It's time for an
Assault Android Cactus mega-update
.
If you haven't seen it yet, Assault Android Cactus (on Twitter
@AndroidCactus &
Facebook) is an indie twin stick arena shooter being made by three Aussies collectively called Witch Beam. It's still in development but is scheduled to be released later this year.
I'm not making the game but my bro is the designer who earlier this year, and along with his artist/programmer friend, did the now cliche thing of quitting their jobs to finally make a game they knew would otherwise never get made. I'm going to post pretty pictures, some gifs and ask you to show it all the love in the world. They're also working on a public demo so you can see for yourself how Assault Android Cactus is pretty much the intense shmup you wished someone made, but it's not available yet.
If you've seen the
insane trailer you might recognise it as "That game where the levels change dynamically", and they do.
Like this
But that's just one of the game levels. Like Bruce Wayne it is...more
This is what more looks like. Warning: Examples don't contain all of the moreness
Development is progressing, designer Sanatana (GAF's
Paz,
@SanatanaMishra) and mythical artist/programmer Tim (GAF's
Sycle,
@ironicaccount) aren't getting much sleep right now as they prep a build for AAC's first real public outing at
AVCon (in
Adelaide, Australia. Locals are invited to drop in and play!). Their new sign arrived just in time!
One of these is a human-android hybrid I call Tim. The games sole artist..
The very latest addition to the game is a new enemy and level shown here in naked dev whitebox style.
A new enemy approaches! This level isn't even it's final form, it gets real 'purdy at some point.
They also recently gave a talk to local Brisbane devs that went over well about why cactus plays like it does and how they manage to pull off the gameplay insanity, I mean intensity
. I hope they are eventually invited to talk at more events.
For those of you who know nothing of the game (hi everyone, nice to meet you), do yourself a favour and
check out some of the previews on youtube.
The game is being made with a full single player campaign/story but feel free to bring friends for some 4-player local co-op action.
Each android features their own unique weapon set and dramatically different play-style.
The character line-up consists of Cactus who wields an assault rifle and flamethrower.
Holly: who has heat-seeking bullets and a powerful canonball.
Lemon, with the spreadshot and rocket launcher.
And Coral with the shotgun and plasma ball, for those who like to get up close and personal.
As you play through the game you'll unlock new characters and blow stuff up in all new ways. Just to tease one here is recent addition to the latest build, Starch
This is what more moreness looks like in action
For people who like to look behind the scenes the devs are completely open about the whole process and keep a full development blog on their site
www.AssaulltAndroidCactus.com which details all their secret sauce.
Like how they make the dynamic levels and what machines look like when still in the 3D factory
This game is a love letter to fans of intense arcade action. If you like what you see they would truly love your attention, anticipation, hype, social media chatter, articles, interview requests, podcast invites, forum posts/threads and right now votes on their
Steam Greenlight entry.
They're very approachable, real humans who love to interact with fans and gamers, which you can do on Twitter
@AndroidCactus &
Facebook. Help make them feel less lonely in the world, the last stages of development are always the toughest and it's already been a tough year for them so far, you can make a difference!
PS: The music is being made by none other than
Jeff Van Dyck who you may remember from such games as the Total War series, Skitchin and The Need for Speed.