PixelJunk Shooter
Encyclopedia
PixelJunk Shooter is a video game developed by Q-Games
for the PlayStation 3
. It is the fourth major title in the PixelJunk
series. It was released on the North American and European PlayStation Store
on December 10, 2009.
PixelJunk Shooter is the first title in the PixelJunk series to offer a traditional narrative, conveyed to players through a series of speech boxes awarded upon rescuing certain survivors. The game's soundtrack is made up of songs by High Frequency Bandwidth, composed by Alex Paterson
and Dom Beken.
as "part retro videogame, part chemistry set; part Geometry Wars
, part Zelda
", Game Informer
called it "one of the best titles you’ll find on PlayStation Network". Similarly, IGN
's review called it one of the best PlayStation Network titles of 2009, as well as Q Games' "best work yet".
The game was praised by critics for its level design and unique physics; Nidzumi noted that the game "lets you explore", claiming "the game does an excellent job of making you feel like you’re exploring long lost caves and uncovering nuances, when in actuality you are following the same linear levels everyone else is." http://www.nidzumi.com/2009/12/pixeljunk-shooter-review-explore-your-inquistive-side/
1UP.com
lamented that the game did not include a "sandbox" mode wherein players could experiment with the game's various fluid substances. The music of High Frequency Bandwidth was also praised, described as "a funky, dynamic collection of upbeat trip-hop" by Eurogamer.
Critics were not uniform in reception of the game's combat. While Eurogamer praised the enemies as "cunningly-designed", GameSpy
remarked that the combat experience overall "isn't all that interesting".
Several reviews made note of the game's brevity; GameSpot
called it "ultimately too short for its own good, abruptly ending just when you're getting into a groove". Other reviewers were less critical of the game's length, noting that the story concludes with a "To Be Continued" screen, suggesting an "Encore" expansion was likely (similar to those released for PixelJunk Monsters
and PixelJunk Eden
). Rather than an expansion, a standalone sequel was announced by Q-Games.
was formally announced by Q-Games on May 18, 2010. The title will be the first full-fledged sequel to any PixelJunk game. Q-Games' Dylan Cuthbert said of the title, "it will have some features that are new to the PixelJunk series in general and will be bigger than the first game".
space for PixelJunk Shooter was added onto the existing Q Games "PixelJunk Museum" space on December 17, 2009. Upon entering the Museum, players receive articles of clothing unlocked by completing portions of PixelJunk Shooter. Completing the game 100% will unlock a complete scientist costume for players to equip their Home avatars with.
The Home space features the virtual interior of the "Ers Piñita Colada", a space center seen in the main menu for PixelJunk Shooter.
Q-Games
Q-Games is a video game developer based in Nakagyō-ku, Kyoto, Japan. It has a mixture of foreigners and Japanese nationals on staff and works closely with both Nintendo and Sony.-Foundation:...
for the PlayStation 3
PlayStation 3
The is the third home video game console produced by Sony Computer Entertainment and the successor to the PlayStation 2 as part of the PlayStation series. The PlayStation 3 competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
. It is the fourth major title in the PixelJunk
PixelJunk
PixelJunk is a series of downloadable games developed by Q-Games for the PlayStation 3. They are available for download and purchase on the PlayStation Store worldwide. The series made its debut on July 11, 2007 at E3 2007 with PixelJunk Racers....
series. It was released on the North American and European PlayStation Store
PlayStation Store
The PlayStation Store is an online virtual market available to users of Sony's PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable game consoles via the PlayStation Network. The Store offers a range of downloadable content both for purchase and available free of charge. Available content includes full games,...
on December 10, 2009.
Gameplay
In PixelJunk Shooter, up to two players can control their own subterranean vehicles to rescue a number of surviving scientists trapped underground. Using their ships' missiles, players can defeat enemies and destroy weak rock to progress through the environment. In addition to rock and ice, players must manipulate three types of fluid (water, magma, and a magnetic black liquid) in order to reach the survivors. Once each survivor is rescued or killed, players may progress to the next part of the stage. If too many survivors are killed, players are forced to quit or restart the stage. The game has fifteen stages divided evenly among three "episodes", each episode ending with a boss encounter.Development
PixelJunk Shooter was formally announced during a 2009 pre-E3 press event on April 29, 2009. Originally referred to as PixelJunk 1-4, a 13-day contest was held in which fans submitted game title suggestions to Q-Games. The official title, PixelJunk Shooter, was announced on May 25, 2009. The simplistic name was received negatively by some fans to which Q-Games president Dylan Cuthbert explained that the name was chosen not only for its simplicity, but also because shooting is the game's central mechanic ("Shooting jets of magma, shooting streams of water, shooting enemies, missiles, lasers, plasma spread weapons etc.") Several other titles were considered, including "PixelJunk Elements", the most popular submission. Ultimately, "Elements" was dismissed because "[it didn't] sound action-packed enough".PixelJunk Shooter is the first title in the PixelJunk series to offer a traditional narrative, conveyed to players through a series of speech boxes awarded upon rescuing certain survivors. The game's soundtrack is made up of songs by High Frequency Bandwidth, composed by Alex Paterson
Alex Paterson
Alex Paterson is an English musician and co-founder of the ambient group The Orb, in which he has worked since its inception....
and Dom Beken.
Reception
PixelJunk Shooter was met with positive critical reception. Described by EurogamerEurogamer
Eurogamer is a Brighton-based website focused on video games news, reviews, previews and interviews. It is operated by Eurogamer Network Ltd., which was formed in 1999 by brothers Rupert and Nick Loman. Eurogamer has grown to become one of the most important European-based websites focused on...
as "part retro videogame, part chemistry set; part Geometry Wars
Geometry Wars
Geometry Wars is a minigame created by Bizarre Creations as part of Project Gotham Racing 2 for the Xbox, accessible through the in-game garage. An updated version of the game, Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved, is available for download on the Xbox 360 via Xbox Live Arcade. It can also be played in...
, part Zelda
The Legend of Zelda
The Legend of Zelda, originally released as in Japan, is a video game developed and published by Nintendo, and designed by Shigeru Miyamoto and Takashi Tezuka. Set in the fantasy land of Hyrule, the plot centers on a boy named Link, the playable protagonist, who aims to collect the eight fragments...
", Game Informer
Game Informer
Game Informer is an American-based monthly magazine featuring articles, news, strategy, and reviews of popular video games and associated consoles. It was formed in August 1991, when FuncoLand started publishing a six-page magazine, free in all its retail locations...
called it "one of the best titles you’ll find on PlayStation Network". Similarly, IGN
IGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
's review called it one of the best PlayStation Network titles of 2009, as well as Q Games' "best work yet".
The game was praised by critics for its level design and unique physics; Nidzumi noted that the game "lets you explore", claiming "the game does an excellent job of making you feel like you’re exploring long lost caves and uncovering nuances, when in actuality you are following the same linear levels everyone else is." http://www.nidzumi.com/2009/12/pixeljunk-shooter-review-explore-your-inquistive-side/
1UP.com
1UP.com
1UP.com is a video game website owned by IGN Entertainment, a division of News Corporation. Previously, the site was owned by Ziff Davis before being sold to UGO Entertainment in 2009....
lamented that the game did not include a "sandbox" mode wherein players could experiment with the game's various fluid substances. The music of High Frequency Bandwidth was also praised, described as "a funky, dynamic collection of upbeat trip-hop" by Eurogamer.
Critics were not uniform in reception of the game's combat. While Eurogamer praised the enemies as "cunningly-designed", GameSpy
GameSpy
GameSpy Industries, Inc., known simply as GameSpy, is a division of IGN Entertainment, which operates a network of game websites and provides online video game-related services and software. GameSpy dates back to the 1996 release of an internet Quake server search program named QSpy. The current...
remarked that the combat experience overall "isn't all that interesting".
Several reviews made note of the game's brevity; GameSpot
GameSpot
GameSpot is a video gaming website that provides news, reviews, previews, downloads, and other information. The site was launched in May 1, 1996 by Pete Deemer, Vince Broady and Jon Epstein. It was purchased by ZDNet, a brand which was later purchased by CNET Networks. CBS Interactive, which...
called it "ultimately too short for its own good, abruptly ending just when you're getting into a groove". Other reviewers were less critical of the game's length, noting that the story concludes with a "To Be Continued" screen, suggesting an "Encore" expansion was likely (similar to those released for PixelJunk Monsters
PixelJunk Monsters
PixelJunk Monsters is a game developed by Q-Games for the PlayStation 3. It was released worldwide on the PlayStation Store on January 24, 2008...
and PixelJunk Eden
PixelJunk Eden
PixelJunk Eden is a video game developed by Q-Games for the PlayStation 3. The third game in the PixelJunk series, it was released on the PlayStation Store on July 31, 2008 worldwide. A demo of the game was released on July 25, 2008...
). Rather than an expansion, a standalone sequel was announced by Q-Games.
Sequel
PixelJunk Shooter 2PixelJunk Shooter 2
PixelJunk Shooter 2 is a video game developed by Q-Games for the PlayStation 3. It is the sequel to PixelJunk Shooter and was released on the PlayStation Store in March 2011. PixelJunk Shooter 2 was formally announced by Q-Games on 18 May 2010. The title is the first full-fledged sequel to any...
was formally announced by Q-Games on May 18, 2010. The title will be the first full-fledged sequel to any PixelJunk game. Q-Games' Dylan Cuthbert said of the title, "it will have some features that are new to the PixelJunk series in general and will be bigger than the first game".
PlayStation Home
A PlayStation HomePlayStation Home
PlayStation Home is a virtual 3D social gaming network developed by Sony Computer Entertainment's London Studio for the PlayStation 3 on the PlayStation Network . It is available directly from the PlayStation 3 XrossMediaBar under PlayStation Network. Membership is free, and only requires a PSN...
space for PixelJunk Shooter was added onto the existing Q Games "PixelJunk Museum" space on December 17, 2009. Upon entering the Museum, players receive articles of clothing unlocked by completing portions of PixelJunk Shooter. Completing the game 100% will unlock a complete scientist costume for players to equip their Home avatars with.
The Home space features the virtual interior of the "Ers Piñita Colada", a space center seen in the main menu for PixelJunk Shooter.