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Subbania: Underwater Metroidvania
- screamaid
- Jan 2, 2015
- 2 min read
Developer: Ektomarch
Publisher: Ektomarch
Format: PC (Browser/Adobe Flash), Chrome Store
Subbania is one of those… weirder 2D shooter games. You're a submarine, with 3 different characters inside. You're told by a man with an illuminati symbol for a head that you have to take out the USA's Atlantic Fleet. Well as you're making your way there you pretty much run into all sorts of things, really preying on the whole "deep, dark, unknown of the ocean depths" ordeal. It's inspired my Metroid, in where you gain items and weapons that can be used to gain access to further upgrades to your ship.
The enemies are pretty weird, be them giant shooting crabs, giant shooting eye-ball turrets, or whatever. Enemies occasionally drop They all work in their own unique way, making it where they might take an assortment of weaponry to take on. Some are stationary, but are low on the ground and can aim at you, making weaponry that shoots a projectile that goes downward a lot more convenient. Your basic shot can still take out a lot of the enemies without too many problems, but only shoots forward, so isn't the bet in every situation.
Like Metroid, the game is set up in different areas filled with enemies and all that jazz, with the occasional save point along the way. It can be pretty easy to get lost, because the game has this weird thing where it creates a shadow past things you wouldn't be able to shine a light past at your current position. It does a decent job of simulating to deep, dark, and unknown aspect of the depths of the ocean in a 2D setup. Really does make you feel like you're in the oceanic depths in a small submarine.
The color palette is a solid two colors: Black and white. Not even a gray. It's done pretty well though, I'll admit. It does add a creepiness to the whole experience. The one thing about the art style is that it's oddly inconsistent. Some entities are simplistic, while others are plenty detailed. Some are adorable, and others are hellish or freaky. Its very odd, but over all looks pretty cool. The music is pretty repetitive and kinda drones on and on, but it's a fitting tune, so it's excused in my book.
Over all, a decently fun game. Ever wanted to play a 2D shooter with some Metroid aspects to it, for free? Of course you do, who doesn't? It's got plenty to it and sadly I didn't get to far into the story, but still pretty cool in it's own right. I really liked the experience, and it's one I'm gonna pick back up after this.
Play Subbania here:
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