5 Pixel Art Games of 2018 - Must Play Video Games

Guest blogger: Fran H @HelloIAmFran and HelloIAmFran YouTube

5 Amazing Pixel Art Video Games of 2018

This year is shaping into a wonderful year for Independent developers around the globe, creating unique and beautiful gaming experiences on all platforms. The art styles have been growing in recent years; from motion capture graphics to 2D side scrolling sprites, 2018 is no different. 2018 is set for a fantastic year of pixel art based games and here are 5 that you should be purchasing this year. 

Black Future ’88 
​Developer: Don Bellenger 
Publisher: Don Bellenger
Platform: PC
Release Date: TBC 2018

Black Future ’88 is a brutal cyberpunk action-roguelike game from game developer Don Bellenger. Released later this year on PC, Black Future ’88, is an action-adventure game set in an alternate version of 1988. This retro dystopia is set across 6 unique zones and is orchestrated by an original analog-synth soundtrack. The player must climb a procedural tower to kill its insane owner, only you must do it over and over again until it kills you. You have no future in a constantly evolving world. You must manage your weapons and make decisions on what to take with you and what you must not. Black Future ’88 will also allow you to experience the game with another player, creating a completely unique co-op experience. This game is set to be a must-play in 2018. Do not miss out.

The demo for the game will be available soon to those who sign up on the website. http://www.blackfuture88.com/

Black Future 88

Children of Morta 
Developer: Dead Mage Inc
Publisher: 11 Bit Studios
Platform: PC, Mac
Release Date: TBC 2018

Nearly 3,500 backers pledged almost $109,000 to bring Children of Morta to life. Developed by Dead Mage Inc, Children of Morta, is a story-driven action, hack and slash rogue-like game that sees the adventures of the Bergson family come to life. You, as the player, must take part in the family’s journey, the struggles and the victories. The family must defeat monsters that have infested the once peaceful land. You’ll fight hordes of beasts as the player explores the ever-changing mountain; Mount Morta. This visually gorgeous experience is full of procedurally generated dungeons that are guaranteed to give the player their own individual experiences every time they play. The game also offers both single player and a cooperative mode for two players; no experience is the same. 

Children of Morta will be available laster this year on PC and Mac, with the possibility of other platforms coming soon.

Children of Morta

Dead Cells
Developer: Motion Twin
Publisher: Motion Twin
Platform: PC, Mac, Playstation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Release Date: PC and Mac [Out Now], Playstation 4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch [TBC 2018]

Developer Motion Twin’s latest game, Dead Cells, is a rogue-like action platformer set in a beautiful pixel based world. Having played this last year at Eurogamer Expo, this is set to be a successful addition to the metriodvania genre. Think Dark Souls meets Castlevania. 

The player will explore an ever-changing castle full of beautifully crafted 2D beasts and monsters. This game is brutal and you won’t have checkpoints. Like other rogue-like games, you’ll die and die some more. You’ll learn from your mistakes to get further into the game. It’s addictive. You’ll love it. You’ll find more than fifty weapons and spells throughout your time with the game, which will create unique gameplay and experiences every time you play. There are plenty of secrets to unlock, no two paths are the same. As you gain new skills you’ll be able to access new paths to reach your objectives. This game is simply stunning and it’s available now to play on PC and Mac, with Playstation 4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch getting a release later this year. Don’t miss out on this one.

Dead Cells - Looking fine!

The Last Night 
​Developer: Odd Tales
Publisher: Raw Fury
Platform: Xbox One, PC, Mac
Release Date: TBC 2018

Another cyberpunk game hits this list, with Odd Tales’, The Last Night. Visually this game is simply stunning; cinematically incredible. If Blade Runner was a video game, this would be it. The Last Night is a platformer set in a post-cyberpunk world, with vibes of incredible 90s games such as Flashback, Another World and Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee. All of which still hold up to this day. 

In this 2.5D game, players take on the role of Charlie who’s world around him has been taken over by computers and machinery. What’s left for humans to do? It’s not about surviving it’s about living. The Last Night is sure to be a system seller for Xbox One. I know I’m considering it. 

The Last Night - That Blade Runner vibe though

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Narita Boy
Developer: Studio Koba
Publisher: Studio Koba
Platform: PC, Mac
Release Date: TBC 2018

Funded by Kickstarter last year, Narita Boy, follows the digital hero in a quest across dimensional planes where you’ll explore and fight in this retro-futuristic world. Studio Koba pay homage to the 80s pixel-adventures and retro analog synthesisers with a nice twist of new ideas and gameplay. This 2D scroller is a mixture of beat ‘em up and hack and slash adventure, which is easy to learn, simple in style yet packs a real punch with it’s levels of challenge. You’ll find your classic platforming, RPG elements and a beautiful world to explore; from cityscapes to landscapes.  Narita Boy is loaded with gorgeous handcrafted sprites and animations that combine an art style from the past and the future. Studio Koba will be releasing Narita Boy later this year for PC and Mac.

Nrita Boy

Did your most hyped pixel art based game make this list? Be sure to leave your comments below with the games you’re looking forward to in 2018. 

​Guest blogger: Fran H @HelloIAmFran and HelloIAmFran YouTube

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