Introducing Strike Buster Prototype: A Refreshing Twist on Shoot 'Em Up Games
Hello everyone, I'm 93, the producer of Strike Buster Prototype. Let me introduce our studio, Zero Castle. We are a virtual collaborative studio based in China, and Strike Buster Prototype is our first original game project.
Personally, I've always been a big fan of shoot 'em up (STG) games. However, I feel that most modern STG games have become purely bullet-hell experiences. So, we made the decision to rearrange and combine traditional STG elements to create a new and unique form of the genre.
Our first step was to develop a combo system where hitting enemies accumulates energy. We integrated this combo system with the player's life, magic, and shield values. Once players accumulate enough energy, they can enhance their firing rate and unleash powerful skills to annihilate their foes. With energy in reserve, players can also mitigate damage from enemies. However, it's crucial to be mindful of using up all the accumulated energy, as it leaves the player vulnerable. This system adds a strategic and exhilarating dimension to the entire gameplay experience.
In terms of art style, we have opted for pixel art and utilized hand-drawn, 12-frame pseudo-3D sequences to depict the monsters. For the characters, we have employed Spine pseudo-3D animation to achieve smooth movement and turning animations.
Regarding the game system, we have maintained the traditional gameplay pattern of dealing with waves of small enemies leading up to challenging boss encounters. While limited by our budget, we haven't developed complex game levels. However, we have implemented a director system that dynamically refreshes the types of enemy assaults based on the player's performance. Additionally, we have introduced some roguelite elements. It's important to note that Strike Buster Prototype is not strictly a rogue game that requires players to choose item combinations. In fact, players can even bring pre-selected items into the game to dominate the battlefield.
The development of Strike Buster Prototype has been an exciting adventure for us. It has proven that recombining traditional gameplay patterns can bring forth a completely new gaming experience. It has also laid the foundation for our future game development endeavors. We sincerely hope that you will enjoy the game we have created!
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