Retro/Grade is a video game developed by 24 Caret Games. The game is about ace pilot Rick Rocket, who must repeat his last space battle in reverse in order to protect the space time continuum.[3] The game play is rhythm-based and timed to original music by Skyler McGlothlin. In January 2009, it was nominated for two Independent Games Festival awards: Excellence in Audio and Excellence in Design.[4] In October 2010, it won the Audience Choice Award at IndieCade.[5]
| Retro/Grade | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | 24 Caret Games |
| Publisher(s) | 24 Caret Games |
| Designer(s) | Matt Gilgenbach |
| Composer(s) | Skyler McGlothlin[2] |
| Platform(s) | PlayStation 3[2] Microsoft Windows |
| Release | PlayStation 3 21 August 2012[1] Microsoft Windows 20 March 2013 |
| Genre(s) | Rhythm, shoot 'em up |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Gameplay
editThe gameplay is a hybrid between a rhythm game and a shoot 'em up. Players control a spacecraft, like many classic shooters, such as Aegis Wing, but the entire game is timed to music, similar to modern rhythm games.[6] Players will be able to play the game either with a standard game controller or a guitar controller.[7][8]
Development
editThe game began development in late 2008.[9] The idea for a backwards shooter came while creating a debugging mode for another shooter they were working on to pitch to developers. The debugging mode allows them to reverse time to repeat and test sections of gameplay.[10] The game originally targeted a 2010 release date,[2] but was eventually released on 21 August 2012.[1] On 23 March 2013, Retro/Grade was released for the Windows PC via Steam.[11] The game cost $140,000 to make and it hasn't recouped its cost.[12]
See also
edit- Neverending Nightmares, the next game by Gilgenbach and McGlothlin
References
edit- ^ a b Matt Gilgenbach (27 July 2012). "Retro/Grade Blasts Off On PSN August 21st". PlayStation.Blog. Retrieved 29 July 2012.
- ^ a b c "PSN's Retro/Grade is progressing, but not coming in 2010". 3 July 2010. Retrieved 4 July 2009.
- ^ "Retro/Grade Game Website". 24 Caret Games. Retrieved 20 July 2009.
- ^ "The 12th Annual Independent Games Festival - Finalists & Winners". Independent Games Festival. Retrieved 20 July 2009.
- ^ "Even More IndieCade 2010 Winners Announced". Retrieved 12 October 2010.
- ^ "Retro/Grade: A Shooter in Reverse". 20 July 2009.
- ^ "Backward rhythm shooter Retro/Grade announced for PSN – Destructoid". 21 July 2009.
- ^ "Video Game News & Reviews".
- ^ "GameDev.net -- IGF 09 Interviews: Part 2". www.gamedev.net. Archived from the original on 24 March 2009.
- ^ "Gamasutra - Road To The IGF: 24 Caret's Retro/Grade".
- ^ "Retro/Grade Released For PC via Steam". GamesLatestNews. 23 March 2013. Retrieved 23 March 2013.
- ^ McElroy, Justin (23 July 2013). "The Neverending Nightmare of Retro/Grade creator Matt Gilgenbach". Polygon. Vox Media. Retrieved 24 July 2013.