In a prehistoric cave, ancient ducks and other species are rapidly evolving. Kill them before they take over the world!
Left/Right arrows, A/D or Q/D to move Up, Z, W or Alt to jump Space, Shift, Control or X to shoot
Enemies evolve depending on your interaction with them. There are 5 areas they can evolve in: reproduction, durability, intelligence, strength and movement. Depending on the way you play (or the enemies you face) one stat may evolve more quickly than another.
There are three levels but you have to select the level before you start, you can't proceed from one level to another (yet). The levels are meant to demonstrate the different enemies and possible level designs.
Thanks! The idea was of course to have more than three levels, but the time just wasn't there. The concept was to go to the next level after collecting a certain amount of diamonds. You can select one of the other two levels by pressing left and right in the title screen, the other levels demonstrate two other enemies too.
Nice shooter and plays well, if only there wasn't some bug that killed me every time I try to leave the first screen -- so I couldn't even go any further. Just stayed on the first screen and killed some ducks, but that got boring very fast, especially since it's trivial to avoid them if you don't want to go forward.
I wish it was multi-screen! I didn't have as much time as the previous times I entered, but while the game isn't finished the way I wanted, I see potential so I'm really not sorry for entering!
However, looking at it the day after, I would really like to make a metroidvania out of this instead of a level based game. The fact that enemies evolve depending on how you interact with them could really solve that "backtracking is boring" problem.
@Lacutis: The enemies evolve depending on your interaction with them. I'll give a breakdown:
Reproduction: Rate at which enemies (re)spawn. Can evolve when you kill a lot of enemies.
Durability: Enemy health, evolves when you kill enemies quickly after they spawn.
Strength: Power of enemies and enemy bullets. At a certain point this will also make enemies shoot. Evolves when you don't lose hp for a period of time.
Movement: Effects speed and movement patterns. Evolves when your hit percentage is high.
Intelligence: Influences how much enemies react to you. Evolves when you are close to enemies.
I hope that clears it up. The game might appear to be a lot simpler than it actually is ;)
The platformer mechanic is very good, and I love the retro feel of the game. Though, I think the level design could be better - imho it should be symmetrical. Something similar to Chrono$Casch f.e.
That's really weird. Chrome is my browser too, and I tested it in firefox and explorer as well, so chrome itself is not the problem.
C
Cake&Code28 Aug 2012, 21:10
@TheSheep That hole in the first level isn't an exit, as I too originally thought! The other levels make that clear but it's not apparent at first.
Fun game, kept me coming back for more! I think the AI for movement needs some work still though, since on Level 2 it actually makes them easier when they evolve since they won't walk off their little spawn platforms xD
Good game! the character feels a little bit heavy, decellerating and acceleration around and such. the art is good, sound's very arcadey and I like the progression of the enemies. the third level is a bit tight and I don't like how the eyes go through the walls, but apart from that, I loved it!
Nice game. I've gotta admit in the start I was a little confused about what I was doing, I thought I was platforming only, so I tried to jump into the hole to proceed in the level in the first level, only to realize my sudden death :p I usually don't read the descriptions/instructions, as I believe games should be self-explanatory, or at least explain the rules of the game as the game is going on, which is why I didn't know what I was doing in the start.
Hey! This is the best platformer implementation I played so far. You even implemented jumping right! :) Love the NES gfx and the music is really fitting. Not sure what triggers the evolution but it's nicely balanced for a score attack game. Level 1 and 2 are besically the same but 3 gives you some variation. Very good design!
The only thing I miss is the ingame restart option because I don't like dying for playing a new level. Oh, and once I saw a diamond spawned in the wall. Is that intentional?
Anyway, thanks for this little gem! I'll sure play it even after rating ends. :)
Great game, very playable. I just had to play all the levels, though the third one is really difficult. Trying to find flaws here would feel a little nitpicky - it's really a great entry, and feels very complete (even without level progression) - maybe the only small flaw is that if I actually die in levels 1-2, it's because of this damn holes (I go to get some pickup which is just above it and I fall in). Btw. if you added another hole in level one, I don't think anyone would figure that's an exit. :)
I really liked the concept of upgrading classic arcade enemy abilities. And the music and sounds gave it a great feel. The game was pretty balanced with cool features. I had a lot of fun.
I'm no artist, but it seemed like the colors are a bit too saturated. If they were a little more greyed out, it probably would have been easier on my eyes.
Nice idea and cool graphics. A bit easy at first (each level has a spot where you can just stand and shoot and ducks wiill be unable to get you first few minutes).
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However, looking at it the day after, I would really like to make a metroidvania out of this instead of a level based game. The fact that enemies evolve depending on how you interact with them could really solve that "backtracking is boring" problem.
Are those up-down enemies fire hydrants? :)
Reproduction: Rate at which enemies (re)spawn. Can evolve when you kill a lot of enemies.
Durability: Enemy health, evolves when you kill enemies quickly after they spawn.
Strength: Power of enemies and enemy bullets. At a certain point this will also make enemies shoot. Evolves when you don't lose hp for a period of time.
Movement: Effects speed and movement patterns. Evolves when your hit percentage is high.
Intelligence: Influences how much enemies react to you. Evolves when you are close to enemies.
I hope that clears it up. The game might appear to be a lot simpler than it actually is ;)
And the upgrades made it harder. As said before, needs more levels :)
Fun game, kept me coming back for more! I think the AI for movement needs some work still though, since on Level 2 it actually makes them easier when they evolve since they won't walk off their little spawn platforms xD
The graphics are nice, and the music is flawless.
@harusame: Thank you! I tried to keep my ambition low and focus on fun, so that's good to hear. Next time I'll try for both fun and innovation.
The only thing I miss is the ingame restart option because I don't like dying for playing a new level. Oh, and once I saw a diamond spawned in the wall. Is that intentional?
Anyway, thanks for this little gem! I'll sure play it even after rating ends. :)
I'm no artist, but it seemed like the colors are a bit too saturated. If they were a little more greyed out, it probably would have been easier on my eyes.