Axel & Pixel

 Xbox 360
  • Publisher: 2K Play
  • Release Date: Oct 14, 2009
  • Also On: PC
Metascore
72

Mixed or average reviews - based on 30 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 30
  3. Negative: 1 out of 30
  1. GameWatcher
    73
    Axel & Pixel is an enjoyable experience through the brief moments that players are able to experience.
  2. Meristation
    70
    Silver Wish's game is rather fun, but it's extremely short. It's a linear game, and puzzles are so easy that it will take us just 3 hours to end our journey. Gameplay-wise it's a bit old in every aspect, but it has great visuals and a huge personality; that's why Axel&Pixel will be an adventure to remember, but it could have fared much better.
  3. Console Monster
    70
    From the fanatical art style to giggle n’ grunts from Axel and his companion, this is certainly a step in the right direction and a great introduction into the point-and-click genre. I just hope Axel & Pixel return to our consoles in another adventure.
  5. Eurogamer
    70
    But for those willing to sit back and savour the unhurriedness, the experience can be both enlightening and rewarding, revealing as it does truths about this world even as it paints a vivid picture of another. Axel should be proud: that surely is the highest calling of any artist.
  6. RealGamer
    70
    This, possibly, is Axel & Pixel’s greatest success- anyone can play it, and most would probably enjoy it if they did.
  7. Official Xbox Magazine
    70
    There's one thing that we can't dispute: Axel & Pixel is a gorgeous point-and-click adventure. However, the story leaves a bit to be desired. [Holiday 2009, p.76]
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  8. NZGamer
    70
    Well worth a look, especially if you like point & clickers.
  9. Official Xbox Magazine UK
    70
    Short and sweet but still satisfying. [Jan 2010, p.115]
    All this publication's reviews
  10. GamingTrend
    69
    Axel and Pixel gets full credit for attempting to make a creative, artistic game, but the low difficulty and short length cause it to unfortunately fall short of the mark.
  11. Cheat Code Central
    68
    If you are going to download A&P (and it is worth it if you like point-and-click adventures, and can stomach a few tiresome mini-games), then I suggest you take it slow. The game is short; you can finish it in less than four hours if you don't stop to admire the scenery, but there's no reason to run through it.
  12. Gaming Nexus
    67
    With its unique art style and creative puzzles, there's a lot to like about Axel & Pixel. Unfortunately it's marred by a short run time and puzzles that can be easily solved without using any tips.
  13. GameShark
    67
    Axel and Pixel isn't breaking any new ground with its adventure puzzles but it does offer a fanciful and (mostly) low pressure gaming experience filled with plenty of delightful touches.
  14. TeamXbox
    60
    Cute, but not very original. If you really must pay to play a game that would otherwise be available for free on newgrounds.com, go ahead.
  15. Metro GameCentral
    60
    Enjoyably surreal graphic adventure that is still fun despite no real challenge or lastability.
  16. GameSpot
    55
    Weird settings and a lack of actual gameplay make Axel & Pixel's first adventure an unfulfilling experience.
  17. Gamer.nl
    50
    The beautiful style and animation is the only thing keeping Axel & Pixel on its feet. The gameplay itself is too boring: you just point and click to look for useful objects but there aren’t any puzzles worth mentioning. A good example of style over substance.

Awards & Rankings

89
#89 Most Shared Xbox 360 Game of 2009

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 14 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 14
  3. Negative: 3 out of 14
  1. relentless879
    May 9, 2014
    8
    Axel & Pixel is a charming point & click adventure game about a painter, Axel & his dog, Pixel who are thrown into a weird dream world after aAxel & Pixel is a charming point & click adventure game about a painter, Axel & his dog, Pixel who are thrown into a weird dream world after a rat had tampered with a magic record player.

    Within this dream world, weird creatures appear, and the rat had transformed into an evil demon rat. You have to chase the rat through dozens of scenes depicting the four seasons, spring through to winter. To progress through, you have to solve puzzles using the magic cursor clicking on numerous objects around the scenes in the correct order.
    The game varies slightly, where some actions will require you to follow a sequence of button presses that appear on screen, usually to climb objects or dodge hazards. At the end of each season you have to control a vehicle, a hot air balloon, car and a boat, using controls to avoid hazards along the way.

    Graphically the game shows good details showing the different seasons, with snow covered landscapes, blooming flowers of spring, and orange tones of autumn. The characters are quirky, with painter looking like a modern day Picasso, acknowledging the player when he has made the correct choice or not, with mumbles and cheers.

    With the world being weird, some of the puzzles you need to complete would not make any sense if the objects did not get highlighted. For example, you would not expect hitting a bird to get an egg to crush would be needed to grow a beanstalk to climb on top of a turtle.

    But with the game being an adventure game, the game makes you feel like a spectator, even though for each scene you are given 3 clues, mostly likely you'll never need them. The magic cursor changes colour and shape whenever the cursor is over an object, so you just have to use trial and error to figure the puzzles out.
    Most players will find the game too easy, even for young gamers this is aimed at, the story can be finished in a couple of hours. There are hidden objects within the scenes as well are paint tubes, paintings, and dog bones for you to find, which will give some replay value if you missed any on your first play-through. Collecting all the items and solving the scenes with less clues will give you a score which goes on a leader-board to compare with friends.
    The game features mini-games featuring the 3 vehicles from the story, collecting items and trying to get a high score, but these games don't offer much more of a challenge either.
    Overall the game doesn't offer much of a challenge considering the price is 800 MS points or about £8, to be played just for a couple of hours. Though the player will enjoy the quirky characters and unique art style of the scenes, this does not feel like a real game as it could have been.    … Full Review »
  2. MegWhiteley
    Mar 6, 2012
    10
    Axel & Pixel is a fantastic games, have one of the most simple and addictive funny gameplays that I watch, is really funny and interesting.Axel & Pixel is a fantastic games, have one of the most simple and addictive funny gameplays that I watch, is really funny and interesting. This is one of the most better games on Xbox Live Arcade.… Full Review »
  3. GaryGamesoup
    Sep 27, 2011
    9
    --[THE GOOD]--

    - The dream world is a thing of beauty, wonder, and absolute insanity - Simple and awesome point-and-click gameplay -    --[THE GOOD]--

    - The dream world is a thing of beauty, wonder, and absolute insanity

    - Simple and awesome point-and-click gameplay

    - Visually pleasing

    - Beautiful, charming soundtrack

    - Fantastic mini games


    --[THE BAD]--

    - Pixel hunting is maybe a bit too prevalent


    (Graphics) - [9] - The key graphical formula in Axel & Pixel is that of simple, hand-drawn cartoon characters against beautifully rendered real-life environments of the four seasons, each with their own special feel, with Spring featuring very subtle colours and a looming tone of that after-Winter feeling, while Winter itself is covered in soft-on-the-eyes whites, light blues and greys, with a strong emphasis on ice itself. It's definitely the most visually pleasing of the four seasons and there's an inescapable feeling of comfort and warmth along with it. In fact, the whole darn place is extremely pretty indeed. Each and every morsel of the dream world has a bit of life, magic and depth to it; some of the stuff around you has absolutely no significance to the game itself â    … Full Review »
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