UFO 50 is a video game collection developed and published by Mossmouth for Windows on September 18, 2024. It features 50 unique games of varying genres and length.[1]
| UFO 50 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Mossmouth, LLC |
| Publisher(s) |
|
| Designer(s) |
|
| Composer(s) | Eirik Suhrke |
| Engine | GameMaker Studio |
| Platform(s) | |
| Release | September 18, 2024 |
| Genre(s) | Various |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
Gameplay
editUFO 50 is presented as a compilation of games developed by the fictional company UFO Soft for their LX video game console between 1982 and 1989.[2] Half of the games feature a two-player mode, either versus or co-op. All 50 games are playable from the start.[3][4][5]
The games belong to genres including shoot 'em up, platformer, and role-playing, each with a twist. The games vary in length and scope, with some being described as "shorter, arcade-style experiences", while others "have narratives and expansive worlds to explore", with one estimated to take upwards of 60 hours to complete fully.[6][7][8][9]
The order in which the games are presented is intended to show the history of UFO Soft's development slate, with some games having sequels and others featuring cameos from previously released games.[3][4][5][10] Each game also features short development notes informing their fictional creation.[2]
List of games in UFO 50
edit| # | Name | Genre | Versus | Co-op | Fictional year of release |
Developed by |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Barbuta | Adventure/Platformer | — | — | 1982 | Eirik Suhrke |
| 2 | Bug Hunter | Puzzle/Strategy |  |
— | 1983 | ? |
| 3 | Ninpek | Arcade/Platformer | — | |
1983 | ? |
| 4 | Paint Chase | Arcade | |
— | 1983 | ? |
| 5 | Magic Garden | Arcade | — | — | 1984 | Derek Yu, Jon Perry, Tyriq Plummer |
| 6 | Mortol | Platformer | — | |
1984 | Jon Perry, Paul Hubans |
| 7 | Velgress | Arcade/Platformer | — | — | 1984 | ? |
| 8 | Planet Zoldath | Adventure | — | — | 1984 | ? |
| 9 | Attactics | Arcade/Strategy | |
— | 1984 | Jon Perry, Derek Yu |
| 10 | Devilition | Puzzle/Strategy | — | — | 1984 | Derek Yu, Jon Perry |
| 11 | Kick Club | Arcade | — | |
1984 | Derek Yu |
| 12 | Avianos | Strategy | |
— | 1985 | Jon Perry |
| 13 | Mooncat | Platformer | — | |
1985 | Eirik Suhrke |
| 14 | Bushido Ball | Sports | |
|
1985 | ? |
| 15 | Block Koala | Puzzle | — | — | 1985 | ? |
| 16 | Camouflage | Puzzle | — | — | 1985 | ? |
| 17 | Campanella | Arcade | — | — | 1985 | Eirik Suhrke, Ojiro Fumoto |
| 18 | Golfaria | Adventure | — | — | 1985 | Derek Yu, Tyriq Plummer, Paul Hubans |
| 19 | The Big Bell Race | Sports | — | |
1985 | ? |
| 20 | Warptank | Adventure/Puzzle | — | — | 1985 | Eirik Suhrke |
| 21 | Waldorf's Journey | Arcade/Platformer | |
— | 1986 | ? |
| 22 | Porgy | Metroidvania | — | — | 1986 | ? |
| 23 | Onion Delivery | Arcade/Racing | — | — | 1986 | ? |
| 24 | Caramel Caramel | Arcade/Shooter | — | |
1986 | ? |
| 25 | Party House | Strategy | |
— | 1986 | Jon Perry |
| 26 | Hot Foot | Sports | |
|
1986 | Jon Perry |
| 27 | Divers | Adventure/RPG | — | — | 1986 | ? |
| 28 | Rail Heist | Platformer | |
— | 1987 | Jon Perry[11] |
| 29 | Vainger | Metroidvania | — | — | 1987 | ? |
| 30 | Rock On! Island | Strategy | — | — | 1987 | ? |
| 31 | Pingolf | Sports | |
— | 1987 | Eirik Suhrke, Ojiro Fumoto |
| 32 | Mortol 2: The Confederacy of Nilpis | Adventure/Platformer | — | |
1987 | Derek Yu |
| 33 | Fist Hell | Arcade | — | |
1987 | ? |
| 34 | Overbold | Arcade/Shooter | |
— | 1987 | Jon Perry |
| 35 | Campanella 2 | Adventure | — | — | 1987 | Eirik Suhrke |
| 36 | Hyper Contender | Sports | |
— | 1988 | ? |
| 37 | Valbrace | Adventure | — | — | 1988 | Tyriq Plummer, Derek Yu, Paul Hubans |
| 38 | Rakshasa | Platformer | — | — | 1988 | ? |
| 39 | Star Waspir | Arcade/Shooter | — | — | 1988 | ? |
| 40 | Grimstone | RPG | — | — | 1988 | Derek Yu, Paul Hubans |
| 41 | Lords of Diskonia | Strategy | |
— | 1988 | ? |
| 42 | Night Manor | Adventure | — | — | 1988 | Paul Hubans |
| 43 | Elfazar's Hat | Arcade/Shooter | — | |
1988 | Eirik Suhrke |
| 44 | Pilot Quest | Adventure/Idle | — | — | 1988 | ? |
| 45 | Mini & Max | Adventure/Platformer | — | — | 1989 | Jon Perry, Paul Hubans |
| 46 | Combatants | Real-Time Strategy | |
— | 1989 | ? |
| 47 | Quibble Race | Strategy | |
— | 1989 | ? |
| 48 | Seaside Drive | Arcade/Shooter | — | |
1989 | Ojiro Fumoto |
| 49 | Campanella 3 | Platformer/Shooter | — | — | 1989 | Eirik Suhrke |
| 50 | Cyber Owls | Platformer | — | — | 1989 | ? |
Development
editUFO 50 was developed in GameMaker, and the long development timeline required the team to recode older parts of the game, with Yu describing some of the code as "prehistoric".[12] The development team consists of Derek Yu, Eirik Suhrke, Jon Perry, Paul Hubans, Ojiro Fumoto and Tyriq Plummer, who have worked on Spelunky, Downwell, Time Barons, Madhouse and Catacomb Kids.[12] The project originated after Derek Yu and Jon Perry decided to reunite to make smaller games as they did earlier in their careers; the idea to create a collection of games came from Yu's belief that these smaller games would not do well as standalone releases in the current marketplace.[2]
UFO 50 was announced in 2017, with an expected launch date of 2018. However, development eventually took six more years, its release date ultimately being set for September 18, 2024.[13] The delay was due in part to the team underestimating how long it would take to make 50 games, as well as the simultaneous development of Spelunky 2.[14] Its eight-year development time coincidentally ended up matching the time frame spanning the games' fictional release dates (1982–1989).[15]
All games in the collection impose restrictions which could be found in games released during the era, such as using only 32 colors across each game. Slowdown and sprite flickering were not included, as Yu believed that it would hinder the experience.[5]
Marketing and release
editUFO 50 was revealed in 2017 on the Mossmouth YouTube channel, and was slated to be released the following year.[14] An early version of UFO 50 was showcased during 2017's Pax West game convention,[16] as well as the following year's Pax West.[17] It was one of the games featured at Summer Game Fest's Day of the Devs livestream, where its final release date was announced to be September 18, 2024.[18]
Reception
editThis section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (October 2024) |
| Aggregator | Score |
|---|---|
| Metacritic | 91/100[19] |
| OpenCritic | 100%[20] |
| Publication | Score |
|---|---|
| Digital Trends | 4.5/5[21] |
| Eurogamer | 5/5[22] |
| GameSpot | 9/10[23] |
| PC Gamer (US) | 83/100[24] |
According to the review aggregator website Metacritic, UFO 50 received "universal acclaim" from reviewers,[19] and 100% of critics recommended the game, according to OpenCritic.[20]
References
edit- ^ May, Bex April (30 August 2024). "UFO 50: A low-res, high-concept anthology of imaginary retro games". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
- ^ a b c Donlan, Christian (18 September 2024). "Spelunky's Derek Yu talks crafting UFO 50 and creating an entirely fictional developer". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on 18 September 2024. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
- ^ a b Colantonio, Giovanni (12 June 2024). "UFO 50 isn't the Spelunky follow-up you're expecting. It's even better". Digital Trends. Archived from the original on 12 July 2024. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
- ^ a b LeClair, Kyle (7 June 2024). "The Ambitious UFO 50 Finally Resurfaces With a Release Date". Hardcore Gamer. Archived from the original on 22 September 2024. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
- ^ a b c Conditt, Jessica (8 June 2024). "UFO 50, the latest game from the Spelunky team, will finally arrive September 18". Engadget. Archived from the original on 22 September 2024. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
- ^ Young, Georgina (19 June 2024). "UFO 50 preview: Actionally Good 52". Videogames.si. Archived from the original on 23 June 2024. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
- ^ "Coming in to Land". Edge. No. 397. Future plc. June 2024.
- ^ L., Dominic (8 June 2024). "UFO50 packs 50 retro-styled games into one amazing package". TheSixthAxis.
- ^ Switzer, Eric (18 June 2024). "My Favorite Game From Summer Game Fest Isn't One Game, It's 50". The Gamer. Archived from the original on 22 September 2024. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
- ^ Jarvis, Matt (7 June 2024). "Spelunky creator's mega-collection of fictional retro games UFO 50 will finally be out this September". Rock Paper Shotgun. Archived from the original on 3 August 2024. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
- ^ https://www.phillyvoice.com/ufo-50-video-game-developer-jon-perry-ambler-philadelphia/
- ^ a b Castle, Katharine (28 February 2024). "After seven years, Spelunky creator's retro compilation UFO 50 will release in the second half of 2024". Rock Paper Shotgun.
- ^ Day of the Devs 2024: UFO 50. The Game Awards. 7 June 2024. Archived from the original on 24 July 2024. Retrieved 30 July 2024 – via YouTube.
- ^ a b Wales, Matt (28 February 2024). "Spelunky studio's long-awaited 8-bit game anthology UFO 50 due "second half" of 2024". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on 30 July 2024. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
- ^ "Edge 397 explores UFO 50, Spelunky dev Mossmouth's ambitious mission to build 50 games for a fictional retro console". GamesRadar. 18 April 2024. Archived from the original on 5 August 2024. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
- ^ Machkovech, Sam (2 September 2017). "PAX West: At least eight of UFO 50's games are instant retro classics". Ars Technica. Archived from the original on 22 September 2024. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
- ^ Machkovech, Sam (9 September 2018). "The 16 surprising new games that made PAX West an absolute blast". Ars Technica. Archived from the original on 12 June 2024. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
- ^ Reuben, Nic (7 June 2024). "Everything announced and featured at Day Of The Devs 2024 in one place". Rock, Paper, Shotgun. Archived from the original on 30 July 2024. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
- ^ a b "UFO 50 reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 22 September 2024. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
- ^ a b "UFO 50 Reviews". OpenCritic. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
- ^ Colantonio, Giovanni (16 September 2024). "UFO 50 review: the 8-bit era returns in this fantastic retro collection". Digital Trends. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
- ^ Donlan, Christian (16 September 2024). "UFO 50 review — a rangy, confounding and audacious proposition". Eurogamer. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
- ^ Watts, Steve (18 September 2024). "UFO 50 Review — Space Shuttle Discovery". GameSpot. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
- ^ Brunskill, Kerry (16 September 2024). "UFO 50 review". PC Gamer. Retrieved 27 September 2024.