The Underside

By: Tim

On: January 10th, 2007

I keep neglecting to mention this every time I post, but no more. The Underside is set to please fans of Cave Story in many ways, akin to having a bikini-clad model rubbing sun tan lotion all over you. Of course, some comments have been less than kind – there’s only a Clickzine preview and several gameplay videos released because production is still ongoing.

From the looks of Merry Gear Solid, it’s hard to imagine that this project will disappoint. Expect to hear more about it when the next Arsecast episode is released.

Posted in Platformers, Previews, Windows | Tags: ThePodunkian

http://www.arsecast.com DrDerekDoctors

I got to play a demo of this (thanks to Arthur and Tim) and it’s every bit as super-delicious as I’d hoped. It’s waaaaay at the top of my wants list for 2007. *drool*
Xander

It looks fantastic, can’t wait to play it myself.

No seriously, I can’t wait. The Doctor told me I’ve overloaded my body on bump-mapping and 720p HD… it’s too much too soon. I need this game and it’s pixelated goodness. And ice cream…

(Does it count as an homage to Cave Story if I again can’t work out what the main character is at first glance? His jumper is pretty cute though!)
http://www.arsecast.com DrDerekDoctors

I’m still none the wiser about what he is, but I’d guess at a bear/kitten hybrid if push came to shove.
Sergio

Here’s hoping Cave Story clone becomes a genre!
Sub-genre, I mean. Sub-sub-gebre?
Derek

It’s just… why would he make the game look _so_ similar?!

Looks fun as hell, though.
http://www.arsecast.com DrDerekDoctors

He said to me that he has a similar style (and lets be honest, chunky low-colour graphics are hardly a rarity and are a very sensible choice if you need to produce a lot of graphics for a game).

Plus the dude likes Cave Story and immitation is the sincerest form of flattery, as they say.

It’s not like he’s trying to get away with it, or anything, as he’s been very open about his influences.
http://www.arsecast.com DrDerekDoctors

Also, Derek, Aquaria looks just like Scuba Dive to me. ;)

http://www.spectrum.lovely.net/Scubadive.html

Glass houses and stones and all that. ;)
Jimmy

Did he actually rip the graphics, or just draw them while looking at Cave Story’s? Or is this a mod? From an enjoyment standpoint, I’m kinda glad he’s copying the art — I did see one screen where it looked like he tried to have something that wasn’t a direct copy of Cave Story for the background, and it looked much worse: http://www.clickzine.net/wp-content/underside2.png
Tim W.

I would suggest mailing your questions to The Arsecast Host before the next episode, so he can answer your queries on the show.

contact (at) arsecast.com
Derek

DrDerekDrs, I’d agree, except for the fact that Cave Story has a pretty distinctive style, even with chunky, low-color graphics… it’s a testament to Pixel’s prowess as an artist, I think.

In any case, I have no doubt that ThePodunkian put every pixel of the game in there on his own, so it’s not really a question of ripping. But it definitely goes beyond “influence” and into the realm of… I don’t know “eyebrow-raising similarity.” Because really, like every sprite in the game has a twin brother in Cave Story.

And his previous games don’t look like that, so yeah…

Anyway, the game looks fun, it will be free, this argument has been made before – I’m going to stop complaining. :)
negative zero

ah, very tru. i kinda like it how the game’s a homage to Cave Story. but i also agree that his decision on much of the game’s technical and visual aspects are so similar. from the particles and some of the environments to even the damage icons…maybe it’s Cave Story II.

still, it’s looking good nonetheless, and because he seems to have so much respect for Pixel makes me put aside the suss factor a bit.

when’s its release!? too lazy to search.
http://www.arsecast.com DrDerekDoctors

Oh you’re quite right, Derek, you can certainly draw parallels with the style, but I think that like E-Boy’s E-City style its one that’s fairly easy to replicate (look at Poyo, that’s also very similar) and because Cave Story is deservedly so ubiquitous in the minds of discerning indie gamers, that it’s almost a useful kind of visual shorthand for what kind of game it will be.

Sorry if I came across as bizarrely defensive, though, I dunno why I did that. I think it’s because I want a plush version of Ip to hold and protect. ;)

As for the technical side, it’s written in MMF2 using a very nice system which uses external files and scripting really cleverly to circumvent some of MMF2’s shortcomings and in play it feels a lot more responsive than Cave Story.

As for release… Who knows? I’d hope this year, but it’s in the lap of the Pods. ;)
manny

er. derek. did you know that there are actually other games with giant enemy crabs in. metal slug comes to mind almost immediately, and a few others that i know off.
also, “nothing mindblowing” was pretty arrogant.
http://www.arsecast.com DrDerekDoctors

Wait, Manny, was that for fake-Derek-me, or real-Derek-Yu*? Only I don’t see the phrase “nothing mindblowing” anywhere in these comments? Or crabs.

* yes, I am secretly pleased with that bit of writing. I’m not ashamed to admit that. :P
yokaze

So I guess that whenever an 8-bit-esque explore-vania style game comes out from now on we’re going to sigh and cite Cave Story and worry and ponder about it.

I think this game looks like it’s going to be freaking awesome, and I don’t really care about much else. I actually hope this encourages more games like it to come out no matter how similar they are.. :P
The Circy

It is awesome – so far :) I know because I wrote the Clickzine preview :)

*gloatypoos*
Jimmy

yokaze — there have been lots of 8-bit-esque explore-vania style games between Cave Story and this. Now you’re just being silly.
http://www.arsecast.com DrDerekDoctors

La Mulana! LA MULANA!!! :)

Also, I hope that loads more Metroidey games come out. I’m sure as shit planning on writing one.
yokaze

Jimmy – Yeah I know, I’m just bitching really; but that’s what the internet is for, right? :D
Derek

Porn?
negative zero

yokaze – it’s not becuase it’s an 8 bit metroidvania styled game that’s the case. if anyone looked at it without knowing who the author was, they’d most likely think it’s a Cave Story ripoff/sequel/spinoff. it’s not just the graphics.

don’t really find this negative though…i just find it weird and a bit unnecessary.

but to tell the truth, i’m with ya on looking forward to the game. hope he releases it soon.

as for more metroidvania styled games, HELL YES!! but any new developers thinking of making more should really start thinking innovatively instead of sticking with the same formula over and over. the handheld castlevanias are one example.
http://www.arsecast.com DrDerekDoctors

Oh yuss, I wouldn’t want to stray down the same “Ooh, now I have double jump. Ooh, now I can fly.” route that Castlevania has been content to tread since 1997.

Like Podunkian I want to combine elements from many games that I love and draw inspiration from real life as well.

When I do a game it’ll be more like a hybrid of Rex, Exile and Metroid, thus its original working title of Rexiloid – which I admit is pish.
negative zero

lol, Rexiloid…sounds orgasmic
http://www.arsecast.com DrDerekDoctors

“From the man who brought you such perfectly competant remakes of Cybernoid 2, Exolon and Wizball comes…” ;)

I don’t exactly have a record of original thought, do I? :P
MrMerekMisters

I have a weird name.