Strike Suit Zero
Publisher: Born Ready Games
Developer: Born Ready Games
Platforms: PC
Genre: Simulation
Release Date: January 24, 2013
Strike Suit Zero is a arcade space shooter where you get to fly a transforming fighter known as “Strike Suit.”
The game was announced via Kickstarter and the project was successfully funded as the game reached its $100,000 goal in 15 days.
The game will be developed by Born Ready Games and will also be published by the game. It will be released on January 24th 2013. [reference]
The game will also support Oculus Rift virtual reality headset and it will ship with its compatibility later this month.
Players participate in spectacular cosmic skirmishes and pilot a powerful transforming craft known as the Strike Suit in a bid to save Earth from destruction.
Development
The development of the game wasn’t possible unless it was funded by Kickstarter, and the game reached its $100k target within 15 days and had a lot of money to spare, with the total funding reaching $174,804. The game will ship with mod tools and also a Linux port.
James Brooksby, CEO of Born Ready Games, stated, “We are humbled by the support and happy that so many people are as excited about the game as we are. Perhaps as remarkable as reaching our goal in just 15 days is that we have close to 3,000 backers to date, which is very encouraging. We can’t wait for our fans to get their hands on the finished game and the team is as enthusiastic as ever to use this support to make Strike Suit Zero the best game possible.” [reference]
The aim of the game is to renew interest in Space combat sims and according to their Kickstarter page the game will remind you of the heyday of 90’s space combat, whilst simultaneously introducing exciting new mechanics to make it relevant for today’s audience. To ensure that the game brings space combat back with a bang, we’ve brought in the best names in mecha and sci-fi to really put a stamp on the genre.
“Strike Suit Zero is inspired by the classic space combat games we all love,” said Jim Mummery, Creative Director doublesix games. “But our game goes further – it takes that inspiration, pumps up the pace and injects a massive sense of urgency to excite and challenge the player.”
The game will also support virtual reality. “Imagine taking to a fully 3D cockpit, navigating space and looking about your environment as if you were actually there. The Oculus Rift will allow you to look all around you, letting you keep track of the enemy in a way that doesn’t just rely on a radar. This will really change up the core dogfighting experience,” the developers said.
“As the consumer version of the Oculus Rift isn’t available yet, this is for those people who are picking up an Oculus dev kit, and want to help us work on and balance the Oculus version of the game. We get invaluable testers and you get to witness the optimization process from the inside.” [reference]
The game features music from award-winning sound designer Paul Ruskay (Homeworld) including a collaboration with Japanese singer/songwriter Kokia (Tales of Innocence, Gunslinger Girl: II Teatrino), and ship designs fro renowned Mechanical Design engineer Junji Okubo (Appleseed: Ex Machina, Steel Battalion.) [reference]
Plot
In Strike Suit Zero, an atmospheric and adrenaline pumping voyage unfolds with exciting new game mechanics. Players participate in spectacular cosmic skirmishes and pilot a powerful transforming craft known as the Strike Suit in a bid to save Earth from destruction.
Multiple endings: your choices in game – for example, the secondary objectives you choose to complete – directly affect the state of Earth at the end of the game. With multiple endings, preventing Earth’s destruction is your immediate concern but preserving its future is your ultimate goal.
Check out the official backstory of the game, which is quite amazing.
“In the year 2299, an interstellar war rages. Earth’s dwindling forces – the United Nations of Earth (U.N.E) – repel a fearless enemy, fighting to protect a planet on the brink of destruction. You begin the game behind the front lines on a low-priority post defending a station near Earth. After repelling an attack, word comes through from Earth’s command that the enemy are intending to end the war with one decisive strike.
They’ve amassed a colossal fleet, and are bringing it to Earth.
You’re sent into deep space to join Earth’s forces as they attempt to intercept the fleet….” [reference]
Gameplay
It is a space mech sim which allows you to transform into a mecha and a plane and blast away your enemies. This game is said to be influenced by the Space sims of the 90s, so be prepared to get your ass kicked as the game could be hard.
It features fast, frantic space combat and allows you can freely engage multiple enemies, dogfight other pilots, fight massive fleet battles and defend vast structures. You can strategically switch from Pursuit Mode (speed and power) to Strike Mode (a powerful, highly maneuverable combat mode).
The game features capital ship destruction which can take capital ships apart piece by piece – take out their turrets or target weak-points to blow out entire sections of their superstructure.
It also features a vibrant and vivid universe: space is far from the dark, featureless void you’d expect. Discover the colour and vibrancy of the Strike Suit universe across 13 unique locations. [reference]
Soundtrack
The main Strike Suit theme is a collaboration between Paul and Kokia – a Japanese singer/songwriter well known for her work with anime and videogames. Kokia has leant her vocal talents to numerous anime and games, including: Tales of Innocence, Origin: Spirits of the Pastand Gunslinger Girl: Il Teatrino.
The game features music from award-winning sound designer Paul Ruskay (Homeworld) including a collaboration with Japanese singer/songwriter Kokia (Tales of Innocence, Gunslinger Girl: II Teatrino). [reference]
Sample of Kokia’s works:
There’s a fusion of cultures at the heart of Strike Suit Zero; a strong notion of East meets West. From the soundtrack, to the mechs, to the way the gameplay itself unfolds. Strike Suit Zero is a combination of sounds, designs and mechanics that have been brought together with the precise aim of making the best space combat experience possible.
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