Cinderwing

Cinderwing is a wave-based vertical space shooter inspired by Galaxian.  

 Clear enemy formations, survive diving attacks, and fight through increasingly dangerous waves with unpredictable hazards while chasing a new high score.

Embers, Wasps, Swoops, and Hunters each fly and attack differently, with tougher Elite pilots appearing later. Special enemies change the fight: Reaper halves combine into a ship that can capture and throw its prey, Banshees phase into attacks, Dreadwings call in reinforcements, and Gunwings fill the screen with cannon fire. Larger encounters include the Space Carrier, Siege Ark, and Brood Carrier.

The battlefield is dangerous too. Dodge incoming meteors and, stay clear of black holes, and adapt when nebulas affect the environment. Asteroid Field waves send drifting, breakable rocks across your path while enemy ships weave through them.

- Unlockable New Game+ Modes (currently start more difficult)
- Extensive Elite Ship Variant color schemes
- 12 systems to explore each with it's own rotating celestial entity
- Variable hazards such as nebulas, black holes, meteors, comets and more
- Intense carrier battles or asteroid navigation must be completed before moving on to the next system
- Enemy ships have their own unique characteristics and multiple attack methods, they are not all the same.
- Enemy ships can burn, explode (cause nearby damage), panic or even flee the battle
- 3 special ship encounters can happen which increase formation deadliness
- The further you progress, the more the challenge increases!

 Cinderwing originally took shape as a pixel based shooter, but the pixel block art proved to be very limiting in what I wanted to accomplish in both gameplay and visual aesthetics.  Rather than having a mix of both, I transitioned the art over to higher resolution renderings.  My core philosophy when creating the game was "is this fun, is this cool?".  What happens if a ship wing gets ripped off or an enemy gets blown into 2 pieces from a critical hit.  It's not a 1 hit, 1 kill type of game.  Tougher enemies are tougher to kill.  Although in the engine there are mechanics which enhance enemy damage from consecutive shots and that also prevent enemies from shooting past 50 degrees of their heading.  I wanted it to be challenging as you progress, not unfair with cheap shots as you are trapped in a corner.   To keep the game fun, yet not tedious on  the beginner waves, I added 3 New Game modes which each increase the initial difficulty.  These must be unlocked every 10 waves.  Can you survive to wave 30?

 The game is very feature complete, but continues to be a work in progress as well.  I am open to feedback both good and bad.  So please leave a comment!

Rob