Ostallian Core

[h1]Wild Ostallians[/h1] [b]Ostallian Core = Time Pilot + ZZT[/b] At it's [i]core[/i] 😏, this game is a throwback to 80s arcade games, with titles like Time Pilot springing to mind. It's an omni-directional, smooth-scrolling auto-shooter with small maps using sprites built with ASCII characters. I mean... That description right there is either going to sell you or not sell you. It is neither "arcade pure" nor "ASCII pure", however, as it features progression mechanics and unlockables and while the graphics were built with ASCII characters, they have some modern graphical flairs such as a glow effect that calls to mind the glow when playing an old vector-based arcade game on a black CRT screen. The core gameplay has seen some very fun updates since my last review. The main part of the loop is still there, and you must destroy the enemy-spawning bases, which very satisfyingly have crunchy chain-reactions when you hit their weak-spots. It still feels difficult, but seems a bit more fair after updates. The game is something that challenges your arcade-shooter skills and ability to turn on a dime and make quick moves to avoid collisions and enemy bullets. The sounds effects fit the theme, and the music is suitable and calls to mind the mod tracks of yesteryear. There has been additional polish in subsequent updates and didn't notice any glaring issues happen in my recent runs. The updates have added some much-needed variety and new gimmicks without changing the identity of the game or taking away from it's core mechanics and identity. The gamefeel is just excellent IMO. [i]Ride this Ostallian if you...[/i] [list] [*]🚀Know what an 8088 is [*]🚀Always enjoy an 80's style arcade fix [*]🚀Have some bizarre attachment to ASCII art (totally not me!) [/list] [i]Dump the core if you...[/i] [list] [*]💥Are looking for a complicated, involving title [*]💥Hate ASCII graphics (why are you here?) [*]💥Want an Asteroids game - this is closer to Geometry Wars than Asteroids [/list] [b][u]Directive:[/u][/b] [h2]ᴾᴱᵂ ᴾᴱᵂ ᴾᴱᵂ ᴾᴱᵂ[/h2]

I like the game but it seems like it needs more time in the cooker. The XPLODY points in the structures just disappear randomly, a bug that should've been hunted down and fixed by now. There's a lot of things that could be made better but I don't think the developer is doing anything more with it at this point. I would love to see an update that puts the finishing touches on the game. For me Kobo Deluxe is still the best Bosconian type game out there, and it's free.