They Bleed Pixels

"Gothic brutality shines brightly throughout this blocky, blood-soaked indie platformer." - IGN.com

"Between its challenging platforming, unique save system and simple yet satisfying combat,They Bleed Pixels is an easy recommendation." - Joystiq.com

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Crimson Update Now Available:

• New engine rewritten in C for 60fps gameplay on netbooks and older computers.

• Shorter and easier Novice Difficulty levels.

• New bonus levels! Winter’s End and exp. 666.

• Record, play and share your best runs on the leaderboards. Watch the top players to improve your runs!

• Enhanced blood effects! Double the blood particles!

• Support for both DirectInput and XInput controllers.

• Lots of other little bits of polish, from save games to graphics options.

They Bleed Pixels is a fiendishly difficult action platformer inspired by H.P. Lovecraft and classic 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 beat-em-up action. 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.

Story:

When a young girl arrives at the Lafcadio Academy for Troubled Young Ladies, she's unprepared for the violent nightmares that plague her dreams and transport her to other worlds. Worse yet, her dreams are intruding into her waking life, slowly altering her flesh into the demonic form of her night terrors. Can she destroy the mysterious blood-soaked book that appears to be the root of her troubles or will her transmutation from girl to clawed horror become complete?

Key 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 guest levels from indie game developers based on their own creations: They Bleed Ponycorns, They Bleed Stardust.

• 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, online leaderboards for speed and high score as well as over 100 skill-based achievements. There's lots to aim for after you've completed the game.

• 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.