I’m torn.
On the one hand, indie title Interstellar Marines has one of the coolest development structures I’ve yet seen. Leading up to an eventual release of a full game, the team is releasing small, free, playable previews that each focus on a different one of the game’s mechanics. They released “Bullseye,” a shooting gallery game, a couple days ago.
Surprisingly, it’s quite enjoyable as a self-contained game; there are a hell of a lot of levels that you unlock by netting huge scores, and the levels themselves are enjoyably fast-paced (for a game where you shoot at cardboard cutouts, anyway) and well-balanced. The game’s also surprisingly great-looking. If I hadn’t already told you, you might have never guessed that Interstellar Marines was an indie game.
Which, in a grander sense, is my problem with this whole endeavor. The guys at Zero Point Software took the most interesting release structure I’ve ever seen, and spend a tremendous amount of time and effort creating AAA-quality graphics…for yet another game about space marines shooting aliens in the face.
I love the format, I love the attention to detail, but damn. Space marines? Again?
Still, you can preorder the game for $25 and get early access to every subsequent playable preview, along with some other goodies. Do you think it’s worth it? How do you feel about this somewhat unusual release structure?
[Thanks, Astalano.]
Published: Jan 24, 2010 12:00 pm