198X

 Switch
Metascore
65

Mixed or average reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
  1. NintendoWorldReport
    Jan 23, 2020
    90
    Understanding the experimental and purposeful design of 198X goes a long way toward appreciating it. Rather than a fun, traditional game experience, it’s best viewed as a bold and thought-provoking work that reminds us of a time before wireless controllers and console wars. Back when all you really needed was a quarter and some courage.
  2. Nintendo Enthusiast
    Jan 27, 2020
    80
    198X is an arcade epic, a coming-of-age story told through multiple games and genres, worlds, and characters. Experience the thrill of shooting, driving, jumping, fighting and role-playing – combined with emotional, cinematic storytelling. This is a love letter to the golden age of arcade games – yet with a scope that was never possible in the actual 1980s.
  3. Nintendo Life
    Jan 20, 2020
    80
    A passionate love letter to a bygone age, 198X celebrates 2D, arcade-based gaming brilliantly and wraps it up in some of the best hand-drawn art we've seen in years. The soundtrack is also exceptional, and, in terms of pure presentation, it's really hard to fault what's on offer here. 198X's biggest weakness is its brevity; you can finish it in around an hour, but the experience will remain with you for long after the credits have rolled. While we're sure many people will consider the game's shortness a cardinal sin, we'd still recommend you give it a try if you're a fan of '80s and '90s gaming, appreciate lush 2D artwork and desire an experience which firmly lodges itself in your consciousness – even if it doesn't last all that long.

Awards & Rankings

93
#93 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2020

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.8

Mixed or average reviews- based on 22 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 22
  3. Negative: 6 out of 22
  1. BusinessCat
    Feb 6, 2020
    2
    Completed the game in 1-2 hours. It left me wanting more, but not in a good way. Looking at the high reviews by critics thinking that they areCompleted the game in 1-2 hours. It left me wanting more, but not in a good way. Looking at the high reviews by critics thinking that they are suckers that got hit by nostalgia up front and gave high ratings, but normal user experience will be to buy this game and sit down and be disappointed.

    First, the “story” was too short. I have story in quotes because there was a vague little story about a high school kid talking very vaguely about how his normal dull life, but nothing happened. At one point there was even a “new girl at school” character, but that didn’t go anywhere. Overall a very weak non-existent story with character spouting out vague things that we can probably all relate to at some point on our lives. Second, the characters voice was weak and kind of low, and this is a big chunk of the game. Wish it were louder/clearer. The “mini games” were cool but I thought they were supposed to have a significant twist (according to kickstarter description) while playing them, but that wasn’t there. I call them mini games because some felt like you just played one level of a main 1980s nostalgia game, then it was over. It was cool to play the mini games but they were too short and although I had nostalgia for those old gams I played in the past, I wondered if newer generation would appreciate this and wondered if older generation like me would feel suckered for how quick it was over.

    Finally, this isn’t a spoiler but at the very end of the game instead of some indicator that the game is over you get a “to be continued” screen. At first I thought it was a joke, like the game was going to pull a fast one like “to be continued.....starting now” but nope, it actually ended. Turned out it was a huge joke after all because what are we continuing? There was absolutely no problem introduced in the first game to continue. All that being said and zero replayability leaves me not recommending this game to anyone. I paid close to 20 dollars for this at kickstarter, which I don’t mind overpaying to help make someone kickstarter project come through, but at the current price tag of 10 dollars I urge you to pass. Maybe if the game is on sale for 2-3 dollars. Even that might be a bit much since in the end this felt like playing a demo for a fuller game and you don’t pay 10 dollars for a game that feels like a demo with no story and no real challenge. Sorry, but nostalgia doesn’t carry a game and I urge all to pass or be let down in the end.    … Full Review »
  2. BoolKidd
    Feb 5, 2020
    4
    I backed this game on Kickstarter. I've been waiting for this to release for about 2 years. It has even been pushed back once. All that beingI backed this game on Kickstarter. I've been waiting for this to release for about 2 years. It has even been pushed back once. All that being said I was under the impression that it would be a much longer and more intense package due to the backer updates I received. However, all we got was roughly an hour and a half of gameplay. You play as "Kid", as she plays one level of some arcade games as she narrates her life. There are so many questions that aren't answered, Like why her family split, where are her friends, what happens to this girl she mentions in school, and so much more. Yet after about an hour, all we get is a "To Be Continued...". Suffice to say... I'm highly disappointed. It Game could have been great. Maybe in the Top indie game of the year discussion but I guess not. Please don't buy...… Full Review »
  3. Sargepepper
    Feb 3, 2020
    2
    This was barely an hour of gameplay. You play one level of several different games as you listen to the main character narrate their lives andThis was barely an hour of gameplay. You play one level of several different games as you listen to the main character narrate their lives and how bad it is after dear old Dad died. Or left. It's vague. The whole game is vague. You get introduced to people, concepts, plots, all that lead into nothing. A big ol' "To Be Continued" after only an hour of gameplay that was literally just 5 different games strung into one. There's no satisfaction to this game in the slightest as it feels like you just got started and warmed up to the concept, looking forward to an interesting game that somehow is going to twist up the play styles of the games, and you're excited for this neat indy game and how it started.

    Then credits roll.

    Save yourself some money and buy the terribad book Player One instead, It's got all of the references and nostalgia and it's just as disappointing, just cheaper.    … Full Review »
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