ZpaceplatformZ

ZpaceplatformZ is a fast paced arcade game set in the year 4000. No one has a body anymore and you  must colour platforms in space to match incoming lasers.

- When a laser fires on a row of platforms they all should be the matching colour

- Each correct match awards points.

- A mismatch damages the platform. 

- Money mines that appear should be avoided.

- If too many platforms are destroyed it is game over.

Controls:

Arrows - move ship

Z - press or hold to mark platforms as BLUE

X- press or hold to mark platforms as RED

Playtime:

As long as you can last before GAME OVER.

Development Story:

ZpaceplatformZ is my second pico-8 game and took a bit longer for me to find the fun. I had the core idea early of needing to match the grid to something that is approaching. The original idea was that the speed of the approach being the main challenge the player must contend with. For a while everything was working but felt a bit rote to play. The changes I made to get it to where I was much happier were:

- allow the player to move freely around, instead of being locked to moving on a grid

- introduce lasers that build up and then fire instantly rather than moving across the grid.

- introduce the mines as an additional element to keep the player on their toes and avoid the gameplay feeling too same-y