Custom Map #3635: Creeper Invaders Kill ! Kill !. By: kalek

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This topic is for discussion of map #3635: Creeper Invaders Kill ! Kill !


Author: kalek
Size: 120x80

Desc:
If you were a kid in 1978, you know how to play this one. Remember the wise words of Abraham Lincoln while he was fighting the Vikings in Azincourt (Spain) : "Never believe you are the king of the hill until you are alone on the top of the hill." PS : If you don't have Japanese fonts installed on your computer, you may see strange texts on the screen. This do not affect the game.

[GoodMorning]

A few failed attempts before I guessed that the "bonus" was likely more Aether packs, and put the initial reserves into power and build speed. I should have noticed that the Reactors were cut-price earlier (because you, Kalek, never do anything without using it to smash the player good reason).

The trick at the end is postponable, but I would like to have had the chance to farm up some more Aether. (completionism)

[kalek]

A few failed attempts before I guessed that the "bonus" was likely more Aether packs, and put the initial reserves into power and build speed. I should have noticed that the Reactors were cut-price earlier (because you, Kalek, never do anything without using it to smash the player good reason).

The trick at the end is postponable, but I would like to have had the chance to farm up some more Aether. (completionism)

You give too much clues !!
This is the easiest map of the solar system ; i am sure RrR, baba and mikemech found this one boring and did it with a single hand. In arcade mode they would have spend only 1 penny on this one.  And  Gambit and 44077, 2 cents !  ;)

The end is just a "big" tribute to old school video game, nothing really dangerous if you have survived till then.

As usual, thanks for your comment.

[RrR]

I was amazed when I finished this and found myself at the top of the score sheet. Still more amazed to find that Alter Old only beat me by six seconds (I am sure they could knock several minutes off that were they to play again). Played right, it is easy. Played wrong, it is hard - I found this out for myself.

[kalek]

I was amazed when I finished this and found myself at the top of the score sheet. Still more amazed to find that Alter Old only beat me by six seconds (I am sure they could knock several minutes off that were they to play again). Played right, it is easy. Played wrong, it is hard - I found this out for myself.

Thanks for playing this one and for comment.

It seems you have improved your score of 3 seconds since you post your message... It's excellent ! 8) (my best when I tested  was 12 min   :P)

Beating AlterOld is a real challenge, he always find a way to grab 1/2 second somewhere... i'am sure on an arcade he has time to win the game and take back his coin before the machine takes it  :)

[RrR]

I got the three seconds by dealing with our red-eyed friend faster. I don't know what triggers its appearance (I guessed getting the red ship - but not sure), and whether that could be triggered sooner.

[GoodMorning]

My best guess:

Spoiler

Destruction of all other opposition on the field?

[close]

I'll read the scripts later...

[GoodMorning]

Rough guide, by attempt number: (You'll know what I mean by Spores, though it's graphically different.)

Spoiler

1. Your first attempt likely failed. What if we tried more power?
2. Still not enough power, or some key Beams died. More power, add a Forge. (More power from there.)
3.

Spoiler

a. Hopefully enough power by now.
b. You'll need a few PCs/Mortars eventually, but you should be able to weather the Spore storm.
c. (optional) Build Snipers, just high enough to hit the red ship, giving you the one resource you can use but don't have.
d. Prepare for an onslaught. It won't be much worse than the Spores. Then move more Snipers up, and the storm will be cleared.
e. Just keep shooting.

[close]

[close]

Essentially: possible if you have enough power for your Beams.

This is how I remember beating it, but I hadn't seen a request for a walkthrough until recently, so I may have missed a few details.

[toolforger]

Very nice!
One thing I missed was a second level.

Suggestions for second level:
Just following the original game would be either boring (invaders slower than player can shoot them -> useless wait, then win) or frustrating (invaders faster than player can shoot them -> useless wait, then get killed).
So a little surprise might be in order - say, a message à la "they have changed tactics!" and have them run straight down. Maybe modify the pause screen for that and autopause the game.
For extra surprise, let them descend on the command nodes.

Additional suggestion: Three bosses. That's what arcade games do.
Make the bosses faster but keep the movement pattern - that will actually make it simple because they will run into the snipers much earlier. That's what arcade games did, too: Try to make things harder by speeding them up, just to make it actually easier.
It's also a nice chillout end after the shock of seeing a full complement of invaders coming straight at you.