Good day!
I am a solo dev and this is my contribution to the worms-like genre. Core gameplay is intentionally preserved - turn based tactical artillery shooter with destructible terrain. And what do we do differently?
- Each unit is a unique individual, with its own strengths and weaknesses, special behaviors and interactions with other units, both in gameplay and lore (there's an ongoing story to accompany gameplay). We have flying units that can never receive fall damage. We have vehicle units that cannot jump but are harder to be knocked, while also having the ability to execute low health units by driving over them. We have units that provide free grenade type weapon ammo to themselves and nearby allies. There are 12-36 unique interactions (1-3 per unit, 12 units total) to learn and master :)
- As match progresses, units level up, unlocking new, more powerful weapons/tools/modifiers/traits and gaining base hp/damage/resistance increase. Players will want to pilot stronger units aggressively to continue gaining levels, and likewise use weaker/less valuable units to play defensively. Character "Samson Hammer" has a unique trait where his hammer hits will make enemy unit (preferably, valuable one) be ineligible to take its next turn. Planning ahead which character should do which action is part of the strategic element, and while all units start on the equal playing field, new favorites can and will emerge every few turns.
- Many weapons have a kickback, we can build bridges, ladders, wormholes, or launch ourselves with a giant slingshot. If a unit is anticipating a knock into water (deadly!) in the near future, he can pre-emptively equip "Raft" modifier, that will automatically activate and rescue the falling unit onto a raft. Units can use "Hug" on the enemy to dislodge them from hard to reach spot, or likewise reposition an ally from a vulnerable position. Units can heal other units with a Medkit, buff allies (or enemies, nobody's judging) with "Power Milk" - extra damage for next turn. "Sticky Throwable" modifier helps land tricky shots that would otherwise bounce off terrain.
For a full list of features that are already implemented or being worked on, or just to try out the demo, check out our page: https://store.steampowered.com/app/4542390/Simon_and_Friends/
Itch.io page remains periodically updated too - https://captain-iceblock.itch.io/simon-and-friends
Thanks!
