Galak-Z: The Dimensional
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". Nintendo Life. February 28, 2019. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  2. ↑ "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.
  3. 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 April 21, 2014. Retrieved March 8, 2014.
  4. 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 15, 2013. Retrieved June 10, 2013.
  5. ↑ Funk, John (August 30, 2013). "Galak-Z: The Dimensional PAX trailer shows anime-inspired space shooting". Polygon. Vox Media. Archived from the original on September 5, 2013. Retrieved March 8, 2014.
  6. ↑ 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 February 27, 2014. Retrieved March 8, 2014.
  7. ↑ 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 17, 2014. Retrieved April 15, 2014.
  8. ↑ Matulef, Jeffrey (July 14, 2015). "Galak-Z is heading to PS4 in August, Vita version canned". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Retrieved July 14, 2015.
  9. ↑ "RPGamer > Mystery Box > Indiebox - Galak-Z". www.rpgamer.com. Retrieved June 3, 2017.
  10. ↑ "The best IndieBox yet: Galak-Z: The Dimensional - Geek.com". Geek.com. May 23, 2016. Archived from the original on December 15, 2019. Retrieved June 3, 2017.
  11. ↑ "Galak-Z: The Dimensional: Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved August 17, 2015.
  12. ↑ "GALAK-Z Review - IGN". Uk.ign.com. August 10, 2015. Retrieved February 3, 2016.
  13. ↑ "Galak-Z review". PC Gamer. November 9, 2015. Retrieved February 3, 2016.
  14. ↑ "2016 Awards Category Details D.I.C.E. Sprite Award". interactive.org. Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
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