Pixel Ripped 1978 takes players on a nostalgic VR journey back to the era of Atari, offering a unique blend of homage and originality. Developed by ARVORE and published by Atari, this third installment in the Pixel Ripped series delivers another engaging gameplay experience on PSVR and the Oculus Quest 2. After our earlier developer interview, we’re now checking out the Quest version.
The premise of the game revolves around the protagonist Dot’s mission to defeat the evil Cyblin Lord, who seeks to hack into the past of Atari and take over as the main character. Assisted by Bug, the creator of Pixel Ripped, players embark on a wacky space-time adventure, traversing different gaming worlds and cracking codes – with a ton of references to classic Atari IPs.
One of the highlights of Pixel Ripped 1978 is its game-within-a-game concept. Players control Dot through Bug, an Atari employee, who navigates a traditional sidescroller game on their desk. This unique approach to level design allows players to unlock alternate pathways and abilities in the sidescroller world, which can then be utilized in Dot’s adventure. This integration of gameplay elements creates an immersive and enjoyable experience that’s so integral to the Pixel Ripped experience.
The game’s visuals and audio capture the essence of the Atari era, immersing players in a colorful and vibrant world. The environments, ranging from traditional RPG landscapes to disco cities and graveyards, provide visual variety. Additionally, the game features numerous Atari easter eggs and nods to the past, showcasing an authentic recreation of the Sunnyvale Atari studio and its rich gaming history.
While the game excels in capturing the nostalgia, vibe and humor of the era, it falls a little short in certain aspects. The level design, despite visually distinct environments, feels too homogenous outside of the memorable boss fights. The gameplay mechanics, particularly the gunplay, remain largely unchanged throughout the game as well, leading to a sense of “I’ve done this before” by the end, in a series known for its diverse gameplay.
But despite these small shortcomings, Pixel Ripped 1978 offers a fun and engaging experience, especially for those invested in the history of gaming. The Atari integration, familiar but fresh game-within-a-game mechanics, and great boss fights contribute to the game’s strengths. Pixel Ripped 1978 is a visually striking and unique new entry in the series, providing players with another delightful time-machine view into gaming history. While it may have a learning curve for newcomers, fans of the franchise and enthusiasts of old-school game mechanics will find this installment worthwhile.
Score: 8.0/10
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