Remakes have a special place in video game history. Whether they're direct reboots, sequels with identical mechanics to their predecessors, or completely new IP paying homage to their more notable ancestors, remakes are rampant in all sectors of the video game medium.
Drake Savage falls into the third category, obviously, and I'm glad to say it's everything a remake should be. It uses the exact same controls as does Asteroids with one simple addition: instead of just fending for your life in space until you inevitably die, Drake Savage has set objectives for you to destroy (kind of like Sinistar, but without the terrifying monster or story appeal). As you whittle down their defenses with your special weapon (another innovation), they release more enemies to chip away at your health bar.
The only real con about this game is that there's really no narrative to be found, which I recognize isn't really a flaw, but I can't help but think it makes the game smell a bit of missed potential. After all, the game has already demonstrated its skill of conveyance by getting me to master the controls without so much as an on-screen button tutorial.
I am a huge fan of this game. Maybe it doesn't have a story and maybe it borrows most of its good aspects from an already popular game or two, but Drake Savage fulfills my two main criteria for a truly good game: It's fun to play and it provides a lesson for future game designers. This is a textbook "what-to-do" guide on making remakes. Anyone out there who feels like it's their duty to bring Space Invaders to the next dimension should play this game first. That way, the tragedy of Space Raiders will never have to happen again...*shivers*
Links
https://www.digipen.edu/?id=1170&proj=24671
PS- okay, I confess, I never actually played Space Raiders, but come on...
Thank you so much for the kind words - reading this made my night! I'm thrilled that someone played and enjoyed this, I was always worried the game was going to be too hard for most folks.
ReplyDeleteOriginally this was going to be a more complex game where you defended a planet... but we kept cutting back the scope until we arrived at the minimum. Story was one of those things we felt was unnecessary... even the Q and E keys zooming the camera was nearly gotten rid of!
The original narrative, which is no longer applicable:
One ship. This is all that stands between your home world and and utter obliteration. Your enemy is unrelenting, and they are closing in. The cities need to be protected on the planet. They contain most of your planet‘s population and are the only means left of increasing your power in your fight against the enemy. You are Drake Savage, and your skill and expertise are all that can save your world!
This one ship, however, is special. It was made to be better than any other in your planet‘s history. Using advanced shields, weapons, and thrusters you need to outmaneuver, and push back the swarm of ships closing in. These invaders are not to be toyed with, though. In fact, they will try to toy with you. You will have an entire planet to defend, but it is hard to fight on all sides, and these would be conquerors know it. Expect tough decisions on where to focus your efforts, and try to use gravity to your advantage.
Two tidbits of Drake Savage trivia before I forget them:
1. all particles (missile trails, explosions, stars and the laser) are my cat's face.
2. after we switched the game from defense to offense the internal name became Drake Savage: Space Asshole
thank you for the game! It's always a shame when developers have to scale down their brain babies for one reason or another, but maintaining the game's quality in spite of that is definitely a thing to be praised.
DeleteAlso, those two pieces of trivia are hilarious.
Thanks for reading!