We recently released our classic action games to Steam in the Mommy's Best Action Pack. The games are available individually or in this handy bundle:
http://store.steampowered.com/sub/76770/
But these aren't just straight ports--they're new, improved, and super high quality PC entertainment!
Assuming you already know about the original releases, I'll detail what's new in the Steam versions.
Weapon of Choice
Store link:
http://store.steampowered.com/app/373600
All New Achievements
This game never had Achievements, as such, everything in it is new! Of course, there are some easy ones (such as saving an operative) and some very tough ones. A few of the most difficult Achievements involve getting really skilled at using Xerxes and his Jet Engine gun. Those are 'Snappy Start' which is a speed run of the first level, and 'Airtime' which requires you to float through level 1 to the boss, without touching the ground!
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| Airtime will take some serious practice! |
The most involved Achievement, which really changes the game, is 'Tasty'. This requires you to find 13 hidden MBG pies scattered throughout all the levels. Don't worry, it's not impossible, as there is a list that is shown on the title screen, once you find your first pie, to help you know where to look. "Out of reach places" are a good place to start!
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| The pie list |
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| This one's a gimmie! Go get it! |
Here's a list of more features added to the Steam version of
Weapon of Choice:
- Increased player run speed
- Increased resolution in new, widescreen view
- Keyboard controls (in addition to the original Xbox controller option)
- Fully remappable buttons and inputs
- Steam features: Achievements, Trading Cards, and Steam Cloud for saves
Speaking of which, the Trading Cards and backgrounds are awesome! Enjoy!
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| Moses Longhorn, taking care of business |
Explosionade
Store link:
http://store.steampowered.com/app/373620
New Enemies and Level Layouts
The main issue I had with
Explosionade was it was a little easy and didn't have enough unique monsters. I made sure to address that in this new version! There are now nearly double the basic enemy types from the original release! The levels, especially in Serious mode, have all been re-tuned to feature some of the new creatures and bump up the difficulty a bit. The nastiest ones are Horronym Bruisers with the laser cannon. They are relentless and require some real strategy to knock them out of their foxholes.
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| That laser Bruiser will take you down a notch! |
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| The new Jellies tend to take over you if you don't keep their numbers in check. |
Practice Mode
There is now a rich Practice menu system, that let's you select any level, in any difficulty you've already reached, so that you can practice your strategy for the highest score. Whether you want to go for all kills, or go for fastest time, this is the way to climb the leaderboards.
More features added now to the Steam version of
Explosionade:
- Improved grenades for better control (you can hold them longer, letting them bounce even further if you want.)
- Color adjustment to player 2 for better visibility; laser sight on the mech to improve aiming
- Keyboard controls (in addition to the original Xbox controller option)
- Fully remappable buttons and inputs
- Steam features: Leaderboards per difficulty, Achievements, Trading Cards, and Steam Cloud for saves
Shoot 1UP
Store link:
http://store.steampowered.com/app/373610
New Accessibility Modes
Since it's launch
Shoot 1UP has been considered by the accessibility world (from One Switch to Able Gamers) as a great shmup with wonderful accessibility features for disabled gamers. We've continued to extend the reach, with new "Goof Off Mode". This changes the game, so it spawns 1UPs at a more frequent rate, making it easier to get to 30 or even 60 ships.
This new mode is perfect for young kids, playing when you're tired, or playing with a casual (non-gamer) friend. The Leaderboards won't register your score, since you're sort of cheating, but it's a lot of fun, and a good way to practice later levels.
There is also the new "Turn-Based Mode", which pauses the game when no input is given. This allows novice or disabled gamers a break, to take it all in first, then make their move (which resumes the action). If you're moving or shooting, the game plays as normal, but as soon as you let off of either, the game pauses for you to start again.
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| New selection options |
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| With Goof Off mode, it's easy and fun to get to max ships fast. |
Additional
Shoot 1UP features for the Steam version
- Improved 'score drop' art
- Warning prompts for enemies coming from the sides or bottom.
- Option to *add* more clothing to the robo-girls in Hao.
- Keyboard controls (in addition to the original Xbox controller option)
- Fully remappable buttons and inputs
- Steam features: Leaderboards per difficulty, Achievements, Trading Cards, and Steam Cloud for saves
Game Type
Store link:
http://store.steampowered.com/app/373630
New Boss
There is now an actual boss to fight in
Game Type, and it is of course, the cat from Cat Chat. He hides behind a desk, throwing out different paw, and hairball attacks, along with calling for his tiny, cat minions. The Cat Chat boss shows up at the end of every 3rd loop.
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| Cat fight! |
All New Achievements
Like
Weapon of Choice,
Game Type never had Achievements for it's Xbox 360 release. Now it has plenty of extra challenges! There's several points-based goals of course, but there's also some fun to be had snooping around the faux Xbox 360 dashboard.
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| The New Achievements Menu |
Rebalanced
The entire game is much more interesting, and playable for the long term as I worked with playtesters from the hardcore shmup community. They really pushed on it, looking for spots where the game was too unpredictable to feel like you could improve at it, or areas that were slow, or boring, or needed clarity. We've improved many of the sprites for the bullets and enemies to make sure everything is easily visible, because when the game starts to *really* speed up around loop 6, you need all the clarity and focus you can muster.
More improvements for
Game Type on Steam:
- Keyboard controls (in addition to the original Xbox controller option)
- Fully remappable buttons and inputs
- Steam features: Leaderboards for All Time and WEEKLY(!), Achievements, Trading Cards, and Steam Cloud for saves
Mommy's Best Action Pack
And that was just the enhanced features!
Make sure to check out the Steam pages for all the original features in each game. Happy shooting!
