Shadow Code
Shadow Code is a high-stakes sci-fi shmup where every shadow hides a secret, and every secret holds the key to survival. As the pilot of the Cipherwing, humanity’s last hope, you’ll navigate treacherous starfields shrouded in darkness, using your experimental Decoder to uncover hidden enemies, bypass deadly traps, and unlock the mysteries of a lost alien civilization. Will you decipher the Shadow Code in time, or will the secrets of the void remain forever concealed? The fate of the galaxy is in your hands.
Controls (Keyboard Only)
WASD - Move
K - Shoot
J - Boost Decoder
About
This is my entry for the Game Off 2024 game jam where the theme was SECRETS. Shadow Code is a fairly standard vertical shmup offering 3 stages of action, however the enemy have developed a top secret cloaking device which can keep their location and in some cases even their bullets location secret from the player. The player is equipped with an experimental Decoder which is capable of uncloaking the enemy but it's range is limited. It is possible to boost the range of the Decoder but only for short periods.
Known Issues
Sometimes when switching to full screen it gets stuck on a black screen with a white bar across the middle. If this happens just click your mouse anywhere on the screen and the game will resume.
Assets Used
https://davidkbd.itch.io/hexapuppies-synthwave-music-pack
https://ratlab-games.itch.io/synthwave-music-intro
https://opengameart.org/content/space-backgrounds-3
https://larzes.itch.io/2d-space-shooter-sprites
https://livingtheindie.itch.io/pixel-shmup-ships-free
Comments
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A lot of feedback I've had is that the game is too hard. Well, to prove it can be done here is me clearing the game.
Like the premise of making the draw distance close on the player ship, only particular issue I had were that the player is close in colors to the backgrounds, so I was using the view cone to estimate my position mostly. Aside from that I had a good time and I think there's plenty of room to expand on the concept if you add in more of the conventions/QoL that exist in shmups with/against the concept. Nice work.