Will we ever let go of the nostalgia for the 1980s? Who knows! While many are already tired of all the looking back, others marvel at every new release. And for them, nothing better than 198X, a tribute to classic 80s video games to relive past times.
The Story of 198X
The story of 198X takes place in Suburbia, at some point in the eighties. The protagonist is Kid, a teenager living on the outskirts of the city who is going through a stage between the limitations of his innocent youth and the obligations of inevitable adulthood. The adventure begins when Kid finds a hall of arcade machines in his neighborhood, discovering new worlds and new meaning in video games. With each visit to the arcade, each game he plays, each move mastered, each demon defeated, Kid grows stronger. And the lines between game and reality begin to blur.
Five Distinct Arcade Games
The gameplay of 198X is based on five distinct arcade games, each inspired by classics of its genre. These games (fully playable) have several levels, maintaining the same gameplay but adding unique and unexpected twists to the plot.
Among the genres are exponents of the time that pay homage to the main games of their type. You can find a beat 'em up (Streets of Rage), shoot-em-up (R-Type), racing (Out Run), action with ninjas (Shinobi), and the inevitable RPG (Dungeon Master).
Pixel Art and Crowdfunding
There is no doubt that the concept of paying homage to classics is incredibly detailed, courtesy of an exquisite pixel art that the developers designed for this game. 198X is the first game from independent studio Hi-Bit Studios, which has just launched a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter.
Funding and Release
The game needs $56,786 to be funded, and all those who contribute will receive gifts such as a copy of the game, soundtrack and concept art, among several more prizes. 198X is being developed by Hi-Bit Studios and will be available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and Windows. The game does not have a concrete release date but is expected to arrive in early 2019.
Official site: 198X
