Saber Rider and the Star Sheriffs - playable Dreamcast Demo

[TeamSaberRider]

Howdy Pardners!

We have released a playable demo version for our upcoming Dreamcast game Saber Rider and the Star Sheriffs.
You can downlaod the demo here: http://callxyz.com/demo-version
Our demo is available for Dreamcast, Windows, MacOS and Linux.

If you are not able to check out the demo, you can always watch a video about it here:
https://youtu.be/yQn2P47ulac

We know that many people missed our Kickstarter.
Lots of people asked how to get one of the DC limited editions.
The one from Kickstarter was sold out but we decided to release another one for those who missed it.
You can check out our Saber Rider Ramrod Edition here:
http://callxyz.com/srfund



Every extra money generated from this Limited Edition is going straight into the development of our game.
It will help us to hire top pixel artists like Henk Nieborg or Armen Mardirossian and to include more content like a 2P mode.
Please pre-order now!

If you have any questions, please let me know.

Thank you very much for your support!

Chris
Team Saber Rider

[Ex_Mosquito]

Looks like it has potential. Is that the option select sound effect from the Snes Turtles in time by any chance?

[Stevens]

Looks great. Sunset Riders definitely comes to mind.

Best of luck!

[Skykid]

Is this a WIP?

I'm not entirely convinced by the video footage. Love the concept and psssion for the project, but the first stage looks very dull. Seriously lacking in variety. No weapon power ups, scant enemy changes, and three sections where you need to wait stationary while horses charge beneath doesn't seem very inspired.

Repeating the stage as it is for concerted 1CC attempts would definitely bore, so I hope this is early development stage. The graphics are very nice.

Just do something about that stage 1 boss tho. That's not really a fun attack pattern, and drifting off screen a lot doesn't make it any less pedestrian.

[Ex_Mosquito]

Yeah, like skykid mentioned as long as this is an early WIP then I think it looks like it could be half decent given the right approach. The gfx and sound are spot on, but games like these, to me, hinge on careful level and enemy design with a good mix of enemy types with varied attacks to be successful. For a game of this style you're going to need a certain amount of enemy archetypes to be at least an average game. Eg: The granade thrower (Tweek the explosion to be active and damaging for a decent amount to cause trouble for the player / a grunt that fires aimed shots at the avatar / a grunt that fires idol shots / an enemy with a fast aimed shot (overlap these enemies in a creative way) / an enemy that has some sort of amour that takes extra damage. If I were you I'd suggest adding a close-up mele attack and possibly a double-jump? And if you're feeling adventurous maybe some sort of dive jump attack that can be chained into another attack (like MD Super Shinobi 2) and possibly change direction after a kill to attack another enemy in a stylish way. Imo games like this hinge on a clever placement of the enemies and different enemy types and choreographed in a creative way to challenge the player. Most games of this type just randomly dump enemies down with no thought to creative challenge or keeping the player engaged.

If you were to release the game as the mechanics and level design are now I think it will fail and it will just pass under the radar as an average Euro run and gun.

[TeamSaberRider]

Hi Guys,

thank you for the feedback.
@Ex_Mosquito no but very similar. Thats on purpose.
@Stevens thank you very much
@Skykid yes this is still WIP.
The demo was just a quick sneak peak. I have altered this level for the Demo and cut several story elements.
There will be several changes and additions. There will be a complete different boss in that level.
The current one is just a mini boss in the final game. He will also a bit more challenging.

I made the demo so, that everybody can play it without any frustration.
Afterall there are many Saber Rider Fans out there who are not skilled players.

Also this first level only represents the "Hero Mode".
There will be also a Vehicle Mode and a Mode 7 Endboss Mode where you have to fight big Mechs.
All that hasn't been shown yet.

But you also have to remember, the game is based upon a anime series and many things will reflect the series.
The horses for example. That is content straight from the series. I was looking for a cool way to incude
those and Sunset Riders was a great example here.

I'am very happy that you guys like the GFX. It took very long to find the right artist for it.
I had some unpleasend experiences during the search.
But Henk is delivering very solid and highly professional work.
I give him the references from the show and tell him my ideas.
The results are always spot on!
Of course working with a veteran also comes with several problems.
The material for example is quite expensive.
That was one reason to introduce the second Limited Edition for Pre Order.
If you look at the GFX we started with and compare it with the current GFX,
you propably understand that I want to keep the GFX quality up for the whole game.
Every support counts

[GaijinPunch]

Sure, I'll be that asshole.
Are the sprites rendered for 480p? Is that the output mode? The demo looks like they were made for 240p but scaled up.

[TeamSaberRider]

The game runs in 320x240/240p/4:3 on Dreamcast.
The video on youtube shows the PC version which can also be played in 16:9 and in higer resolution but just scaled up.
The whole material is made for classic 240p except for full screen pictures.
We make them in 426x240 so that it also looks good in widescreen and later on the 3DS.

[GaijinPunch]

The game runs in 320x240/240p/4:3 on Dreamcast.
The video on youtube shows the PC version which can also be played in 16:9 and in higer resolution but just scaled up.
The whole material is made for classic 240p except for full screen pictures.
We make them in 426x240 so that it also looks good in widescreen and later on the 3DS.

Guess there's another tick in the pros column for getting a framemeister. RGB monitor not happening now. Kudos to you for supporting 240p!

[Skykid]

Hi Guys,

thank you for the feedback.
@Ex_Mosquito no but very similar. Thats on purpose.
@Stevens thank you very much
@Skykid yes this is still WIP.
The demo was just a quick sneak peak. I have altered this level for the Demo and cut several story elements.
There will be several changes and additions. There will be a complete different boss in that level.
The current one is just a mini boss in the final game. He will also a bit more challenging.

I made the demo so, that everybody can play it without any frustration.
Afterall there are many Saber Rider Fans out there who are not skilled players.

Also this first level only represents the "Hero Mode".
There will be also a Vehicle Mode and a Mode 7 Endboss Mode where you have to fight big Mechs.
All that hasn't been shown yet.

But you also have to remember, the game is based upon a anime series and many things will reflect the series.
The horses for example. That is content straight from the series. I was looking for a cool way to incude
those and Sunset Riders was a great example here.

I'am very happy that you guys like the GFX. It took very long to find the right artist for it.
I had some unpleasend experiences during the search.
But Henk is delivering very solid and highly professional work.
I give him the references from the show and tell him my ideas.
The results are always spot on!
Of course working with a veteran also comes with several problems.
The material for example is quite expensive.
That was one reason to introduce the second Limited Edition for Pre Order.
If you look at the GFX we started with and compare it with the current GFX,
you propably understand that I want to keep the GFX quality up for the whole game.
Every support counts

Cool, then I'll remain optimistic. Personally I wouldn't release the current demo as it is in-case it puts people off slightly, you could always rework the demo to be shorter (half the length is more than enough) but with more variety and a little challenge (nothing wrong with that, that's what makes it fun!) - but your call of course.

Again, I'm digging the theme and concept. This was one show I didn't get to see as a kid, but I really like the idea of bringing it back to life as a new Dreamcast arcade game. That's rad.

Do your very best.