198X

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Summary

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…?

Storyline

"The game is set in Suburbia, just outside the City, sometime in 198X. It follows the journey of Kid, a teenager stuck between the limitations of innocent youth and the obligations of inevitable adulthood. The story unfolds when Kid discovers the local arcade – finding new worlds, and new meaning, in video games. For every visit to the arcade – every game uncovered, every move mastered, every demon defeated – Kid grows stronger. And the lines between game and reality starts to blur…"


198X Activation Instructions

198X Reviews & Ratings

85
Review by GamingTrend
April 14, 2020

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 glad I’ve had. Here’s hoping for future instalments to build upon this solid foundation.

90
Review by Oregondanne [user]
April 12, 2020

This game hits home on so many levels, probably with more power the stronger your connection to the 80s is. If, like me, that's when you lostThis game hits home on so many levels, probably with more power the stronger your connection to the 80s is. If, like me, that's when you lost your video game virginity you're in for a real sweet journey. "Kid" will be your chaperone for the ride, guiding you from one classic 80s genre to the next. All interwoven in a beautifully narrated and illustrated coming of age tale. A bit generic perhaps, but my guess is that the developers want you to substitute Kid's story with your own. Just as you made the games from the 80s, often lacking in terms of plot, your own adventures.The first part of 198X ends way too soon, but not before leaving impressions that last for a lifetime. The graphics and music simply blew me away, adding infinite replay value. 8 Bit Studios have truly worked wonders with the 60K at their disposal (not 600K as falsely stated in a review below; the total pledged on Kickstarter is in Swedish currency). I do hope though that in the second part we'll be able to play more of each mini game, as they end as soon as you've gotten a feel for them. Perhaps Kid will eventually be able to roam freely around the arcade and we can set our own high scores.But for the first part, pour yourself a glass of wine, wait until the twilight hours and let Kid lead you through a night that blurs the lines between dream, game and reality.

100
Review by TitaniumDragon [user]
April 4, 2020

198X is more of a short story than a video game. The game uses a series of 1980s-esque arcade games as a framing story for the coming-of-age198X is more of a short story than a video game. The game uses a series of 1980s-esque arcade games as a framing story for the coming-of-age story of the main character.There's a major problem, though: the story is boring, generic, and bland. A 1980s teenager plays at the arcade and dreams about going to the big city, and uses video games as escapism after their father leaves. The end.The story itself is incomplete (shock and surprise, given that this is supposedly an episodic game), but what is here isn't something that makes me compelled to play the other episodes. I don’t care about the main character (and they have no real personality beyond “generic 1980s teenager”) and I don’t care about the story. So what is there?The gameplay certainly isn’t going to hold it up; the games are very simple and not terribly challenging (which makes sense) but without the story being fun, there’s really nothing here.I managed to complete the whole piece in about an hour, and at the end of it, was left thinking “Is that it?”Bad as a game and bad as a story, there's really nothing here.

90
Review by furinkan [user]
February 7, 2020

I really enjoyed 198X, or at least the first instalment of it so far. Make no mistake, it's relatively short and not everyone's cup of tea.I really enjoyed 198X, or at least the first instalment of it so far. Make no mistake, it's relatively short and not everyone's cup of tea. It's a nostalgia trip, and if you don't share that childhood then you'll probably either love it for the art, or hate it because it's pointless to you.I grabbed a bottle of coke from the fridge, turned off the lights, sank into my comfy chair, and got into the experience. Because that's what 198X ultimately is, it's modern love for retro arcade games, with a little bit of a story wrapped around it.Difficulty: I thought that it was just right, but I can acknowledge that some people will find it too easy or too hard - there's no difficulty settings. If it's too hard for you then you need to keep trying and git gud. That's what I did and it was satisfying, albeit frustrating for a while. If you find it too easy then the game will be very short.The game's interface is minimal, that's deliberate. It's just like dropping a coin into the machine and getting on the controls.So, the graphics are excellent, as is the music. The retro aesthetic is beautiful and spot-on for the developers' creative vision. The gameplay is tight and the controls feel perfect. If that sounds like your kinda jam, you will probably really enjoy 198X.

80
Review by MahaA [user]
February 6, 2020

A Fun game with great art style.What attracted me the most to support this game is the Art, the 16-bit art style is my favorite. I love arcade games and 198x has a plot revolving around arcades which is attractive to me. Then i heard Yuzo Koshiro will make music for the game i got super excited , but i was very disappointed with the ninja levels that have Koshiro’s music in them, the music is great but the gameplay on those levels is very disappointing. It is like a mobile run game. It didn’t give arcade experience like expected. The kid in the game is talking about his arcade experience but he is playing a mobile game. I wish part 2 of the game will give a true arcade adventure experience.

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Game Information
Release Date June 20, 2019
Publisher Hi-Bit Studios, 8-4
Content Rated T (Teen)
Game Modes Single player
Player Perspectives First person, Bird view / Isometric, Side view
Genres Shooter, Racing, Role-playing (RPG), Adventure, Indie, Arcade
Themes Action, Fantasy, Science fiction
Platforms PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch