1000 Deaths (Thousand Deaths)

This games been nothing but an eyesore since I started. The camera and the "Mario Galaxy" type gravity system in tandem with the awkward controls and demanding platforming just make it unbearable to play. I'm getting nothing out of the story because of how difficult it is to read when the cameras popping into everyone's faces, clipping through objects and in random ass positions that make it nearly impossible to understand a word anyone is saying in the text. TEXT. And that's saying something, I've played some trippy and colorful games like this, and I LOVE trippy stuff. But this? This is literally the bad kind of drug trip man. I'm abandoning it and watching someone else play it.

Did I die? Where am I??? Don't let the cute characters deceive you . . . these levels (upside down, or right side up?) are to DIE for. Shenanigans be happening in this game. Clearly was a lot of fun to make, and is a BLAST to play. Loving the different art styles rendered during the TV broadcast sessions. An ode to sophisticated doodles. Dying over and over again. Getting attached to the four main characters. Dying some more. It's DRAMATIC. You're gunna love it.

The game stands true to the words of mind bending platforming. The narrative takes you on a trip back to memory lane of could haves, would haves of 4 childhood friends as you explore the world with choices you make as each character. With some quirky dialogues, wonderful art direction and artstyle. The game definitely stands out and looks unique. With well crafted platforming levels and banger music in the background, the game will leave your palms sweating on the controller as you try to beat the high scores and speed run through it. Grateful to have had the opportunity to work on 1000 Deaths.

I should probably hate this game because I'm so bad at platformers, but so far I’m quite taken with 1000 Deaths. The fact that falling off the platform and dying over and over again is part of the concept feels reassuring for a wretched player like me. As I grapple with game physics and face the existential reckoning of death again and again, I am reminded that failure is OK, perhaps I don't need to take myself so seriously, and it's great to have fun and keep trying. We love the retro-surrealist graphics and sound design. The character designs and their dialogue and lore are deranged in the most endearing way. Story mode is great if you’re more here to vibe and enjoy this weird little psychedelic, kinetic world that Pariah Interactive has clearly crafted with love, while arcade mode is available for the technical speed freaks. I’m thinking the best way to enjoy the rest of this game is to roll out of bed in pyjamas, pour myself milk over a bowl of offensively sweet cereal, and vibe out like 1000 Deaths is the streaming era version of Sunday morning cartoons of our bygone youth.

1000 Deaths is a weird game, and I say that with the most loving tone imaginable. It jumps from a 3D platformer to a decision-based narrative heavy game. It follows the “what if” dilemma where the character asks themself how their life would have been if they decided to leave with their best friend for Hollywood or if they stayed to improve their hometown. In fact, we get to play these outcomes. It’s all presented in super wonky surreal tones that span from uncanny to amazing. It doesn’t go very in depth with each scenario, but it’s interesting to play these “what-ifs” throughout 4 different characters and branching choices. Curious about more indie games? Check out my website: https://freakingindie.com

Headache inducing