Review Fix chats with Jeff Brooks, who discusses the retro 2D side-scroller “Grave Danger,†breaking down its development, intentions on Steam Greenlight and Kickstarter, goals, inspiration and why it’s different from any other platforms you’ve ever played.
For more on the game, click here.
About The Game:
Grave Danger is a 2D sidescrolling adventure game about utilizing unique characters to solve puzzles and stay alive. Run, jump, float, shoot, and scythe your way through puzzles involving teamwork and precision! Alternate between each hero: Dante the cowboy, Elliot the wizard, and Malice the reaper. Use their unique abilities to resolve different situations and make their way out of trouble.
Review Fix: What games inspired this one?
Jeff Brooks: Grave Danger is inspired by classic Super Nintendo platformers such as The Lost Vikings, Mega Man X, and Castlevania. The three unique character setup from The Lost Vikings has made its way into the game and adds a lot of flavor for team-based puzzles. Movement and general combat in Grave Danger feel much like Mega Man X, with wall climbing, projectile shooting and charging. Castlevania makes its mark on the game from its adventurous attitude in a horror-themed world.
When we were brainstorming what we were going to develop next, it was decided on a side-scrolling platformer due to the dynamics and size of our studio. The concept was still open for interpretation and I asked my artist to concept some characters. When I laid my eyes on the vast array of concepts, I singled out the three that most caught me eye. I knew from then on that the game was going to be centralized on teamwork between these three.
Review Fix: Bottom line, why must someone play this game?
Brooks: If you missed out on some of the great platformers of a generation ago, you’re going to want to play this game. If you loved the games which inspire Grave Danger, you’re going to want to play it. If you love great platformers in general, you’re going to want to play this game! Grave Danger will also be playable between one to three players locally, allowing players to solve puzzles together or independently.
Grave Danger is going to bring a unique and rarely touched aspect of platformers: figuring out how to best solve puzzles with the resources at hand. Most platformers focus on action and a single character. That’s boring to me. You’ll want to check this game out because it is a fresh take on what a platformer can be.
Review Fix: How do you want this game to be remembered?
Brooks: I want Grave Danger to be remembered as being able to mix the best of classic platformers cohesively. I want action platformer fans to remember the challenge and fast paced appeal of the game. I want the campy-humor and puzzle solving lovers to remember the game as a fun brain exercise they want to share with their friends. We’re aiming at delivering a great gaming experience, leaving players with a sense of accomplishment when completed and wanting to see what the characters within the game will get into next.
Review Fix: What are your goals for this game?
Brooks: Our goals for Grave Danger are to release on Windows, Mac, Linux, XBox One, PS4, and Wii U. We want this game to be accessible to all gamers of this generation. We want to establish a relationship with the gaming community where they know they can trust us to make great games. We’re aiming for Grave Danger to be timeless with beautiful graphics and solid gameplay. We also have a desire to bring Grave Danger to arcades, but I’d say that’s a stretch goal.
Review Fix: What’s next?
Brooks: Grave Danger is going live on Kickstarter for crowdfunding and Steam Greenlight July 18, 2016. This could greatly help extend the scope of the game and our company. We’ve realized we need to tap into the gaming community, and this is our first stop. We need the community’s support and are working every day to make this game as great as possible. Regardless of the success of the Kickstarter, we’re going to finish this game as best we can and make it work.
Review Fix: Anything else you want to say?
Brooks: A big thanks to all who have supported us so far. We started posting about the game frequently to social networks earlier this year and the support has really helped. It’s JB Gaming’s mission to make great video games that the world can enjoy and we’ll continue to do so.
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