One of the big design challenges we have with Crashlands 2 is the combat: the game is a sequel, so how do we make it more interesting (and more fun) than combat in the original, all while making it still
feel like Crashlands?
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In the original we had lots of different weapons, but you sorta used them all in the same way. Swords were fast, hammers were slow, but in the end they both just smacked things when you got close. For Crashlands 2 we want to give you way more ways to engage in (or even avoid) combat. Let's look at some of that new stuff!
[h2]First, TELEGRAPHS[/h2]
In the original, we drew indicators, a.k.a. "telegraphs", on the ground to show you where attacks would land. You'd square up with an enemy, take their hand, and do a little
dance of death around those telegraphs.
We still wanted telegraphs to underpin combat in Crashlands 2, but we needed to kick things up a few notches. In the first game we pretty much just had rectangles and circles, since those were easy to draw on the screen
and made it easy to figure out if something was inside the telegraphs. We've gotten a lot better at our jobs since then: now we can make them in
any shape!My two favorite examples of these new telegraphs are:
The
Electro Fuzz Knuckles! Just look at these things. Like two adorable cat paws. Or two fists bearing spiked brass knuckles. (Is there a difference?)
And the
Space Wok! It's shaped like a dang
pan! Complete with that little hole in the handle you'd use to hang it on a rack! And when it connects with an enemy, oh what a satisfying BONK...
So we've upgraded the telegraphs, which makes the dance of death even more fun. But also more difficult. And so...
[h2]THE JUKE[/h2]
"If you can dodge a Space Wrench, you can dodge a ball." - Space Captain Patches O'Houlihan
There's nothing more satisfying than
just barely avoiding getting hit by something, so we added the classic dodge-roll mechanic as a core element of movement and combat. Juke between telegraphs and then juke across a raging river to safety!
Okay, by "raging river" I might mean "quiet and very narrow stream". But I know
I couldn't do a cartwheel across a quiet and very narrow stream. And I
definitely couldn't do a Tasmanian Devil tornado across one!
At this point you might be thinking, "Geez, combat in Crashlands 2 sounds pretty intense!" While we did want to raise the ceiling on just how intense combat could be, we also know that not everyone wants that. I'm more of a sneak-around-and-attack-from-afar person myself!
Which brings me to...
[h2]SURPRISE ATTACKS[/h2]
While the original game did have some distance weapons, the focus was definitely on melee combat. Crashlands 2 gives you a lot more ways to fight things from afar: we've got spears, we've got bombs, we've got weird spiky seed-things, and we've even got throwable fish!
(If you aren't convinced that a fish makes for an excellent distance weapon, try playing hot potato with a lionfish and get back to me.)
Distance weapons are great, but sometimes you want to get
close while maintaining the element of surprise. Or just scoot right by an enemy altogether. We've got you covered in either case with
invisibility.
Just a spooky little outline floating around. I'd be intimidated if I saw that coming after me. I mean, I wouldn't be
able to see it. But if I
could see it, holy crap would it be terrifying.
[h2]FIN[/h2]
And with that, it's time to close out this edition of the Bscotch Ballyhoo. Until next time, go
wishlist Crashlands 2 on Steam if you haven't already!
💖 Your Best Friend,
Adam Coster
Webslinger @ Butteredpan Shebonkigans
