Descent Vector: Space Runner

[b]Introduction[/b] Descent vecor is an endless space runner by Heavy Pepper Inc. with procedurally generated levels, I came across this game during Steam Next Fest and really liked the demo. I received a free copy for beta testing. It has a simple concept but it works really well. It also has pleasing graphics with an endless supply of space stations, space crafts, brackets and asteroids for you to dodge. I play a lot shmups and to me it feels a bit like a rail shooter without having to shoot anything which I somehow find quite relaxing. [b]Gameplay[/b] You control a pod that's about to be dropped and you have to make it to the landing platform in the Play Missions or try to last as long as you can in the Endless Modes. On your way down you'll have to navigate through openings in space stations and dodge space objects like booster rockets, solar panels and asteroids. Crashing into objects will end your run but grazing will only do minimal damage, crashing through solar panels will do substantial damage and light your pod on fire. There now are seven levels at different locations with each a Play Mission and an Endless mode, the missions increase in difficulty with each new level introducing new objects to dodge. All seven Endless Modes now have their own leaderboard. In the Play Missions your speed stays at a constant 20m/s but in Endless Mode your speed increases by 1m/s every 10s to a maximum of 40m/s. [b]Control[/b] You can play with a controller or with keyboard. Using digital input from either keyboard or controller works just fine but analog input will make it easier to navigate especially at higher speeds. [b]Powerups[/b] The Expanding Horizons update introduced three power-ups that are randomly placed in openings of the space stations. There are three types, a pink shield which allows you to pass through solid objects, a blue retro rocket power-up which will slow down your pod and a green repair power-up to put out fires and repair your pod. [b]Conclusion[/b] If you like score chasing games with short runs you may really enjoy this game. My current best is a run of 3mins that took hours of practice. Besides trying to last as long as possible I take pleasure in grazing all space objects, it's also quite fun aiming for power ups. [b]Video[/b] Here's a recording of my latest Endless run in Cygnus X-1: https://youtu.be/4HmaqRebH1I

This game has all the great facets that you would want in a "runner" type game. It's challenging, never the same level design twice, and has an endless mode. It can be frustrating as heck and will make you swear, but that frustration just makes you want to play it again and again. Great visuals and spectacular crashes. I spent hours just crashing to see how the station pieces and solar panels would react with each other. I also find myself enjoying the backgrounds when I should be paying attention to the pod and end up crashing. I'm beginning to think I'm the source of my own frustration on that :) All said and done, this is a great game. Great to play if you only have a few minutes, or if you want to spend a few hours challenging yourself. I had the honor of being asked to be a beta tester for this game and have received a free copy of it for my efforts. Having seen where this game started and hos it progressed into what it has become, and knowing some of the plans that I hope come in future updates has me still excited for playing it!

Do you like endless modes with leaderboard support, extremely tight controls and some of the most beautiful backdrops in the industry? If you said yes to any of those, get this game!!!

My first impressions video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0SfIJ7VzYg Endless runners are few and far between on PC compared to mobile devices and it's a genre I enjoy so I was happy to see a new one on the paltform and with a different theme and mechanics. Descent Vector may be a little light on content for some players but it's focused on doing one thing well and on that, it succeeds. Each run is randomly generated so you'll always be experiencing something new. Each level has a "mission", which is a run with a set length to achieve, designed primarily to introduce you to the level and how it's designed. The primary mode is the Endless mode, where you will run indefinitely, trying to get the largest score possible, which is then compared against an online leaderboard. The only controls in the game are for the position of your ship. This is a pure score attack runner with no combat. UPDATE 26/11/2011: My original review criticized the lack of per-level leaderboards and ability to quickly see who was next above you. In the most recent update, the developer has addressed these, putting in leaderboards for each level and a really neat visual touch where you'll actually see the distance of others on the leaderboard represented visually in your run so you can see when you cross it. He's also added more levels and polished up the UI. It's great to see this game getting more free support. Overall, Descent Vector is a very solid endless runner. It doesn't do a lot of things but what it focuses on, it does very well. If you're not into endless runners, this probably isn't going to change your mind, though there is a demo so you can see for yourself. If you do like this genre, I think there's a lot of good fun to be had here.

Оценка игры: 4,6/10 Это первый взгляд на игру. Не путайте с понятием "обзор". Здесь я делюсь с вами настоящими, живыми ощущениями и эмоциями от первого запуска игрового продукта и не имею опыта полного прохождения. Игра в жанре раннер, от которой лучше ничего не ждать. Первые 30 минут кажется, что это довольно забавный соревновательный геймплей, который способен вызвать у вас желание пройти ещё дальше. НО! В игре всего 4 локации отличающиеся лишь задником. И одна единственная капсула, которую нам предлагают перекрашивать в несколько основных цветов. Препятствия, которые возникают на пути игрока, всегда одни и те же вне зависимости от уровня, что довольно быстро приедается. Разработчикам было лень прикрутить капсулы с разным дизайном и особенностями, что добавило бы реиграбельности. Ну а экспозиция и вовсе отсутствует. Никакой информации о мире, событиях, причинах происходящего. Такое себе не позволяют даже ААА-проекты. А тут всего лишь инди игра категории "Б" с безумными системными требованиями и неоправданно высокой ценой за геймплей, от которого вы устанете уже через 20-30 минут. Для себя я решил, что это игра на один вечер. Её стоит брать по скидке 90% или не брать вовсе. Визуал и техническое состояние: 7 Активности и механики: 6 Левел-дизайн, локации, карты: 5 Сеттинг, сценарий, сюжет: 3 Цена, системные требования: 2 Подробнее об игре, её сильных и слабых сторонах можно узнать из ролика ниже. Подписывайтесь и присоединяйтесь к моему каналу! https://youtu.be/MH3IPrF7EDk

A nice and easy to play game, well easy for me, I have no Idea about you. A game about a simple space pod making it back to home base while having to avoid space debris was a fun and clever idea. The levels were fun and got more challenging over time and the all around backgrounds of each level were also nicely made. The visuals were very nice with a glare and shine on most things making them actually metallic. The game play was fun out of the most of it. It felt like a stone falling down a well while trying to avoid the wood and such to get in the water below. All in all, It was a good game. A good game indeed.

This is a great looking casual runner that's a pleasure to pick up and play from time to time. At $5 you can't go wrong.

I had a lot of fun with this. The gameplay is simple but quite the challenge. Eating jalapenos every time I died was pretty funny too! The controls are smooth, and the sense of speed is spot on, making every close call feel like a true victory.

Easy time waster

This game has fantastic graphics! Reminds me of Galaxy on Fire 2 visually, along with NASA and Metal Gear Solid 5. The endless space runner is a great way to clear your mind as you have to really focus. Game is challenging, however not impossible. Looking forward to where it goes in the future!