Kid is a teenager stuck between youthful innocence and coming adulthood, and you’ll join them living through it through various genres of arcade games in 198X.
198X follows a tale of growing up through a variety of video games, telling a story that likely many of us share. This is done by playing through a variety of different genres, taking you through beat ’em ups, racing games, ninja action games, and shmups. Each of these will be fun to play on their own, as well as help shape the narrative around kid’s life.
Each is a short, yet full game in its own right. You’ll be out punching out gangsters and thugs on the streets, trying to make them safer. You’ll take a ship into outer space to overcome a cold mechanical empire’s vastly-greater firepower. Race through the busy streets of a glowing city. Guide a ninja through an army of monsters. Even battle cyber monstrosities in turn-based combat as you explore the digital realm of a rogue AI. 198X aims to have a little of everything.
Each of these games offers a vital piece of Kid’s life, becoming the background noise to the teen’s life during this challenging and frightening time. As a place of solace, a realm of clarity in a confusing existence, and a place to feel strong and sure when everything else seems so insurmountable, games have much to offer our poor Kid. And maybe a few memories of how games helped us in our own hard times growing up.
198X is available now on PS4, GOG, and Steam. It is also slated to release on the Nintendo Switch and Xbox One at a later time.
About The Author
