Like a sunny Karateka Blade Runner
Lionheart Drive (otherwise known as Lioness) is the next game from Zak Ayles (Sake Express, PUNKSNOTDEAD, Solitaire), with music from Philip Lanzbom. Where many developers grow more conventional as they gain experience, it looks like Zak is making even more of an effort to push the boundaries of game design, comedy, and tone. Lioness‘s rotoscoped, low res sprites stimulate parts of my brain that rarely get tickled these days (outside of repeated plays of Tomena Sanner). It’s no surprise that the game’s already reached it’s Kickstarter goal. Tim Schafer is reportedly one of its backers, which must feel pretty neat for Zak and Philip.
Unlike most Kickstarters, Lioness doesn’t have any stretch goals, though there are still plenty of perks for supporters. Just $7 nets you an additional 9 games, 7 from the eclectic, pug-loving Braingale collective and 2 from Zak and Philip’s Cutthroat EP. They all look excellent, but it’s Catering to Birds, or specifically, this not-safe-for-Destructoid’s-front- page video from Catering to Birds, that inspired me to write this post. I like it more than I like most things.
I’ve got the strong suspicion that these ten games are going to stir up a quite lively conversation when they are released later this year.
