198X2019

198X

2019 Hi-Bit Studios67Worthwhile

Playtime

BriefIt typically takes about 1.5 hours to finish the game.

Playable on

Available on

Game modes

Single player

Details

Launch: June 20, 2019
Developer: Hi-Bit Studios
Publisher: Hi-Bit Studios
Themes: Action
Fantasy
Science fiction
Genres: Shooter
Racing
Role-playing (RPG)
Hack and slash/Beat 'em up
Adventure
Indie
Arcade

Overview

198X is not just a beat ’em up, a shoot ’em up, a racing game, a ninja game and an RPG. This is a love letter to the golden age of arcade games – yet with a scope that was never possible in the actual 1980s. It’s a story about finding yourself – and your self-confidence – in the world of video games. A coming-of-age story told through multiple game genres, worlds and characters. Feel the sensation of fighting, shooting, driving, jumping and role-playing – combined with emotional, cinematic storytelling. And what happens when the line between reality and game starts to blur…?

Press68

Players73

WorthwhileGood

Metacritic63from 14 reviews
OpenCritic72from 22 reviews

198X does a fantastic job of breathing some life into genres of old, paying homage in a respectable, loving way while achieving an identity all of its own. For me there was no weak link in the gameplay and the storytelling moments kept me engaged and looking forward to the next bit of exposition. Hi-Bit Studios' 198X is a short experience but one I'm...

198X is a true love letter to the old arcade genre : through a retro trip of five different mini games, Hi-Bit's celebration only manages to copy and paste tiny bits of classic ones. Thanks to a clich' narration, 198X does nothing but tell how good the past used to be, and how much the present suck. If you still possess the original, there is not much...

A mawkish attempt to glorify the 80s that features some gorgeous visuals and music but offers no real insight into the era's culture or games.

While 198X isn’t going to blow you away with its story, it will make you nostalgic for the arcades of old. The pixelated art style, the impressive soundtrack by Yuzo Koshiro that sounds like it was ripped from an episode of Stranger Things, and the incredibly short play time of right around 2 hours was a package that feels deserving of its $9.99 price...

While by no means a bad game, 198X is a bit like ordering a pie and finding out it has no filling.