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Fan-made remake of the classic zombie shooter in vintage 8-bit style

Fan-made remake of the classic zombie shooter in vintage 8-bit style

Vote: (252 votes)

Program license: Free

Developer: Eric Ruth

Version: 1.1

Works under: Windows

Vote:

Program license

(252 votes)

Free

Developer

Version

Eric Ruth

1.1

Works under:

Windows

Pros

  • Familiar game play and themes
  • A nostalgic feel of traditional gaming with a unique twist
  • Multiplayer options help to give the co-op campaign depth

Cons

  • No options for checkpoints or saving levels
  • Outdated graphics will only be appealing to specific gamers
  • Harder settings become extremely difficult and convoluted

Pixel Force: Left 4 Dead is marketed as a retro “de-make” of the popular zombie game Left 4 Dead with graphics and gameplay that would traditionally be found on the NES.

Some of the largest games in the industry have teams of hundreds working on them for years on end with a budget that often rivals that of a Blockbuster movie. Pixel Force: Left 4 Dead is a dramatic step away from this concept with only a single developer, Eric Ruth, that set out to create his own variation of Valve’s award-winning game Left 4 Dead. While the overall style and game play is an acquired taste, any gaming enthusiast that would like to once again enter into the world of eight-bit art in a zombie-apocalypse setting may enjoy this one-of-a-kind adaptation.

As with many of the other leading titles involving a zombie apocalypse, the story line of Pixel Force: Left 4 Dead is extremely one-dimensional with a distinct lack of twists and turns. Four characters are trapped in the wilderness when an unknown virus turns a large percentage of the population into crazed zombies. Players control their characters through each level on the continual search for a safe zone that is completely devoid of zombies but full of health items and weaponry. As the levels progress, players will be exposed to a variety of new guns as the waves of zombies become more difficult to fight off.

Those playing this game can either take on the zombie horde alone or battle through each level with one other player. Both the single-player and co-op versions of the campaign are identical with the only major twist being a search as to why these four individuals are immune to the zombie disease. When beginning each game, players are given the option of four different difficulties, the hardest setting being an overwhelming challenge and only suitable for seasoned gamers.

As the budget and technology for games improve every single year, it is refreshing to see a game that harkens back to the world of eight-bit art and practically monotone sound bites and songs. Once players get the hang of the game, it is relatively easy to develop tactics to work through each situation and find the safe room. Those that enjoy this genre will often see a variety of quirky similarities to the original title.

Pros

  • Familiar game play and themes
  • A nostalgic feel of traditional gaming with a unique twist
  • Multiplayer options help to give the co-op campaign depth

Cons

  • No options for checkpoints or saving levels
  • Outdated graphics will only be appealing to specific gamers
  • Harder settings become extremely difficult and convoluted