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New Game For Dreamcast: DUX
nintendoll | 11:26 AM on 07.29.2008 19 comments




Who says the Dreamcast is dead? Not some independent developers, apparently. Out in Germany they're still making games for the system.

The developer/publisher is HUCAST.net & KonTechs Ltd. which is comprised of René Hellwig (Graphic and Game Design), Martin Konrad (Coding), and Andre Neumann (Music). Rene Hellwig is also a part of the independent developers NG:DEV.TEAM, who last year released a Dreamcast/NeoGeo shoot 'em up title called Last Hope. This title was received with mixed reviews apparently (the Dreamcast version apparently had some issues with enemy bullets blending in to the background). Whatever might be said about the game play, the official site has a sample of the soundtrack playing and it sounds pretty awesome.

Let's get back to DUX. DUX is a 2D, horizontal shmup. It has six levels, each with its own unique boss. The developers claim that while the game is not hard, it is the type of shmup where you need to memorize some of the enemies movements (please, don't be like Ikaruga!).

With brightly colored, almost cartoony levels, I really only have on question: What exactly does DUX offer that other shmups before it don't have (besides being a new release for a "dead" system)?

Well, it has an interesting take on the laser power-ups. Let's take a look at the three that are offered:


The Hyperbeam

This is a pretty typical shmup power-up: an extra-strong energy burst that takes a bit of extra time to load but can be very helpful on boss battles.


Bouncing Laser

This is where it starts to get a bit interesting. This laser beam isn't really any stronger than your normal energy blasts, but can bounce off of walls at 45 degree angles several times. This is a good strategy to use when your screen is flooded with enemies both in front of you an behind you. This isn't very effective against bosses though.



The X-Ray

The X-ray might just look like a wide-shooting beam, but there's another element. This beam also can bounce off of objects (although less so than the Bouncing Beam). This is considered by the developers to be the most powerful (and hard to find) power up in the game.

The screenshots in this game look pretty, and the videos don't do justice to the game's graphics. The bits of the soundtrack offered on the developer's blog sound excellent. The clip is a medley, so it gives you a sample of bits of music from different parts of the game. Again while the graphics look a bit more cartoonish than you would see in a normal shmup, it has a distinct style to it and looks polished.





Well, let's take a look at one of the stages:



It's still in development so there are no sound effects (at least, I hope that's the reason for the missing PEW PEW noises). It's also a little hard to tell from the video, but the level is actually inside a cave.

For more information, videos, music, and screenshots, check out the developer's blog. They have enemy and boss lists, as well as a lot of other information about the game (thought the English is a bit broken).

My initial impression of this game is that while it's not going to be anything spectacular, I salute the effort of the independent developers in bringing us new games for a deserving system such as Dreamcast. It would be interesting if Destructoid could contact the team and maybe get a copy to play and review. What do you guys think?



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18 comments | showing # 1 to 18
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galagabug 's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/29/2008 12:12
galagabug
so they stole the weapons upgrades from r-type?

ehh. i want to say something good about it, b/c its an idie dreamcast shmup, but ummm. i got nothing.
ParaParaKing's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/29/2008 12:15
ParaParaKing
On the one hand i respect them for still supporting the Dreamcast, but on the other hand they should rather put it on XBLA, Steam or PSN so that more people can play it.

Personally I don't like the art style of this game. Those ships are way too big.
Shin Oni's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/29/2008 12:19
Shin Oni
the pics of the game make me think of foam versions of this game IRL.

I love how people still support the DC myself. Just cause you know...that white square had AIDS way too soon. *eyes PS2*
VampireChrist's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/29/2008 12:32
VampireChrist
it looks like a cute girly r-type!
nothin wrong with that

yay dreamcast
Coonskin05's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/29/2008 12:43
Coonskin05
DUX?

That's quacktastic.
Dead Movie Star's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/29/2008 12:49
Dead Movie Star
o_O

WANT
MATTFOO's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/29/2008 12:49
MATTFOO
The sprites look kind of big but it looks like a decent side scrolling shmup. Iv always loved the bouncing lasers...
but def. try to get ahold of the developer if your interested in it. I got ahold of the dev team of +cebo and they were really cool and sent me all kinds of media assets and demos. If u get a copy hit me up I wanna try it out
king3vbo's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/29/2008 13:05
king3vbo
Looks kind of cool, if its reasonably priced I would buy a copy, just for something new for my beloved Dreamcast
Guagloves's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/29/2008 13:24
Guagloves
Sweeet. I would buy this.
braulio09's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/29/2008 13:49
braulio09
DUX?

That's quacktastic.
Elitechief27's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/29/2008 13:59
Elitechief27
This sounds promising. I'll definately be keeping an eye on this one. Also, cod4 was fun last night, but tonight's is going to be even more amazing. TAAAAAAAAKE ONNNNNNN MEEEEEE.
Justice's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/29/2008 15:21
Justice
Looks pretty sweet!
pendelton21's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/29/2008 16:31
pendelton21
Wheee!!!
Rifter01's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/29/2008 17:51
Rifter01
Yay another cute 'em up!

Viva la Dreamcast!!!
Tino's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/29/2008 23:03
Tino
Ide totally play it.


Yeah thats about all I have to contribute to this.
Lightthrower's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/30/2008 10:09
Lightthrower
Woot thanks for the heads up! There's also a new trailer about Thunderforce VI on the PS2 that came out yesterday, check it out.
n3rv3's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/01/2008 02:20
n3rv3
looks cool but I don't like shoot'em ups that go from right to left. I prefer ones that move vertically like galaga and 1942.
Though I think this game would be sweet on xbla or psn.
Natali Alinskaya's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/23/2011 04:18
Natali Alinskaya
Hello friends,this is a nice site and I wanted to post a note to let you know, good job! Thanks
Best regards, Natali, CEO of all music and
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