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Valfaris - A Heavy Metal Space Saga (Slain: Back from Hell dev, 2018, PC/console)

Mr_D_

Banned
Hello. More Valfaris goodness to share! Our latest Steam update is an interview with Thomas Jenns, the game's programmer and designer. You can find details on the level design and other facets of developing Valfaris here.

As always, be sure to follow our Steam community page for new GIFs, images, and updates.

71b628aa5975e2aab2d7ea113594d0f5c5480ed3.png
 

Mr_D_

Banned
Valfaris was at E3!
if you saw the PC Gamer show, you would have been treated to this all new trailer for the game -


Also, sincerely hoping none of you missed this lol
D8uFwdJXUAEPuTH.jpg:large


Valfaris now has a new Discord server too, by the way, over at Discord, now under the new 'Big Sugar' name.

Last thing - there's a closed beta going live soon. If you want to be considered for it, please sign up on the site.
 

DunDunDunpachi

Patient MembeR
M Mr_D_ I noticed that the EU version of Valfaris physical edition went up for preorder. Is this going to be the only region where a physical copy comes out? If so, I'll just import.
 

Mr_D_

Banned
I'll be buying digital, but good to hear it should be out in about a month. (Nov. 1) Nice!
As soon as there's a firm date, I'll make sure to let you guys know here :D

In the mean time, learn how to wield the shield like a badass 👇

0E67bKq.gif
 

Mr_D_

Banned
It's official, we're getting a Valfaris Signature Edition for PS4 and Nintendo Switch!

The included art book and CD soundtrack are definitely highlights, not to mention the physical copy of the game of course!

Pre-order goes live on Friday at 3PM UK time, check them out in detail here!

EErCnofWwAEWopZ
 
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Sentenza

Member
Can't believe we had to reach half way down to the second page of the thread before someone mentioned how much this resembles the old Turrican (except more "Metal", I guess)
 
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Mr_D_

Banned
The launch dates for Valfaris have just been released!

Here's the rundown:
October 10: PC (Steam, GOG, Humble) and Nintendo Switch.
November 5/6: PS4 NA/EU respectively
November 8: Xbox One

In addition to the standard version, a Valfaris Digital Deluxe Edition will also be available at launch for PC and PS4 that includes the game, original soundtrack (composed and recorded by former Celtic Frost guitarist, Curt Victor Bryant), and digital artbook.

To celebrate confirmation of the release dates, there's a brand new Valfaris trailer too, check it out below!



The wait is almost over! 🤘
 

haxan7

Volunteered as Tribute
I'll wait for the reviews. Their last game looked cool as hell but the ruthless difficulty made me not want to play it. Hopefully they balanced challenge vs fun better this time.
 

Mr_D_

Banned
Is the Switch version 60fps?
I'm in either way, this looks amazing, but I'll go PC if the Switch can't hack it.
It targets 60FPS throughout gameplay, as with all Switch games it gets better performance when docked. I'd get whichever version you think will suit you best, in terms of the lay back on the couch Switch version, or the at the desk PC experience.
I'll wait for the reviews. Their last game looked cool as hell but the ruthless difficulty made me not want to play it. Hopefully they balanced challenge vs fun better this time.
We haven't had any bad feedback on the difficulty level as yet, but it is definitely a challenging game!

I wouldn't go as far as to say ruthless though 😉. There's a few reviews out in the wild on YouTube currently for the Steam version if you fancy having a search!

Here's one of the latest from Boomstick Gaming 👇
 

MMaRsu

Banned
Man I can't wait to check this out. I put in a request for a key but if that doesn't happen I'll def buy it on Steam next chance I get. Moving to a new house is expensive :< but new house yeay
 

Saruhashi

Banned
The launch dates for Valfaris have just been released!

Here's the rundown:
October 10: PC (Steam, GOG, Humble) and Nintendo Switch.
November 5/6: PS4 NA/EU respectively
November 8: Xbox One

In addition to the standard version, a Valfaris Digital Deluxe Edition will also be available at launch for PC and PS4 that includes the game, original soundtrack (composed and recorded by former Celtic Frost guitarist, Curt Victor Bryant), and digital artbook.

To celebrate confirmation of the release dates, there's a brand new Valfaris trailer too, check it out below!



The wait is almost over! 🤘


It's looking good!

I will definitely grab this next Thursday (10th of October?). Looking forward to it.

What is the week before a release like for you folks?
Do you have some expectation of how the game will be received or are you kind of going in blind?
 

Mr_D_

Banned
It's looking good!

I will definitely grab this next Thursday (10th of October?). Looking forward to it.

What is the week before a release like for you folks?
Do you have some expectation of how the game will be received or are you kind of going in blind?

We try to get an idea from Youtube coverage, wishlist amount, Steam page traffic and a few other bits. But really you don't know until you know
 
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Saruhashi

Banned
We try to get an idea from Youtube coverage, wishlist amount, Steam page traffic and a few other bits. But really you don't know until you know

Well, I'll be buying it on Switch tomorrow and I wish you all the best.

The game looks awesome.
 
As soon as there's a firm date, I'll make sure to let you guys know here :D

In the mean time, learn how to wield the shield like a badass 👇

0E67bKq.gif
Is this still coming out on Switch today?
 
Still near the beginning but the systems in this game are fucking sick. You can use a shield to block projectiles but each block drains an energy meter. A perfect block sends the projectile back so you're constantly encouraged to go for tech counters. But then you have a sword and melee hits charge up the energy needed for your shield. So you're encouraged to use all the connected elements of combat, and they all feel good.
 

Danny Dudekisser

I paid good money for this Dynex!
I want to hear more impressions before I take the plunge, but the game looks absolutely awesome. I'll probably end up buying it on GOG in the next few days.
 
Getting pretty far now. This is easily the best Contra game I've ever played. The combination of the counters, melee, and energy rationing is just more in depth than any of the actual Contras.

Love the artwork and the diseased alien bacteria levels. Nothing more satisfying than purifying grotesque pus creatures with non-stop flamethrower. Bosses have all been pretty good and make you really figure out the pattern.

OST is a bit weaker than Slain so far. Kind of uneventful. I get the vibe that this is set in the same world as Slain, just in the far future. The weapons are often "spirit" weapons combined with technology. Pretty neat.
 

dirthead

Banned
It has the classic contemporary game with pixel art problems (there's no consistent pixel grid that everything aligns to, some objects are made up of chunky pixels and other objects are made up of smaller pixels, and everything moves by probably floating point math instead of integer math so the pixels in objects are always out of alignment). It makes the game look kind of cheap despite the decent art. Pixel grid consistency is REQUIRED to really make a game with pixel art feel rock solid. That's why those old SNES and Genesis games just look so solid and consistent. The pixels are always aligned.

Even shit like the new Mario Maker games gets this wrong.

Other than that, it's okay, although I can't help but feel that the game doesn't really flow very well or have interesting level design.

Metal Slug 3 remains the best looking run n' gun, Contra 3 remains the run n' gun with the best level design, and Gunstar Heroes remains the best run n' gun overall.

This genre is really hard to get into because the best ones are just absurdly good and basically lightning in a bottle.
 

Tenaciousmo

Member
It has the classic contemporary game with pixel art problems (there's no consistent pixel grid that everything aligns to, some objects are made up of chunky pixels and other objects are made up of smaller pixels, and everything moves by probably floating point math instead of integer math so the pixels in objects are always out of alignment). It makes the game look kind of cheap despite the decent art. Pixel grid consistency is REQUIRED to really make a game with pixel art feel rock solid. That's why those old SNES and Genesis games just look so solid and consistent. The pixels are always aligned.
I am thankful I don't see what you're talking about and enjoy the style of the game from what was shown.
 
bought on switch and digging it. bosses are tough, but thankfully you get a checkpoint right before them. got stuck on 1 for like 10 mins until i figured out mechanics of the fight, then it wasn't too bad
 

Mr_D_

Banned
Of course! https://www.gog.com/game/valfaris
This game is amazing! Glad I found out about it thanks to this thread.
We're glad you found it too! Have you managed to finish the game as yet, or still working your way through?
Getting pretty far now. This is easily the best Contra game I've ever played. The combination of the counters, melee, and energy rationing is just more in depth than any of the actual Contras.

Love the artwork and the diseased alien bacteria levels. Nothing more satisfying than purifying grotesque pus creatures with non-stop flamethrower. Bosses have all been pretty good and make you really figure out the pattern.

OST is a bit weaker than Slain so far. Kind of uneventful. I get the vibe that this is set in the same world as Slain, just in the far future. The weapons are often "spirit" weapons combined with technology. Pretty neat.
I'm glad you're enjoying it so far! The artwork is definitely something to behold, unleashing chaos and destruction with the flamethrower is indeed satisfying!

It is indeed inspired by the same world as Slain, but as to whether it's the same world exactly.. Definitely a question for the devs themselves. We're gonna be running an AMA very soon, so I'll make sure to keep you guys posted here, and you can pick the brains of those behind the game!
bought on switch and digging it. bosses are tough, but thankfully you get a checkpoint right before them. got stuck on 1 for like 10 mins until i figured out mechanics of the fight, then it wasn't too bad
Haha yeah, the first time I played the game it took me a fair while to figure out some of the fights! Once you've got the mechanics though, it's definitely not too hard.
 

Rayderism

Member
Got the PS4 version........played only just a few minutes (have to go to work soon). Much more action packed than Slain (which I also like), but just like Slain, the CRT filters are.....not good. Neither CRT option looks right at all. A good CRT filter can make pixel graphic games appear more detailed, while obscuring the harsh blockiness of the pixels, but the filters here do nothing of the kind. They are just like thick bar overlays instead of the thin horizontal lines a CRT naturally creates.

Please understand that I am not complaining about it, just pointing out my observation.
 
The developers of Slain are making a new game, announced for 2018 on PC/consoles. Should be cool! Slain was rough at release, but the "re-release" fixed just about every issue and the game is pretty good now. Hopefully the devs learned from this mistake and will take the time necessary to polish Valfaris as much as needed before release.

Glad to see that glorious pixel art style again. Those artists are seriously talented.

BVQGSPn.gif


Dev announcement:


xRv3RxC.gif


(More screens available on the Steam page.)

Slay me if old
Oh fuck yeah. Slain was good, not great, but I will continue to support sprite art that is of this calibur until the die.

Maybe I should go back and beat Slain before I reserve final judgements...
 

Con-Z-epT

Live from NeoGAF, it's Friday Night!
The "Full Metal Mode" is suposed to launch tomorrow. Does anyone know if this update will come simultaneously to all platforms?
 
Very fun game if a little overpriced, my only complaint is the soundtrack is sadly mediocre with few stand out tracks.
My hope for Valfaris 2 is that it has weapon swapping in real time which would make the weapons more useful and worth switching, right now I'm in the area after the tombs and I've stuck with The Bastard for melee, The Knife/Therion's call for primary and Envoy of Destruction for the secondary and it's seems I've no reason to change that.
And if it's more metriodvania i wouldn't mind.
 

Nicolas_R

Member
Hey guys, I'm Nicolas - a community manager over at Big Sugar (publisher of Valfaris). Figured I should hop in here in case anyone has any Q's, but if anything needs more immediate attention I can be found lurking over at the official Big Sugar Discord channel!

My GS only got 1 copy, and i got it :)
Heck yes, thanks so much for the support!

Im right at the end and this was one of the most fun games I've played this year. It's an absolute must buy.
Glad to hear you enjoyed it man!
The "Full Metal Mode" is suposed to launch tomorrow. Does anyone know if this update will come simultaneously to all platforms?
I know I'm late to the party here, but it actually launched on all platforms yesterday - the PC version just got a bit of a headstart!

If you update Valfaris to the latest version, you should automatically unlock Full Metal Mode no matter the platform you're on! If you have any issues let me know, and I'll try and help out where I can :D.
 

Avasarala

Emoji Emperor
Staff Member
Hey Nicholas, thanks for stopping in to NeoGAF! Your account has been bumped to Member status so you'll have full access to the boards.
 

bronk

Banned
Hey guys, I'm Nicolas - a community manager over at Big Sugar (publisher of Valfaris). Figured I should hop in here in case anyone has any Q's, but if anything needs more immediate attention I can be found lurking over at the official Big Sugar Discord channel!


Heck yes, thanks so much for the support!


Glad to hear you enjoyed it man!

I know I'm late to the party here, but it actually launched on all platforms yesterday - the PC version just got a bit of a headstart!

If you update Valfaris to the latest version, you should automatically unlock Full Metal Mode no matter the platform you're on! If you have any issues let me know, and I'll try and help out where I can :D.
What is full metal mode? It took me three playthroughs to get under 2 hours. I'm down to dive in again. Love this game.
 
What is full metal mode? It took me three playthroughs to get under 2 hours. I'm down to dive in again. Love this game.

Here's what Full Metal Mode has got in store for you:
  • All weapons, upgrades, and upgrade items carry over between runs
  • Enemies have increased health, attack, and aggression
  • Bosses receive the same buffs - with additional attack patterns
  • Therion takes more damage
  • New Destroyer Class Weapon
  • New Achievement for defeating Full Metal Mode
Full Metal Mode unlocks after completing the game, so if you've already got a 'Game Clear' save file, you'll be able to jump into the – even deadlier – action as soon as the update has installed.

This reminds me I need to buy this soon.
 
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