Protoganda: Strings, "11/10 BEST GAME EVER MADE!!!" Options

[cactus]

PROTOGANDA: STRINGS

This game's graphics were inspired by old movies with special effects made without the use of computers. And to some extent by the feeling you get from watching old propaganda movies. The gameplay is a fairly straight boss fight flare, with a focus on time, rather than lives.

Here's some screens:







You start out with three minutes playtime. Defeating a boss gives you an extra fifteen seconds. Being killed deducts forty. If the timer reaches zero, you die.

There are two different gameplay modes, "absorb" and "shield". Shield gives the player a defensive tool that can be used to get out of tight spots; press Z + X to repell bullets. You also get a chargeable shooting function that automatically targets the enemy. Hold X untill your ship is glowing, and then release. Z fires your main cannon.

In Absorb mode, I borrowed heavily from the great Ikaruga. You can switch color to become invulnerable against bullets of the same color as yourself. Touching a bullet absorbs it, and you build up power to release a charge shot, as well as replenish a bit of time. Bullets of the color opposite to the enemy does more damage.

There are two online highscore boards (one for each mode), and a variety of different options to extend the fun.

Download here:
http://www.willhostforfood.com/users/dorkman/protoganda.zip

Shield highscore board:
http://h1.ripway.com/cactussoft/protoganda/highscore.php

Absorb highscore board:
http://h1.ripway.com/cactussoft/protoruga/highscore.php

This post has been edited by cactus: Nov 3 2007, 05:30 PM

[Aertcz]

Once again, very sexy. You make the most beautiful SHMUPS on this forum. Great job yet again.

[thetagames]

Nice! I like the 3D graphics a lot, but I don't quite see how this is like an old propaganda film (other than the Russian characters!) I guess I could that see its propaganda-esque properties by its mellow, somewhat flickering atmosphere.

I personally prefered Clean Asia and even MSOIDS to this. I'm not saying its of lower quality; it's just personal preference. In fact, this is very professional-grade. I found some of the boss-fight gameplay rather linear, as you had to shoot at a more-or-less stationary circle, which was the only thing that could take hits. The time counter is a neat idea, though.

I found an error. When trying to switch to 'absorb' mode, this came up:

http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/8250/errorui6.jpg

I didn't post the image here; as that tends to clutter things.

Another great game!

~ Theta Games

This post has been edited by thetagames: Oct 25 2007, 12:29 AM

[cactus]

I found some of the boss-fight gameplay rather linear, as you had to shoot at a more-or-less stationary circle, which was the only thing that could take hits.  The time counter is a neat idea, though.

Yes, it's a concern of mine as well. But if I gave the bosses bigger hit masks, the game would lag for sure. Game Maker wasn't made for 3D, unfortunately

Thanks for the bugreport. I can't believe I missed that. Should be taken care of now.

PS:  Are all the bosses named after brands of vodka?  I was just wondering.

The bosses names are taken from a list of the 50 most common Russian family names.

This post has been edited by cactus: Oct 25 2007, 12:08 AM

[thetagames]

The bosses names are taken from a list of the 50 most common Russian family names.

You should call one of them 'Putin,' in that case.

[retrogamer]

Yessss! I have been waiting for, like, two weeks for this. I loved Fractal Fighter, and this is the same concept. I was guessing what the names were...

[gamer dee]

You have inspired my to try my hands at a einhander style gameplay. This is an amazing game.

[OpticalLiam]

I've been waiting for you to release this. I absolutely love the styling, the gameplay is fun too. The only problem is I suck at shumps.

[lum taylor]

I love the sepia flicker that the screen has.

Great game, don't know why more people aren't playing it...

[grandhighgamer]

Beautifully imperfect. The screen flickering, faded look, dirty logo, and shaking camera all lend themselves towards the feeling of a russian propaganda video being played on a projecter in a 60s or 70s spy movie.

[Sulfuric]

FINALLY! I've been waiting for this game for quite sometime.

Excellent game. I don't know how you did those graphics though. They're amazing!

Yet another game by you saved to my desktop.

[cactus]

Thanks for the positive comments guys! I wonder what you need to do to get many replies around here. I was sure that a cool 3D game would be enough, but I guess I need to rethink that. Maybe I should start procrastinating in the WIP section, and post a gazillion tiny updates for each of my projects...

[WarriorArtiste]

Good game

[Sulfuric]

Thanks for the positive comments guys! I wonder what you need to do to get many replies around here. I was sure that a cool 3D game would be enough, but I guess I need to rethink that. Maybe I should start procrastinating in the WIP section, and post a gazillion tiny updates for each of my projects...

Generally 3D is enough. People see 3D, and they're like "OMG!!! 3D??!?!?!??!", they play it and the game gets 6 pages on the first day.

I'm not really sure why this one isn't. Maybe you need to give out free cookies?

[Chessdude]

Geez. I played this game a couple of days ago and said to myself "Hey, this game is pretty awesome. Cactus will be getting tons of posts in a day or two.". I wonder why that burst in posts hasn't come yet. It's certainly a wonderfully constructed game and atmosphere. I love the effects that make it appear to be a Russian propoganda film. They blend in so well, and work quite smoothly. Overall, great game.

-Chess

[TGOC]

FANTASTIC! A MAGICAL EXPERIENCE FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY! BRAVO! *Claps for 3 hours*

[cactus]

Maybe you need to give out free cookies?

But I have no cookies

[TGOC]

Free chocolate chip cookies coming right up!



Straight out of the oven!

This post has been edited by Theghostofchristmas: Nov 3 2007, 06:35 PM

[grandhighgamer]

The fact that it's nice 3D, running at decent speeds, with decent gameplay, and a uniform style negates all "OMFGZ IT ROXMAHSOXZ1111" comments.

[TwistyWristy]

I've played and loved some of your other games, so when I saw this I of course had to try it out.
As usual, I found it to be another excellent game!

I just love the style and atmosphere and the gameplay is wonderfully addicting.

Great job!

TwistyWristy