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Introduction
Vertical Drop Heroes! is an interesting platforming game (Single to Double Player and Survival Mode) by Nerdook in which you drop down vertically rather than the traditional method of moving horizontally. The maps are generated randomly each time you start over, which provides for a nice variety even though most of the levels follow the same concept design. While not with its flaws, the aspect of continuously dropping down is a unique twist of the platform game genre and provides quite a large amount of compulsive entertainment. The name of the game is speed; idling around and trying to actually think and plan will only result in a game over.
Opening Screen
Story
(The screen to the lower right will change each
time you restart wearing a mask)
World Map
What happens if you take too long...
Story and Mechanics:
The basic gist of Vertical Drop Heroes! starts with a bunch of goblins having stolen the princesses and all the available heroes were also imprisoned (expect YOU). Your job as the hero is to navigate from level to level, freeing the heroes from their imprisoned cages to obtain their powers and destroy enemies, while also hoarding as much riches as you can.
Example of a Level
As you keeping moving down, you will eventually reach the exit marker allowing you to obtain a key as well as leave the level. A key is necessary to enter a Temple level to rescue one of the princesses.
Touch the Key to exit the Level
Your hard work is rewarded...
There is still more to rescue...
Each level in the game has a Goal, mainly collecting a certain amount of gold to obtain a perfect finish.
You can feel good about yourself now!
You may also randomly unlock a Mask for achieving certain hidden goals, such as a Turtle Mask for finishing a level after 2 minutes or a Cheetah mask for finishing a level in 60 seconds or less. The Masks do not provide any special advantages; it is purely for aesthetic purposes.
Collect them all!
Artifacts, (rewarded for achieving a Perfect Clear on a level or unlocking a certain goal) on the other hand will unlock certain special abilities for a hero class – such as the DragonLance Boots for the Paladin that allows him to stomp every block that is in view below him.
There are 30 Artifacts in all...
Controls
The controls are the Up Arrow/W Key to Jump, and the Left/Right Arrows or A/D Key to Move. Certain hero classes allow you to double jump (press Up Key twice). In order to open chests or free heroes to obtain their class, you just need to press the Down Arrow.
In order to use a hero’s special attack, the Spacebar key is used. You can also defeat enemies just by landing on top of their head.
So easy even you could do it! Give Vertical Drop Heroes a try!
The main character is not invincible, he has 4 hearts as his life bar that will deplete each time you either land in the wrong place (lava, spikes, etc) or if you touch an enemy. Hearts can be replenished by grabbing chests, the random treasure inside can either be a red potion to heal your health, a blue potion to heal your Mana, or random amounts of money (shown as small to large gems).
Mana is consumed when you use a hero’s special attack/skill. The character starts with 15 Mana, each hero’s skill varies from 3 pts to 10 pts of Mana. Mana, unlike health, can be automatically replenished each time you change into another hero class.
Hero Class
Barbarian: 10 Mana Pts allows you to go Berserk for 5 seconds, rendering you immune to damage – This class can also double jump
Barbarian Class
Ranger: 1 Mana Pts allows you to fire arrow with the spacebar key – This class can also double jump Spacebar to fire Arrow
Ranger Class
Mage: 3 Mana Pts allows you to shoot a fireball with the spacebar key
Mage Class
Paladin: 3 Mana Pts allows you to break the block your are standing on
Paladin Class
Thief: 3 Mana Pts allows you to escape to a random nearby area on the map
Thief Class
Music:
The music in this game is definitely not the main focus, soft sounds mixed with what seems like piano bar ragtime (or the old 1920’s cartoon dance music), you can easily forget there is even sounds or BGM as you play Vertical Drop Heroes! The music is also heavily repeated.
Art Style:
The art design in Vertical Drop Heroes! is simple yet appealing with the stick figure like hands and legs mixed with the block body. Each hero class is unique in their own design, and there is a nice assortment of enemies and bosses as well. The blurred background works well with the vertical scrolling aspect and offers a sense of depth. The use of bright flat colors is complimentary with the drawing style.
Boss Battle!
Overall Thoughts:
The sense of humor of the game designer is apparent, and appreciated throughout the game. I found the descriptions of the masks very creative, and the reward of an artifact unlocking special skills was a nice bonus touch.
I appreciated how the game creator took the extra mile to add a polished shine to the game, a random level generator may not sound like much, but it does help to ward off boredom when you repeatedly start over.
The use of hero classes adds a touch of Action/RPG aspects that meshes successfully. I found the use of speed to be a great function in this game, you play the game quickly, it keeps your attention, and has a high replay value.
The only problem I came across is that sometimes when I drop down in a level, it scrolls for a long time without stopping. It is hard for me to sometimes see where I can land and I will more often than not land on top of a spike or an enemy without choice.
Vertical Drop Heroes!
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