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Hypnospace Outlaw

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Hypnospace Outlaw
Developer(s)Tendershoot
Publisher(s)No More Robots
Designer(s)Jay Tholen
Programmer(s)
  • Mike Lasch
  • Corey Cochran
Artist(s)Jay Tholen
Writer(s)
  • Jay Tholen
  • Xalavier Nelson Jr.
Composer(s)Jay Tholen
EngineConstruct 2
Platform(s)Windows, macOS, Linux, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Release
  • Windows, macOS, Linux
  • March 12, 2019
  • Switch, PS4, Xbox One
  • August 27, 2020
Genre(s)Simulation,[1]> puzzle[2]
Mode(s)Single-player

Hypnospace Outlaw is a 2019 simulation video game developed by Tendershoot and published by No More Robots.[3] Set in an alternate history 1999, the game takes place inside a parody of the early Internet and its culture that users visit in their sleep called Hypnospace.[4] The player assumes the role of an "Enforcer" for the fictional company Merchantsoft—creator of Hypnospace—and seeks to police illegal content, copyright violations, viruses, and cyberbullying by users on the service. In the process, the player engages in detective work and puzzle-solving.[5] It was released for Windows, macOS, and Linux in March 2019 and for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One in August 2020.

Gameplay

Hypnospace Outlaw utilizes an interface based on that of a typical graphical interface for a desktop operating system, similar to the likes of Windows 9x, with the player using a fictional in-game "web browser" called Hypnospace Explorer, akin to the massively popular Internet Explorer. The mission is to discover and report objectionable content they have been assigned to investigate by Hypnospace staff. Investigation of cases requires exploration of web pages and searching, aided by hints given by the content of the pages. HypnoCoin, the game's main currency is earned by reporting and closing assigned cases. This currency is exchanged for various downloadable programs, virtual pets, wallpapers, themes, and content that advance the story. It also parodies popular bands during 1999, with many webpages music originating from in-game bands such as "Seepage", "Fre3zer", and the "Chowder Man".

Development

Hypnospace Outlaw was designed by Jay Tholen, creator of the earlier game Dropsy. The new game was funded via a successful Kickstarter campaign,[6] and was a finalist for the Independent Game Festival's 2019 Seumas McNally Grand Prize and "Excellence in Audio".[7] It was released for Windows, macOS, and Linux on March 12, 2019,[8] and for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One on August 27, 2020.[9] A free content update was released for the PC versions alongside the console releases.[10][11]

Reception

The game received "generally positive reviews" according to review aggregator Metacritic.[12][13] It was nominated for the Tin Pan Alley Award for Best Music in a Game, the Statue of Liberty Award for Best World, and the Herman Melville Award for Best Writing at the New York Game Awards.[14]

Sequels

A sequel, Dreamsettler, and a spinoff first-person shooter, Slayers X: Terminal Aftermath: Vengance of the Slayer, [sic] are scheduled to be released in 2022.[29]

References

  1. ^ "'90s internet simulator 'Hypnospace Outlaw' launches on March 12". Engadget. Retrieved 2020-08-08. alternate-reality 1990s internet simulator{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  2. ^ "'90s internet simulator 'Hypnospace Outlaw' launches on March 12". Engadget. Retrieved 2020-08-08. At its core, Hypnospace Outlaw is a puzzle game{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. ^ Wildgoose, David (March 12, 2019). "Hypnospace Outlaw Review - Weird World Web". GameSpot. Retrieved June 13, 2019.
  4. ^ Douglas, Dante (March 20, 2019). "Hypnospace Outlaw Revives the Internet of the '90s with the Fears of Today". Paste Magazine. Retrieved June 13, 2019.
  5. ^ Kelly, Andy (March 12, 2019). "Hypnospace Outlaw Review". PC Gamer. Retrieved June 13, 2019.
  6. ^ Tarason, Dominic (April 25, 2018). "Dare to dream of a 1999 internet in Hypnospace Outlaw". Rock, Paper, Shotgun. Retrieved June 13, 2019.
  7. ^ Tarason, Dominic (January 3, 2019). "Return of The Obra Dinn, Paratopic and Hypnospace Outlaw headline IGF's 2019 finalists". Rock, Paper, Shotgun. Retrieved June 13, 2019.
  8. ^ "Hypnospace Outlaw launches on 12th March for PC". Entertainment Focus. 2019-03-07. Retrieved 2020-09-03.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  9. ^ Shea, Brian. "Explore The Early Internet On PS4, Xbox One, And Switch With Hypnospace Outlaw". Game Informer. Retrieved 2020-09-03.
  10. ^ Jones, Laurie (2020-08-19). "Hypnospace Outlaw comes with Hypnospace Plus Free Update on August 27th". Expansive. Retrieved 2020-09-03.
  11. ^ "Hypnospace PLUS is here! - Hypnospace Outlaw by Jay Tholen, TetroniMike". itch.io. Retrieved 2020-12-17.
  12. ^ "Hypnospace Outlaw for PC Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved June 13, 2019.
  13. ^ MacDonald, Keza (March 14, 2019). "Hypnospace Outlaw review: a surreal tribute to the 90s internet". The Guardian. Retrieved June 13, 2019.
  14. ^ Sheehan, Gavin (January 2, 2020). "The New York Game Awards Announces 2020 Nominees". Bleeding Cool. Retrieved January 5, 2020.
  15. ^ "Hypnospace Outlaw for PC Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 2021-09-25.
  16. ^ "Hypnospace Outlaw for Switch Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 2021-09-25.
  17. ^ Kelly, Andy (12 March 2019). "Hypnospace Outlaw review". PC Gamer. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  18. ^ Purchese, Robert (25 March 2019). "Hypnospace Outlaw review: resurrecting a forgotten internet, warts and all". Eurogamer. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  19. ^ "Hypnospace Outlaw Review (Switch eShop)". Nintendo Life. 30 August 2020. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  20. ^ Cork, Jeff (8 April 2019). "Hypnospace Outlaw - Keeping The Information Superhighway Safe, One Weird Case At A Time". Game Informer. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  21. ^ "Hypnospace Outlaw review: a surreal tribute to the 90s internet". The Guardian. 14 March 2019. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  22. ^ Rudek, Jordan (25 August 2020). "Hypnospace Outlaw (Switch) Review". Nintendo World Report. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  23. ^ Wildgoose, David (25 March 2019). "Hypnospace Outlaw Review - Weird World Web". GameSpot. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  24. ^ Ahern, Colm (25 March 2019). "Hypnospace Outlaw review". VideoGamer.com. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  25. ^ "Hypnospace Outlaw review". Adventure Gamers. 13 May 2019. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  26. ^ "Hypnospace Outlaw Review | Eight free hours your first night!". GameRevolution. 29 March 2019. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  27. ^ Jarrard, Chris (12 March 2019). "Hypnospace Outlaw review: Site_under_construction.gif". Shacknews. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  28. ^ Martin, Lane (9 April 2019). "Hypnospace Outlaw Review". Computer Games Magazine. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  29. ^ Rich Stanton (2022-04-05). "The spiritual successor to Hypnospace Outlaw takes you back to the '00s internet". PC Gamer. Retrieved 2022-04-05.
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