Last Squadron ABBUC software contest 2020

[shanti77]

Full version game from ABBUC cometition.

 

The game recognizes PAL / NTSC system and adjusts its speed, colors and music. There are 4 levels at the end of each one you have to defeat the boss. There are 2 types of shots, the special shot is fired by pressing the fire button several times or by using the second fire button (if you have one).

 

Last Squadron will be released in an extended version on cartridge, featuring new levels, new enemies, different bosses and additional graphics, among others.

 

lsquadron.atr

[Dinadan67]

Gratulations!

[darwinmac]

Very well done game. I enjoyed playing it when it was released for the contest. 
 

Bob C

[+Philsan]

I gave 10 points to your awesome game!

[emkay]

Definitely the best participant in the contest.

 

Congratulations

[+CharlieChaplin]

Shanti 10 points!

 

Looking forward to the cartridge version...

 

[TheNameOfTheGame]

Thanks!  Nice game!

[Rybags]

Nicely done, really has the feel of Terra Cresta and similar type games.

[+MrFish]

1 hour ago, shanti77 said:

Full version game from ABBUC cometition.

 

Fantastic game, sprite engine, graphics, and sound effects. An amazing amount of colors and action on screen at the same time. Nice use of P/M's, including extended width graphics. Thanks for sharing it with us all.

 

I like the damage model (power meter / hit points + instant death when running into enemies)

 

Congratulations on the win. Definitely one of the best shooters on the Atari computers -- maybe only eclipsed by Bosconian.

 

  

1 hour ago, shanti77 said:

The game recognizes PAL / NTSC system and adjusts its speed, colors and music.

 

Appreciate the great level of NTSC support.

 

  

1 hour ago, shanti77 said:

There are 4 levels at the end of each one you have to defeat the boss.

 

Dem bosses is tough!

 

  

1 hour ago, shanti77 said:

There are 4 levels at the end of each one you have to defeat the boss. There are 2 types of shots, the special shot is fired by pressing the fire button several times or by using the second fire button (if you have one).

 

It seems that the special shot is latched ("by pressing the fire button several times") with a 1-button controller, but then seems revert after a while and needs to be relatched. Is that due to a limit on how many special shots the player gets? Are there full instructions for the game, or at least a few more specifics on things?

  

 

1 hour ago, shanti77 said:

Last Squadron will be released in an extended version on cartridge, featuring new levels, new enemies, different bosses and additional graphics, among others.

 

I'll be interested in the extended version.

 

Edited November 14, 2020 by MrFish

[Wilheim]

Thank you! Great game!!!!

[luckybuck]

Oustanding Work!!! Thank you so much. Great game! :-)))

[Yautja]

This *must* go right to the next High Score Club`s round! Besides the graphics and gameplay, I truly love Miker's cover on "Terra Cresta" original tune.

 

I wish TIX could add some dinosaurs, though

 

- Y -

[shanti77]

It's nice that you liked the game
A few words on mechanics.
We shoot by holding fire instead of pressing it (it's hard to press fire throughout the game;)
A special shot is limited in time, the more empowered the shot, the longer the second shot will be used. The remaining number of uses is in the bottom left corner of the screen (max = 3), it's best to save something for the boss. If someone has a joystick compatible with SEGA, he has a 2 button at his disposal, which also allows you to fire a special.
There are three types of improvements:
1) speed, make our plane faster
2) covers, strengthens the cover of the aircraft, additionally speeds up its regeneration and restores all energy
3) speed of the shot, additionally extends the duration of the special shot
Each gathering of an upgrade adds one use of a special shot.
Each Boss consists of two parts, each of them must be shot down separately, this is indicated by the black color of the given half.
There are 4 levels, each with its own music.

Extra life for every 10 000 points.

Edited November 15, 2020 by shanti77

[www.atarimania.com]

Really love it. Too bad there's no loading picture and the options screen looks a bit cheap compared to the game itself. 

[shanti77]

Usually I make the title page at the very end, there wasn't enough time for a better title, but in the cartridge version I will definitely work on it.

[Mclaneinc]

Loving all the games but I am a shooter fan and Last Squadron just reminds me of Hybris / Battle Squadron on the Amiga so much, loving the game Shanti, totally loving it..

 

Congrats on a deserved 1st place and congratulations to the other super entries as well....Lucky us...

 

Paul..

[Gibstov]

Cool game.  Thanks.

[ascrnet]

I can only say excellent game!!!! I like that to use a second button because it is compatible with Joy 2B+.?

 

Regards

[Jacques]

It's simply the best vertical shooter on 8-bit Atari: gameplay/graphics/msx&sfx -wise.
Congratulations to EVERYONE INVOLVED and a big thank you!

[Gunstar]

I also think this is the best single theme (AtariBlast! is a multi-themed tribute game) shooter on the 8-bit. I love almost everything about it. The only thing I don't care for is the music; not that it is bad, it's good music, but it just doesn't fit the game at all. IMHO. To be fair, I haven't gotten past the first level yet, so I've only heard the music from the first level.

Edited November 15, 2020 by Gunstar

[Grevle]

Some real Arcade quality right there. ?  Great ? 

[+MrFish]

8 hours ago, shanti77 said:

Usually I make the title page at the very end, there wasn't enough time for a better title, but in the cartridge version I will definitely work on it.

 

I think we can all appreciate the fact that contest-entry deadlines can dictate some lack of focus on bells and whistles and more concentration on the actual game.

 

I have a few suggestions for improvements too, which I can provide at some point, if you're interested.

 

[rensoup]

Very nice use of multiplexing!

 

I had to fire up the Altirra debugger to figure it out ?... just 2 multicolor sprites for all the enemies and the player's plane which allows the 5th color to be used without clashes ?

 

(btw doesn't boot with AltirraOS ?)

[+DrVenkman]

This is great - reminds me a lot of a near-perfect mashup of 1942/1943-type Taito arcade games with Namco's Xevious. Excellent music, animation, graphics, and delightfully difficult. 

[shanti77]

@rensoup The game uses xBootDOS from XXL, maybe that's the problem.

@MrFish I am eager to listen to your suggestions, previously after commenting on the video, I shared the code with GadZombiE user and took some of his tips. I always need a fresh look, of course the last sentence belongs to me;)