Gaming

Why Bomber Crew is much more than just a FTL clone

Published

7 years ago

September 27, 2017

I tell my pilot to climb as the flak begins to explode around us. We’re getting closer to our target, an airfield that I need to photograph for reconnaissance. I can’t stay at this height for too long as the temperature begins to drop but it’s safety from the AA-guns I’m looking for.

My navigator announces a new heading and as I tag it for the pilot, our rear gunner spots three enemies. He begins to shoot, tracers arcing into the distance. He’s shortly joined by the top gunner who I order to fire defensively. The fighters surround us and a vicious dogfight begins to take place.

I quickly open up the camera port and wait. The airfield is approaching rapidly and clouds are obscuring the lens. I tell the pilot to drop in altitude and the flak begins again, ripping holes in our wings. My navigator goes down and I realise the oxygen supply is dangerously low after taking a hit. As soon as I take the photo, we’re away. Climbing back to safety and heading to the sanctuary of our airfield, albeit without instruction from the navigator who is being patched up by my bomb bay operator.

As we limp back, I consider calling in a squad of Spitfires for an escort but thankfully the journey goes uneventfully.

Life in Bomber Crew is hectic to say the least. When I sat down to play at EGX 2017, I’d already written it off as a FTL: Faster Than Light clone. I couldn’t be more wrong.

The upcoming WWII-themed strategy game from UK developers Runner Duck is so much more. It’s a love letter to games like Cannon Fodder or B-17 Flying Fortress. It’s action-packed and strategic, cutesy yet meticulous in it’s depiction of a Lancaster bomber.

This level of detail is partly due to Dave Miller. Dave is one half of Runner Duck and the main point of contact at EGX. Dave has a connection with this particular period of history, he had family that flew Lancaster’s in the war. This fascination, along with an early passion for gaming in general, is what led to Bomber Crew being made.

At first glance, yes, it plays similarly to FTL. You recruit soldiers, you gear them out and watch them progress, you get far too attached as you order them around the inside of your bomber and you’re devastated when one of them takes a hit.

What it does better is the manic moments. You’re no longer in a sterile spaceship drifting through space. You’re flying through anti-aircraft fire with no hydraulics and a German fighter ace chasing you. There’s no pause button either so everything is playing out in real-time.

“It’s a love letter to games like Cannon Fodder or B-17 Flying Fortress“

It’s also got much more depth than a cursory glance would suggest. Dave tells me how he poured over original manuals for the Lancaster bomber to ensure that while it might not look hyper-realistic, it effectively performs at a simulation level with minor allowances for game-play purposes.

Hydraulics, oxygen levels, fuel and ammunition all have to be maintained. Location-based damage means you can lose wings or entire sections of the hull. There’s permadeath for both your crew and your planes. Emergency landings behind enemy lines can occur, with your characters chance of survival based on what gear you gave them at the start of the mission. Did you opt for heavy flak jackets and no rations? That might be the last time you see them.

Even the ‘mini-boss’ named enemies have links to real-life historical figures, utilising the same tactics they became famous for during the war.

As I talk through Bomber Crew with Dave, it becomes apparent where his inspiration comes from. Cannon Fodder is mentioned a lot and as a fellow fan, there’s streaks of the same genius in Bomber Crew. Anyone who played Cannon Fodder remembers the pain of losing Jools and Jops, you’re two starting soldiers. Runner Duck want to capture that same feeling for Bomber Crew, making you care for the young airmen who run and maintain your Lancaster.

Even the art style is similar, highly stylised with bold colours and excellent visual effects. Runner Duck are hoping that this makes Bomber Crew more accessible. Not only because they want the game to do well, but because they want to raise awareness of a tragic, heroic and very important part of history. In the same way that Cannon Fodder had a fairly strong anti-war message, Bomber Crew is looking to highlight something that goes beyond clicking on a cartoon aeroplane.

It seems to be doing the trick. Every time I walk past the booth it’s absolutely jam packed.

Bomber Crew is set to launch on PC on October 19, before making the jump to current consoles in 2018.

Post Views: 1,004

Up Next

Cuphead Producer Talks about Online Multiplayer and Struggles

Don't Miss

China Police Force Arrests CS:GO Cheat Provider

Tom Hodson

UK based gaming writer, raised on a diet of Street Fighter and Isometric RPG's. I enjoy playing every game I can get my grubby little hands on.

Gaming

Sony is reportedly engaged in discussions to form a partnership for a potential bid on Paramount

Published

1 day ago

April 19, 2024

Zach Riley

There hasn’t been much buzz lately about any new acquisitions in the world of video game intellectual property. According to a recent report, Sony is currently engaged in discussions with a well-funded partner to potentially acquire the renowned film studio Paramount, along with all the exciting possibilities that come with such a merger.

As reported in the New York Times (thanks, ResetEra), Sony Picture Entertainment is reportedly in discussions with Apollo Global Management, an investment firm, as per two sources familiar with the matter. In the past, Apollo had made an offer to acquire Paramount for a minimum of $26 billion, but their bid was ultimately turned down.

The terms of the joint bid are currently under discussion, and there is a chance that the two parties may decide against making a formal offer. Unnamed sources have revealed that Paramount is currently in exclusive discussions with Skydance, preventing any official offer from being made at this time. Investor opposition to the recent deal that Skydance brought seems to have been significant.

Sony Pictures Entertainment and Apollo Global Management, an investment firm, have been in discussions about teaming up for a joint bid to acquire Paramount, people familiar with the situation said Thursday. https://t.co/qN86H4y7Va

— The New York Times (@nytimes) April 18, 2024

The potential impact of such an acquisition is immense. First and foremost, it would introduce adaptations of Sonic and Halo into the expanding media empire of the PlayStation platform holder. Following the announcement, Paramount’s stock experienced a significant 11% surge in after-hours trading.

What are your thoughts on the news? Is there a possibility of Sony acquiring Paramount? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Post Views: 7

Gaming

Helldivers 2 Players Face Overwhelming Hordes of Factory Striders

Published

2 days ago

April 18, 2024

Zach Riley

In the ongoing conflict against the Automaton invasion fleet, the Helldivers 2 players have successfully halted their advance. However, the situation has now reached a tiresome stalemate. Yet again, the machines refuse to take a break from their relentless pursuit of progress, with reports emerging of the Factory Striders being deployed in record-breaking quantities.

There have been reports of alleged machines that were supposedly encountered during Operation Swift Disassembly, which was just the beginning of a larger campaign. However, these accounts should be taken with a grain of salt, as they are unverified and seem to be more on the imaginative side. Factory Striders have gained a reputation as formidable weapons platforms that can produce more Automatons while enduring significant damage. If the machines are able to withstand such a relentless assault, it will be necessary to develop innovative strategies.

Factory Striders have made a resurgence on the Automaton front. These imposing, massive support dreadnoughts now threaten freedom and democracy throughout the galactic rim. pic.twitter.com/XRTPU7k71s

— HELLDIVERS™ 2 (@helldivers2) April 16, 2024

Have you come across groups of Factory Striders in Helldivers 2? Which strategies are proving to be the most effective in taking down these armored brutes? The Orbital Railcannon Strike will prove to be a valuable asset in the comments section below.

Post Views: 5

Gaming

Todd Howard affirms that the timeline of the Fallout series is coherent and well-constructed

Published

2 days ago

April 18, 2024

Zach Riley

The recent release of Amazon’s adaptation of Fallout has ignited a renewed interest in the series and brought attention to the captivating alternate history that forms its foundation. Fans have expressed concern that the TV show’s events might be at odds with the plot of the Obsidian Entertainment video game New Vegas. Warning: Spoilers ahead for New Vegas and Amazon’s show!

Bethesda Game Studios director Todd Howard and Fallout TV executive producer Jonathan Nolan recently sat down with IGN to discuss the timeline. Howard was taken aback when showrunners Graham Wagner and Geneva Robertson-Dworet presented him with the surprising concept of obliterating Shady Sands, the bustling capital of the New California Republic, in the aftermath of the events in New Vegas. Howard eventually warmed up to the idea: “After discussing it, we realized that this could be a significant story moment that many things hinge upon.”

It seems that they had to make some tough decisions to ensure everything fell into place, but Howard emphasizes the importance of preserving the integrity of the Fallout timeline: “We take great care with the timeline. There seems to be some confusion in certain areas. However, all the events from the previous games, including New Vegas, did occur. We take great caution in that matter. We’re really pushing the limits here, but the explosions occur right after the events of New Vegas.

What are your thoughts on this? Is it up to par? Even though it may not have a significant impact on the overall quality of the games or show, it is comforting to know that those in charge are paying attention. We value your feedback and would love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below.

Post Views: 8