Description

A fiendishly difficult action platformer inspired by weird fiction and gothic horror. Rendered in a distinct visual style that blends pixel art with paper and ink textures, They Bleed Pixels is a singular mix of intense platforming and fierce slash-em-up action. As an anonymous student of the Lafcadio Academy for Troubled Young Ladies, you must battle through your nightmares to defeat a curse that’s slowly transforming your body into a clawed demonic form. At the core of its fighting system is a simple one-button combat scheme with surprising depth and versatility. Button mashing is discouraged while kicking shadowy monsters into saws, pits and spikes is rewarded, thanks to a unique system that lets you earn and place your own checkpoints through stylish kills. The fancier your kills, the faster you fill the checkpoint meter.

History

Steam Release

They Bleed Pixels was originally released for Windows on Steam in August 2012 with a Halloween bonus level added that October. The game recieved ports to Mac and Linux as part of teh The Crimson Update in 2015, a major update which included a new novice difficulty with shorter, easier remixed levels, a winter themed bonus level, online leaderboard replays and an improved game engine with enhanced blood effects. A Japanese localization was added in 2016 with the assisatance of Playism.

Nintendo Switch Release

A Nintendo Switch version of They Bleed Pixels was released digitally on August 22nd, 2020. Pre-orders opened for a limited physical edition from Premium Edition Games November 2022. The physical release includes a standard edition along with a special "Retro Edition" which includes a soundtrack selection on CD and "Book of Claws" artbook packed in a SNES style box.

Features

• Extra tight controls: One-button attack system favors skilled combat over complicated combos and button-mashing. Super precise platforming controls let you stop and start on a dime while pulling off gravity-defying dashes and double jumps.
• Eleven massive levels to fight through and explore, each with unique visuals and music. Unlock additional bonus levels and guest levels from indie game developers based on their own creations: They Bleed Ponycorns, They Bleed Stardust, exp.
• Unique checkpoint system rewards fancy kills with a save spot you can carry with you. Hold on to it for extra points or drop it right away to preserve your progress.
• Becoming a monster stabbing master with individual level rankings as well as 150 skill-based badges. There's lots to aim for after you've completed the game.
• Standard and Novice difficulty to match your skill level.
• Record, playback and share your best playthroughs with online leaderboards for speed and high score! (Steam version only)
• Lush pixel art motion comics tell the story a young girl haunted by eldritch nightmares.
• Original electronic soundtrack by DJ Finish Him (aka Shaun Hatton) composed with synthesizers, unconventional instruments and gadgets often not meant for musical use.
• Supported Languages: English, Japanese.