Dex (video game)

Dex
Developer(s)	Dreadlocks Ltd
Publisher(s)	BadLand Indie
Designer(s)	Jan Jirkovský
Programmer(s)	Michal Červenka Jaroslav Meloun
Writer(s)	Jan Jirkovský Morris Stuttard Axel Droxler
Composer(s)	Karel Antonín
Engine	Unity
Platforms	Microsoft Windows, OS X, Linux, Ouya, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Wii U, Xbox One
Release date(s)	Early Access: 14 August 2014 Full version: 7 May 2015
Genre(s)	Action role-playing game
Mode(s)	Single-player

Dex is an indie video game developed and published by Dreadlocks Ltd. It is an Open world side-scrolling action role-playing game set in a cyberpunk world. The game was released in 2015 and was funded on Kickstarter.

Gameplay

Gameplay screenshot

Dex is played as a Side-scrolling Platform game but the gameplay is more focused on RPG elements of the game. Player controls the eponymous character of Dex and receives quests from NPCs. Every quest has multiple possible solutions and its only up to player which solution he chooses.

Player gets experience for every quest or every killed enemy. When a certain amount experience is gained, player gets skill points and can invest them into his skills. Skills include Fighting, shooting, hacking, lockpicking etg.

Development and release

The game was announced on Game Developers Session 2012 and originally scheduled to be released in 2013. In late 2012, developers started a Kickstarter campaign, which started on November 12 when the studio asked for £14,000. The amount was reached a week later and in the end the game was pledged £30,647. On November 4, 2012 Dex was greenlit for Steam.

The first build of Alpha version was released an Early Access on 14 August 2014. It featured a limited amount of quests and locations. The second build was released three months later, featuring more quests, locations and characters. The Beta was released on 1 April 2015, adding almost all features intended for the final release, including the story, and was published only in Steam Beta Build. The final version was released on 7 May 2015.

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score Aggregator Score Metacritic 62/100

Dex received mixed reviews from critics. Arcade Sushi praised the gameplay system which "combines expressive 2D sprites and nostalgic platforming with some grade-A, modern action-RPG." It also praised the story and its familiarty to Deus Ex and Shadowrun. On the other hand, the save system was criticised as was the journal system. The review also mentioned some minor bug, but was overally positive and called Dex a "solid game worth investment." Czech server Zing praised the atmosphere of the game world and the story along with the soundtrack. Side-quests that include possibility to make a decision also gained praise. However, it criticised the amount of bugs and noted that Dex should have stayed in Early Access for a bit longer. Dex won the Czech Video Game of the Year Award for artistic contribution to Czech video game output in 2014.

Server Games.cz voted Dex the best Czech video game developed in 2015. Server noted that the game wouldn't be even nominated for the title at the time of release due to high amount of bugs that spoiled the experience. But Dreadlocks released many updates since then and fixed the game. The Server noted that after these updates Dex "is the undisputed best title" among Czech games of 2015.

External links

• Official website