This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission for purchases made through links. I will only recommend products that I have personally used or thoroughly reviewed! Learn more on my Privacy Policy page.

A Terrifying Tour with Pixel Horror

Key Takeaways:

Good Aspects:

• Engaging Survival Mechanics – Strategic combat and resource management keep every encounter tense and rewarding.
• Retro Pixel Horror Aesthetic – The hand-drawn pixel horror art enhances the eerie atmosphere with nostalgic horror vibes.
• Story Depth – Unraveling the virus’s origins and cult mystery adds layers of intrigue to the experience.
• Dynamic Survivor Interactions – Helping or ignoring NPCs impacts gameplay and can lead to unexpected outcomes.

Bad Aspects:

• Limited Inventory Space – Managing only six slots early on forces frustrating item sacrifices.
• Tough Save System – Meta-disks are required to save, making progress risky without careful planning.
• Steep Difficulty Spikes – Some sections feel tougher than others, needed some trial-and-error strategies.

Introduction

Hey horror fans! You ever get an inch for those retro style games that you just can’t scratch? I remember playing Parasite Eve and Resident Evil 2 as a kid, and boy it was fun, trying to survive a devastating outbreak with limited ammo and healing items on you.

It is truly a unique experience, especially nowadays since that retro look adds a layer of uncanniness to the gaming atmosphere.

Recently, I got to try out the pixel horror known as “Desolate City: Last Show” a survival horror action RPG developed and published by Netherware Entertainment and Don Aitor.

Released on May 14, 2024, the game is available on Steam for $7.99. If you’re into pixel horror, then check out some more pixel horror here with my Resolute History of Pixel Art Horror.

Now, let’s dive into my “Postgame Review: Desolate City: Last Tour – Pixel Horror”.

Overview

Set in the city of Gray Bay, “Desolate City: Last Show” comes at us from the past, as this game acts as a prequel to “Desolate City: The Bloody Dawn”. We step into the shoes of Don Aitor, a musical artist wrapping up his tour with a final concert in Gray Bay.

As the concert unfolds, the whole place erupts into a bedlam of chaos because of a mysterious virus that causes extreme aggression, forcing Don Aitor into a fight for survival against hordes of maniacs, (lemmasoft.renai.us).

The Story

I won’t get into spoilers for this game but just know that the story kicks off during a break in the rap performance, Don Aitor was taken off stage. The performance at the Royal Theater was cancelled due to a chemical fallout.

Attendees started exhibiting bizarre and violent behaviors, signaling the outbreak. The once lively city of Gray Bay descended into madness, leaving us to navigate Don Aitor out of this treacherous environment.

We set out to find first aid from a dying person, who explains partly how it began. As we explore and look for a way to escape, we uncover more about the virus’s origins and other surprising aspects like a cult, cocoons, and a strange yet dangerous woman.

The story takes unexpected turns that explore the fragility of society.

The Gameplay

In “Desolate City: Last Show,” it offers a blend of classic, survival pixel horror mechanics with action RPG elements:

• Combat: You can choose between melee weapons, starting out with a knife and gun. We need to conserve ammo and defend ourselves in close encounters with maniacs.
  • Firearms allow for ranged attacks and can hit more than one maniac depending on the number coming at you. Environment can be used to your advantage, trapping enemies in a narrow path to kill more with less resources used.
• Resource Management: As mentioned, ammo and healing items are scarce, forcing us to think strategically. Deciding when to engage enemies and when to avoid confrontation could literally me life or death.
• Inventory System: A quick menu enables instant weapon switching. This helps when you’re adjusting your tactics in combat. While a more detailed inventory allows for thorough management of items, it is limited to be sure to remember where resources are located.
• Survivor Interactions: Throughout the game, we encounter other survivors. This is crucial because it can affect our survival. Deciding to assist or ignore them can influence outcomes, either for good or bad. My suggestion, help them. You’d be surprised what you get.
• Puzzles and Exploration: Staying true to its old-school survival horror roots, the game features puzzles, key-finding missions to access new areas, and documents that provide deeper insights into the story.
  • Be sure to make note of or remember the hints you read in documents you find, as like I said, you have limited inventory – six slots. Also, be mindful of saving the game, you don’t get easy saves. You need “meta-disks” to create save points once you find a spot.

The game also boasts an integrated achievement system. This helps motivate us to explore and engage with its myriad features

Graphics and Audio

The game showcases well-crafted hand-drawn pixel horror art. This retro style will evoke a nostalgic yet fresh visual experience. The environments, character sprites, and animations are detailed, enhancing the eerie atmosphere of Gray Bay.

Complementing the visuals is an original soundtrack that heightens the tension and immersion. Notably, the game’s main theme, “La última función,” is a rap song performed by Don Aitor featuring an opera singer, adding a unique auditory flavor to the experience, (store.steampowered.com).

Performance and Technical Aspects

“Desolate City: Last Show” is optimized pixel horror for a wide range of systems. The minimum requirements are:

• OS: Windows 7/8/8.1/10/11
• Processor: Intel Core i3
• Memory: 1 GB RAM
• Graphics: 512 MB video memory
• DirectX: Version 10
• Storage: 200 MB available space

These modest requirements ensure that the game runs smoothly on most PCs without compromising the quality of the experience, (store.steampowered.com).

Length and Replayability

The exact length of the game can vary based on playstyle. However, the inclusion of multiple survivor interactions, an integrated achievement system, and the challenge of resource management provide ample reasons for gamers to revisit the game.

Exploring different choices and strategies can lead to varied experiences in subsequent playthroughs. You could easily clock into 2 to 5 hours playing.

Closing Thoughts

In the end, “Desolate City: Last Show” stands out as another compelling entry in the survival horror genre by Netherware Entertainment and Don Aitor. It blends old school pixel horror art aesthetics with engaging gameplay.

Its emphasis on resource management, strategic combat, and story richness offers an epic experience for fans of classic horror games. Whether you’re a longtime buff of the genre or a newcomer seeking a fresh challenge, this game is a must-try.

For those interested in experiencing the horrors of Gray Bay firsthand, “Desolate City: Last Show” awaits on Steam.

So, how’s your thoughts on this game? Did you try it or do you plan on to? Share your thoughts and comments below.