PixelJunk Raiders

 Stadia
  • Release Date: Mar 1, 2021
PixelJunk Raiders Image
Metascore
49

Generally unfavorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
6.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 71 Ratings

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  • Summary: PixelJunk Raiders is the latest creation from the folks at Q-Games. Planet Tantal is under attack by fiendish aliens bent on harvesting the population’s life force! Shake off that hypersleep and slash, smash, raid, and rescue your way through hundreds of unique missions, all while unravelingPixelJunk Raiders is the latest creation from the folks at Q-Games. Planet Tantal is under attack by fiendish aliens bent on harvesting the population’s life force! Shake off that hypersleep and slash, smash, raid, and rescue your way through hundreds of unique missions, all while unraveling the mystery of the enigmatic Keepers. … Expand

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PixelJunk Raiders - Official Announcement Trailer

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 9
  3. Negative: 3 out of 9
  1. Gaming Nexus
    Mar 1, 2021
    88
    PixelJunk Raiders is one of the most beautiful, moody, and tough games I've ever played. But it is the potential of the Stadia community crowdsourcing the game that makes it such a fascinating and unique experience. A unique experience on its own, PixelJunk Raiders has capacity to become a gamechanger if the gaming public choses to adopt it. Either way, this is a fascinating piece of video game history in the making. Attention should be paid.
  2. IGN Italia
    Mar 5, 2021
    65
    PixelJunk Raiders is not completely to be thrown away because it has some interesting ideas, but this is not enough to make it stand out compared to other roguelikes: it is the classic wasted opportunity because it never manages to fully convince.
  3. TheSixthAxis
    Mar 4, 2021
    60
    PixelJunk Raiders plays like an interactive sci-fi album cover from the 70s; one full of Vangelis off-cuts that you're going to try and share with a bunch of your friends despite the fact they're more interested in Rod Stewart.
  4. GameSkinny
    Mar 1, 2021
    50
    PixelJunk Raiders is almost a good game and certainly isn't horrible, but its best bits, the roguelite systems and some tough melee battles, are still better done in other games in the genre, and those games aren't built around saving survivors who behave more like statues.
  5. Screen Rant
    Mar 8, 2021
    50
    From an academic sense, there is a lot to like about PixelJunk Raiders, but not enough to overcome its obvious shortcomings. Combat slowly gets interesting over time, but hunting for weapons never feels like anything but filler. Levels change color schemes, but the objectives mostly remain static and encourage going through the motions to grind out experience and rewards. There aren't any treasure rooms or weird run-specific perks to make missions stand out, and the support of Stadia's State Share feels like a tech demo rather than something anyone would actually use. Google is still searching for a killer app for its cloud platform, and it's sad to say that the latest from Q-Games just doesn't fit the bill.
  6. Guardian
    Mar 5, 2021
    40
    Its mix of planetary scavenging, alien-hunting and funky artwork ought to be a smash, but sluggish mechanics and onerous mission demands diminish the fun.
  7. Edge Magazine
    Mar 25, 2021
    40
    In a world where games such as Hades, Slay The Spire and Into The Breach have found ways to elevate the Roguelike to new heights, PixelJunk Raiders sadly fails to make a mark. [Issue#357, p.118]
    All this publication's reviews

See all 10 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 28
  3. Negative: 4 out of 28
  1. Buang
    Mar 8, 2021
    10
    Love this game, played it since it came out, 23 hours so far (died 81 times). I can see it being quite divisive though. Its very unforgiving,Love this game, played it since it came out, 23 hours so far (died 81 times). I can see it being quite divisive though. Its very unforgiving, in a good way. The rush you get in those tense situations is very addicting for those with the right mindset.
    Levels are randomly generated. If you happen to find a really difficult one (or a really cool one) you can share it with others, and they can leave turrets, mines, and friendly minions behind to help the next one who tries it.
    This feature is unique to this game.

    Here's a spreadsheet with lots of shared maps from other people https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1jW91ucg7Vc0jFOhcGx3FWmZ1tZ6ctqoHmiCNI92T_uw/edit#gid=543076801    … Expand
  2. JonoGreato
    Aug 8, 2021
    10
    This game is very addictive (I have done over 220 hours in this game), once you understand how to play it. You start off against the oddsThis game is very addictive (I have done over 220 hours in this game), once you understand how to play it. You start off against the odds trying to survive, running from danger. Once you build up your character the game becomes easier and you find you can attack the hardest of levels. This is a game for people you like to be challenged. Plays very well on stadia, works beautifully, love the graphic touches. You can even share your game state with others to try...very nice feature. Highly recommended.… Expand
  4. NinjaGuyX
    Aug 10, 2021
    8
    Excellent game! I really like the combat and the roguelite aspect of it. The music fits very well (wait until you hear that ending creditExcellent game! I really like the combat and the roguelite aspect of it. The music fits very well (wait until you hear that ending credit song!). I'm pretty addicted to it. I finished the game months ago and still come back to it pretty often for the contract bonuses. So replayability is there.

    The main reasons why this is not a perfect 10 to me is because the level up progression is too slow (It took about 10 hours for me to actually start enjoying the game).
    Also, that last achievement is next to impossible to find. I never found the last 5 missing treasures even though I played more than 180 hours of the game.
    Multiplayer would be kind of cool too. They've updated the game to have inverted control, but never patched the game with anything else afterwards. Anything new to the game would give it a breath of fresh air.

    The Raiders community is small, but great! We help each other out and try to help out the new comers too. Join the Q-Games discord if you can!    … Expand
  5. batpixi
    Aug 8, 2021
    7
    Offers a fun experience for shorter game sessions. The state share feature is unique and fun to use with other players. Fun minute to minute combat.
  6. humblebum
    Aug 10, 2021
    7
    Great Sci Fi asthetic. The action gameplay is pretty fun but gets repetitive. Difficulty level is a bit too steep and not much characterGreat Sci Fi asthetic. The action gameplay is pretty fun but gets repetitive. Difficulty level is a bit too steep and not much character progression to help grind.… Expand
  7. Lemsip67
    Aug 9, 2021
    7
    This game is attractive and technically interesting, I think it gets a bit of a though ride. It also isn't a perfect game with someThis game is attractive and technically interesting, I think it gets a bit of a though ride. It also isn't a perfect game with some frustrating elements. 7.… Expand
  8. LordElius
    Nov 5, 2021
    0
    It is very original and fun. The graphics are very nice and the gameplay is excellent.

    Es muy original y divertido. Los graficos son muy    It is very original and fun. The graphics are very nice and the gameplay is excellent.

    Es muy original y divertido. Los graficos son muy bonitos y la jugabilidad es exelente.    … Expand

See all 28 User Reviews

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Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Best Stadia Game of 2021
1
#1 Most Discussed Stadia Game of 2021