This game has been developed in collaboration with T-Studio in Russia. I have worked with them on several projects in the past, and they have all been technically brilliant, gorgeous looking casual Flash games. As part of the flagship launch titles for Making Fun I wanted something that would get us noticed. This is it.
Technically it is incredible. Gorgeous looking spiders, cockroaches, grubs, centipedes and other insects in a variety of different colours with different behaviours, strengths and weaknesses form a roster of 80 different enemy types. Huge queens at the end of every level complete with hatching eggs create a stunning climax and a real challenge.
A variety of different weapons to fight them with are more than just cosmetic- each enemy type has a different weakness. Hairy spiders are no problem with the flamethrower but a cockroach really needs to be blown apart with a shotgun. Grenades and mines explode with a fantastic ripple effect, laser fire glows and the blood just keeps accumulating all over the screen. Attention to detail is apparent everywhere, from perfectly animated organic looking fire on the flamethrower to the bloody footprints left after you walk through a red puddle.
Sound effects too are perfectly realised, from the weapons to the squelches and the coughing of the baby as he's affected by poison. As I said already, the game is hardcore. Killing the insects is hard. Collecting the money is even harder. It's worth it though. Spending wisely in the shop you can use different ammo types to make levels easier- Flaming, exploding, splitting and poisonous ammo can suddenly make the impossible much, much easier.
More than just an arcade shooter, Baby Vs Spiders is given depth by its RPG elements. At the end of each level, the baby gets a chance to level up. Spending points on Power, Luck, Endurance, Accuracy and Speed will tailor the baby to your particular playing style. Choosing perks including Teleport, Ring of Fire, Guardian Angel, Clone, Rear fire, Roots down and Spin attack will make your job easier. Not easy, just easier.
Tactically the money makes a big difference. Early on the player realises that collecting the money is essential, but really changes the way the game is played. It's the classic risk vs reward design mechanic.
Take the time to collect lots of cash early on and the grenade launcher will make large numbers of spiders no problem at all. Holding out for the minigun makes it hard at the beginning but you'll be glad you held out when that first giant centipede is circling.... Finishing the game is just the beginning. The player is also able to play Relentless and Toxic mode- an extra set of challenges to really separate the casual from the hardcore.
The unique scoring system also encourages another playthrough. The baby gets 10 points when he shoots something. That's it. If you blow twenty spiders up with a grenade launcher, that's 10 points. If you plug away with a pistol, you'll get hundreds of points or die trying. Multiple routes through each level enable each playthrough to be different too.
I was keen to give the player a sense of panic straight away. I had a clear vision of how I wanted this to work- I wanted a lot of spiders to attack the player in the very first room. Not one at a time, but a sudden wave of them pouring from all directions. The baby feels slow and weak, vulnerable in the middle frozen in panic. The only way to do this and still make the first level easy was to give the player the best weapon by default- a flamethrower.
Spreading fire all around, the small hairy spiders are no match for you and you grow in confidence through the first level until you get to the queen, who is no match for the flamethrower but is protected by fire breathing spiders who really need to be shot from distance.
Then, halfway through the second level the player is lulled into a false sense of security by lots of hairy spiders. Easy to set fire to, the game suddenly feels easy after all. Then the cockroaches come, fast, numerous and almost impossible to set fire to, the player needs to use the biggest gun they have to deal with them.
As the game continues, switching between weapons is paramount- tactics come into play and some levels seem impossible until the best strategy is worked out.
Baby Vs Spiders is a kick-ass shooter. It makes you genuinely terrified and excited. It really does make your palms sweaty and you will swear. Just when you think a level is impossible, you try a different strategy and it all makes sense. It's the most fun I've ever had making and playing a game and I can't wait to start the sequel and taking the brand onto other platforms.