RetroStar - An arcade space combat simulator In 1901 (Earth-time) alien Selenites hives were discovered infesting Federation star systems. Fortunately, the Selenites were almost wiped out within the year by the common cold virus. For centuries they have been intent on revenge for what they claim was a biological attack. They have now launched a full invasion. Your mission is to destroy as many Selenite fighters as you can. Selenites destroy our starbases by first surrounding them on four sides. At that point the starbase is doomed, unless you get there first... RetroStar is a 3D arcade videogame from SinisterSoft. The game was created by Anthony Ball, although Anthony has been making games since the late 80s this is his first 3D game. The game took only six weeks to code, but originated as a demo to check the speed of the Gideros mobile development system about four years ago. I recently showed one of my other games at an event and a couple of people were interested in how I programmed it, I showed them Gideros and the RetroStar demo it grew a bigger crowd than the game I was showing so I decided to make it into a full game! says Anthony. I wanted to create something that is a blend of old style low-poly 3D, a traditional 2D arcade shoot-em-up pace and 1970s cinematic space sci-fi explosions. An odd mix, but I think I succeeded! The game will be shown in the Indie section of the Play Expo, Manchester on the 14/15th October. https://itunes.apple.com/app/id1271050465 Also available for your friends who have Android: Play: http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sinistersoft.retrostar Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/mas/dl/android?p=com.sinistersoft.retrostar RetroStar™ 3D Space Combat! SinisterSoft Limited In 1901 ( Earth Time ) alien Selenites hives were discovered infesting Federation star systems. Fortunately the Selenit… $0.99 Buy Now Watch Media DetailsIn 1901 ( Earth Time ) alien Selenites hives were discovered infesting Federation star systems. Fortunately the Selenites were almost wiped out within the year by the common cold virus. For centuries they have been intent on revenge for what they claim was a biological attack. They have now launched a full invasion. Your mission is to destroy as many Selenite fighters as you can. Selenites destroy our starbases by first surrounding them on four sides. At that point the starbase is doomed, unless you get there first... Included languages: English, French, Italian, Spanish, Swedish, Portuguese, Hungarian, Russian, Czech, Japanese. Touch controls: Finger on lower left of screen to steer starfighter Finger on lower right of screen to fire photon weapon Use the icon menu to select views, speed, and other options (Quit, etc.) Important: This is a classic retro style arcade space combat simulator - Selenites do not exist and you are not in command of a real starfighter! This is an Indie game inspired by classics such as Star Trek, Elite, Star Raiders, etc.. If you like this game then please rate, review it and don't forget to tell your friends about it! :) Feedback from players: "Fantastic! A+++++" "I am having a blast switching back and forth. You freaken nailed it. The way the fighter and the aiming behaves from the front as opposed to the back. Nailed it! Honestly I say buy it. It's damn fun. I love it. I decided to play this morning and when I looked up again over an hour had passed. I didn't even realize I was playing for that long. " "Full of retro space battle goodness" "Just the name suggests it is a perfect retro arcade game , a great time killer. Easy to learn and play but hard to master. I strongly suggest this game, hope to see more." "Out of this world explosions! Love it!!!" "I have an old phone and even on that this game plays great! Loads of explosions, your photon weapon can also hit enemy photons coming your way - Amazing! Reminds me of classic games such as Elite or Star Raiders." "Why 5 Stars? It's a fun game inspired by games from our childhood. You are all alone in a 2 person fighter and against all the odds you must defend the galaxy and starbases against a horde of enemy fighters intending to destroy everything. The game is actually really well done and was very easy to get into. There are 3 modes of play. Training mode is easy mode. In this mode you basically defend your starbases and engage the enemy fighters. You can choose to turn off your computer and autopilot and have the game become way more challenging. You have to navigate your ship in hyperspace and dodge asteroids as well as manage your shields and energy. You also, while in a sector must engage enemies in front AND back of the ship and the controls react the way they would in a real environment. It's really awesome! It's the best I've spent. Thank you dev for a great time. The dev is also active and is going to add options for the controls in upcoming updates." "This game is so good. The action starts straight away. Loads of explosions and effects. It looks like a cross between Atari Star Raiders and the classic Elite. Everything is super smooth with no slowdown, even with loads going on. Recommended!" Information Seller:SinisterSoft Limited Genre:Action, Arcade Release:Sep 11, 2017 Updated:Oct 24, 2017 Version:1.49 Size:20.0 MB TouchArcade Rating:Unrated User Rating: (1) Your Rating:unrated Compatibility:HD Universal Subscribe to the TouchArcade YouTube channel Attached Files: promo3_1920x720.jpg File size: 164.8 KB Views: 2 2017-09-09_08-26-39.jpg File size: 81.8 KB Views: 3 2017-09-09_08-39-14.jpg File size: 99.4 KB Views: 2 2017-09-09_08-29-09.jpg File size: 115 KB Views: 4 2017-09-09_08-43-58.jpg File size: 116.6 KB Views: 2 hyperspace.jpg File size: 209.9 KB Views: 2 map.jpg File size: 134.6 KB Views: 4 2017-09-09_08-42-16.jpg File size: 100 KB Views: 4 psj3809 Moderator Jan 13, 2011 12,794 588 113 England #2 psj3809, Oct 6, 2017 Just picked it up, nice old skool style shooter. Quite tricky at first but loving the effects/graphics. Good for another name from the 80's to be making iOS games. Look forward to seeing the dev at Play Expo SinisterSoft Member Mar 14, 2014 16 0 0 Coding! Preston, UK http://SinisterSoft.com #3 SinisterSoft, Oct 6, 2017 I'm glad you like it - will see you at the Play Expo! Truncana Well-Known Member Mar 18, 2013 620 90 28 #4 Truncana, Oct 6, 2017 I like it too, but I think that must be a picture of player ship, in the game intro or elsewhere in the game. To enhance the immersion sensation. Or you can post the picture here for us fans of your game... SinisterSoft Member Mar 14, 2014 16 0 0 Coding! Preston, UK http://SinisterSoft.com #5 SinisterSoft, Oct 6, 2017 Ahh - I see what you mean. I haven't done a model for that yet though. Was planning on doing for the first major update when I add 'Damage Control'. If it becomes popular then I'll add trading, etc to make it more depth (like Elite, etc). SinisterSoft Member Mar 14, 2014 16 0 0 Coding! Preston, UK http://SinisterSoft.com #6 SinisterSoft, Oct 6, 2017 I'll post an image here first though, when I've done the model. Truncana Well-Known Member Mar 18, 2013 620 90 28 #7 Truncana, Oct 6, 2017 Great news!!! Overall the elite thing ####### LordShad0wz Well-Known Member Nov 19, 2014 4,286 1 38 #8 LordShad0wz, Oct 7, 2017 Oh I am so playing this. I've always wanted someone to make a game like my favorite game I played as a kid. Hell yeah Dev! I'll be back after I've played for a bit. Billy LordShad0wz Well-Known Member Nov 19, 2014 4,286 1 38 #9 LordShad0wz, Oct 7, 2017 Last edited: Oct 7, 2017 Ok one or two suggestions so far. I got an emergency from starfleet but on the map it doesn't say which starbase is in trouble. There were several that I think had enemy near them but I wasn't sure. Once a base is destroyed can you leave some reckage there and on the map so I can atleast get some revenge? The games difficulty is really tough. I know it's supposed to be but maybe we could have different settings where it's slightly less aggressive? Only slightly. I don't want it too easy even in another mode. I'm really liking this game and I've only played it for a little bit. Definitely buy this one guys and gals. It's absolutely fun!! I like the controls too btw dev. You should put a reverse setting though. I guarantee people will request it. This game is EXACTLY why I love Touch Arcade. I would have never seen this game. It's just awesome! Billy korkidog Well-Known Member Patreon Bronze Apr 12, 2012 153 0 16 Illinois #10 korkidog, Oct 7, 2017 Im getting a bit of a Star Raiders vibe from this game! Very cool! SinisterSoft Member Mar 14, 2014 16 0 0 Coding! Preston, UK http://SinisterSoft.com #11 SinisterSoft, Oct 7, 2017 @LordShad0wz / Billy These are great ideas. The starbase that in trouble is the one that has enemies to the top, bottom, left and right. You are right though I need to make this more obvious. I'll look at making the map more interactive and animated. The mission types are the difficulty with Commander being the most difficult. Maybe you were accidentally playing at a high level? Play in Training or Novice modes to get used to the game then move up to the other levels. At the Play Expo I'll see if people think training is too hard and if it is I'll lower the difficulty for that, it's early days for this game. I have a lot of plans for it in the long term. I'll add a reverse setting in the options, good idea - just up/down reverse though or do you mean left/right too? @korkidog I was influenced by 101 computer games's Super Star Trek, Star Raiders and Elite. This first major version of the game is about Combat so it plays like Star Raiders. My plan is to make incremental updates to tune this part of the game to try make it 'just right', add options, etc... The next major update will be to add proper solar systems so you can destroy enemy planets, this will also mean expanding the map - so what you see in the current game is 'known space'. Unknown space will be generated from a known random number sequence - so everyone who plays will see the same unknown area. At this time I'll try and create a trading system (like Elite) so you could mine asteroids and sell the gold for weapons, etc... Anyone noticed that the score is already in $... that is the bounty from starfleet for every enemy you kill. I'm so please that people like this game so far - it's something I've been wanting to make since I was about 14 - and I'm over 50 now! SinisterSoft Member Mar 14, 2014 16 0 0 Coding! Preston, UK http://SinisterSoft.com #12 SinisterSoft, Oct 7, 2017 I forgot to mention, there is a kinda-hidden mini-sub game in the game with it's own high score system. It's the fastest to kill all the enemies in the first wave. The timer starts when you kill your first enemy and end when you kill the last. You get an achievement if you can do it within 30 seconds. I usually can do it in around the twenties. Here are some different methods: Start to fire the weapon, but don't release - it will grow. Wait until the enemy gets in the cross hairs, a red triangle will appear on it, fire the weapon. It will fire extra 'plasma' and will most likely destroy it in one go. The red triangle means that it's been locked on and the plasma balls being sent out will try follow the enemy. A grey triangle appears if you lock on an enemy and I think I set yellow to a starship. Fly really fast, put it into aft view and start picking the enemy off one by one. This gets more difficult if you are in higher difficulty modes though as the enemy can then fly past you and attack from the front even at top speed. Go really fast so they chase you then slow down to a dead stop - they will all fly past you. Target them all one by one before they attack. Repeat going fast and slow. Another way to get a good 'under 30 seconds' (but I haven't tried it) is to damage a few enemy, but don't destroy them - that way the timer won't have started. Then kill them off quickly as they have less energy. The 'sine-wave' high score table on the front-end is a universal league table - it's shared between all versions of the game (iOS, Android, etc). If you like the game then it would be great if you would let others know about it - a nice review/rating on the app stores would also be nice. So far there have been only 2 reviews/ratings. Truncana Well-Known Member Mar 18, 2013 620 90 28 #13 Truncana, Oct 7, 2017 Great! I cant wait for update!!! And I need to see the player ship design! SinisterSoft Member Mar 14, 2014 16 0 0 Coding! Preston, UK http://SinisterSoft.com #14 SinisterSoft, Oct 7, 2017 @Truncana I'm been thinking about the ship design. It's going to have to have 4 guns at the front and two at the back. It's also a small-ish ship - not a huge thing like something in star trek. Do you think it should be something like a single person ship (buck rogers, battlestar galactica, etc) or something that can hold a small group (firefly, millennium falcon, etc) ? Truncana Well-Known Member Mar 18, 2013 620 90 28 #15 Truncana, Oct 7, 2017 Definitely a one person fighter! LordShad0wz Well-Known Member Nov 19, 2014 4,286 1 38 #16 LordShad0wz, Oct 7, 2017 I second this! I am having a blast switching back and forth. You freaken nailed it. The way the fighterand the aiming behaves from the front as opposed to the back. Nailed it. Billy shfrost Well-Known Member Apr 9, 2010 432 10 18 Artist Wooded area #17 shfrost, Oct 7, 2017 Somebody say Elite?! # Like Elite from my favorite memories? # Just how similar to Elite is this? Good amount of depth, or is it mainly a shooter? --End questionnaire-- LordShad0wz Well-Known Member Nov 19, 2014 4,286 1 38 #18 LordShad0wz, Oct 7, 2017 I never played elite. I can tell you it definitely was inspired by star raiders as well as older games by Atari and then the same game that appeared on the NES. There is depth if you play with the computer off. With the computer on it's just a shooter with basic defensive strategy in protecting your star bases. Also to the dev, yes I would put opposing controls in both sides. People love options. I love it just the way it is. However I know from experience people love to change things. Billy shfrost Well-Known Member Apr 9, 2010 432 10 18 Artist Wooded area #19 shfrost, Oct 7, 2017 Thanks, Billy. I might hold off for a bit. P.S. Your suggestion to the dev is spot on. LordShad0wz Well-Known Member Nov 19, 2014 4,286 1 38 #20 LordShad0wz, Oct 7, 2017 Honestly I say buy it. It's damn fun. I love it. I decided to play thismorning and when I looked up again over an hour had passed. I didn't even realize I was playing for that long. Billy (You must log in or sign up to post here.) Show Ignored Content Page 1 of 2 1 2 Next > Share This Page Tweet Your name or email address: Do you already have an account? No, create an account now. Yes, my password is: Forgot your password? Stay logged in
Just picked it up, nice old skool style shooter. Quite tricky at first but loving the effects/graphics. Good for another name from the 80's to be making iOS games. Look forward to seeing the dev at Play Expo
I like it too, but I think that must be a picture of player ship, in the game intro or elsewhere in the game. To enhance the immersion sensation. Or you can post the picture here for us fans of your game...
Ahh - I see what you mean. I haven't done a model for that yet though. Was planning on doing for the first major update when I add 'Damage Control'. If it becomes popular then I'll add trading, etc to make it more depth (like Elite, etc).
Oh I am so playing this. I've always wanted someone to make a game like my favorite game I played as a kid. Hell yeah Dev! I'll be back after I've played for a bit. Billy
Ok one or two suggestions so far. I got an emergency from starfleet but on the map it doesn't say which starbase is in trouble. There were several that I think had enemy near them but I wasn't sure. Once a base is destroyed can you leave some reckage there and on the map so I can atleast get some revenge? The games difficulty is really tough. I know it's supposed to be but maybe we could have different settings where it's slightly less aggressive? Only slightly. I don't want it too easy even in another mode. I'm really liking this game and I've only played it for a little bit. Definitely buy this one guys and gals. It's absolutely fun!! I like the controls too btw dev. You should put a reverse setting though. I guarantee people will request it. This game is EXACTLY why I love Touch Arcade. I would have never seen this game. It's just awesome! Billy
@LordShad0wz / Billy These are great ideas. The starbase that in trouble is the one that has enemies to the top, bottom, left and right. You are right though I need to make this more obvious. I'll look at making the map more interactive and animated. The mission types are the difficulty with Commander being the most difficult. Maybe you were accidentally playing at a high level? Play in Training or Novice modes to get used to the game then move up to the other levels. At the Play Expo I'll see if people think training is too hard and if it is I'll lower the difficulty for that, it's early days for this game. I have a lot of plans for it in the long term. I'll add a reverse setting in the options, good idea - just up/down reverse though or do you mean left/right too? @korkidog I was influenced by 101 computer games's Super Star Trek, Star Raiders and Elite. This first major version of the game is about Combat so it plays like Star Raiders. My plan is to make incremental updates to tune this part of the game to try make it 'just right', add options, etc... The next major update will be to add proper solar systems so you can destroy enemy planets, this will also mean expanding the map - so what you see in the current game is 'known space'. Unknown space will be generated from a known random number sequence - so everyone who plays will see the same unknown area. At this time I'll try and create a trading system (like Elite) so you could mine asteroids and sell the gold for weapons, etc... Anyone noticed that the score is already in $... that is the bounty from starfleet for every enemy you kill. I'm so please that people like this game so far - it's something I've been wanting to make since I was about 14 - and I'm over 50 now!
I forgot to mention, there is a kinda-hidden mini-sub game in the game with it's own high score system. It's the fastest to kill all the enemies in the first wave. The timer starts when you kill your first enemy and end when you kill the last. You get an achievement if you can do it within 30 seconds. I usually can do it in around the twenties. Here are some different methods: Start to fire the weapon, but don't release - it will grow. Wait until the enemy gets in the cross hairs, a red triangle will appear on it, fire the weapon. It will fire extra 'plasma' and will most likely destroy it in one go. The red triangle means that it's been locked on and the plasma balls being sent out will try follow the enemy. A grey triangle appears if you lock on an enemy and I think I set yellow to a starship. Fly really fast, put it into aft view and start picking the enemy off one by one. This gets more difficult if you are in higher difficulty modes though as the enemy can then fly past you and attack from the front even at top speed. Go really fast so they chase you then slow down to a dead stop - they will all fly past you. Target them all one by one before they attack. Repeat going fast and slow. Another way to get a good 'under 30 seconds' (but I haven't tried it) is to damage a few enemy, but don't destroy them - that way the timer won't have started. Then kill them off quickly as they have less energy. The 'sine-wave' high score table on the front-end is a universal league table - it's shared between all versions of the game (iOS, Android, etc). If you like the game then it would be great if you would let others know about it - a nice review/rating on the app stores would also be nice. So far there have been only 2 reviews/ratings.
@Truncana I'm been thinking about the ship design. It's going to have to have 4 guns at the front and two at the back. It's also a small-ish ship - not a huge thing like something in star trek. Do you think it should be something like a single person ship (buck rogers, battlestar galactica, etc) or something that can hold a small group (firefly, millennium falcon, etc) ?
I second this! I am having a blast switching back and forth. You freaken nailed it. The way the fighterand the aiming behaves from the front as opposed to the back. Nailed it. Billy
Somebody say Elite?! # Like Elite from my favorite memories? # Just how similar to Elite is this? Good amount of depth, or is it mainly a shooter? --End questionnaire--
I never played elite. I can tell you it definitely was inspired by star raiders as well as older games by Atari and then the same game that appeared on the NES. There is depth if you play with the computer off. With the computer on it's just a shooter with basic defensive strategy in protecting your star bases. Also to the dev, yes I would put opposing controls in both sides. People love options. I love it just the way it is. However I know from experience people love to change things. Billy
Honestly I say buy it. It's damn fun. I love it. I decided to play thismorning and when I looked up again over an hour had passed. I didn't even realize I was playing for that long. Billy