Hey guys, this will be my first video contribution to GOL; let me know what you think. Today I'm playing LUFTRAUSERS (yes, all caps) and taking on an army all by my lonesome and having a lot of fun doing it!
LUFTRUASERS is a 2D arcade shooter from Vlambeer, who previously haven't put out any Linux games. The setting appears to be an alternate WWII setting where you appear to be a lone German fighter-pilot up against a naval army. And I say alternate because your plane's equipment would've left the Red Baron jealous.
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At first glance you might think this game is a dogfighting game similar Altitude, especially with it's unlockable weapons and parts. However the way your rig handles, the combo meter, and and the numerous enemies leaves more of an arcade taste in my mouth. Your plane can accelerate instantly, turn on a dime, and take a dip in the ocean and shoot right back out. It really felt more like dancing around the sky than flying, and I quite enjoyed it!
There are numerous parts to unlock: weapons, bodies, and engines. Whether it's a bullet based engine, a nuclear body, or a laser gun, the combination you choose will affect your play style. The website boasts more than 100 unique combinations and I believe them! And I love that each configuration has a unique name like "The batman" or "the sinker".
I do have some criticism. A couple of the weapons could be better balanced, the homing missiles especially seem very weak. The challenges in the normal mode could've been better spaced out. And the difficulty gap from normal to the unlockable SFMT mode is insane. And the other unlockable "modes" are just color palette swaps, which is a little disappointing.
However, zooming across a sky littered with bullets, blowing away fighters with glee as the music and explosions fuels my catharsis, that feeling of being the Red Baron on steroids: that's what makes LUFTRAUSERS worth the purchase to me. However I would definitely check out the flash prototype before purchase.
LUFTRAUSERS is available via Steam and the Humble Store.
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