Each time I see another Space Shooter coming to the XBLIG channel I get excited about it. Or at least I do if it is looking as good as Solar Struggle or Spatial Rift (which I both mentioned last week in the Indie Invasion #1). But the game from Jason Deacon that he is producing for the Xbox Live Indie Games looks like it might become my favorite. Why? Because it adds a lot of rpg elements into the mix and rpgs are my favorite genre.
Here is one screenshot to get you interested, the rest comes after the break.
The game is still in development and the title “Galactic Ranger” is only a working title, so it´s not decided what the name will be.
Little is known of what the story might be, but it seems to be save that there will be a story mode that is linear with lots of side missions getting available as you progress in the game. Also there will be different factions you can join and each faction gives boost to certain abilities you gather. So for a space shooter the game seems to focus quite a bit on the story. One can only hope for something cool like Wing Commander. Who knows, maybe there will be even Kilrathi.
The leveling system adds to the rpg feeling. Each ship you destroy adds XP points to the pilot and he will level up, making more and more upgrade points available you can spend to customize your ship. There will be three different upgrade trees.
- ‘Destruction’ – Improve the damage-dealing capabilities of your ship by increasing weapon capacity, fire rate and increasing damage. Also unlocks higher-end weapons.
- ‘Mitigation’ – Survival by mitigating a lot of damage through hull strength and regeneration, also reduces chances that enemy EMP missiles will have an effect.
- ‘Evasion’ – Survivability through the evading of enemies all together. Gives scanner jamming, missile decoys, better flares, faster ship etc.
Since you won´t be able to fill up all three trees, you have to choose wisely to match your playstyle. And you can replay the game trying different approaches.
The graphics already look quite sweet and will come in Full HD (1080p). Word is there will be really big space battles in it and large battle cruisers. So I can´t wait to get my hands on that game.
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