There are some adjustments required to really nail the velocity needed for certain level designs, but it rarely involves frustrating trial and error just some good, old elbow grease. Where movement is restricted at first, running will add momentum, bigger jumps will allow more reach, which eventually results into a nimble fighting machine. This introduces a new gameplay element at certain intervals, which gives excavation some lasting power. To overcome obstacles, Rusty can jump at first and later finds tech to get outfitted with the latest gadgets. Lasers slice through floors and spikes emerge from trap floors. Running time bombs can shatter an entire façade, while angry giants stay back and lob hindering bottles of acid. Repeatedly, these caches will be lined with enemies that run, throw or shoot, which may cause some disaster in the unstable ruins. Therefore, it’s not uncommon to try a different direction, just to see what can be found there. There’s usually only a few ways down, but it contains a lot of variations on how to get there, which may or may not contain additional goodies or replenishing possibilities. Finding a path below, whether it’s towards new dungeons filled with puzzles or just to more loot, has an explorative feel to it, seeing as view is limited. Eventually, a small arsenal will diversify this approach, by offering quick-fire possibilities that require water to operate the steam apparatuses. Some loose blocks can be cleaved to dig a hole, in order to find better minerals to sell for gear that will break through denser rocks. Digging starts with just a pickaxe and a small lamp that rapidly runs out of potency. Still, most of the action happens downstairs, in the depths where the only road ahead is down. As the story progresses, new shops and periodic hubs will show up, allowing Rusty to switch to different areas. By trading, the robot can reach new levels that unlock more equipment, which in turn costs more money and pushes a deeper descent. Music stays in the background, with a few twangs beating in the repetitive cowboy spirit ever so slowly.Įnvironments are switched around two main places, with the first being a town above ground, where the protagonist, Rusty, can sell off mined minerals and use currency for goods. Through use of these even, bold textures, visuals remain clean and distinguishable, even in its bigger scope. Hand drawn assets use thick, cartoonish outlines paired with a wide variety of earthly colors to create this underground atmosphere, surrounded by darkness, wherever light does not reach. Beneath the brightly colored, yellow sands lurks a deep and dark mystery of sparkling gems, creepy crawlies and increasingly bizarre contraptions. Viewed from side to side, the story takes us to the sands of the old West. Its only misstep is that it doesn’t actually go the distance with that idea. This short adventure that digs holes in the ground, for glory and profit, introduces players to a varied mixture of gameplay elements to grab the attention for quite some time. Most games eventually try to branch out, if possible, which is also the case for SteamWorld Dig, coming to PC from its Nintendo 3DS beginnings. Sticking to a specific platform can be hard when the reception seems overwhelming.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |