Pixel boat Rush is the latest project from XperimentalZ Games. If you played their last game, Don’t Run With A Plasma Sword, then you already know that they know how to make really fun games, around the most interesting subject matter. Pixel Boat Rush is very different from their last game. It will arrive in the Google Play Store next week, October 22nd. However, if you want to play the game now, you have the opportunity to do so, by signing up for the beta. XperimentalZ Games is doing the beta a little differently though, similar to Early Access Games on Steam. You can buy it now at a reduced cost and get all the upgrades/updates, when the game is released.
Update: December 12th, 2014 9:51am PST: Pixel Boat Rush is now available on Google Play for $2.49. You can pick up a copy through the link below.
Update: December 5th, 2014 9:48am PST: Just a quick update that this game will be released onto Google Play as well as Amazon’s AppStore this December 10th, 2014. Beta testing lasted long than anticipated but thanks to the longer testing phase, the game will be compatible with more devices and will be available on Amazon.
Before everyone gets in an uproar about paying for a beta copy, here is the reason why. Based on an email we received from XperimentalZ Games, they mentioned that it was no longer possible to use Testflight for Android betas, so they came up with this alternate plan. Since most gamers that play mobile games also play PC games, this should be familiar to them because it occurs on Steam quite often, and sometimes with Kickstarter funded projects as well. If you get in on the beta, you can purchase the game for $.99. The launch price for the game will be $2.49. The game has been in development for eighteen months and has already been released on iOS. The reviews for the game thus far have been quite positive.
Pixel Boat Rush is a frantic pixel arcade combat racing game! The game play mixes a one-touch racing mechanic with 2 weapon/defensive buttons. The progression mode and RPG-like humoristic conversations with parodic characters. An easy to learn, hard to master, fun arcade racing game withi loads of content! – Xperimentalz Games
I have to say that I am not the biggest fan of games designed purposely with lower resolution imagery. I have been gaming for a long time, so I get the appreciation and nod toward classic games. However, I have to admit, playing Pixel Boat Rush has been extremely enjoyable thus far, because the game mechanics supersede the imagery in a good way. The game takes a lot of skill, even though you only have a few buttons at your disposal.
“Touch to accelerate, release to brake. If you release the gaz on a wave, you’ll stick to it. If you keep the gaz pressed, you’ll jump off the waves. Releasing the gaz while in the air will make you fall faster.” The controls are spot on. They don’t vary that much from a game like Tiny Wings, but add in another button for weapons/defense, and you open another spectrum of possibilities. This is where Pixel Boat Rush brings the adrenaline to the game. With coins to grab, shields, and other power-ups to be aware of in the midst of racing is a challenge. Oh, don’t forget, in some cases you are also being shot at while you are racing. So, it is not just about speed, but also about defense and evading those trailing you. Piixel Boat Rush really packs the action into every single pixel used. There is a career mode, that encompasses your back story. It is told through panels full of humor. You learn what happened to you a few years ago while you were racing on the circuit.
Pixel Boat Rush Features:
- 15 Racing tracks
- 100 Racing events across 7 types of race (Normal, Ceasefire, Eliminations, Demolition, Carnage, Last Man Standing, Endurance)
- 20 Licenses: Series of min-quests which unlock the next racing categories
- 50 Racing boats, each with its own specific upgradable configuration: Find which boat is best suited for each event
- Over 20 types of guns
- 4 Racing categories: climb the ladders and become the world champion!
- One-touch racing mechanic +2 offensive/defensive buttons
- Power-ups: boost, ammo, shield, coins, repair
- Time trial mode against your ghosts
- RPG-like parodic conversations with characters inspired from the popular culture
- Pixel damage: when a boat takes damage, bits of the boat fly-off
- Trophies system for replay value: Finish first in all races to collect all gold trophies
- Google Game Play Service Integration with 39 Achievements
- 3 Save files
- Colorful pixel art retro graphics
- Rich original retro soundtrack
Pixel Boat Rush has an enormous amount of content. The game thus far, has displayed just the right amount of difficulty while remaining fun. If you enjoy retro graphics, quick daring races, and trying to pull into first place, Pixel Boat Rush may be the game for you. if you want to get in early and play it, all you have to do is join the Google Group to do so. It’s easy and the link for doing so is below. Keep in mind that this is still the beta, so for the next week, they will still be squashing some bugs. When I joined the beta, the game fired right up on my tablet, but still continues to crash on my phone. While I know there will be some gripes about paying for a beta, the good thing is that the Play Store still provides a pretty long window for you to try out the game and then get a refund if it doesn’t work or you don’t like it. It really is a win-win situation in this case. You can get a fun game for $.99 with no IAP now, or wait to get it later for $2.49. Which route will you take?
Pixel Boat Rush Beta Link: Pixel Boat G+ Group
