Freeware Game Pick: War Bus (Update)
Note: Contains strong language and flashing images which may cause photosensitive epileptic seizures.
War Bus is a frantic arena shooter by Oddbob that presents the player with a choice. Shoot or be shot. With just the one life at your disposal and the odds stacked against you both in the number of enemies and with the eye-popping visuals, you'll need all your wits to survive.
Battle double decker busses, diggers and handbags unleashed by the alien hordes, all armed to the teeth with laser beams and raging with beastly intent of killing the player. Invoke the spirit of light entertainment by shooting sad clouds to clear the arena and earn yourself some space to breathe.
This update features graphical updates, a new soundtrack, gamepad support and several bug fixes. (gameplay video)
Name: War Bus
Developer: Oddbob, Barry Island
Category: Shooter
Type: Freeware
Size: 5MB
Download page: Click here (mirror)
Comments
I watched the youtube video, and this looks unplayable. I couldn't watch all of it; it seemed like there were just random flashing effects everywhere for no good reason.
Posted by: James | August 9, 2008 3:12 PM
lol, is like a shooter game on steroids.
And yes, its unplayable.
Posted by: magallanes | August 9, 2008 5:18 PM
Looks like my kinna game
Posted by: Quetz | August 9, 2008 7:50 PM
Yar, there's a lot of flashes but there's nothing random aside from the enemy spawns.
Each one of the effects is a cue for something appearing. A spinny pixel thing is a cloud appearing, a big heart is a sad cloud, a pulsing square is a normal enemy spawning. They're just signals, albeit a bit more :O :O than you're probably used to.
And now I'm starting to sound like Minter. Oh dear.
Posted by: Oddbob | August 9, 2008 10:54 PM
Fairly good. I especially like the background coloration. Action games in general and arena shooters in particular aren't really my thing, especially when they're intentionally "retro", but this one's fun.
Posted by: Paul Eres | August 11, 2008 5:10 AM
Also, for all of you saying it's "unplayable" -- that's kind of the point, at least for me. I like the idea of avoiding bullets as long as possible, it has an intensity to it if you know that death could come suddenly, similar to Shoot the Bullet. Most games take less than a minute to play. So yes, it's unplayable if by that you mean that you'll probably die a lot, and die quick, but it's playable if you don't get frustrated easily, if you see quick deaths and trying again as just part of the fun.
Posted by: Paul Eres | August 11, 2008 5:26 AM
I like games that you have to defy - and this is definitely one of them.
It's the videogame equivalent of a bucking bronco - you now it wants you off, but you've got to try and stay on as long as you can.
Posted by: Mark | August 12, 2008 9:05 AM