What is Pulseless?

Pulseless is a 2.5D TOP DOWN SHOOTER emphasizing fast-paced movement and enemy management. With its creation being inspired by a mix of modern and classic horde-mode games. The game’s art and sound style also aims to mix comic book style with a retro pixelated aesthetic.

The main goal with this project was to get familiar with combat design, and experiment with enemies and environments that make the player modify their behaviour. I also wanted to experiment with weapon designs and enemies that I had not seen in other games before, at the time.

Role

SOLE DEVELOPER, ARTIST & DESIGNER

Prototype Download

Skills Used

Being the sole developer of this project, I took on all responsibility for bringing the game together. This involved learning and utilising JavaScript & GML programming to create all elements of the game. These included:

  • The Procedurally Generated Levels
  • The Various Enemy AIs
  • The Advanced Player Movement
  • The Variety of Unique Weapons
  • The Menu & User Interface

During development, I took on the role of designing the world and characters that would form the eventual narrative setting of the game. In particular, this involved designing the enemies in both gameplay functionality and visual appearance; and ensuring these both complimented each other.

Furthermore, each firearm, and their respective manufacturer, were also designed to build character and intrigue for the player. This was also effective, as play-testers requested a ‘catalogue screen’ to view the weapons they have discovered and to learn more about them.

Over the course of the game’s public development, constant changes and balances had to be made to tune the difficulty of the experience. Feedback from online players and playtesting sessions played a large role in this; as the addition of new enemy types and weapons over the game’s lifetime often required tweaking to allow for a challenging but fair experience.

Aside from designing the overall gameplay loop, I also was responsible for adapting the overall design to player feedback and ideas. This involved redesigns such as adding ammunition limits, redesigning enemies to adapt to common player tricks and modifying other existing mechanics to other pointers from players.

Prototype Reception on GameJolt

4935

Downloads

90.63%

Rating

Gameplay Footage and Development Over Time

2019 – Early Prototype

The earliest version of Pulseless released to the public. At this point, the game only featured 20 weapons, two enemy types and an incredibly simplistic user interface.

Following playtesting and proper design planning, many changes would later come to the game.

2020 – Enemy Variation Testing

Following major changes and a year of development the above build was released publicly. This version boasted many additions: a new top down shooter control scheme, an overhauled user interface, 50 weapons, 10 enemy types and a new dodge-roll mechanic. Although more advanced, further issues and possible additions were discovered in playtesting.

2022 – Reload Functionality

Following observations from playtesting, this version introduces the reload mechanic into the game. Although not released publicly, playtesting sessions showed a very positive reception to the new addition; with much praise directed towards the animations and the way it added variation to the gameplay.

Screenshots & Grabs

123

What the Players are saying

I’ve been playing this game literally daily, so addicting. one thing i would like to add tho, maybe endless mode (like what it is now) and like a challenge mode (ex. able to save your game and pick up later going to lets say wave 150??) ? anyway this game is amazing

I extremely love this game I can hear music while playing this Zombie Apocalypse type of game could you make the in game badges that would be fun but I understand that you’re doing other games.

Love the game its really fun with my friend and we play it together. You should probably add like a shop system or upgrade system so it would enhance the experience

Wow, the best game of this style that I played and my brother love this game #Pulselessisthebest