So this is a project I started working on recently which is a 3D rail shooter that’s kind of a blend of a lot of my interests - it’s inspired by StarFox, 90’s sci-fi & mech anime, and PS1/Saturn game aesthetics.
Setting
In VEX Elite Squadron, you play as a character named Roa in control of a VEX (Variable Environment, X-configuration) fighter - a kind of versatile hybrid space/atmosphere vehicle. Roa lends her skills to the AIF, a group of freedom fighters who’ve declared their separation from the oppressive galactic empire known as the Imperium and are engaged in constant battle with them.
Gameplay
VEX is a rail shooter heavily inspired both by games like Star Fox and Panzer Dragoon as well as various 90s SHMUPs.
The game is divided into a series of stages, and in each stage you progress through the level on a linear path, maneuvering on a flat plane, rolling to quickly dodge incoming projectile barrages, and shooting a variety of opponents. Each stage ends in a boss fight against one of the Imperium’s weapons platforms.
It’s just a concept for now, but I’d also like to experiment with having dialogue between characters in between each stage presented in a kind of VN-esque format. This dialogue would serve to develop the relationships between characters, reveal lore bits about the world, and advance the plot in general.
Development
I somewhat recently started working on the prototype in my spare time. It’s built on .NET Core and FNA, using FMOD for sound and my own custom-written content pipeline.
Here’s some prototype footage of what I have:
Footage is a bit old, but work has been keeping me fairly busy and I also just did a rather hefty rewrite of the content pipeline. It’s not much, but I have the basic engine structure, game logic, controls, etc all in place and I would like to keep building on this. I will probably try and prototype some more enemy types, as well as working on the stage itself (right now it’s just a flat scrolling plane but would like to add environment geometry, props, skybox, etc).
May also spend some time messing with the mechanics in general - I know somebody on Twitter pointed out that having a constantly regenerating pool of health on TOP of the non-regenerating health could make things a little too easy, so I will probably mess with that.
Anyway hope to continue updating things here~!