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Galak-Z: The Dimensional

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Galak-Z: The Dimensional
Developer(s)17-Bit
Publisher(s)PlayStation 4
Microsoft Windows
Nintendo Switch
[2]
Director(s)Jake Kazdal
Designer(s)Jake Kazdal
Programmer(s)Zach Aikman
Artist(s)Jake Kazdal
Writer(s)Jake Kazdal
Mark Macdonald
Kristina Drzaik
Brian Van Buren
Raj Joshi
Composer(s)scntfc
Platform(s)PlayStation 4
Microsoft Windows
OS X
Linux
Nintendo Switch
ReleasePlayStation 4
August 4, 2015
Microsoft Windows
October 29, 2015
Nintendo Switch
March 26, 2019
Genre(s)Shooter, roguelike
Mode(s)Single-player

Galak-Z: The Dimensional is a shooter video game by 17-Bit for Microsoft Windows, OS X, Linux and PlayStation 4. It was announced during Sony's pre-E3 2013 press conference in June 2013. 17-Bit CEO Jake Kazdal describes it as "modern Halo and Far Cry 3 combat in a 2-dimensional shell."[3] Reflecting its inspiration in part by Japanese anime, the game is also known officially by the Japanese title of Uchuu Senshi Galak-Z (宇宙戦士ガラクZ, "Space Soldier Galak-Z"). A complete edition, Galak-Z: The Void: Deluxe Edition, was released on March 26, 2019 on Nintendo Switch. [4]

Gameplay

Animated gameplay

Galak-Z is a two-dimensional sci-fi shooter video game with roguelike elements. The game's levels are generated uniquely for each playthrough and are connected as an endless dungeon. The levels include spawners for enemies and traps.[5]

Development

Senior producer Raj Joshi presents on Galak-Z at the 2016 Game Developers Conference

Former Sega Japan developer Jake Kazdal started the game's development company, 17-Bit, in 2009 to make games similar to that of the 16-bit era. They had previously released Skulls of the Shogun for Xbox 360 and Windows phones in early 2013.[6]

Galak-Z's gameplay was inspired by what senior producer Raj Joshi called "'new wave' roguelikes", especially Spelunky and Don't Starve. The 17-Bit team sought to emulate Don't Starve's "survival mechanics", which encouraged players to plan ahead during their games.[5] The team also liked the game's progression tech trees, which provides the player more options as the game advances.[5] Spelunky's handheld release and its "pick-up-and-play" variable game length inspired 17-Bit to release Galak-Z on the PlayStation Vita.[5] Galak-Z's art style draws from anime influences, including Ichiro Itano's signature Macross series "Itano Circus" missile fusillade.[7]

Galak-Z was announced during Sony's pre-E3 2013 press conference in June 2013.[6] A playable version of Galak-Z was on display at video game merchandiser Fangamer and video game collective Attract Mode's August 2013 PAX Prime combined event in Seattle.[8] The game was planned for release on PlayStation 4 in Q2/Q3 2014, followed by Microsoft Windows and PlayStation Vita versions, successively - this was before the team decided to allow themselves more time for development, pushing the release window into 2015.[9] All versions would contain the same content.[5]

On July 14, 2015, 17-Bit announced that the PlayStation 4 version would be released on August 4, 2015, with the PC version following a couple months later. The PlayStation Vita version was cancelled.[10]

Release

In April 2016, 17-Bit joined forces with IndieBox, a monthly subscription box service, to create an exclusive, custom-designed, physical release of Galak-Z. This limited, individually-numbered collector’s box included a themed USB drive with DRM-free copy of the game, the official soundtrack on cassette tape, an instruction manual and Steam key, along with several other collectible items.[11][12] On February 25 2020, Galak-Z The Void was released physically on the Nintendo Switch and Playstation 4 in a "Platinum Pack" along with Skulls Of Shogun Bone-A-Fide edition. The European release is limited to 5000 copies and each is individually numbered.

Reception

At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the game has received an average score of 83, based on 26 reviews indicating "Generally favorable reviews".[13] IGN awarded it 8.3 out of ten, saying "While not a full-fledged roguelike, Galak-Z's superb controls and charming personality make it great."[14] PC Gamer awarded it a score of 88%, saying "Challenging but immaculately calibrated controls power an exciting and enormously rewarding sci-fi roguelike." [15]

References

  1. ^ "Galak-Z". PlayStation.
  2. ^ "GALAK-Z: The Void: Deluxe Edition for Nintendo Switch - Nintendo Game Details". www.nintendo.com.
  3. ^ "Shaun takes to Space in this Galak-Z: The Dimensional Gameplay". GameSpot. August 30, 2013. Archived from the original on September 7, 2013. Retrieved 2014-03-11.
  4. ^ Life, Nintendo (April 2, 2019). "Review: GALAK-Z: The Void: Deluxe Edition - The PS4 Cult Classic Goes Portable". Nintendo Life.
  5. ^ a b c d e Corriea, Alexa Ray (March 7, 2014). "Galak-Z coming to PlayStation Vita". Polygon. Vox Media. Archived from the original on March 8, 2014. Retrieved March 8, 2014.
  6. ^ a b Farokhmanesh, Megan (June 10, 2013). "Skulls of the Shogun developer releasing next game, Galak-Z The Dimensional on PlayStation 4". Polygon. Vox Media. Archived from the original on June 11, 2013. Retrieved June 10, 2013.
  7. ^ Funk, John (August 30, 2013). "Galak-Z: The Dimensional PAX trailer shows anime-inspired space shooting". Polygon. Vox Media. Archived from the original on March 8, 2014. Retrieved March 8, 2014.
  8. ^ McWhertor, Michael (August 7, 2013). "Fangamer X Attract Mode show brings fine art, indie games to PAX". Polygon. Vox Media. Archived from the original on March 8, 2014. Retrieved March 8, 2014.
  9. ^ Pitcher, Jenna (April 15, 2014). "Galak-Z: The Dimensional hits PS4, PS Vita, PC 'late summer to early fall'". Polygon. Vox Media. Archived from the original on April 15, 2014. Retrieved April 15, 2014.
  10. ^ Matulef, Jeffrey (July 14, 2015). "Galak-Z is heading to PS4 in August, Vita version canned". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Retrieved July 14, 2015.
  11. ^ "RPGamer > Mystery Box > Indiebox - Galak-Z". www.rpgamer.com. Retrieved June 3, 2017.
  12. ^ "The best IndieBox yet: Galak-Z: The Dimensional - Geek.com". Geek.com. May 23, 2016. Retrieved June 3, 2017.
  13. ^ "Galak-Z: The Dimensional: Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved August 17, 2015.
  14. ^ "GALAK-Z Review - IGN". Uk.ign.com. August 10, 2015. Retrieved February 3, 2016.
  15. ^ "Galak-Z review". PC Gamer. November 9, 2015. Retrieved February 3, 2016.

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