Aqua Ippan (2023 Demo)
A downloadable game for Windows
This is only a demo for a work-in-progress game and is not representative of the final product! So that means the gameplay, graphics and sound design are not final and are all subject to potential changes later on.
After retrieving an artifact buried at the bottom of a lake, student divers Itou and Yena find themselves being hunted by a local armed group called 'Vigilanti' looking to steal their treasure. Now the pair must escape the region and bring their artifact back to their school!
Heavily inspired by the Metal Slug arcade series, Aqua Ippan is a ‘Shoot’em Up’/platformer game currently in development that can be played by one or two player(s). Despite being a modern game, it feels and plays like a true arcade classic and pays homage to the 1995 prototype build of Metal Slug: SV-001 by reinventing ideas that were scrapped during its development.
While they are underarmed, these divers make up for it with their flexibility and speed! They're capable of quickly shooting their spearguns at multiple different angles.
They can also rescue some kids part of the local 'Spray Gang' that got caught vandalising the place, which in return can help the divers by closely following them and attacking anyone trying to sneak up on their saviors!
To help even the playfield, the duo can come across and collect these helpful items during their escape:
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This carbonated drink packs quite the punch! One sip of this will give the players an extra life, helping them keep their stack of allies longer. |
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These sturdy oxygen tanks can be used as throwable weapons. If one of these hits an enemy, its valve will break off and the pressure will make the tank fly towards the next closest enemy! |
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These bricks are thrown faster and are more plentiful than the oxytanks, but they break on impact and can't bounce on the floor. So be sure to throw them precisely! |
Want to see more content about this game? Be sure to check out the website!
Aqua Ippan Website
If you want to submit a bug report, please contact me at the following address:
avamakdev@gmail.com
Do you have any question regarding this project? Be sure to check out the QnA page to see if your questions have already been answered!
Aqua Ippan QnA
Want to donate to help the project? Feel free to go to my Ko-fi page to leave a donation!
Division 六's Ko-fi Page
| Art/Programming: | Division 六 |
Youtube DeviantArt Newgrounds |
| Soundtrack: | Hakurou |
Twitter Soundcloud |
| Programming Help: | Soldier Rebel |
Youtube |
| Item Design: | YinyangGio | |
| Special Thanks: | The Huntress | The Spriters Resource |
| Lt-Abdelhak | Newgrounds | |
| Legafe |
Download
Click download now to get access to the following files:
Development log
- Version 0.2.431 days ago
- Version 0.2.3Dec 17, 2023
- Version 0.2.2Dec 08, 2023
- Version 0.2.1Nov 12, 2023
- Happy Halloween!Oct 31, 2023
- Aqua Ippan QnAAug 04, 2023
- Version 0.2.0Aug 04, 2023
Comments
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Nice game! I am also trying to make a game like this :)
Shoot shoot shoot.o(＊＾▽＾＊)o♪😉😉😉
It is Nice What Engine Did You Use To Make It
Thanks! I used GameMaker Studio 2 👍
fantastic work!!!
Thanks for the compliment!
here's our coverage of this game - looking forward to its full version!
https://overage-gaming.com/2023/06/09/aqua-ippan-demo-lets-play/
The game closed with the following error:
ERROR in
action number 1
of Step Event0
for object obj_p1_oxytank:
local variable ceil_above(100754) not set before reading it.
at gml_Script_ent_nearest
gml_Script_ent_nearest (line -1)
gml_Object_obj_p1_oxytank_Step_0
This was in the second phase of the fight against TA Mappello throwing pumpkins
But I loved the project, Metal Slug was part of my childhood
Thank you very much for the detailed bug report! Thanks to it, I've been able to identify the problem and I'll be releasing a patch for the demo later today
Also thanks for playing the demo and liking it, despite the unfortunate bug 😅
Love the Halloween update and I also love how you've given the enemies so much personality. Keep it up.
Thanks for liking the update and for your support!
Thanks!
很好的游戏，我最喜欢的游戏就是合金弹头，我喜欢它的风格和音乐
Thanks for liking the game so far!
I hope to see a native Linux version of this game, with an Appimage binary for ease-of-use and cross-distribution compatibility!.
I don't have any plans to port the game to Linux at the moment, but we'll see in the future!
Combine the aspect ratios in the next update. PLEASE…
This is something I'll be sure to look into later on 👍
Didn't finished the Stress Level 8 (Yea, a skill issue, gonna try to play to play on lower diff first...), but man, this game capture that Metal Slug vibes!
Glad you like the familiar MS vibes of the game! And thanks for playing it out, even if you didn't finish it haha
increible demo! 😊👍
Thanks for playing it!
mf this is metal snail
This is a really good game. I love the art style and the sound is just out of this world right along with the animations. This is a really good game. Cant wait for the full release.
one question when will the multi -2 player co-op mode be added in future updates?
And how many stages and levels will you add in the game?
Co-op is already included in the demo! The player 2 controls are shown in the game's boot up screen, and by default the 2nd player can insert credits with 'N' and enter the game with '2'
About the amount of stages, the goal is to make 6 of them, but it's possible that it might change in the future
I see, well its just I havent seen a single youtube video that shows a co-op two player mode where Itou and Yena both appear in the demo similar to the co-op 2 player mode in metal slug where its 2 players in a single game.
I think there is one or two gameplay videos in co-op mode on Youtube, but yeah I can understand why there's not more of them considering this is local co-op
Still you can check out the demo trailer to see the co-op in action if you want 👍
Yeah, I do see the co-cop two player mode in the demo trailer though I wish someone could have submit more co-op two player mode videos on youtube, if you find some gameplay videos involving co-op mode, show us the youtube links
There is this one, and I think I might've seen another one floating on the net (maybe on Bilibili):
You're just a sexist scumbag, this all. :)
304x224@60HZ on a CRT
In Linux using Wine Proton with switchres
Wow, looks very nice on your CRT!
I also had a CRT to debug the game, but it didn't look as pristine as yours haha
Bang Olufsen MX8000
PC, Radeon R9 380 -> CRT using DVI-I to Scart with good quality shielded cables and tweaked geometry.
Aah I see, yeah I opted to use an HDMI to AV/RCA to display the game, though I might try to use a DVI-I to Scart one day
It's all well done really but what are the differences with the Metal Slug IP as it seems awfully familiar in artistic direction AND gameplay...
As a huge fan of MS: SV-001 and its prototype, I just wanted to make a game reminiscent of the series while also bringing in some different features, like the ally system, precision-based combo, etc.
I'm in no way trying to one-up what Nazca/SNK did with the MS series, really it's more of a passion project that I hope fellow fans can also enjoy
Though it's also just the demo, the rest of the game is being thoroughly designed to more and more branch out from the usual Metal Slug format and introduce more original features 👍
Cool! Thanks for the heads up! :)
You're welcome!
Finally tried it, very cool! Level a bit easier than regular MS which is nice, but the boss destroyed me (and my continues ahah).
Watch out for quality of life, it's hard to wrap around your head around the controls and it's only displayed on launch, also there is no apparent way to quit the game except by killing the process.
But the game plays well!
Thanks for playing it out!
Glad you enjoyed it so far and I appreciate the feedback about the unorthodox controls, this is definitely something that I'll try to improve and better explain in future updates
As for the quitting the game, there is an actual Exit to Windows option but you need to be on the main title screens to access it, though this is something that could be added to all pause menus in later updates too
Cheers for the feedback again!
This is a demo I'd like to see as a finished game. The Metal Slug vibe comes across very well and that's a good thing.
Trying to figure out to force steam deck to play this game. it's ok. i'm just happy i'm able contribute just a little bit towards art.
The game is incredible, visually very well done. I wish there was a version for other home console platforms, 16 and 32 bits. PC gaming doesn't appeal to me. If you think about porting to consoles, I will be happy to help a little financially.
Thanks for the kind words!
I'd love to be able to retro port the game to NEO-GEO, but it is a very expensive and technically difficult process
Still, we'll see how the future of the project will go 👍
I feel the same way about wanting to play games on a console versus a PC. My answer was to setup a mini PC to be used with controllers and output only to my TV. It's not a perfect solution but, it is working for me.
I also see a LOT of potential in this game.
Feel also the same way. My answer was a getting a Steam Deck (allowed me to play all these retro games (and others lowbits, like the rpg maker scene) finally in a comfy and a 'right' way !
Me encanta!!!!!!! OwO
와우!
Amazing game! Everything from the smooth animations to the great and catchy music is spot on! It succeeds at replicating the old Metal Slug game feel, without being a total rip off, of course; Although it has many resemblances to Metal slug, it still its own thing.
Thanks a lot for liking the game so far! And thanks for thinking it's still its own thing, either way I'll be sure to continue improving several aspects of the game to reinforce that it's meant to be a different yet inspired project 👍
Something about character dying by jumping forward feels off. I would love to see more deaths animations from both sides of enemy and main character + new guns and enemies. I will definetly buy the game when it comes out.
Seriously no blood ? Are you kidding me ? Why you make such beautiful game without blood ?
As of update 0.2.0, soft gore has been added to the game and can be toggled on or off in the options 👍
Yea that would be cool too see lots of blood and characters exploding and in flames as in Metal Slug.
Haven't played yet, but this art omg is so beautiful!!! AHhh!
Thanks for saying so!
This pixel art is absolutely gorgeous, I'm in love
Thank you!
metal slug yippee!
This is so nice, it honestly feels as if you're playing an actual Metal Slug game. Can't wait for it's release. So sick!
Thanks for liking the demo so far! And I'm glad you're looking forward to the rest!
Itch.io noob here, how did you get the fancy borders around the gameplay gifs? Photoshop, or is there some secret gif editor that I don't know about?
Btw, pixel art looks *amazing*
Thanks for liking the pixel art!
The borders of the gifs were manually put inside of them with Photoshop, so yeah the whole borders + animations are just single gifs 👍
I like this game but there are some things I want to tell.
Well first score system is not obvious for somebody new. Maybe Metal Slug had similar but I was surprised when while playing 2 time I saved more kids and get lower score. On my firs run I didn't save any because I was struggling with boss. On second run I had saved 6 of them and still got lower in top players. Apparently there is combo based system. It is a small thing but I think you should be open what is giving more score.
Second one is that when teaching control game is like you can do this this and this. Go. No tutorial or even try to do it yourself. I guess it is for imitating arcade games but arcade controls are displayed while showing movements to player that will play it on keyboard or game-pad.
Third one is that you need to press coin button. Again I guess is for imitating arcades but I don't understand why do it on PC.
This is 3 things I think could be better or worse, but overall I would buy this game today if there was a full version and if it was priced adequately.
Control is not complicated so you can pick it on the fly, score system you can learn by observing what the game is doing and pressing the coin button is not a serious issue if you played any arcade games on MAME.
Thanks for addressing some issues you had with the game!
The scoring system itself is fairly straightforward, though it's mainly the combo system that is responsible for giving you bonus extra points if you're precise with your shots or not. Still, this system is indeed not very well explained nor motivates the players to use it, so I'll be sure to put more in-game focus on this scoring mechanic!
I agree that the controls, as they are right now, are not very well explained, and that was mainly due to the 2 player coop having both their own keymapping. Still, I'll try and find a better and clearer way to instruct the controls in a future update!
The credit input is more or less a way for players to give themselves a challenge by choosing how many credits they'd want to play with, and it was also a way to strengthen the 'arcade game played on emulator' vibe (like the Neo Radium screens, taking inspirations from emulators like Kawaks, Nebula, MAMe, etc.). So for the moment there are no plans to change this aspect of the game.
Still, I really appreciate your in-depth review of these apects! Either way, more changes will come in the future to make the game more and more accessible for players while also staying true to the arcade/emulator feel of it 👍
Me and my friend played all the Metal Slug Arcade games together; beat them and everything, So seeing this just really reminds me of those times. Solid game, I cannot wait to see the full thing finished.
Thanks for liking the game so far!
This game is a lot of fun!!! The controls feel really tight and responsive, and the gameplay itself is great. The UI and graphics are so well made it really feels like I'm in an arcade.
Thanks! I'm really glad you appreciated the gameplay and arcade feel of it 👍
Dude all I gotta say is, you are a massive gigachad for making this, I haven't played a Metal Slug game since I was a kid and I loved the hell out of that series when I was younger, gameplay is smooth (although grenades feel a bit clunky and don't *feel* strong), gunplay could have that little turn that Metal Slug did when aiming upwards to shoot at 45degrees for a shot or two instead of instantly snapping but all in all, this brings back so much nostalgia I can't even explain it.
Thanks a lot for the kind comments!
Some aspects like the oxytanks are going to be reworked to feel and work way better than they did before, and it's possible that the core gameplay is also going to be tweaked to be more fun and unique in the future
Still, I appreciate that you liked the demo so much and I hope you'll look forward to future updates!
This definitely scratched my itch for metal slug, Such a great game and I cant wait for the full release
Thanks for playing the demo!
加油 很好玩
I cant get past the insert credit part... I can open the menu and navigate it, but I cant select anything.
I suggest restarting the game and to look closely at the controls listed in the boot up screen,so that you know which keys to press to navigate and play the game as well as to change the keymapping in the options menu to your liking
Thanks