Software:Galak-Z: The Dimensional

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Galak-Z: The Dimensional
GALAK-Z logo cutout alpha.png
Developer(s)17-Bit
Publisher(s)17-Bit[lower-alpha 1]
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
Platform(s)PlayStation 4
Microsoft Windows
macOS
Linux
Nintendo Switch
ReleasePlayStation 4
August 4, 2015
Windows, macOS, Linux
October 29, 2015
Deluxe Edition
March 26, 2019
Genre(s)Shooter, roguelike
Mode(s)Single-player

Galak-Z: The Dimensional is a shooter video game developed and published by 17-Bit. It was released in August 2015 for the PlayStation 4 and October 2015 for Microsoft Windows, macOS and Linux. A Nintendo Switch port, subtitled Deluxe Edition, was released in March 2019 by Golem Entertainment.[1] 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."[2] 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.[3]

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.[4]

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.[3] The team also liked the game's progression tech trees, which provides the player more options as the game advances.[3] Spelunky's handheld release and its "pick-up-and-play" variable game length inspired 17-Bit to release Galak-Z on the PlayStation Vita.[3] Galak-Z's art style draws from anime influences, including Ichiro Itano's signature Macross series "Itano Circus" missile fusillade.[5]

Galak-Z was announced during Sony's pre-E3 2013 press conference in June 2013.[4] 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.[6] 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.[7] All versions would contain the same content.[3]

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.[8]

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.[9][10]

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".[11] 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."[12] PC Gamer awarded it a score of 88%, saying "Challenging but immaculately calibrated controls power an exciting and enormously rewarding sci-fi roguelike."[13]

During the 19th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards, the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences nominated Galak-Z for the "D.I.C.E. Sprite Award".[14]

Notes

  1. ↑ Nintendo Switch port published by Golem Entertainment.

References

  1. ↑ "GALAK-Z: The Void: Deluxe Edition Is Firing Onto Switch On 26th March" (in en-GB). 2019-02-28. https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2019/02/galak-z_the_void_deluxe_edition_is_firing_onto_switch_on_26th_march. 
  2. ↑ "Shaun takes to Space in this Galak-Z: The Dimensional Gameplay". GameSpot. 2013-08-30. http://www.gamespot.com/pax/shaun-takes-to-space-in-this-galak-z-the-dimensional-gameplay-6413912/. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Corriea, Alexa Ray (March 7, 2014). "Galak-Z coming to PlayStation Vita". Polygon. Vox Media. http://www.polygon.com/2014/3/7/5481576/galak-z-coming-to-playstation-vita. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Farokhmanesh, Megan (June 10, 2013). "Skulls of the Shogun developer releasing next game, Galak-Z The Dimensional on PlayStation 4". Polygon. Vox Media. http://www.polygon.com/2013/6/10/4416908/skulls-of-the-shogun-developer-announces-next-game-galak-z-the. 
  5. ↑ Funk, John (August 30, 2013). "Galak-Z: The Dimensional PAX trailer shows anime-inspired space shooting". Polygon. Vox Media. http://www.polygon.com/2013/8/30/4676528/galak-z-the-dimensional-pax-trailer-shows-anime-inspired-space. 
  6. ↑ McWhertor, Michael (August 7, 2013). "Fangamer X Attract Mode show brings fine art, indie games to PAX". Polygon. Vox Media. http://www.polygon.com/2013/8/7/4596078/fangamer-x-attract-mode-art-show-pax-prime-2013. 
  7. ↑ Pitcher, Jenna (April 15, 2014). "Galak-Z: The Dimensional hits PS4, PS Vita, PC 'late summer to early fall'". Polygon. Vox Media. http://www.polygon.com/2014/4/15/5615868/galak-z-hits-ps4-ps-vita-pc-late-summer-early-fall. 
  8. ↑ Matulef, Jeffrey (July 14, 2015). "Galak-Z is heading to PS4 in August, Vita version canned". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-07-14-galak-z-is-heading-to-ps4-in-august-vita-version-canned. Retrieved July 14, 2015. 
  9. ↑ "RPGamer > Mystery Box > Indiebox - Galak-Z". https://www.rpgamer.com/features/mysterybox/indiebox-galakz.html. 
  10. ↑ "The best IndieBox yet: Galak-Z: The Dimensional - Geek.com" (in en-US). Geek.com. 2016-05-23. https://www.geek.com/tech/galak-z-the-dimensional-is-the-best-indiebox-yet-1655916/. 
  11. ↑ "Galak-Z: The Dimensional: Reviews". Metacritic. https://www.metacritic.com/game/galak-z/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4. Retrieved August 17, 2015. 
  12. ↑ "GALAK-Z Review - IGN". Uk.ign.com. 2015-08-10. http://uk.ign.com/articles/2015/08/11/galak-z-review. Retrieved 2016-02-03. 
  13. ↑ "Galak-Z review". PC Gamer. 2015-11-09. http://www.pcgamer.com/galak-z-the-dimensional-review/. Retrieved 2016-02-03. 
  14. ↑ "2016 Awards Category Details D.I.C.E. Sprite Award". Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. https://www.interactive.org/awards/award_category_details.asp?idAward=2016&idGameAwardType=152. 

External links



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