NUX is a quirky arcade game. Very odd at first glance... OK, just very odd, period
All graphics are done in claymation. Oh yes, even the spaceships and asteroids!
You can use the mouse for controls, or you can tell the program which keys on the keyboard you would like to use. I chose the latter, simply because platform games are easier for me that way.
Well, there are 3 different kinds of gameplay, which I hadn't anticipated! In each level there are 3 phases:
You start the game doing a Truxton*-like space-bound shooter. During this part, you navigate a top-to-bottom scrolling section of space, through asteroid fields and oncoming spaceship enemies. Shoot them before they shoot you!
*Truxton is a very old Sega Genesis game - look it up to get an idea of the gameplay!Finish the first stage, and you go on to a new kind of gameplay: Jetpack. This time it is scrolling from bottom to top, and you're navigating with your jetpack to platforms where you can fuel up, then down to the planet surface. Avoid rocks, bullets and other obstacles on the way down.
Third is the side-to-side scrolling platform portion of the game. Avoid monsters and falling rocks (and spewing rocks!) to retrieve crystals that will power your space ship. This is where the mouse controls get a little iffy for me - I'm not used to "jumping" using a mouse on these games. One thing: You can only carry ONE gem at a time! I didn't realize this until I'd lost 3 lives. D'oh! I did manage to finish the platform portion and proceed to level two to see that the phases repeat. I didn't last much longer, though. hehe
Power-ups last for a set number of seconds, they aren't permanent. However, unlike most games of this type, you don't lose your power-up when you "die". Each "life" allows for 3 "hits". When you score enough points, you get an extra life.
It's a nostalgic throwback to the "old days", reminding me of the games
Truxton (Sega Genesis),
Space Taxi (C64) and/or
Pilot Wings (Super Nintendo) and... uh... Well, I can't think of any game that resembles the platform section :p What makes it kind of fresh are the quirky claymation graphics. It was worth sticking with the demo just to see what they would come up with next.
WARNING: This game is set up in classic arcade fashion - Once you run out of lives, it's GAME OVER! You'll have to start over again and try to get further.
