[WIP] Xar Hunter [2D space shooter] [2014-10-05 update]

What is XAR Hunter?
XAR Hunter is a 2D space shooter. It draws inspiration from games like Gradius, Katharsis or Söldner-X. You are a mercenary, who takes on every mission he can, just to be the most feared space hunter in universe.

Gameplay
Every day you get 7 random missions - 6 of them are available without any requirements, while the last one is a special mission, which activates after you finish the first 6 missions. Currently there are 6 mission types:
- destroy - you have to destroy a target number of enemies,
- eliminate - you have to eliminate a target enemy (most of a time it's a boss however it doesn't have to be),
- protect - you have to protect a building/units from enemy
- support - you have to help finish some uncommon task (like overcharging enemy power plants)
- survive - you have to survive enemy attack
- rush - you have to destroy at least a target number of enemies or destroy enemy target before time reach an end,

additionally each mission has 4 tasks (which can significantly increase your reward) however you have to meet special requirements (like using a set type of weapon or avoid getting hit).

Each mission shouldn't take more than 6 minutes, however some boss fights can take a little longer.

Where to play?
At first we will target Android and IOS. After that Windows Phone and BB10 OS.
You can also try a web player demo at: http://xarhunter.com

Release date: To be announced soon

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looks pretty slick....video?

 

I'll post gameplay video by the end of the week

 

As promised here is a footage from alpha version of Xar Hunter:

Currently we're working on new enemies and some new awesome features! Stay tuned for more next week!

 

It was long time since last update. We're working hard on new content, meanwhile i'll post some ideas of bosses you'll have to fight

XT-87

XT-87 is a four phases fight. In phase one you have to find a way to stop XT from spining and following you.


This phase ends when you bring XT to 75%. After that he will put his shield on and you start phase 2.

In phase 2 you have to destroy XT shield. The boss will not do some serious damage to you as long as you're not hit by his spikes.



When you destroy his shield, you move to phase 3. Here it''s getting tricky. Boss gets laser armor and keeps firing lasers while spining.



Phase 3 last untill you destroy his laser armor or bring him to 50% of life. After that XT gets all of his weapons and you have to destroy him before he destroys you.



Boss fight video at wednesday. Next boss update at sunday.

 

As promised, alpha footage of XT-87.

 

This looks awesome! Always enjoyed scrolling shoot-em-ups. Ah the good ole Sega Genesis days!

I understand that everyone seems to be targeting cell phones these days but hey don't forget about us computer game players. I'd like to have this on Windows (Vista).

 

Thx for good words!

Actually it's not like we won't support PC - we're even testing every new content on PC (since it's faster to test and develop) and then test it on mobile devices for further optimization. It's just our main concer lies on mobile, but still we will consider Greenlight or self-publishing.

It's awesome that Unity, allows us to develop multiplatform games easly

 

Be ready for new gameplay video soon, with one of the following bosses!

 

Gameplay from next boss:

More comming soon!

 

Update requested. How is this project coming along? Web player stripped down demo version coming soon by any chance? PC?

 

Sorry you keep waiting! I'm quite sure i will post web player "demo" version by monday, and im pretty sure we will move to beta testing by the end of the month. We are aiming for 5 bosses and 3 mini-bosses at launch - right now we are just 2 short.

By the end of the week there will be another gameplay video - this time it will show all of the weapons and possible upgrades.

Stay tuned!

 

I really like the clean art style with large patches of solid color. Only after seeing that did it occur to me that most space shooters are of the photo-realistic variety. I think you've got a pretty decent shot of standing out from the crowd with that.

Good luck!

 

As promised, here is a web player demo for those who wants to give it a try !
http://xarhunter.com

This version allows you to play 6 missions and fight 2 bosses (1 mini boss and 1 normal boss). To fight a normal boss you have to complete at least one mission.

Keep in mind that this is still alpha, so all advices or bug reports are welcome

 

I have not checked out the thread and I'm not a space shooter fan. Bearing that in mind I think it might be useful to get the feedback of a completely casual player. Here's some thoughts on the web player demo:
I'm not sure if I don't know how to work that player thing but I was not able to get the demo to work full screen which I disliked. I also thought the UI could use some works. Some examples:
On the mission selection screen you have 'X' signs next to the mission you CAN play but not 'X' next to the only mission that you CAN'T play. I feel like it should be the other way around.
The Armory menu can use some better design. I had to click on the exact same icon twice (Plasma gun).
Also, the tutorial was not the best. Example: you cannot use your special ability to shoot down a dude before the tutorial explicitly states "Shoot him right NOW".

Overall I like the art style. Maybe the ships can use a bit more detail - the enemy ships and your ship are not that much different. But overall the UI and gameplay feel slick - you can tell work went into this thing. I like how much impact you feel when you kill something.

I got to one boss that was basically a big circle - that design can probably use a bit more personality. Also, it would be good if you had other up-gradable things on your ship - not just the weapons. There should a lot of cool things to spend that money on.

That's all I can think of right now - I hope this helps.

 

This is something im aware of. Right now i have an idea to gate "boss" access by stars awarded in mission (by default you will earn 1 start just for finishing mission). Stars will be visible on left or right edge of the box. Additionaly on boss "box" there will be overlay with number of stars required to unlock.

Yep, that's something i keep in mind. Probably i'll change first armory screen with a second one, except there will be two lines (for primary and secondary weapon). Currently selected weapon will be in the middle and after you tap/click on it it will change to upgrade screen.

Yep, i'll work on it. In early stage of the developement, you could buy offensive and defensive special (offensive activated by Q or Slide up, while defensive activated by E or Slide down). Those were upgradable as weapons and used Xar force as resource. Right now there is only default offensive power up increasing damage done, however i still have a plans to implement buyable special powers and even player ships.

Thx a lot for testing!