Darwin's Nightmare A game implementing Darwinian evolution, supported by elegant, minimalist visuals.This game was designed to gi… Free Buy Now Watch Media DetailsA game implementing Darwinian evolution, supported by elegant, minimalist visuals.This game was designed to give you a fair challenge. If you cannot complete the introductory level, please try again. And again. And again.The game includes several un-lockable environments, and a same-screen two players mode.It has come to my attention that some players do not understand the game controls. Operating this game, however, is not difficult:- if you drag your finger forward the avatar will release capsules in the same direction.- if you drag your finger backwards your avatar will not release capsules.About darwinian evolution in this game.Unsurprisingly, it is not the player avatar which evolves. Instead, foes are rated for accuracy, which in turn generates evolutionary pressure towards creating more challenging opponents.16 genes are used to generate 65536 recombinations. Each gene controls distinct behaviours, as well as the appearance of the created individuals.Video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAZqJHCg8gwForum page:http://forums.toucharcade.com/showthread.php?t=222120OpenAL support: Sparrow. Information Seller: Genre:Arcade, Simulation Release:Mar 12, 2014 Updated:Nov 30, -0001 Version: Size:0.0 TouchArcade Rating:Unrated User Rating: (4) Your Rating:unrated Compatibility:HD Universal I'm really happy that players have contributed impressions and videos to the game thread. Thanks! Darwin's nightmare will be free for a while to get the word out. If you're enjoying the game please support this cool indie shooter and give it a rating and a meaningful review, it will encourage me to update the game. I am the developer of Darwin's nightmare. GGLV Member Aug 4, 2013 24 0 0 #2 GGLV, Apr 23, 2014 Is this like a Touhou type game? stantowalker Well-Known Member Apr 26, 2012 343 0 0 SW #3 stantowalker, Apr 23, 2014 cool, seems interesting tea Well-Known Member Jul 23, 2010 142 3 18 #4 tea, Apr 23, 2014 It's a vertical scrolling shooter. I'm unsure whether it fits into the bullet hell or classic shooter category; does have 'bullet hell moments' a-plenty but play sessions are progressive. The controls are different from classic shooters (relative controls, drag forward to shoot) so you may find it refreshing (if the prospect of battling evolving crafts wasn't enough!). nightc1 Well-Known Member Oct 19, 2012 4,362 0 0 AL #5 nightc1, Apr 23, 2014 It's ios7 only. Just a heads up for others ... Not a criticism though it means I can't try it. Such is life. bhornburg Well-Known Member Aug 11, 2009 120 0 16 #6 bhornburg, Apr 24, 2014 This game might be minimalist to a fault. Why does my ship fire so sporadically/inconsistently? If the game wants me to survive for 1-minute, not being able to shoot at will feels a little unfair. Also, why do I die if I leave the thin strip of lighter-colored space in the center of the screen. I really love the art, but I'm not really having any fun playing this. My main complaint is that I don't understand how to control my fire rate/direction. My second complaint is the unexplained limitation on movement (being forced to stay in the small vertical strip.) Also, many times bullet walls would form that I literally could NEVER avoid. the patterns are obviously procedural, but there aren't enough rules in their pattern to keep the game from being unfair. You've got a great looking engine and art, hopefully some feedback will help you morph this into something awesome. thanks again for letting us play your game for free, I'll keep an eye out for future updates. tea Well-Known Member Jul 23, 2010 142 3 18 #7 tea, Apr 24, 2014 Last edited: Apr 24, 2014 The ship will fire only when moving forward, following the direction of motion. The game's introduction has two walls closing in on your ship, when said walls are ~5-10 pixels apart 1 minute's gone, the game menu opens. I'm sorry it's probably a mistake on my part but I thought the controls spoke for themselves (and the introduction needs to be cleared to access the help). As to the difficulty of the game, yes it is variable because it depends on which genes activate at the beginning of each round. I've had precious little feedback on this so I could force which genes get enabled first (esp. in the intro) I just don't know what most players think about this. Likewise the controls are in my humble opinion part of what makes the game stand out. If I had to reach the conclusion that most players dislike the controls... well, I don't know. I clear the intro with a 20-30% success rate (I know... I did play this game quite a lot ) And thanks for your kind comment about the art style. Duke12 Well-Known Member Oct 25, 2013 1,021 43 48 #8 Duke12, Apr 24, 2014 For firing I found it easiest to keep swiping back and forth in small movements. Takes a bit to get used but it works when you get it. GGLV Member Aug 4, 2013 24 0 0 #9 GGLV, Apr 25, 2014 Played this game for a bit, cleared the intro after 3 tries. Main fault I have is the lack of contrast. I sometimes am unable to see enemy fire due to the white background. My thumb also blocks the enemy fire as the bullets are simply too small. Accelerometer control would be a keen update. Also, I found that genes weren't very distinguishable so maybe more unique traits would make it a lot more interesting Mj1ggy Well-Known Member Jun 5, 2012 86 0 6 #10 Mj1ggy, Apr 25, 2014 Very difficult for me to tell what is happening in this game. I kept dying for no apparent reason and eventually gave up after not clearing the intro in ~10 games. tea Well-Known Member Jul 23, 2010 142 3 18 #11 tea, Apr 26, 2014 I've seen others play this way; personally I like dragging forward steadily, giving it a bit of jitter to get a good spread (unless I'm aiming at something ofc). On this note, this promotion is now over. I took all the feedback onboard and will be addressing minor issues in a coming update. Core dev will be on break for 2-3 weeks as I'm working on my second 3D adventure, Game Degree Zero. (link to w.i.p thread on TA) In the meantime you can participate in the poll for new game features. (You must log in or sign up to post here.) 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It's a vertical scrolling shooter. I'm unsure whether it fits into the bullet hell or classic shooter category; does have 'bullet hell moments' a-plenty but play sessions are progressive. The controls are different from classic shooters (relative controls, drag forward to shoot) so you may find it refreshing (if the prospect of battling evolving crafts wasn't enough!).
It's ios7 only. Just a heads up for others ... Not a criticism though it means I can't try it. Such is life.
This game might be minimalist to a fault. Why does my ship fire so sporadically/inconsistently? If the game wants me to survive for 1-minute, not being able to shoot at will feels a little unfair. Also, why do I die if I leave the thin strip of lighter-colored space in the center of the screen. I really love the art, but I'm not really having any fun playing this. My main complaint is that I don't understand how to control my fire rate/direction. My second complaint is the unexplained limitation on movement (being forced to stay in the small vertical strip.) Also, many times bullet walls would form that I literally could NEVER avoid. the patterns are obviously procedural, but there aren't enough rules in their pattern to keep the game from being unfair. You've got a great looking engine and art, hopefully some feedback will help you morph this into something awesome. thanks again for letting us play your game for free, I'll keep an eye out for future updates.
The ship will fire only when moving forward, following the direction of motion. The game's introduction has two walls closing in on your ship, when said walls are ~5-10 pixels apart 1 minute's gone, the game menu opens. I'm sorry it's probably a mistake on my part but I thought the controls spoke for themselves (and the introduction needs to be cleared to access the help). As to the difficulty of the game, yes it is variable because it depends on which genes activate at the beginning of each round. I've had precious little feedback on this so I could force which genes get enabled first (esp. in the intro) I just don't know what most players think about this. Likewise the controls are in my humble opinion part of what makes the game stand out. If I had to reach the conclusion that most players dislike the controls... well, I don't know. I clear the intro with a 20-30% success rate (I know... I did play this game quite a lot ) And thanks for your kind comment about the art style.
For firing I found it easiest to keep swiping back and forth in small movements. Takes a bit to get used but it works when you get it.
Played this game for a bit, cleared the intro after 3 tries. Main fault I have is the lack of contrast. I sometimes am unable to see enemy fire due to the white background. My thumb also blocks the enemy fire as the bullets are simply too small. Accelerometer control would be a keen update. Also, I found that genes weren't very distinguishable so maybe more unique traits would make it a lot more interesting
Very difficult for me to tell what is happening in this game. I kept dying for no apparent reason and eventually gave up after not clearing the intro in ~10 games.
I've seen others play this way; personally I like dragging forward steadily, giving it a bit of jitter to get a good spread (unless I'm aiming at something ofc). On this note, this promotion is now over. I took all the feedback onboard and will be addressing minor issues in a coming update. Core dev will be on break for 2-3 weeks as I'm working on my second 3D adventure, Game Degree Zero. (link to w.i.p thread on TA) In the meantime you can participate in the poll for new game features.
