Galak-Z: The Dimensional

 PlayStation 4
  • Publisher: 17-Bit
  • Release Date: Aug 4, 2015
  • Also On: PC
Metascore
82

Generally favorable reviews - based on 42 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 38 out of 42
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 42
  3. Negative: 0 out of 42
  1. Kill Screen
    Aug 18, 2015
    70
    This hot mess is deliriously fun, a game from a simpler time that might find more contemporaries in New Arcade than in other neo-roguelikes.
  2. Destructoid
    Aug 5, 2015
    70
    I wish Galak-Z: The Dimensional wasn't so fragmented, because the core experience is a treat for roguelike and space combat fans alike. Even 15 hours through I was still seeing new items and upgrades, which is a testament to its lasting power, warts and all -- I just need to take breaks from the tedium every so often.
  3. GameCritics
    Aug 17, 2015
    55
    GALAK-Z feels like a Steam Early Access game. The lack of content, repeating environments, glitches and bugs, framerate issues, and the final season of the campaign being listed as "coming soon" (yes, really!) scream that the work isn't finished.
  5. God is a Geek
    Aug 24, 2015
    50
    For all the positives, a game you want to uninstall every time you die just isn’t good, and for that reason Galak-Z isn’t worth your time.
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  1. The A.V. Club
    Dec 8, 2015
    Like the cartoons that inspired it, there are big ideas displayed within Galak-Z, ideas that are exciting and worthy of deeper exploration.

Awards & Rankings

39
#39 Best PS4 Game of 2015

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.1

Mixed or average reviews- based on 139 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 89 out of 139
  2. Mixed: 23 out of 139
  3. Negative: 27 out of 139
  1. asterisktec
    Aug 5, 2015
    10
    Galak-Z is a near perfect video game. Being one of those "older gamers" (I'm over 40) I remember the classic TV shows from the 80's such asGalak-Z is a near perfect video game. Being one of those "older gamers" (I'm over 40) I remember the classic TV shows from the 80's such as Battlestar Galactica and the cartoons such as Battle of the Planets.

    You can tell the folks from 17-Bit have taken their influences from that era and made a superb game from it. The art style and sound effects are spot on, the music for the most part is perfectly suited. The graphics are really slick and it just so happens that your ship resembles a Viper (from BSG). There a lot of really neat touches throughout the game that really adds to the whole cartoon vibe and its spotlessly done.

    The controls of your ship take some getting used to and when you couple that with the inertia effects throughout the game, things can get a little hairy. Learn to use your boost and Juke (Barrel Roll) to your advantage and you'll get the hang of things... stick with it pilot!

    The A.I. is BRUTAL, they are sneaky, dogmatic and will hunt you down ruthlessly. On the other side of the coin they will also run when you get the advantage so it makes the battles all the more intense. If you die (which you will, a lot) it's back to the beginning of the season however its not as bad as it sounds.

    1. It encourages you to carefully think out your attack
    2. The randomly generated levels keep it fresh every time
    3. Its such a great game just to look at
    4. You feel a real sense of accomplishment when you do complete a level

    I've only been playing it for a few hours and I'm really impressed, for $15 (or $20 if you're not a PS+ member) you really cannot go wrong. Once you get past Chapter 1 you unlock the Mech mode and it adds a whole new dimension to the game. I will update my review once I get there.

    This has been one of the best indie releases I've played since Helldivers and its great to see the smaller studios giving the big boys a real run for their money.

    Well done 17-Bit for such a great game!    … Full Review »
  2. illthreat
    Aug 6, 2015
    10
    A fantastic breath of fresh air into a genre that has been lacking ideas. Vividly colorful with a wonderful story line. A graphicalA fantastic breath of fresh air into a genre that has been lacking ideas. Vividly colorful with a wonderful story line. A graphical interface that both is easy to use and an "old video camera menu style" for game options.

    Sound fx and music are fitting. The controls are spot on and every button used in an easy to learn scheme.    … Full Review »
  3. iamTylerDurden
    Aug 4, 2015
    10
    Galak-Z is a beautiful space opera that will serenade you with sweet retro melodies one minute and pummel you with punishing difficulty theGalak-Z is a beautiful space opera that will serenade you with sweet retro melodies one minute and pummel you with punishing difficulty the next. Galak-Z is a flatout fantastic game, it's an 80's anime inspired rogue-lite space shooter that feels like being in a Saturday morning cartoon. It has a significant learning curve and will take some up to a full hour to feel like a badazz space pilot, but once you master the controls and the realistic physics it becomes pure space fighting bliss.

    Galak-Z is broken up into 4 seasons with a 5th coming in 1-2 months via free update, each season is broken up into 5 episodes (levels) which take approximately 10 minutes to complete depending on skill. If you die you must start all over at the beginning of your current season, it's a semi perma-death. Luckily, once you beat a season (5 episodes) and move onto the next it acts as a checkpoint system. If you were to beat season 1 and then die in the middle of season 2 you would start over at season 2 instead of having to play from the very beginning. It can be quite a challenge to beat 5 episodes in a row in order to reach the next season, but once you get to season 2 you unlock mech mode! Mech mode is the ability to transform from a ship to a plasma-sword wielding mech on the fly. Playing as an Optimus Prime like mech is just as awesome as it sounds. The mech wields a viscous plasma-sword that is deadly at close quarters and can be charged for a super attack. My favorite mech ability is the grappling hook arm that can grab any item from close range to long range and can be used for a multitude of purposes. You can grab and throw space junk/asteroids ect and hit enemies for damage, you can grab enemies and smash them into other enemies, throw flammable barrels, you can use objects as shields or to stealthily hide behind, and my personal favorite is grabbing an enemy and thrashing it to death with your sword while it's in your headlock like deathgrip. The two different styles between mech and ship compliment each other well making combat extremely satisfying.

    17bit clearly crafted Galak-Z with love and precision, and you can tell with each perfectly placed pixel. The physics are incredibly realistic and the ai is so dynamical that many times you will come up on an all out battle royale happening independently in space. The weapons and upgrades are terrific, the story is sufficient, and the gameplay is sublime. Galak-Z is a beautiful love letter to retro gaming, but with gorgeous visuals and high style. At first it's tough and Galak-Z will hurt, but it hurts so good, just hang on and learn the controls and you will surely fall in love just as i did. Galak-Z on PS4 gets a 9.5/10.    … Full Review »
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