Pixel People

 iOS
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
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  1. MacLife
    Feb 10, 2013
    70
    It may not be as involved as other simulation genre offerings, but Pixel People's adorable take on city building and gene splicing makes for good times with a casual focus.
  2. AppSpy
    Feb 6, 2013
    60
    While not a terrible use of the freemium model, it's not doing itself any favors by engaging in a 'wait or spend' game style. For those susceptible to these mechanics though, Pixel People is one of the least offensive games in this genre, and will keep you glued to your screen.
  3. Pocket Gamer UK
    Feb 4, 2013
    60
    While it does what it does very well, Pixel People doesn't have the balance or challenge needed to break the shackles of the genre it inhabits.
  5. TouchGen
    Feb 3, 2013
    60
    Finding all the jobs, getting surprises when clones are in love and expanding the settlement are all fun, and addictive. Too bad that the pacing slows to a trickle somewhere around level 9.
  6. Eurogamer
    Feb 12, 2013
    50
    Pixel People is an addictive proposition, one that many players will happily play - but few will be especially happy while doing so. Its pay-offs are irregular and require no skill, simply perseverance in clicking through the splicing options.

Awards & Rankings

99
#99 Most Shared iOS Game of 2013

User Reviews

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User Score
6.9

Mixed or average reviews- based on 13 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 13
  3. Negative: 3 out of 13
  1. mrpickles135
    May 27, 2013
    9
    One of the most addicting games I've ever played. There is something very fun about building your own city and splicing new combinations. TheOne of the most addicting games I've ever played. There is something very fun about building your own city and splicing new combinations. The only downside is that you must be extremely patient to get enough money to expand. However, the game stays fresh and exciting for a while. A great free game.… Full Review »
  2. Oxcart
    Apr 14, 2013
    9
    I generally don't give out 10s to games. There are very few that have ever been worth a 10 in my book, mainly because no game is asI generally don't give out 10s to games. There are very few that have ever been worth a 10 in my book, mainly because no game is as near-perfect as that score implies. To date, the only game that has earned a 10 from me has been Rebuild on iOS. Pixel People was the second addition to the 10 list. What is it, exactly? Hard to nail down in a phrase, so let's really look at it. PP is a combination game. It's part builder, where you put together a city, deciding which buildings go where and how heavily they're staffed. That's nothing new. But the really cool and innovative part is the other half of the game. Reminiscent of alchemy games, you're given the task of "splicing" your new inhabitants. Each new resident is a blank clone template to which you must give form by splicing together two existing professions. You start with two, Mayor and Mechanic, and from that build dozens. The combinations range from literal to more esoteric, but they all make sense. In creating new professions, you unlock new buildings. All buildings need at least one profession, most requiring two to five. The better staffed the building, the more profit it turns. Many buildings have special functions which provide more gameplay options or bonuses. So the gameplay is very innovative and creative, but what of the rest? Well, if you're familiar with (and a fan of) pixel art, then this game was made for you; all buildings and people are fantastic examples of pixel art...and, best of all, interactive. The soundtrack is limited to two tracks, but the music is so bright and peppy that it doesn't get tiring. Sound effects are simplistic, true to the 8-bit feel of the game (but have no fear; the graphics are much better than 8-bit color). This is a freemium game, which means that there is a real-cash for virtual premium cash IAP system. The rates are reasonable, but it's nice to point out that it's not entirely necessary to buy Utopium (the premium cash), because you will earn it in the game. You can earn a maximum of about 25u every day if you're willing to put the time into it. With each land increase costing about 40u, that means that you can expand regularly without it costing you anything. Best yet, even though the game was only released three months prior to this writing, it has already seen two updates, with more promised. Unfortunately, it was the most recent update that robbed the game of its 10. For no discernible reason, the developers decided to introduce elements that had to be bought with Utopium. Now, again, this is theoretically possible without paying cash, but it slows the game to a crawl. With new buildings taking a day or so to build, newly-created occupations clog the system and prevent you from creating new splices unless you hurry construction...with Utopium. Further, the time discount system, based on "city spirit" has become a scaled thing; each time you expand, the relative value of the spirit decor you have decreases. Thus, for every 10-square land increase, you'll need to spend up to half of it to get back to maximum discount...and those items are only buyable with Utopium. Missions to unlock new genes, which I assume is a means of pacing the game down to a slightly slower unlock rate (which is good; it draws out the new content) require "finding" certain animals, but the drop tables are definitely off you'll have twenty of an animal you don't need, but not one of a type you do. Of course, with 100 Utopium, you can buy your way out of the mission. And then there are "premium genes" which can only be bought with 100 Utopium. With so many developers making grabs for cash, it's painful to see a game that rightfully deserved a 10-point rating throw it away because they wanted more money. So, knocking two points off the score for messing up the game's pace and flow...and strongly slanting it toward IAP cash purchase. My score dropped to an 8 until the "Easter Eggs" update, which although not eliminating the nearly-compulsory pay-to-play, it did reduce the need to spend actual cash through added game dynamics, particularly the newfound ability to boost city production temporarily while simultaneously creating a use for the "spirit hearts" you keep collecting. So I'm gladly adding a point back, and I remain hopeful that they'll continue retreating from being a money grab. Nine out of ten, and hopeful it might battle back up to 10.… Full Review »
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