hordeGBC

WHAT IS THIS?

This is a demo of a work-in-progress action-puzzle game programmed in C using GBDK (GBDK-2020). I decided to learn C and create this game after placing a preorder for the Mod Retro Chromatic (Mod Retro Chromatic).  The ROM file to play on Game Boy/Emulator is provided below.

HOW TO PLAY

The goal of the demo is to defeat the boss across 5 stages of increasing difficulty. The boss is defeated by reducing its health to zero. If tiles go beyond the top of the screen or your health reaches zero, it is game over.

• Move the cursor (a sword icon) using the D-Pad to select tiles.
• Match three or more monster tiles of the same type horizontally or vertically to increase your Mana and destroy those tiles.
• Swap tiles left or right by holding the A Button and pressing Left or Right on the D-Pad.
• Obliterate: Press Select + A Button and spend 50 Mana to destroy all instances of a selected tile.
• Attack monsters directly with the B Button to increase your Power and destroy the monster, but be careful—they will counter-attack, reducing your health.
• Cleave: Press Select + B Button and spend 20 Power to destroy all tiles on the selected row.
• Charge: Press Select + Up.  Spawns a new row of enemies/tiles, generating Mana and Power in the process.
• Attack tiles: Attacking or matching these will damage the boss and generate Power. Matching them deals bonus damage to the boss.
• Potion tiles: Attacking or matching these will restore health. Matching them also increases your max health.
• Bomb tiles: Attacking a bomb destroys all tiles on the same row and column as the bomb. Matching bombs destroys all tiles on the entire board.
• Pause the game by pressing Start. Press any button after a game over to restart.

KEYBOARD CONTROLS FOR WEB VERSION

• D-Pad - Arrow Keys
• Start - Enter
• Select - Shift
• B Button - ALT
• A Button - CTRL

IN PROGRESS

I am currently at the 32KB limit for Game Boy games. Adding new features will require implementing memory management (called bank switching). Once that is done, I plan to implement the following features:

• Multiple character classes with different abilities and play styles.
• Variable difficulty settings.
• An overworld map.
• New bosses with unique mechanics.
• Game over and ending screens.
• Additional music and sound effects.
• Earning gold from defeating bosses to spend on items to upgrade your character.

FEEDBACK

If you encounter any bugs or have any feedback, please leave a comment.