Sturmwind

Sturmwind
Developer(s) Duranik
Publisher(s) RedSpotGames
Platform(s) Dreamcast
Release date(s) April 24, 2013
Genre(s) Shoot 'em up
Mode(s) Single-player
Multiplayer
Distribution CD-ROM

Sturmwind is a shoot 'em up video game for the Sega Dreamcast console. It was developed by Duranik, and published by RedSpotGames on April 24, 2013 as an independent commercially released game.[1][2][3] The game has received extensive press, major videogame publications in the United States,[4][5] Germany[6][7] and Japan[8] all reported about its announcement. German magazine Chip called Sturmwind's effects "very amazing in relation to the systems' age."[9][10][11]

It is the first original game released for Dreamcast since fall 2009's Rush Rush Rally Racing and IRiDES: Master of Blocks, other more recent releases have all been ports.[12][13]

Features

The game uses a hybrid 2D/3D game engine. The game is basically a 2D horizontally scrolling shoot'em up, but there are also section where the scrolling is vertical.[14] The game has 16 levels which are divided into 7 different worlds, with more than 20 bosses and hundreds of different enemies. Three different levels of difficulty will be available.

The game is region free (works on any MIL-CD compatible Dreamcast) and will support both PAL at 50 Hz and 60 Hz, as well as NTSC and VGA. Apart from the standard joypad, Sturmwind may be played with the arcade stick (both analog and digital), and the controls are configurable. The game also makes use of the VMU and the rumble pack. Also, it is the first commercial game supporting the SD-card adapter. On the SD-card it is possible to save high scores, replays and even the add-ons.

Further features include FMV sequences, CDDA sound, an award trophy system with unlockable content and the ability to place one's highscore on the internet using a code.[15]

Development

Sturmwind has been in development since 1997.[16] The game first surfaced under the name Native an Atari Jaguar CD demo featuring just one playable level. The graphics were regarded as impressive for Jaguar standards, but the demo had no audio.[17] Development was eventually resumed and shifted for Dreamcast.[18]

In December 2010, RedSpotGames stated they would be making releasing news each Sunday of the month on upcoming plans, Sturmwind was the first of these, being revealed on December 5, 2010 on German TV show "neues".[19][20]

On December 19, 2011, RedSpotGames announced that the game had been delayed indefinitely due to the disc pressing plant they had contracted to manufacture the game filing for bankruptcy. A deal has been made with a new pressing plant although the release date had then been set as 'TBA'.[21]

During Redspotgames' official press release on March 14, 2013, it was confirmed that Sturmwind would be released on April 24, 2013.

Reception

Classic Game Room named Sturmwind the 2013 Game of the Year. Classic Game Room praised the game's music, level design, and presentation.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Sturmwind - That Damn Pixel preview". http://thatdamnpixel.wordpress.com/. March 12, 2013. Retrieved April 23, 2013.
  2. ↑ "New Trailer for Dreamcast’s Sturmwind « SEGAbits". Segabits.com. December 23, 2010. Retrieved November 10, 2011.
  3. ↑ "Sega Dreamcast 2D/3D Hybrid shoot em up ‚Sturmwind‘ postponed". Redspotgames.com. February 22, 1999. Retrieved November 10, 2011.
  4. ↑ "On German TV, They've Unveiled A New Dreamcast Game". Kotaku.com. December 6, 2010. Retrieved November 10, 2011.
  5. ↑ computerandvideogames.com Tom Pakinkis (December 6, 2010). "News: New Dreamcast game revealed". ComputerAndVideoGames.com. Retrieved November 10, 2011.
  6. ↑ von Max Wildgruber. "Neues Shoot 'em Up aus Deutschland: Für Dreamcast! – News von IGN". De.ign.com. Retrieved November 10, 2011.
  7. ↑ "Interview über Sturmwind und redspotgames auf on3 südwild (BR-alpha, 07.10.2011)". YouTube. April 16, 2011. Retrieved November 10, 2011.
  8. ↑ "ドイツでドリームキャスト用の新作シューティングゲーム『Sturmwind』が発表 – Game*Spark". Gs.inside-games.jp. Retrieved November 10, 2011.
  9. ↑ "Sturmwind: Bilder und Trailer vom Dreamcast-Game – News – CHIP Online". Chip.de. December 23, 2010. Retrieved November 10, 2011.
  10. ↑ http://marsvg.com/2010/12/23/sturmwind-dreamcast-gets-another-game/
  11. ↑ computerandvideogames.com Tom Pakinkis (December 6, 2010). "News: New Dreamcast game revealed". ComputerAndVideoGames.com. Retrieved November 10, 2011.
  12. ↑ "redspotgames reveal new Dreamcast game on TV « SEGAbits". Segabits.com. December 8, 2010. Retrieved November 10, 2011.
  13. ↑ smasher imp. "smasher imp's Community Blog". Destructoid. Retrieved November 10, 2011.
  14. ↑ "Sturmwind for Dreamcast – Official Trailer (new Dreamcast game in 2011)". YouTube. December 22, 2010. Retrieved November 10, 2011.
  15. ↑ "Sturmwind - That Damn Pixel preview". http://thatdamnpixel.wordpress.com/. March 22, 2013. Retrieved April 23, 2013.
  16. ↑ "DCEmulation • View topic – redspotgames announces STURMWIND for Dreamcast". Dcemulation.org. Retrieved November 10, 2011.
  17. ↑ "Native – Jaguar CD". illusionware.it. Retrieved November 10, 2011.
  18. ↑ "Retro Gamer forum • View topic – Another New DC Shmup – Sturmwind". Retrogamer.net. Retrieved November 10, 2011.
  19. ↑ "Independent Videogame Publisher for Sega Dreamcast, Xbox LIVE Indie Games and Nintendo WiiWare". redspotgames. Retrieved November 10, 2011.
  20. ↑ "Kanaal van redspotgames". YouTube. Retrieved November 10, 2011.
  21. ↑ "Production complications: Sturmwind is about to be delayed". redspotgames. Retrieved December 19, 2011.

External links