A one-man Earth Defense Force
Last month, we got a tease from an upcoming indie action title that will put players in the role of a superhero during an alien invasion. The trailer certainly inspired a lot of interest, as it was more somber and earnest, not loud and over the top like other superhero games we’ve seen.
Watching the footage, I got the impression Megaton Rainfall was a mix between Superman and Earth Defense Force, which sounds like it would make for an exciting title. Thankfully, we didn’t have to wait too long to play, as the sole developer Alfonso Del Cerro was excited to get the game in player’s hands at GDC 2015’s Indie Megabooth.
Dubbed a “first-person superhero game” by its creator, Megaton Rainfall feels like a unique blend of genres.
I’s up to you as the Earth’s sole superhero to defend cities against an alien invasion. As the mothership sends out waves of flying drones and attack ships, you’ll have to take advantage of enemy weak points to inflict massive damage, all while keeping the cities protected. Though the hero is invincible, civilization is not. The health bar of the city is displayed, showing current damage levels done by the aliens and any collateral damage done by the player. If the bar is depleted, the city is leveled and the invaders succeed.
One thing that was very apparent was the sense of scale. Right from the beginning, our hero is floating above the Earth’s atmosphere, where he can pinpoint danger from around the world. Once he’s needed, he rushes down to the planet’s surface, a la Superman, and faces the invading forces head-on. Keep in mind, this was all seamless and featured no load times whatsoever. As you race towards the planet’s surface, the terrain begins to magnify and the detail of the land comes into focus. It was immensely satisfying being able to move so freely and quickly, and players will be able to explore the Earth in their own way.
Moreover, Alfonso Del Cerro even plans to have players move to different planets and satellites across the universe. In some cases, you’ll have to confront the alien forces in space or on the Moon and Mars. It’s a real wonder how one person was able to develop such a grand game on his own, but Cerro cites procedural content as one of the big ways to make up for the lack of manpower.
I do realize that the word ambitious is thrown around a lot, and it’s often used lightly. With that said, I really found the sense of scale very impressive. Moreover, Megaton Rainfall‘s approach to superhero action, where you’re more protector than warrior, is refreshing.
Hopefully we can learn more about this unique superhero game soon. I’d love to see more of what this universe holds.
