A Pixel Story from Lamplight Studios and Rising Star Games is a game that has finally found its way to the PlayStation 4. This interesting platformer will take you on a journey through several generations of gaming as you follow a single pixel who ends up evolving into so much more. Come read our A Pixel Story review!

 

First up, let’s talk about the game’s controls. You move around with the left analog stick and jump with the X button. And you can interact with things and characters with the Triangle button. At least for most of the first part of the game! Things start of pretty simple since you only need to run and jump as you avoid hazards and collect coins. A few minutes after starting your journey in Generation 1, you’ll be given a handy map that will allow you to see where you’re located and where you need to go. Your first objective is to recover the cap that Search gives you at the start of the game, and which has been stolen by a seagull. And once you find that cap, you’ll open up a whole new way of playing the game.

The cap allows you to set a waypoint by placing it with the Square button, and you’ll be able to teleport to said spot by pressing the Square button again. Need to use a switch to open a door but activating it closes a door next to the switch? Then move close to the door you need to open, place your cap, and go activate the switch! After this, you can just teleport to your cap, and carry on with your adventure towards greatness. This will be the basis for solving many puzzles, not to mention that other elements will be added on top of this clever gameplay mechanic to spice things up.

You’ll be aided by Search, a robot who will give you valuable information and tips during your quest. It will first provide you with a set of clothes (because you went from a single pixel to something with a proper body), so that’s nice. After that, you’ll run into Search several times, learning new stuff as you go. It will, for example, let you know about the need for finding a key to open the generation bridge towards the next generation. While finding that key is the main goal during your time in Generation 1, there will be several other smaller quests to complete to be able to get your hands on the key.

There are several checkpoints in each area, and once you activate one you’ll be able to teleport between them for some fast-travel action. This will also allow you to go back to claim any coins you might have missed, as well as to claim any memories you might have missed. What are memories? They are shiny diamonds that contain lost memories. Each area protects a set number of memories, and you’ll need to find several (but not all) of them to be able to progress in the game’s story.

You’ll be able to use coins to open the way to the many challenge rooms in the game. These areas do their name justice and will test your skills to their fullest! Each challenge room has a very specific pattern and rhythm to it, which means you’ll end up dying a lot due to trial and error. But once you do find the right way to tackle a challenge room you’ll feel great about your expertise.

The game includes a full trophy list with a Platinum trophy, and it’s a very hard list! Sure, there are trophies for completing each of the game’s areas, but the hardest ones will be for collecting every single coin and memory in the game. Oh, and for completing all challenge rooms. Good luck if you’re aiming at getting the Platinum trophy!

A Pixel Story is a fun and challenging puzzle/platformer with a great look that evolves as you play. Each generation has its own charm and will remind older players of how gaming used to be “back in the day.” Other than a single complaint about how the game’s text is too small and hard to read unless you’re closer to the TV, I definitely recommend that you play this one on PS4.

[review pros=”Fun platforming gaming.
Interesting premise.
Great art style.” cons=”No complaints.” score=90]

Disclaimer
This A Pixel Story review is based on a PS4 copy provided by Rising Star Games.