Galak-Z: The Dimensional

Galak-Z: The Dimensional
Developer(s) 17-BIT
Publisher(s) 17-BIT
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
Release date(s) PlayStation 4
August 4, 2015
Microsoft Windows
October 29, 2015
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."[1] 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 lit., "Space Soldier Galak-Z")

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.[2]

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.[3]

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.[2] The team also liked the game's progression tech trees, which provides the player more options as the game advances.[2] Spelunky's handheld release and its "pick-up-and-play" variable game length inspired 17-BIT to release Galak-Z on the PlayStation Vita.[2] Galak-Z's art style draws from anime influences, including Ichiro Itano's signature Macross series "Itano Circus" missile fusillade.[4]

Galak-Z was announced during Sony's pre-E3 2013 press conference in June 2013.[3] 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.[5] 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.[6] All versions will contain the same content.[2]

On July 14, 2015, 17-BIT announced that the PlayStation 4 version will be released on August 4, 2015, with the PC version following a couple months later. The PlayStation Vita version was cancelled.[7]

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".[8] 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."[9] PC Gamer awarded it a score of 88%, saying "Challenging but immaculately calibrated controls power an exciting and enormously rewarding sci-fi roguelike." [10]

References

  1. ↑ "Shaun takes to Space in this Galak-Z: The Dimensional Gameplay". GameSpot. 2013-08-30. Retrieved 2014-03-11.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 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.
  3. 1 2 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 10, 2013. Retrieved June 10, 2013.
  4. ↑ 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.
  5. ↑ 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.
  6. ↑ 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.
  7. ↑ Matulef, Jeffrey (July 14, 2015). "Galak-Z is heading to PS4 in August, Vita version canned". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Retrieved July 14, 2015.
  8. ↑ "Galak-Z: The Dimensional: Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved August 17, 2015.
  9. ↑ "GALAK-Z Review - IGN". Uk.ign.com. 2015-08-10. Retrieved 2016-02-03.
  10. ↑ "Galak-Z review". PC Gamer. 2015-11-09. Retrieved 2016-02-03.

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