Daily Archives: Sunday, July 11th, 2010

Shoot First Rocks Your Noggin

  • Reading time:1 mins read

Shoot First is, officially, a “co-op Action Roguelike” by the creator of Action Fist, Beau. If Desktop Dungeons is a cross between Nethack and Minesweeper, Shoot First is a cross between Nethack and the overhead-view stages of Super Contra.

The presentation is dusted with artifacts of retro glam grime. The simple three-button controls (shoot, strafe/use/pick up, and map) are snappy and responsive. Collisions and sound effects are crunchy and squelchy. On a superficial level it’s all very cozy and warm to sink into. Scattered in treasure chests are equipment and various weapons, each with its own uses. As you shoot enemies and collect stuff, your character levels up. As you level up, your weapons upgrade in various ways. Also along the way you can find or rescue followers, who trail after you and mimic your actions rather like Gradius Options.

( Continue reading at DIYGamer )

Illuminator a Flash of Brilliance

  • Reading time:1 mins read

Logan Ames‘ Illuminator is a side-scrolling survival horror game, which for no particular reason reminds me of Sega’s Ghost House.

You start off in an empty, darkened house, armed with nothing but a flashlight. Flick on the light, and the path before you explodes with brightness. After a few seconds, the light fades and you need to recharge the batteries. Eventually you will start to encounter ghouls. Avoid them until your light is charged, then melt them with a bright flash. As you disintegrate the ghouls, the stitches in a tear in the fabric of reality begin to unravel. Defeat enough ghouls and you can pass through a starry void to the next house.

Along the way you will find night lights, Christmas tree lights, and so on. Plug them in, flick on televisions, and keep an eye on open windows to give yourself forewarning of ghoul attacks. There’s a helpful sound effect and flashing icon to let you know when you’re near a wall outlet.

( Continue reading at DIYGamer )