198X

Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, PC (Microsoft Windows) • 2019

2019

Quick resume

Part 1 of arcade epic 198X. A coming-of-age story told through multiple games and genres. Experience the thrill of shooting, driving, jumping, fighting and role-playing in 5 full-blown arcade stages – combined with cinematic pixel-art storytelling.

Global score

76/100

Genres

Indie, Adventure, Arcade, Hack and slash/Beat 'em up, Shooter, Role-playing (RPG), Racing

Similar games

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

Outsiders

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

Pros

Beautiful pixel art and animation
Excellent synthwave soundtrack
Nostalgic and emotional narrative
Varied and well-crafted arcade mini-games
Strong voice acting and storytelling

Cons

Very short gameplay duration
Limited replay value
Lack of controller support and settings
No multiplayer or social features
Some gameplay sections can be frustrating or too easy

Analysis

Less representative of its motivational profile, with noticeable differences. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Expression, Fellowship, Cooperation, Competition. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Fantasy, Exploration, Continuation.

How to use the graph

Similar games map

Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Motivations” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

Purple star: the game you are viewing on this page.
Dotted line: link between this page’s game and the one selected for comparison.
Colour: groups of games with comparable motivation patterns (statistical clusters).
Hover a dot for a quick preview; click to compare it in the panel on the right.
Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers.

Motivations

Autonomy

Game with the same Autonomy vibe

3

"Players have freedom to explore, interact with various characters, and engage in diverse minigames with some choice in combat approach, though the story is linear."

Catgirl
"Players choose to engage with multiple arcade-style mini-games and explore the narrative at their own pace, though the story progression is linear."
Competence

Game with the same Competence vibe

2

"Mini-games provide some skill challenges, but many are simple and can be turned easier; overall gameplay is not highly demanding."

Fall of Porcupine
"Mini-games offer skill-based challenges reminiscent of classic arcade games, with some difficulty spikes, but overall accessible with checkpoints."
Competition

Game with the same Competition vibe

-3

"Focus is on personal experience and story rather than competing against others; no mention of leaderboards or ranked modes."

Fishy
"Focus is on personal experience and narrative rather than competing with others; no leaderboards or ranked modes mentioned."
Continuation

Game with the same Continuation vibe

-2

"Short game length (~3-6 hours) with no replay value; players generally complete it in one or two sittings."

Titan Station
"Short game length (~1-2 hours) and limited replay value; players complete it in one or two sittings without habitual long sessions."
Cooperation

Game with the same Cooperation vibe

-5

"Entirely single-player experience with no multiplayer or cooperative elements."

MiSide
"Entirely single-player experience with no multiplayer or cooperative elements."
Creativity

Game with the same Creativity vibe

3

"Unique art style, environmental storytelling, and quirky narrative demonstrate creative design despite linear gameplay."

Gravity Bone
"Creative reinterpretation of multiple arcade genres within a narrative framework; artistic pixel art and soundtrack enhance uniqueness."
Domination

Game with the same Domination vibe

-5

"No evidence of exerting control or superiority over others; experience is personal and introspective."

Celeste
"No evidence of exerting control or superiority over others; experience is personal and introspective."
Escapism

Game with the same Escapism vibe

5

"Strong escapism theme with players describing the game as life-changing, immersive, and a way to forget real-life problems."

SKIBIDI GYATROOMS
"Strong theme of escapism through arcade games and narrative about coping with life struggles and growing up."
Expectation

Game with the same Expectation vibe

-4

"Players engage voluntarily out of personal interest and nostalgia; no indication of obligation or external pressure to play."

Element TD 2 - Tower Defense
"Players engage voluntarily out of personal interest and nostalgia; no obligation or external pressure to play."
Experimenting

Game with the same Experimenting vibe

2

"Players try different mini-games and character moves, exploring various gameplay elements beyond routine fighting."

Bud Spencer & Terence Hill - Slaps And Beans
"Players experience different game genres and styles within the mini-games, though gameplay is mostly structured and familiar."
Exploration

Game with the same Exploration vibe

-3

"Linear narrative with fixed environments; limited discovery or open-world exploration."

GOODBYE WORLD
"Linear narrative with fixed arcade games; limited discovery or open-ended exploration."
Expression

Game with the same Expression vibe

-4

"No customization or avatar personalization; presentation is fixed and standardized."

FORM
"No customization or avatar personalization; presentation is fixed and standardized."
Fantasy

Game with the same Fantasy vibe

-2

"Game presents a simple, arcade-style experience without deep narrative or imaginative fiction elements."

Roll'd
"Grounded in realistic coming-of-age story and nostalgic recreation of real-world arcade culture, though with some stylized elements."
Fellowship

Game with the same Fellowship vibe

-5

"No social or community features; solitary experience."

INSIDE
"No social or community features; solitary experience."
Growth

Game with the same Growth vibe

3

"Players learn story mechanics, platforming skills, and explore narrative consequences; some challenge and skill development present."

PEPPERED: an existential platformer
"Narrative focuses on personal development and maturation; gameplay requires learning and skill improvement."
Health

Game with the same Health vibe

-5

"Traditional sedentary video game play with no physical activity component."

The Disney Afternoon Collection
"Traditional sedentary video game experience with no physical activity elements."
Idle

Game with the same Idle vibe

-3

"Requires focused attention during minigames and story progression, not suited for passive or background play."

The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog
"Requires focused attention during mini-games and narrative; not designed for passive or background play."
Intimacy

Game with the same Intimacy vibe

-4

"Emotional connection is with the story and characters rather than social or interpersonal relationships."

Machinarium
"Emotional connection is with the narrative and protagonist rather than social or interpersonal relationships."
Leadership

Game with the same Leadership vibe

-5

"No leadership or group management roles; single-player experience."

NieR:Automata™
"No leadership or group management roles; single-player experience."
Progression

Game with the same Progression vibe

2

"Progression through narrative and completing mini-games; no item or power accumulation."

Leaving Lyndow
"Progression through narrative and completion of mini-games; no extensive item collection or upgrades."
Relaxation

Game with the same Relaxation vibe

3

"Atmospheric and immersive gameplay balances tension with soothing narrative flow."

Cabernet
"Atmospheric and moody experience with a balance of challenge and narrative reflection; some tension in gameplay."
Sensation

Game with the same Sensation vibe

3

"Enjoyable pixel art visuals and synthwave soundtrack provide sensory pleasure."

VA-11 Hall-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action
"Enjoyable pixel art visuals and synthwave soundtrack provide sensory stimulation and nostalgic pleasure."
Status

Game with the same Status vibe

-5

"No social recognition or status features; individual experience."

Into The Gloom
"No social recognition or visibility features; personal and private experience."
Story

Game with the same Story vibe

5

"Strong narrative focus with emotional storytelling integrated into gameplay."

Pretentious Game
"Strong narrative focus with voice acting and emotional storytelling integrated with gameplay."
Strategy

Game with the same Strategy vibe

1

"Mini-games require some planning and timing, but overall simple and straightforward gameplay."

Rayman Raving Rabbids™
"Mini-games require some planning and skill, but mostly straightforward arcade-style gameplay."
Thrill

Game with the same Thrill vibe

2

"Some tension from combat and risk of failure, but overall controlled and predictable gameplay."

Escape Dungeon 2
"Some challenge and tension in gameplay, especially in later mini-games, but overall balanced and forgiving."
Value

Game with the same Value vibe

0

"Mixed opinions on value due to short length; some find it worth the price for the experience, others recommend buying on sale."

Behind the Frame: The Finest Scenery
"Mixed opinions on value due to short length; some find it worth the price for the experience, others recommend waiting for a sale."
Violence

Game with the same Violence vibe

2

"Includes combat and action games with fighting and destruction typical of arcade classics."

SEGA Mega Drive and Genesis Classics
"Includes beat-em-up and shoot-em-up gameplay with combat and destruction elements typical of arcade games."
Survival

Game with the same Survival vibe

1

"Some resource management and avoidance of damage, but generally not high-risk survival gameplay."

Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered
"Gameplay involves avoiding failure and managing limited lives/checkpoints, but not high-risk survival mechanics."

Come talk about it on Discord!

Last update: 15/05/2026

198X similar games & best alternatives