February 25, 2016
Galak-Z, Powered by Cyntient AI, Nominated for 19th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards, Named Best of 2015 by New Yorker, GameReactor and others...

Available since August, Galak-Z continues to garner rave reviews from critics and players alike, as it is nominated for the 19th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards, named by New Yorker Magazine as a Best of 2015, and named by GameReactor as a Best of 2015...

19th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards

Since 1996, the D.I.C.E. Awards have recognized games, individuals and development teams that have contributed to the advancement of the multi-billion dollar worldwide entertainment software industry. The D.I.C.E. Awards are the most credible, respected and recognized awards for the interactive entertainment community with voting cast by members of the Academy’s 22,000+ membership base.

Galak-Z was nominated for the D.I.C.E. Sprite Award, which "shall be awarded to a game having disproportionate resources for development and exposure (as compared to AAA titles), represent a higher degree of risk tolerance and advances our media with innovative gameplay and experiences."

New Yorker

Names Galak-z among the Best of 2015.

Game Reactor writes:

17-Bit's secret sauce is a true international ID that permeates its titles. Galak-Z is steeped in Japanese culture, served as irresistible to Western audiences. It's awesome to behold.

Modvive.com writes:

Galak-Z achieves legendary status. It is a game cut from the same legendary cloth as the best games in the genre... With endless replay value, fresh, new levels each time the player picks up the game, and overwhelming depth, GALAK-Z is an addictive treat for Arcade shooter fans.

Inspired by the 70's and 80's style Arcade shooters, Galak-Z pits players against Modern AI in deep space 2D dogfighting aerial combat. Powered by the next-generation Cyntient AI platform, Galak-Z enemies are truly intelligent and require the player to use stealth and wit in order to progress through the game. The AI are intelligent, following sound cues, thus making stealth a priority for survival.

While Galak-Z is difficult, the difficulty mainly comes from getting used to the controls, as well as getting used to the way enemies operate. Enemies can call for reinforcements, thus killing them quickly and learning how to avoid their attacks by using the juke option (barrel roll) are major elements of any player's survival... Galak-Z is a deeply fun ride. The addition of intelligent enemies that are able to follow sound and call for reinforcements also adds a bit of depth to the game that most games in the genre lack.

GRADE: 94 out of 100

Hard Core Gamer writes:

It's an immersive, challenging and perpetually enthralling experience, and easily one of the best games on PS4.

Each enemy faction features unique crafts with distinct attributes and weaponry, and discovering and exploiting their weaknesses is the first step towards success. But you really are desperately outnumbered at nearly all times, and in order to guarantee a long and legendary career you'll have to use the environments, as well as your enemies' aggression, to your advantage. Enemies in Galak-Z aren't like those in other 2D shooters, however. They're truly intelligent, adapting to the player's movements and environmental changes without hesitation to remain constantly threatening. They're aggressive and thirsty for blood, but you can also use that against them... Galak-Z is full of tactical options and alternate strategies, giving players the power to decide how they want to approach each encounter.

17-Bit's latest creation captures the solitude and tension of space, but also flaunts the infectious feeling of exploring the unknown that makes space so alluring. It's chillingly atmospheric, mixing the ambient sounds of thrusters and laser blasts with a soundtrack of booming bass and space synths, but the real highlights are the dogfights. The unpredictability and intelligence of the enemies, along with the procedural generation of the levels, makes each encounter feel distinct, and by introducing new enemy types and blaster upgrades Galak-Z grows increasingly more exciting as you progress.

Galak-Z is the very definition of awesome. Playing it makes me feel like the badass intergalactic pilot I always dreamed of being as a kid, and I love it even more because it makes me work for that ecstasy. No battle is scripted, nothing is choreographed - my skills do all the talking. 17-Bit's physics-based space roguelike is a truly special experience on PS4, one that has the potential to become the flagship indie title on a platform bursting with incredible creations. It rewards patience, skill and creativity, and absolutely deserves your time regardless of your relationship with '80s anime or 2D shooters.

GRADE: 4.5 out of 5.0

Polygon writes:

There is no way to play Galak-Z: The Dimensional that isn't remarkably stressful. At best, you can only decide what type of stress you want to submit yourself to. This brutal space shooter requires precise shooting and tactical maneuvers to survive each and every fight. If you fail at that, it becomes a tense stealth game, forcing you to skirt around enemy radar as you try to recover precious lost resources. Fail at that, and - well, let's hope you can outrun an army.

There are a thousand little points of tension beyond the "die and restart" loop, and that's what helps Galak-Z stand comfortably among the best roguelikes ever created. Learning and adapting to the rules of survival in Galak-Z is as rewarding an endeavor as video games can offer...

GRADE: 9 out of 10

US Gamer writes:

A smartly-designed, highly enjoyable shoot 'em up that does everything in its power to leverage its '80 mecha anime aesthetic. Frankly, there's not a lot like it on PSN these days. On that basis, it's easy enough to recommend it, but what really pushes it to the next level is the tremendous amount of detail put into the enemy design and the combat.

GRADE: 90 out of 100

Galak-Z is available now for PS4, PC, Mac and Linux.

See Galak-Z now!