Dear community,

Today marks already a year since my indie game LUNARK found its way into your hands! From the depths of development to the heights of your screens, your support has been the wind beneath my wings.

To every player who embarked on this adventure, thank you for joining me on this journey and to those who lent a hand along the way, from feedback to promotion, your contributions have been invaluable. LUNARK wouldn't be what it is today without you.

And as a token of my appreciation, I'm thrilled to announce that LUNARK is available at an incredible 50% discount!

With heartfelt gratitude,

Johan

Contra is back - reloaded, reimagined, and reborn - with Contra: Operation Galuga! Grab your spread shot and run 'n' gun your way through explosive co-op action against the Red Falcon army!

This thorough remake of the revolutionary Contra NES/arcade game from the 1980s redeploys players to the Galuga Archipelago, where you'll take control of elite Contra commandos Bill Rizer and Lance Bean (as well as other warriors) and use an assortment of iconic weapons such as the Spread Shot, Laser Beam, and Homing Missiles to run, jump, and shoot your way through burning jungles, frigid mountains, a grotesque alien lair, and more. Character-specific abilities, devastating Overload powers, and unyielding bosses keep the action intense across Story Mode (1-2 players), Arcade Mode (1-4 players), and Challenge Mode (1 player), while variable difficulty settings and perks provide options for gamers of all skill levels!

Contra: Operation Galuga is available now!

Prepare to attack aggressively! The iconic run-'n'-gun series, Contra, is back - reloaded, reimagined, and reborn - with Contra: Operation Galuga, launching on March 12! The legendary soldiers return to blast their way through eight stages of action against the Red Falcon army in explosive co-op action for up to two players in Story Mode or up to four players in Arcade Mode!

Do hand-drawn pixel animation and painstakingly rotoscoped cutscenes still have a place in video games in 2023? We sure think so, which is why we hope you'll consider nominating LUNARK for Outstanding Visual Style in the Steam Awards 2023. With details packed into every chonky pixel, they don't often make 'em like this anymore!

I'm proud to announce that LUNARK's Original Soundtrack is now available on the following platforms:

-> Here on Steam of course!
-> Bundled with the game (with a 20% OFF!)
-> On Bandcamp[johanvinet.bandcamp.com]
-> On your favorite streaming platforms[distrokid.com] (Apple Music, Spotify, Deezer, etc...)

"Experience the journey of Leo, the hero of this 2D cinematic platformer, through these 14 tracks composed by the creator of the game, Johan Vinet."

Thank you very much for your support!

Johan

Hey everyone,
First of all, huge thanks to all the players who left nice comments, and an even bigger thanks to everyone who send their feedback!

Change list for 1.1.0

-> Added a "jump assistance": Now you can grab a ledge when pressing up even if you're one tile too far. Shouldn't make the game easier, but hopefully less frustrating especially in situation of stress.

-> Improved Leo's ability to chain several long jumps in a row when running, requiering a shorter distance before being able to long-jump again.

-> Displaying the LEVEL numbers when entering a new LEVEL to make clear where you'll restart if you need to quit the game.
-> Modified the QUIT confirmation message, being more clear the you'll have to restart the entire level and not restart at a checkpoint.

-> Level Select unlocked per save slot when finished the game (If you already finished the game, as there was no way for me to identify a save file that had finished the game or not, you'll have to replay the last level to unlock it).
-> Safety before erasing a save-slot (long press)

-> Fixed a problem where people were encountering an unwanted auto-jump after doing the AutoGrab-ledge move while pressing the un-needed jump button (the input was buffered a very long time).
-> Modified the lines of NPC Vitas Varnas when he explains the AutoGrab-ledge move in Level 4, he insists that you don't need to press jump, but only diagonal-up + run.

-> Screenshots are now available on Steam (F12)

-> Fixed the exploit that allowed to not trigger the second Boss sequence (Level 9).

-> Drorilla needs less hits to be killed.
-> Fixed a bug where Drorillas' laser sound kept playing if you left the screen, even if Drorilla wasn't shooting anymore.

-> Fixed the bats in the cave not popping again when you'd respawn if you died when they were flying.

-> Added several checkpoints in Level 10, 11 and 12.

-> Slightly edited Leo's face in the Artefact cutscene (end of level 2) for consistency.

-> Fixed a bug that softlocked you when petting a cat/dog when he was about to leave.

-> Fixed typos


Thank you again for bringing these issues to my attention.
Have a great day!

Johan

The world of sci-fi cinematic platformer LUNARK is filled with diverse environments, from high-tech and industrial to natural and organic. The lush forest area of planet Albaryne, where massive trees extend far into the sky, is definitely one of the latter. Leo, the game’s protagonist, finds himself in the forest quite unexpectedly; he’s only there because his ship malfunctioned, and if it hadn’t been for some fortuitously located vines that ensnared the craft, the landing would have been much, much worse.

The bad news is that the ship is busted. The good news is that it doesn’t take long before Leo encounters a mechanic who’s willing to help with repairs. However, there’s a catch. The mechanic — who just happens to be named Mekanic — is part of a small group of humble syrup farmers who reside in the forest, and the group’s boss insists that you help them with their syrup-collection efforts before Mekanic can work her magic.

Obtaining that syrup means methodically exploring the forest from one end to the other — climbing across branches and leaping from limb to limb as you navigate the treetops — while seeking out previously placed syrup-harvesting devices. Some of the trees are even big enough that they’ve had staircases carved into them! Exploration is a lesson in looking before leaping, as there are many opportunities in the forest for fatally long falls.

In addition to navigating through the labyrinthine network of trees, you’ll also have to deal with hazardous flora and fauna. The forest’s main inhabitants are insect-like Nectaronauts, which tend to mindlessly buzz around tree trunks looking for their next hit of sweet, syrupy goodness; though not especially aggressive, their fixation leads them to collide with anything in their way, and their evasive flying makes them slightly tricky to hit. More problematic are the colorful pollen pods that frequently sprout and drop from the trees, which drift in erratic patterns that make them tough to avoid.

Worst of all, however, are the purple, beastly Drorilla droids; that’s right — robot gorillas! Nobody knows where they came from or why they’re patrolling the forest, but the Drorillas are extremely dangerous. If their lasers don’t get you, their pounce attacks probably will, and they’re nearly invulnerable on top of that. If you encounter one, you’re much better off avoiding it than fighting!

If you manage to survive the forest’s hazards and retrieve three gallons of syrup, you’ll be one step closer to continuing your journey and unraveling the mysteries of LUNARK, but there seems to be more going on than initially meets the eye. Just who are these humble syrup farmers, anyway…? We’ll leave you to discover that on your own.

Chris Hoffman - WayForward

Following numerous adventures in the city and uninhabited regions of planet Albaryne in sci-fi cinematic platformer LUNARK, the protagonist, Leo, finds himself caught up in a situation far beyond his control. This results in a quick and unceremonious trip to the place used to deal with anyone deemed undesirable by LUNARK's totalitarian rulers: the flying penitentiary. Hovering high up in the sky, bathed in amber light and surrounded by purple clouds, this high-security prison provides great views but not-so-great accommodations.

Relieved of his weapon but not his wits, Leo ends up incarcerated alongside another prisoner of interest, and it doesn't take long for the two of them to formulate a plan to escape. After getting creative with the, ahem, facilities, the duo is able to lure a guard into their cell, then knock him senseless and make a break for freedom. After that, however, comes the tricky part: stealthily navigating the penitentiary's labyrinthine corridors and multiple levels of security. While your ally sneaks through the ventilation system en route to the prison control room, it's up to you to overcome the guards and get the color-coded keys that will enable you both to move forward.

It won't be an easy journey. The penitentiary is a circuitous maze of desolate metal hallways, wide chasms, and deep elevator shafts, all given life only by the pulsing glow of lights and electronic defense systems. Aside from the guards, the area is also protected by laser traps that, if they detect any movement, summon Aerostalker droids that pursue any escapees and explode once within range. On the plus side, the guards are careless and not very bright; as long as you stay out of sight and sneak up on them from behind, you can subdue them with your bare hands, and with a little luck, they'll even drop the keys that let you advance from one sector of the facility to the next.

After clobbering a few guards, dodging some lasers, repositioning a few elevators, and, of course, unlocking all the doors, you'll reach your cohort in the control room, but things only get more challenging after that! Following a certain event, the prison goes on high alert, and LUNARK's toughest, most advanced droids are brought forth in response, requiring some skillful evasion to survive unscathed. And if you make it past that, you'll have to carefully maneuver around the exterior of the penitentiary, where there's practically nothing between you and a multi-thousand-foot fall to the planet's surface below. We hope you aren't afraid of heights!

If all goes according to plan, Leo just might make it out of the penitentiary alive, but with the whole of LUNARK - and its ruling AI, NOAH - out to stop him, where can he go? We hope you've enjoyed checking out this unique level of LUNARK! You can also take a sneak peek at the city and underground stages of the game, and you'll be able to experience them for yourself when LUNARK hits Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox, and PC via Steam on March 30, 2023.

Chris Hoffman - WayForward

In the upcoming cinematic platformer LUNARK, players will find themselves immersed in a sci-fi adventure as they step into the shoes of a young man named Leo who gets caught up in a rebellion against a totalitarian regime. You’ll battle enemies, solve puzzles, converse with numerous characters, and explore a variety of glorious pixel-art environments. These include a futuristic city, an alien forest, a flying penitentiary, and, yes, deep underground into mysterious ruins and a sweltering, lava-filled cavern.

Shortly after the game begins, Leo ventures into the remote wilderness of planet Albaryne, where he discovers a hidden passage that leads to subterranean ancient ruins where dust hangs in the air, cobwebs adorn the ceiling, and fossils can be seen in the walls. Leo’s athletic abilities are put to the test, as he runs, jumps, and climbs to maneuver across numerous platforms, and rolls to get through narrow passages. Before long, Leo encounters the visage of an enormous stone statue, followed by a man-sized purple spider known as a Leaping Lurker – good thing he brought his blaster! And that’s not the only threat; vicious Shadowfang bats lurk in the shadows, their presence hinted at only by eyes glowing in the darkness. Dodge, duck, or blast them to avoid taking damage. And that’s to say nothing of the deadly pits – one misstep and you could be in for a fatally long fall.

A bit further in, you’ll find various colored, glowing crystals that can raise and lower large elevator-like platforms throughout the ruins. Often the crystals must be returned to their pedestals before they’ll function, but through thorough exploration, a little backtracking, and some careful thinking, you’ll be able to move the platforms into position and find a way forward.

Eventually, you’ll reach a large chamber where the crumbling bricks have given way, allowing it to become the home of a gigantic, house-sized spider – the Zirneklis Queen! If you take it out by blasting its weak points, you can go even deeper into the ruins, allowing you to reach a grand, if neglected, hall adorned with tapestries where an enigmatic object awaits.

Many twists, turns, and harrowing escapes later, Leo heads underground again – this time to a red-hued, lava-filled cavern. The dangerous Shadowfangs and Leaping Lurkers are back, even more aggressive than before, plus there are new threats, including steam vents lining the walls, floors, and ceilings, and bubbling, flesh-searing lava. Not only is the lava fatal if you fall in, but you must time your jumps carefully to avoid being scorched by bursting lava bubbles.

You’ll also have to master the art of “half turning,” which requires Leo to swing while hanging from a ledge, then turn in mid-fall, allowing him to safely drop down to a platform behind him. Some obstacles, though, will be impassable without a little assistance. If you come across a lava pool too vast to jump across, you may need to shoot at one of the large crystals hanging from the cavern’s ceiling. Blasting the crystal’s anchor point will cause it to fall into the lava pool below, allowing it to act as a makeshift platform. Unfortunately, navigating the cavern to break the crystal free is often easier said than done! If you make it past all the hazards, however, some of LUNARK’s most closely guarded secrets will be revealed.

The caves and ruins are but a couple of the locations you’ll explore in LUNARK, and things only get more challenging and complex from there. Please look forward to visiting them and numerous other places when LUNARK, developed by Canari Games and published by WayForward, arrives on March 30.

Chris Hoffman - WayForward