Free 1-bit Windows game
1 Bit Survivor is a free strategy and survival game for Windows operating systems. The game centres around an apocalypse that has taken hold of a fictional world called Zedd. At the beginning of the game, the planet is completely ravaged by chaos, destruction, and an array of evil creatures, such as zombies. It is your duty to survive and, with any luck, rescue the planet from almost certain doom.
Even though the description above sounds like it should belong to a first-person shooter or open-world exploration game, 1 Bit Survivor is more of a retro-styled rogue-like with turn-based combat functionality. Our repository is full of retro-styled games, but very few are similar to 1 Bit Survivor. However, if you enjoy the genre, you might like Andy’s Apple Farm or Your Only Move is HUSTLE.
In terms of the broader gaming industry, it’s difficult to isolate what ‘bit’ actually refers to. For example, some developers use the term ‘8-bit’ to describe a game reminiscent of those on the old Atari consoles. In contrast, others use the term bit to describe how many colours a game has and, thus, what its complexity is. This is the case with 1 Bit Survivor.
1 Bit game
In a 1-bit game, the screen can only have two colours. This is similar to logic gates or transistors, where there are only two options, on or off, open or closed. Add another bit into the equation, and you instantly have access to two more colour choices, and so it multiplies. 1 bit is a very simplistic style within which to construct a game, and serves the retro vibe well.
Classic dungeon crawler
Even though it doesn’t exactly look like other popular dungeon crawlers, 1 Bit Survivor operates in largely the same way. You’re presented with a maze of sorts through which you are required to navigate your character. On your way through each level, you’ll encounter various evil creatures and monsters that you’ll have to attack and decimate.
Multiple environments
Similar to the old Sonic the Hedgehog games, 1 Bit Survivor presents you with different environments within which to battle enemy entities. Each environment is distinctly recognisable, even within the limited available colour palette.
Simply fun
The beauty of 1 Bit Survivor lies in its simplicity. There are no in-app purchases, loot boxes, expensive gear or emotes or any other general fluff elements in this game. What you see is what you get. 1 Bit Survivor is a pleasant escape to a simpler time in the gaming industry.
If you enjoy simple games done well, you’ll most likely have fun playing 1 Bit Survivor. Even though the single-colour setup could possibly get a little frustrating at times if you’re used to the more vibrant modern games on offer, it’s a welcome change to the general status quo of the wider gaming industry.
