PixelJunk Shooter#PixelJunk Shooter Ultimate

In PixelJunk Shooter, up to two players can control their own subterranean vehicles to rescue a number of surviving scientists trapped underground.{{cite web|url=https://kotaku.com/pixeljunk-shooter-preview-hot-and-cold-running-co-op-5282945|title=PixelJunk Shooter Preview: Hot And Cold-Running Co-Op|last=Fahey|first=Mike|date=June 8, 2009|website=Kotaku|publisher=Gawker Media|access-date=April 19, 2019|archive-date=April 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419162652/https://kotaku.com/pixeljunk-shooter-preview-hot-and-cold-running-co-op-5282945|url-status=live}} Using their ships' missiles, players can defeat enemies and destroy weak rock to progress through the environment. In addition to rock and ice, players must manipulate three types of fluid (water, magma, and ferrofluid) in order to reach the survivors.{{cite web|url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/58400/pixeljunk-1-4-hands-on|title=PixelJunk 1–4 Hands-On: Better Than a Lava Lamp|last=Mueller|first=Greg|date=April 29, 2009|website=Shacknews|access-date=April 19, 2019|archive-date=April 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419162648/https://www.shacknews.com/article/58400/pixeljunk-1-4-hands-on|url-status=live}} Once each survivor is rescued or killed, players may progress to the next part of the stage. If too many survivors are killed, players are forced to quit or restart the stage. The game has fifteen stages divided evenly among three "episodes", each episode ending with a boss encounter.

PixelJunk Shooter was formally announced during a 2009 pre-E3 press event on April 29, 2009. Originally referred to as PixelJunk 1–4, a 13-day contest was held in which fans submitted game title suggestions to Q-Games. The official title, PixelJunk Shooter, was announced on May 25, 2009.{{cite web|url=https://blog.us.playstation.com/2009/05/25/pixeljunk-1-4-drumroll-please-…/|title=PixelJunk 1–4: Drumroll Please...|last=Cuthbert|first=Dylan|date=May 25, 2009|website=PlayStation Blog|publisher=Sony Interactive Entertainment|access-date=May 26, 2009|archive-date=May 27, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090527111041/http://blog.us.playstation.com/2009/05/25/pixeljunk-1-4-drumroll-please-%E2%80%A6/|url-status=live}} The simplistic name was received negatively by some fans to which Q-Games president Dylan Cuthbert explained that the name was chosen not only for its simplicity, but also because shooting is the game's central mechanic ("Shooting jets of magma, shooting streams of water, shooting enemies, missiles, lasers, plasma spread weapons etc.") Several other titles were considered, including "PixelJunk Elements", the most popular submission. Ultimately, "Elements" was dismissed because "[it didn't] sound action-packed enough". The fluid mechanics are based on a particle flow simulation calculated using the Cell's Synergistic Processing Element or SPE.{{Cite web |title=Go With the Flow! Fluid and Particle Physics in PixelJunk Shooter |url=https://www.gdcvault.com/play/1012794/Go-With-the-Flow-Fluid |access-date=2025-03-08 |website=www.gdcvault.com}}

PixelJunk Shooter is the first title in the PixelJunk series to offer a traditional narrative, conveyed to players through a series of speech boxes awarded upon rescuing certain survivors.{{cite web|url=https://blog.us.playstation.com/2009/04/29/name-the-next-pixeljunk-game/|title=Name the Next PixelJunk Game!|last=Cuthbert|first=Dylan|date=April 29, 2009|website=PlayStation Blog|publisher=Sony Interactive Entertainment|access-date=April 30, 2009|archive-date=May 2, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090502025249/http://blog.us.playstation.com/2009/04/29/name-the-next-pixeljunk-game/|url-status=live}} The game's soundtrack is made up of songs by High Frequency Bandwidth, composed by Alex Paterson and Dom Beken.{{cite web|url=https://kotaku.com/first-pixeljunk-1-4-details-hands-on-impressions-5231960|title=First PixelJunk 1–4 Details, Hands On Impressions|last=McWhertor|first=Michael|date=April 29, 2009|website=Kotaku|publisher=Gawker Media|access-date=April 19, 2019|archive-date=April 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419162652/https://kotaku.com/first-pixeljunk-1-4-details-hands-on-impressions-5231960|url-status=live}}

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{{Video game reviews

| title = PixelJunk Shooter

| PC = true

| PS3 = true

| na = true

| Destruct_PS3 = 8.5/10{{cite web|url=https://www.destructoid.com/review-pixeljunk-shooter-157532.phtml|title=Review: PixelJunk Shooter (PS3)|last=Chester|first=Nick|date=December 10, 2009|website=Destructoid|publisher=Enthusiast Gaming|access-date=April 20, 2019|archive-date=April 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190420024103/https://www.destructoid.com/review-pixeljunk-shooter-157532.phtml|url-status=live}}

| Edge_PS3 = 8/10{{cite magazine|title=PixelJunk Shooter (PS3)|author=Edge staff|magazine=Edge|publisher=Future plc|issue=210|date=January 2010|page=94}}

| EuroG_PS3 = 8/10{{cite web|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/pixeljunk-shooter-review|title=PixelJunk Shooter (PlayStation 3)|last=Welsh|first=Oli|date=November 25, 2009|website=Eurogamer|publisher=Gamer Network|access-date=November 25, 2009|archive-date=November 26, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091126225958/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/pixeljunk-shooter-review|url-status=live}}

| GI_PS3 = 8.5/10{{cite magazine|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/games/pixeljunk_shooter/b/ps3/archive/2009/12/14/review.aspx|title=Pixeljunk Shooter (PS3): PixelJunk Franchise Wins Again|last=Miller|first=Matt|date=December 14, 2009|magazine=Game Informer|publisher=GameStop|access-date=April 19, 2019|archive-date=April 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419181810/https://www.gameinformer.com/games/pixeljunk_shooter/b/ps3/archive/2009/12/14/review.aspx|url-status=live}}

| GMaster_PS3 = 89%{{cite magazine|title=Review: PixelJunk Shooter (PS3)|magazine=GamesMaster|publisher=Future plc|date=February 2010|page=77}}

| GSpot_PS3 = 8/10{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/pixeljunk-shooter-review/1900-6243534/|title=PixelJunk Shooter Review (PS3) [date mislabeled as "March 1, 2011"]|last=McShea|first=Tom|date=December 15, 2009|website=GameSpot|publisher=CBS Interactive|access-date=April 19, 2019|archive-date=April 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419181806/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/pixeljunk-shooter-review/1900-6243534/|url-status=live}}

| GSpy_PS3 = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web|url=http://ps3.gamespy.com/playstation-3/pixeljunk-dungeons/1055369p1.html|title=The Consensus: PixelJunk Shooter Review (PS3)|last=Gallegos|first=Anthony|date=December 15, 2009|website=GameSpy|publisher=IGN Entertainment|access-date=December 16, 2009|archive-date=December 17, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091217122708/http://ps3.gamespy.com/playstation-3/pixeljunk-dungeons/1055369p1.html|url-status=live}}

| GT_PS3 = 8.7/10{{cite web|url=http://www.gametrailers.com/gamereview.php?id=11201|title=PixelJunk Shooter Review (PS3)|website=GameTrailers|publisher=Viacom|date=December 11, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091214210644/http://www.gametrailers.com/gamereview.php?id=11201|archive-date=December 14, 2009|url-status=dead|access-date=April 20, 2019}}

| GB_PS3 = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web|url=https://www.giantbomb.com/reviews/pixeljunk-shooter-review/1900-245/|title=PixelJunk Shooter Review (PS3N)|last=Gerstmann|first=Jeff|date=December 15, 2009|website=Giant Bomb|publisher=CBS Interactive|access-date=April 20, 2019|archive-date=April 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190420024102/https://www.giantbomb.com/reviews/pixeljunk-shooter-review/1900-245/|url-status=live}}

| IGN_PS3 = 9.1/10{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/12/09/pixeljunk-shooter-review|title=PixelJunk Shooter Review (PS3)|last=Roper|first=Chris|date=December 9, 2009|website=IGN|publisher=Ziff Davis|access-date=April 19, 2019|archive-date=April 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419181810/https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/12/09/pixeljunk-shooter-review|url-status=live}}

| OPMUK_PS3 = 9/10{{cite magazine|title=PixelJunk Shooter|magazine=PlayStation Official Magazine – UK|publisher=Future plc|date=January 2010|page=113}}

| PCPP_PC = 7/10{{cite magazine|title=Review: PixelJunk Shooter|magazine=PC PowerPlay|publisher=Next Media Pty Ltd|issue=227|date=April 2014|page=59}}

| PCGN_PC = 8/10{{cite web|url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/indie/pixeljunk-shooter-pc-review|title=PixelJunk Shooter PC Review|last=Purslow|first=Matt|date=November 18, 2013|website=PCGamesN|publisher=Network N|access-date=April 20, 2019|archive-date=April 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190420024101/https://www.pcgamesn.com/indie/pixeljunk-shooter-pc-review|url-status=live}}

| rev1 = The A.V. Club

| rev1_PS3 = B{{cite web|url=https://www.avclub.com/pixeljunk-shooter-1798218602|title=PixelJunk Shooter (PS3)|last=Wolinsky|first=David|date=December 28, 2009|website=The A.V. Club|publisher=The Onion|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091231010019/http://www.avclub.com/articles/pixeljunk-shooter,36575/|archive-date=December 31, 2009|url-status=live|access-date=April 19, 2019}}

| rev2 = Teletext GameCentral

| rev2_PS3 = 8/10{{cite web|url=http://www.teletext.co.uk/gamecentral/features-reviews/d040fe1c3bba34c1629157ce6fd32ef5/PixelJunk+Shooter+(PS3).aspx|title=PixelJunk Shooter (PS3)|last=Hargreaves|first=Roger|date=December 2009|website=Teletext GameCentral|publisher=Teletext Ltd.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091223025606/http://www.teletext.co.uk/gamecentral/features-reviews/d040fe1c3bba34c1629157ce6fd32ef5/PixelJunk+Shooter+(PS3).aspx|archive-date=December 23, 2009|url-status=dead|access-date=April 19, 2019}}

| MC_PC = 73/100{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/pixeljunk-shooter/critic-reviews/?platform=pc|title=PixelJunk Shooter for PC Reviews|website=Metacritic|publisher=CBS Interactive|access-date=April 19, 2019|archive-date=April 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190430095314/https://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/pixeljunk-shooter|url-status=live}}

| MC_PS3 = 87/100{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/pixeljunk-shooter/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-3|title=PixelJunk Shooter for PlayStation 3 Reviews|website=Metacritic|publisher=CBS Interactive|access-date=April 19, 2019|archive-date=March 4, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190304204226/https://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-3/pixeljunk-shooter|url-status=live}}

}}

The PlayStation 3 version of PixelJunk Shooter received "generally favorable reviews", just three points shy of "universal acclaim", while the PC version received "average" reviews, according to the review aggregation website Metacritic. The former console version was described by Eurogamer as "part retro videogame, part chemistry set; part Geometry Wars, part Zelda", while Game Informer called it "one of the best titles you'll find on PlayStation Network". Similarly, IGN's review called it one of the best PlayStation Network titles of 2009, as well as Q Games' "best work yet".

The same console version was praised by critics for its level design and unique physics; 1UP.com lamented that said console version did not include a "sandbox" mode wherein players could experiment with its various fluid substances.{{cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/reviews/pixeljunk-shooter-review|title=PixelJunk Shooter Review (PS3)|last=Barnholt|first=Ray|date=December 10, 2009|website=1UP.com|publisher=Ziff Davis|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309213712/http://www.1up.com/reviews/pixeljunk-shooter-review|archive-date=March 9, 2016|url-status=dead|access-date=April 19, 2019}} The music of High Frequency Bandwidth was also praised, described as "a funky, dynamic collection of upbeat trip-hop" by Eurogamer.

Critics were not uniform in reception of the same console version's combat. While Eurogamer praised the enemies as "cunningly-designed", GameSpy remarked that the combat experience overall "isn't all that interesting".

Several reviews made note of said console version's brevity; GameSpot called it "ultimately too short for its own good, abruptly ending just when you're getting into a groove". Other reviewers were less critical of its length, noting that the story concludes with a "To Be Continued" screen, suggesting an "Encore" expansion was likely (similar to those released for PixelJunk Monsters and PixelJunk Eden). Rather than an expansion, a standalone sequel was announced by Q-Games.

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File:PlayStation®Home Picture 12-17-2009 6-05-55.JPG

A PlayStation Home space for PixelJunk Shooter was added onto the existing Q Games "PixelJunk Museum" space on December 17, 2009. Upon entering the Museum, players receive articles of clothing unlocked by completing portions of PixelJunk Shooter. Completing the game 100% will unlock a complete scientist costume for players to equip their Home avatars with. The Home space features the virtual interior of the "Ers Piñita Colada", a space center seen in the main menu for PixelJunk Shooter.

{{main|PixelJunk Shooter 2}}

PixelJunk Shooter 2 was formally announced by Q-Games on May 18, 2010.{{cite web|url=https://blog.us.playstation.com/2010/05/18/pixeljunk-shooter-2-in-full-production/|title=PixelJunk Shooter 2 in Full Production!|last=Cuthbert|first=Dylan|date=May 18, 2010|website=PlayStation Blog|publisher=Sony Interactive Entertainment|access-date=May 18, 2010|archive-date=May 20, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100520184357/http://blog.us.playstation.com/2010/05/18/pixeljunk-shooter-2-in-full-production/|url-status=live}} The title is the first full-fledged sequel to any PixelJunk game. Q-Games' Dylan Cuthbert said of the title, "it will have some features that are new to the PixelJunk series in general and will be bigger than the first game."

PixelJunk Shooter Ultimate, developed by Double Eleven, combines both games into one continuous game. It was released on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita in June 2014 and on the PC in October 2015{{cite web|url=https://blog.us.playstation.com/2014/06/03/pixeljunk-shooter-ultimate-out-today-on-ps4-ps-vita/|title=PixelJunk Shooter Ultimate Out Today on PS4, PS Vita|last=South|first=Mark|date=June 3, 2014|website=PlayStation Blog|publisher=Sony Interactive Entertainment|access-date=October 23, 2015|archive-date=September 5, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905195139/http://blog.us.playstation.com/2014/06/03/pixeljunk-shooter-ultimate-out-today-on-ps4-ps-vita/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-10-21-pixeljunk-shooter-ultimate-is-now-on-steam|title=PixelJunk Shooter Ultimate is out now on Steam|last=Matulef|first=Jeffrey|date=October 21, 2015|website=Eurogamer|publisher=Gamer Network|access-date=October 23, 2015|archive-date=October 22, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151022200304/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-10-21-pixeljunk-shooter-ultimate-is-now-on-steam|url-status=live}} and was later released as a free title for PlayStation Plus subscribers for the month of June 2014.{{cite web |last1=Sarkar |first1=Samit |title=PlayStation Plus members get Trine 2, NBA 2K14, PixelJunk Shooter Ultimate free today |url=https://www.polygon.com/2014/6/3/5775740/playstation-plus-trine-2-nba-2k14-pixeljunk-shooter-ultimate |website=Polygon |date=3 June 2014 |access-date=25 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200316074345/https://www.polygon.com/2014/6/3/5775740/playstation-plus-trine-2-nba-2k14-pixeljunk-shooter-ultimate |archive-date=16 March 2020}} The title features cross-buy, meaning that one purchase grants access to both PS4 and PS Vita versions{{cite web |title=Playstation Store: PixelJunk Shooter Ultimate |url=https://store.playstation.com/en-us/product/UP4415-CUSA00657_00-SHOOTERULTIMATE0/ |publisher=Sony |access-date=25 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210216191130/https://store.playstation.com/en-us/product/UP4415-CUSA00657_00-SHOOTERULTIMATE0/ |archive-date=16 February 2021}} as well as cross-save, meaning that players can save progress on either Playstation 4 or Playstation Vita and continue on the other system.{{cite web |title=PixelJunk Shooter Ultimate Coming To PS4 and PS Vita |url=https://www.justpushstart.com/2014/03/pixeljunk-shooter-ultimate-coming-ps4-ps-vita/ |website=Just Push Start |date=March 6, 2014 |access-date=25 October 2021 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140309023246/https://www.justpushstart.com/2014/03/pixeljunk-shooter-ultimate-coming-ps4-ps-vita/ |archive-date=9 March 2014}}

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{{Video game reviews

| title = PixelJunk Shooter Ultimate

| MC =(Vita) 87/100{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/pixeljunk-shooter-ultimate/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-vita|title=PixelJunk Shooter Ultimate for PlayStation Vita Reviews|website=Metacritic|publisher=CBS Interactive|access-date=April 19, 2019|archive-date=March 10, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190310144945/https://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-vita/pixeljunk-shooter-ultimate|url-status=live}}
(PS4) 82/100{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/pixeljunk-shooter-ultimate/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4|title=PixelJunk Shooter Ultimate for PlayStation 4 Reviews|website=Metacritic|publisher=CBS Interactive|access-date=April 19, 2019|archive-date=April 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190429113022/https://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-4/pixeljunk-shooter-ultimate|url-status=live}}

| GameRev = (Vita) {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web|url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/64511-pixeljunk-shooter-ultimate-review|title=Pixeljunk Shooter Ultimate Review (Vita)|last=Bischoff|first=Daniel R.|date=June 17, 2014|website=Game Revolution|publisher=CraveOnline|access-date=April 19, 2019|archive-date=April 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419181811/https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/64511-pixeljunk-shooter-ultimate-review|url-status=live}}

| GMaster = (PS4) 81%{{cite magazine|title=Review: PixelJunk Shooter Ultimate (PS4)|magazine=GamesMaster|publisher=Future plc|date=September 2014|page=80}}

| IGN =(PS4) 8/10{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/07/01/pixeljunk-shooter-ultimate-review|title=PixelJunk Shooter Ultimate Review (PS4)|last=Moriarty|first=Colin|date=July 1, 2014|website=IGN|publisher=Ziff Davis|access-date=April 19, 2019|archive-date=April 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419181806/https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/07/01/pixeljunk-shooter-ultimate-review|url-status=live}}

}}

The Vita and PlayStation 4 versions of Ultimate received "generally favorable reviews", according to Metacritic.

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• Sub-Terrania
• Oids

{{notelist}}

{{reflist}}

• [http://pixeljunk.jp/library/Shooter/ Official website]
• {{moby game|id=/pixeljunk-shooter}}
• {{moby game|id=/pixeljunk-shooter-ultimate|name=PixelJunk Shooter Ultimate}}

{{PixelJunk}}

Category:2009 video games

Category:Double Eleven (company) games

Category:Cooperative video games

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Category:Multidirectional shooters

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Category:Video games with cross-platform play

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