DrFink addition: Announced, I believe, through social media today (6/5/2014) is the fact that Steamworld Dig is coming to Wii U!!
Image & Form to DrFinkelstein on Instagram (in comments) said:
"There will be some new features and tweaks but essentially it'll be the same SteamWorld Dig we all know and love :) /Julius" ... "I can't tell what exactly will be new but I promise it will be unique in some aspects."
So, are the eschewing the 3D because they want to make a real game? What? The 3DS has TONS of great games that utilize this unique feature. Is it possible the parallax backgrounds described are in 3D, if one so chose?
@Deerock69 Nah I think it's supposed to have multiple layers of 3-D parallax, I took that as they're just trying to say they're not relying on the gimmick of simply being 3-D.
@Simbabbad I was thinking exactly this. Most games sort of ignore the 3D or use it as an afterthought. I can't think of (m)any that are built around it.
I can't tell you how restrained I've felt while playing Castlevania. The backdrops are so GORGEOUS, and often you go by open doorways or cavern entrances or wispy, dust-blown roads. They're all very enticing to look at, but alas, you're forced down your fixed 2.5D path. Sweet agony!
So I finally got around to playing this game and it's pretty neat, it's sort of a relaxed exploration game with some light RPG aspects and some Metroid-like power ups. It's pretty cool. Anyone else play it?
Just beat it yesterday. Twice in fact. After beating it once, I decided to try another run to go through as fast as I could and after I saw how fast I reached the second area, I decided to keep going. I ended up beating it in 1:15
It's a pretty fun game. I wish it did have a bit more of a level design around its caves instead of having it be randomly generated but I really enjoyed it anyway. Hopefully a sequel happens in the future!
@VofEscaflowne Sweet. How long did your first playthough take? I feel like I could have been so much more efficient in the way that I tunnel if I restarted, now that I have a handle on it I pretty much only go straight down now in huge shafts, making tiny little side passages for minerals but not really going crazy collecting loot. I'm not very far in but it's strangely addictive, I just got the drill and feel like a badass, making progress so much faster!
EDIT: my only big complaint so far is that the enemies are really lame and uninteresting, and the "combat" is wonky, that's the worst part of the game, it's almost like they enemies don't need to be there at all.
EDIT 2: I'm surprised this isn't on Steam or iOS or something besides the eShop, not that I'm complaining love a good exclusive, just seems like it would probably be pretty popular on Steam.
First playthrough took me 5 hours. I've seen some people say it took them 6 or 7 hours so it's a decent length game for this type I guess.
There is some variety in the later enemies that'll keep you on your toes though. I've died a few times due to silly mistakes in my speedrun which would have brought me pretty close the 1 hour mark I'm sure.
@GameDadGrant Not sure how many blocks it takes up but you should get it, it's a super addictive and fun game, and it's awesome to have a sprite-based Metroidvania on the 3DS! (Since neither Metroid nor Castlevania have bothered to show up at the party - not counting the Mercury Steam bizarre 2.5-D God of War game that Konami slapped the Vania name on)
The developer has made iOS games that went largely ignored, and they're pretty thrilled at the reaction they've got on 3DS. I'm fairly sure their next few games will be on the eShop.
@Guillaume Yep. Upon discovering the positive reaction on GAF, they posted saying something to the effect that they were making a new SteamWorld title, and that the series would be staying on 3DS. Will see if I can find the quote.
EDIT:
imageform said:
You're asking for follow-up on SteamWorld Dig and I'm happy to tell you that as of yesterday, thanks to the overwhelming response and a relieved sense of having a potential big hit, we decided to forge ahead on the next project in the series. SteamWorld is here to stay, and we'll stay on the 3DS.
@Guillaume Makes sense, smaller pond and;whatnot, I'm psyched to hear the game is doing well it deserves it! So happy to see such a well-crafted gem on the eShop!
@VofEscaflowne Just finished, took me almost 7 hrs, I was able to purchase all of the upgrades but 1: the hydraulic fluid for 20 orbs, wasted too many orbs on teleporters I think.
My final thoughts are: thoroughly enjoyable! Will definitely play through again someday and will definitely buy any and all sequels! One slight disappointment: I thought they were setting up a "New Game+" scenario with Dorothy going down into the mines to find Rusty, oh well, maybe they were just hinting at a sequel.