After slipping us a
video earlier this month that showed off some of the weaponry for their upcoming XBLA title,
Dollar Dash, developers Candygun Games have now provided a blog entry that breaks down how the weapon system works in the top-down, bank-robbing title.
There are three different weapon types available in the game: offensive, defensive and power-ups. Players are also limited with one slot per weapon type in a game in order to strategically decide which weapon is the best choice for each scenario.
As Andreas Hackel, art director at Candygun, states:
This may be a bit different to what many are used to from other games, but we found out that this system is the most fun for a fast-paced arcade game.
Offensive weapons can be fired or thrown at an opponent in front of the player. Some of them are short-ranged while others encompass the entire level. Most offensive weapons have multiple charges, so testing the effects of each is essential to for the best strategy.
Defensive Weapons can be dropped to the floor to attack opponents in pursuit. Most of them are traps that trigger when someone runs across them. Defensive weapons are superb when playing Save the Safe mode – players can be on the run from the opposition and lie down oil slicks to have players slide off the level or a portable to have opponents falling to their doom.
Power-ups give you special powers for a limited time. Think of them as aides to give players a temporary boost to have a leg up on their opponents. Picking up the sneakers give the player a jolt of speed to run to the nearest bag of money before anyone else approaches it. Another example is the jelly protective shell that reflects projectiles back at the attacker.
We've also been provided with a comprehensive list of all the weapons available in the game.
List of Offensive Weapons:
• Cactus – Medium range. Area damage on impact.
• Tazer – Close range zapper. Knocks out single targets.
• Boulder – Long range. Rolls slowly and flattens enemies.
• Vacuum Cleaner – Sucks $$$ from opponents at close range.
• Boxing Glove – Medium range. Knocks enemies away.
• Nuke – Medium range missile with big area damage.
• Rocket – Long range, ricochets. Low area damage on impact.
• Snowball – Long range with medium damage.
• Fire Extinguisher – Close range, high damage. Pushes enemies away.
• Plunger – Long range, knocks enemies back. Low damage.
• Chloroform – Long range. Medium area damage on impact.
List of Defensive Weapons:
• Bear Trap – Touch-sensitive. Medium damage.
• Bomb – Explodes after short while. Medium area damage.
• Beer Keg – Explodes after a short while. Reverses enemy controls.
• Boom Box – Emits shockwaves that push enemies away.
• Magpie – Steals weapons and power-ups from enemies.
• Earthquake – Knocks everyone down.
• Portable Hole – Touch-sensitive. Enemies fall in.
• Fire Trap – Fire damages enemies as long as it burns.
• Storm – Chases enemies and shoots lightning bolts.
• Oil Slick – Touch-sensitive. Enemies slide around.
List of Power-Ups:
• Sneakers – Temporary speed boost.
• Cloak of Invisibility – Temporary invisibility.
• First Aid Kit – Instant healing. Can be used while knocked out.
• Shield – Protects against frontal damage. Follows your aim.
• Piggy Bank – Instantly saves the $$$ in your bag.
• Boost – Dash forward instantly. Dash over traps to disarm them.
• Jelly – Reflects all projectiles back at the attacker for a short while.
• Doppelganger – A double confuses your opponents
Players have the choice to use pre-defined weapon sets or customise weapon sets before a match, such as choosing to only allow atomic bombs or to play with no weapons at all. Weapons are also upgradable using money
earned stolen in matches.
Despite an original tentative release date of this month, we still await confirmation of when
Dollar Dash will be released. Like all good bank jobs, you may only notice it's happened when you try and make a transaction.