retro Nostalgia Experience
This game has pretty much everything a lover of old retro games needs! The amazing visuals and art are mind blowing, with a lot of details and contrasting colors. The games in it are even better! Each one brings a famous genre of arcade games, from racing to beat em ups and so more! I had a bit of a problem with the controls, but nothing I couldn't grow accustomed to. The music also has its own great spot, since it makes you get more into the scenes and story you're playing. Overall, the only downside to it is that it ends!
Strong retro mini game collection
This review is for the Nintendo Switch version
This collection of retro mini games arranged into a story with fitting visuals and music is easy to recommend at the $5 eShop sale price.
It's not perfect, but half stars being concepts of fantasy, it's closer to a 5 than a 4.
As others noted, it's short, but it does hint at the possibility of a sequel. Fingers crossed!
A coming-of-age story told through 5 retro minigames based on the most popular arcade genres in the 80s (side-scrolling beat 'em up, horizontal shmup, 3d racing game, horizontal runner hack 'n slash, and 1st person dungeon crawler). A love letter to the old arcade games and culture around it presented by amazing pixel art and atmospheric retrowave synth. Unfortunately is very short and leaves you with a feeling of wanting more, but nevertheless had a blast playing it through.
