Pix the Cat

 PlayStation 4
User Score
6.1

Mixed or average reviews- based on 94 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 35 out of 94
  2. Mixed: 33 out of 94
  3. Negative: 26 out of 94

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  1. bowsers2
    Oct 15, 2014
    3
    If PacMan was released a year ago as thought yesterday was sometime in the 1970's, this game would be passable. But It wasn't. It's decades later and this game exists as though the trudgery of memorising set patterns for maximum reward points of an extremely basic mechanics PacMan-like game, is acceptable. It's not acceptable. Games like this... decades after PacMac, desperately need someIf PacMan was released a year ago as thought yesterday was sometime in the 1970's, this game would be passable. But It wasn't. It's decades later and this game exists as though the trudgery of memorising set patterns for maximum reward points of an extremely basic mechanics PacMan-like game, is acceptable. It's not acceptable. Games like this... decades after PacMac, desperately need some fake tension and the timer proves Pix the Cat's crutch-ness to hide how little play this game has. Once again for games like this, fake tension, and also with a score chase incentive ( for those who like setting up a numbers improvement challenge ), betrays how outdated, archaic and crutch dependant these basic indie games really are.

    PS option1live, sums things up really well. Do you write somewhere on a blog, website Option ?    … Expand
  2. option1live
    Oct 9, 2014
    4
    We've all heard the adages: "If Snake and Pacman had a baby..." But it doesn't work quite adequately in describing Pix the Cat's juxtaposition of memorization and quick reflexes.

    Assuming you already know how Pix the Cat works (grab the eggs, plant the eggs, gain speed to get more points, rinse, repeat), the mechanics break down pretty quickly into two things: how well you remember the    We've all heard the adages: "If Snake and Pacman had a baby..." But it doesn't work quite adequately in describing Pix the Cat's juxtaposition of memorization and quick reflexes.

    Assuming you already know how Pix the Cat works (grab the eggs, plant the eggs, gain speed to get more points, rinse, repeat), the mechanics break down pretty quickly into two things: how well you remember the order of stages/stage layout, and how much you have to fight with the controls to get a perfect stage bonus.

    When you consider the previously mentioned adage (Pacman v Snake), it's missing the best parts of those two games. Snake doesn't try to trap you or force you to memorize patters; the skill comes at how well you manage a long tail once you reach a certain length. Pacman, on the other hand, implores memorization but boasts escalating difficulty (in faster moving enemies) and matches it's difficulty with quick, snappy controls and freedom of movement.

    Pix the Cat doesn't have these core mechanics. At it's heart, Pix the Cat is nothing more than a fast moving puzzle game. Rote memorization is pinnacle and higher score is really awarded not by how fast you can complete the puzzle but in how few moves it takes.. Repeating and replaying the levels only improves muscle memory and makes higher scores easier simply by allowing you progress further as a result of fewer moves. Slight variations in egg/hole layout in some levels as well as increases in speed with the ability to "eat" some enemies provides a tiny amount of improvisation but not in any significant manner. Add in a short game timer that only lets you play for a certain amount of time (depending on how well you do) before forcing a game over and you'll find yourself replaying the first set of levels in every group over and over.

    Most importantly, the tight controls of games like Pacman are absent. Controls are often wonky and made worse by the game's constant speed variations. Often times inputs will activate far too late (sometimes as late as after you've fully released the button), other times they will activate too early, and sometimes inputs will be dropped completely. Trying to find a balance in input lag will be the majority of the challenge for more advanced players. It should be noted that this is notable with the Dual Shock 4 controller and could be absent from the Vita version but I haven't expressly tested the differences.

    For a game that requires speed and precision (even rewarding it via wall grinding) this is somewhat unforgivable. But even if you can find a happy medium with the controls, enjoy the variety of modes included, and love the constant pressure to improve a high score, you'll probably tire of repeating the same levels far before seeing the game to the finish.

    Even after realizing this is only appearing like an arcade game, and is really a simple puzzle game, there is still an interesting game here. Unfortunately, the lack of tight controls (and the frustration it brings) keeps this from being passable.    … Expand
  3. Deschain89
    Oct 15, 2014
    1
    This is a very special kind of indie **** It's just like Inception, we have to go deeper; it's a **** within a **** within a **** genre. Now tell me how many seconds we have to come out of purgatory before we die and my dead wife keeps telling me how she is going to screw all my plans. The rea question I pose is, was he still dreaming?

    Avoid. Buy Resogun if you want a good indie title.
  4. Atermi
    Oct 27, 2014
    3
    Wow, this game is not bad. So let's everyone give it 10's and ruin the Metacritic Top lists?
    Seriously, why are those primitive subpar indie games receive higher scores than objectively much better games?
    How is this better than Destiny or Minecraft?
    Come on, stop it please. This game is 5 at best, and because it is not a complete garbage, it is not an enough reason to give it 10.

Awards & Rankings

38
#38 Best PS4 Game of 2014
81
#81 Most Discussed PS4 Game of 2014

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. Playstation Official Magazine UK
    Dec 28, 2014
    90
    In short: it's a bit good. [Christmas 2014, p.95]
  2. Games Master UK
    Dec 21, 2014
    55
    It's all a bit shallow for anything long-term. [Christmas 2014, p.78]
  3. DarkStation
    Nov 11, 2014
    70
    Pix the Cat is a fun action title that features some quick gameplay, catchy music, and a vivid art style.
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