Breakout has been reimagined with a roguelite/Vampire Survivors twist. Instead of a paddle, you control a constantly firing character at the bottom of the screen. Power-ups drop from destroyed bricks, enhancing your abilities like fire rate, spread, and projectile type. The game features a constantly increasing difficulty and permanent upgrades that persist across runs, allowing you to progress further with each attempt. It's playable in-browser and built using JavaScript, offering a modern take on a classic arcade experience.
A novel web-based game titled "Breakout" has been presented, offering a fresh perspective on the classic arcade formula by incorporating elements from the popular roguelite and "vampire survivor" genres. Instead of a single ball and paddle, the player controls a constantly firing cannon at the bottom of the screen, tasked with destroying a descending wall of bricks. As bricks are destroyed, they have a chance to drop power-ups which augment the cannon's capabilities in a variety of ways, such as increasing the number of projectiles, adding piercing shots, expanding the firing arc, introducing ricocheting projectiles, and generating orbiting defensive projectiles. This creates a dynamic and escalating gameplay loop where the player progressively enhances their firepower to combat the increasingly challenging brick formations. The game features minimalist graphics and sound design, focusing on the core gameplay experience. Furthermore, the roguelite influence is apparent in the randomized nature of power-up drops, ensuring that each playthrough offers a unique progression and strategic challenge. The gameplay shares the satisfying power fantasy and incremental upgrade system characteristic of the "vampire survivor" genre, translating it to the familiar context of Breakout. The game is readily accessible through a web browser, offering a quick and engaging experience without the need for installation. The developer's focus appears to be on providing a simple yet addictive gameplay loop, centered around the strategic acquisition and synergistic combination of power-ups.
Summary of Comments ( 31 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43183131
Hacker News users generally praised the game's simple yet engaging gameplay, with several commending the smooth controls and satisfying feel. Some suggested potential improvements, like adding more variety in enemy types and level design, incorporating sound effects, and implementing a scoring system. A few users compared it to other similar games, noting its roguelite elements and fast-paced action. The developer actively participated in the discussion, responding to feedback and outlining plans for future updates, including mobile support and new features. Overall, the reception was positive, with users appreciating the game's polish and addictive nature.
The Hacker News post titled "Show HN: Breakout with a roguelite/vampire survivor twist" linking to https://breakout.lecaro.me/ generated several comments. Many commenters praised the game for its innovative twist on the classic Breakout formula. The roguelite and Vampire Survivors elements, such as power-ups and increasing hordes of enemies, were generally well-received and considered a refreshing addition.
One commenter appreciated the balance the game struck between being challenging and still remaining enjoyable, noting that they felt compelled to continue playing. The smooth gameplay experience was also highlighted, with specific mention of the satisfying feel of the paddle and ball physics.
Several commenters offered constructive feedback and suggestions for improvements. One suggestion involved allowing players to see what upgrades were coming next to facilitate more strategic decision-making during gameplay. Another commenter pointed out the lack of sound effects, suggesting their addition would enhance the overall experience. A third commenter suggested adding a visual indicator to show the effective area of the magnet power-up.
Technical aspects were also discussed, with one commenter inquiring about the game's development process, specifically the framework used. The creator responded that it was built with TypeScript and the PixiJS rendering engine.
There was also a short discussion about the monetization strategy, or lack thereof. The creator stated they had no plans to monetize the game, which was met with positive responses.
Overall, the comments were largely positive and focused on the fun factor of the game. The suggestions offered were generally constructive and aimed at improving the already enjoyable core gameplay. The creator's responsiveness to comments and willingness to engage in discussion added to the positive reception of the post.