The Strangest Developer You've Never Heard Of | The ARKHOUSE Tour
DoshDoshington・111 minutes read
Arkhaus has created a cryptic and challenging game called "Mirage of Dragon," featuring unique controls and boss fights against various dragons. The game's narrative is filled with hollow symbolism, aiming to confuse players and leave them perplexed.
Insights
- Arkhaus, a developer from Lithuania, has created 10 unique games since 2016, often receiving mixed reviews.
- "Mirage of Dragon," a game by Arkhaus, features challenging gameplay with fixed jump heights and a non-linear, exploration-based narrative.
- The game's narrative delves into cryptic lore involving dragons and ancient races, culminating in a quest for the Mirage of Dragon.
- The game's plot is filled with hollow symbolism, aiming to confuse players rather than provide a coherent narrative, leaving them perplexed.
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Recent questions
What is the gameplay like in "Mirage of Dragon"?
"Mirage of Dragon" features a unique gameplay experience set in a yellow, esoteric world with minimal guidance. Players navigate through a labyrinthine setting, exploring non-linear paths to find the Mirage of Dragon. The game offers fixed jump heights reminiscent of classic games like Castlevania, adding to the challenge. With only six buttons for controls, including jump and memories for character thoughts, players must utilize specific actions to progress through boss fights against dragons like Umbreon, Parasite, and others. The narrative involves a cryptic story set in Arabian hell, with memories and lore crucial for understanding the setting. Overall, the gameplay in "Mirage of Dragon" is characterized by its challenging mechanics, exploration-based progression, and unique control system.
What is the plot of "Seal of the Curse"?
"Seal of the Curse" is a sequel to Simon's Quest, introducing a new plot involving an unkillable Dracula and the protagonist's journey to defeat him once again. Players explore towns, hidden passages, demon realms, and engage in challenging boss fights throughout the game. The protagonist faces a giant flying Satan duck in a memorable boss battle, requiring strategic thinking to overcome. The game's visuals are praised for being above average for fan games, though some environments may feel muddled compared to original Castlevanias. With puzzles to solve, hints from villagers, and unique boss encounters, "Seal of the Curse" offers an engaging narrative that culminates in a showdown with Dracula and a reflection on the game's lore and potential.
How does the final boss battle unfold in "Bloody Mary"?
The final boss battle in "Bloody Mary" presents a challenging encounter with the titular character, who has three distinct attacks: shooting eyes, casting explosions, and sending a giant eyeball to bowl over the player. To defeat Bloody Mary, players must jump on teleportation pads to avoid attacks, dodge spike traps, and develop a mental image of projectile positions. After defeating the initial form, Bloody Mary powers up with her imaginary friend, becoming a giant face with orb attacks and a weak point in her torso. The battle involves dodging explosions, knocking a hole in the ceiling, and attacking the weak point while avoiding lightning walls. The conclusion of the battle leads to a cliffhanger, revealing the first vampire and setting up a potential sequel in the same universe.
What are some key elements of the gameplay in "Cube Gothic"?
"Cube Gothic" features a new character in an 8-bit realm, engaging in horizontal shoot 'em up gameplay with smooth controls and straightforward mechanics. Players progress through various levels, facing unique enemies, solving puzzles, and engaging in boss fights that require different strategies and skills to defeat. The game prompts reflection on human experiences and the importance of novel encounters to prevent stagnation. With a blend of dynamic gameplay and strategic depth, "Cube Gothic" offers an engaging gaming experience that showcases the creator's dedication to intricate design and storytelling. The game's design and mechanics provide a satisfying and memorable journey for players.
What are some criticisms and potential improvements for the game mechanics in "Saturn Quest Rune 3000"?
"Saturn Quest Rune 3000" by solo developer Captain Navigator has received praise for his efforts and improvement in game development. However, the game's mechanics have faced criticism for their simplicity and lack of evolution in the primary gameplay loop throughout the game. Some players have noted a sense of information overload due to unexpected gameplay shifts and confusing plot points. Potential improvements suggested for the game include introducing shield buildings, terraformers, and structures that generate resources to enhance resource management dynamics. Additionally, adding terraformed tiles that require strategic planning and compromise in claiming spaces could enhance the gameplay experience. Despite criticisms, the game's unique gameplay mechanics and the developer's dedication offer hope for future projects, such as the upcoming RPG "The White Meteor Saga."
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Summary
00:00
"Arkhaus: Mirage of Dragon - Unique Adventure"
- The developer, Arkhaus, from Lithuania, has created 10 weird games since 2016, often with lukewarm receptions.
- "Mirage of Dragon" is a game by Arkhaus, starting in a yellow, esoteric world with minimal guidance.
- The game features unique controls with only six buttons, including jump and memories for character thoughts.
- Gameplay involves fixed jump heights, reminiscent of older games like Castlevania, adding to the challenge.
- The game lacks linearity, requiring exploration to find the Mirage of Dragon in a labyrinthine setting.
- The story is cryptic, involving a character in Arabian hell searching for a dragon in a time limbo.
- Memories and lore are crucial to understanding the setting, with a library providing background information.
- The game features boss fights against dragons like Umbreon, Parasite, Abervog, Accuse, and Misanthropis.
- Each dragon encounter presents unique challenges, requiring specific actions to progress.
- The game's narrative suggests a deeper story involving ancient races, dragons, and a dying world, culminating in a quest for the Mirage of Dragon.
12:54
Dragon Mirage: Evolution of Summoner's Power
- Dragon mirages represent various incarnations of the dragon's past, from embryo to parasite, suggesting the dragons can merge with other forms.
- The figure in the middle likely relates to the summoner's control methods over dragons, evolving into a weapon of war and a castle.
- Miss anthropis follows the age of Dragon Summoners, with a unique inner world linked to silence and a shared morphing experience.
- Dreadnought resembles an enormous aquatic creature, possibly the final form of the Dragon of the sea, leading to the dragon skull in the Valley of Bones.
- The final boss, the Dragon King, appears after visiting all three mirages of the white Wanderer, requiring navigation through a maze without getting hit or falling into portals.
- Defeating the Dragon King reveals it was parasitically attached to the player, possibly due to prior interactions with Miss anthropis.
- Escaping the Primeval Darkness with the dragon's power allows flight across the stars, hinting at a connection to the player's origins.
- Mirage of Dragon's plot is filled with hollow symbolism, aiming to confuse rather than build a coherent narrative, leaving players perplexed.
- Seal of the Curse, a sequel to Simon's Quest, introduces a new plot involving unkillable Dracula and a journey to defeat him again.
- Gameplay involves exploring towns, hidden passages, demon realms, and boss fights, with challenges like dodging projectiles and defeating enemies to progress.
25:17
Defeating Dracula: A Challenging Boss Battle
- The protagonist faces a giant flying Satan duck in a boss fight, initially struggling to reach it with their whip.
- Discovering a platform that can be moved to hit the duck, they contend with a barrage of duck projectiles and giant blades after each hit.
- Despite the challenging boss fight, the protagonist eventually defeats the duck and obtains a bag, leading to a dead end and a reference to Simon's Quest.
- The game features puzzles to progress, with hints from villagers aiding in navigating secret holes in water to hit switches.
- The game's visuals are praised for being above average for fan games, though environments can feel muddled compared to original Castlevanias.
- A challenging boss battle ensues where the protagonist must hit daggers with a hammer, mastering timing and avoiding being knocked off platforms.
- Progressing through various areas, the protagonist encounters unique challenges like defeating a boss riding a giant pig using a fire whip.
- To access the final boss, the protagonist must navigate through a tower, facing tough enemies and utilizing specific weapons for each boss segment.
- The final boss battle involves placing items on pillars and using a Magic Shield to defeat Dracula, followed by a challenging encounter in the demon realm.
- The game concludes with the protagonist defeating Dracula, encountering a mysterious man named X, and reflecting on the game's lore and potential.
38:05
Challenging platformer game with strategic combat
- The game involves navigating through various stages filled with destructible blocks and challenging enemies.
- Players encounter giant gun towers that require precise timing and strategy to defeat.
- There are platforming challenges, including retrieving a ball for a naked cat character, which involve jumping and attacking with precision.
- Exploding obstacles and gun towers test the player's ability to navigate and attack effectively.
- The game introduces a variety of enemies and challenges, including flying obstacles and more gun towers.
- The control system and strategy required to defeat enemies can be frustrating but manageable.
- The game shifts to a platforming-focused area, removing combat and emphasizing precise movement and timing.
- Players must solve puzzles involving hidden numbers and symbols to progress through locked doors.
- The final chapter involves climbing a tower and facing multiple boss fights that test the player's skills and patience.
- The game concludes with a series of challenging boss fights that require memorization and strategic attacks to overcome.
50:23
Boss Battles and Cliffhangers: Cube Gothic Sequel
- The next boss involves two giant spiky squares that fill the screen with death zones, requiring jumping to avoid being smashed into.
- To defeat the squares, focus on getting rid of the first one quickly and then whittle down the second, all while dodging projectiles and obstacles.
- The fourth boss involves timing attacks, steering mid-flight, and avoiding projectiles constantly to counter-attack effectively.
- Watch out for an animation glitch that repeats attack animations, causing unavoidable hits from the boss's scythe.
- The final boss, Bloody Mary, has three attacks: shooting eyes, casting explosions, and sending a giant eyeball to bowl over the player.
- To defeat Bloody Mary, jump on teleportation pads to avoid attacks, dodge spike traps, and develop a mental image of projectile positions.
- After defeating Bloody Mary, she powers up with her imaginary friend, becoming a giant face with orb attacks and a weak point in her torso.
- The final boss battle involves dodging explosions, knocking a hole in the ceiling, and attacking the weak point while avoiding lightning walls.
- The game ends with a cliffhanger, revealing the first vampire and setting up a sequel in the same universe.
- The sequel, Cube Gothic, features a new character in an 8-bit realm, engaging in a horizontal shoot 'em up gameplay with smooth controls and straightforward mechanics.
01:02:38
Passionate creator crafts unique gaming experience
- The games are valued not just for gameplay but for their origin and story, often created by eccentric individuals with passion and independence.
- The games' quirks are more forgivable due to the human element involved in their creation, contrasting with corporate productions.
- Progressing through the game involves encountering various challenges, such as defeating bosses and navigating through different levels.
- The game's design and mechanics prompt reflection on human experiences and the importance of novel encounters to prevent stagnation.
- The gameplay involves facing unique enemies and solving puzzles, like shooting specific numbers to progress.
- The protagonist engages in boss fights, each requiring different strategies and skills to defeat.
- The final boss battle involves deciphering a combination of numbers to progress, showcasing the game's challenging elements.
- The game's conclusion involves sacrificing oneself and the demon realm, leading to a heartfelt reunion and resolution.
- The game's narrative unfolds in a unique and unconventional manner, blending elements of fantasy and mystery.
- The creator's dedication to his games, evident in the intricate design and storytelling, culminates in a satisfying and memorable gaming experience.
01:15:03
"Strategic gameplay with boss fights and puzzles"
- Annoying players can affect their receptiveness to important game elements
- Tutorial completion leads to the first boss encounter
- To fight, collect purple orbs called Nana by bumping into Crystals
- Use Nana to place turrets to attack the boss
- Controls allow for varied key bindings for player comfort
- Boss fights involve unique mechanics like bumping and dodging
- Retrieving artifacts is crucial for progressing through the game
- Boss fights require strategic building and dodging to defeat
- Password puzzle-solving is necessary to access certain areas
- Game mechanics offer a blend of dynamic gameplay and strategic depth
01:27:46
"Gameplay mechanics and boss fights analyzed"
- To defeat the boss in the game, players must use bombs combined with another building to navigate through a maze to reach weak points while dodging obstacles.
- The boss fight showcases additive design, where a new mechanic is added to enhance the existing gameplay mechanics.
- The building mechanic in the game is interesting but not overly complex, with some fights featuring regenerating enemy structures.
- Suggestions for more dynamic gameplay include terraformed tiles that require strategic planning and compromise in claiming spaces.
- Potential additions to the game include shield buildings, terraformers, and structures that generate resources, enhancing resource management dynamics.
- The game features varied boss fights with unique mechanics, such as timing bomb placements and utilizing magnets to avoid projectiles.
- The game's mechanics are criticized for simplicity, with a lack of evolution in the primary gameplay loop throughout the game.
- The final boss fights involve unique gameplay styles, such as firing Planet Buster cannons and engaging in a shmup sequence.
- The game's narrative becomes convoluted, with unexpected gameplay shifts and confusing plot points, leading to a sense of information overload.
- The final confrontation involves defeating an AI entity named Hal 9000 by throwing boxes, leading to a resolution with the return of a character named Greencom.
01:40:04
Solo developer's innovative game sparks anticipation.
- The game discussed in the text is "Saturn Quest Rune 3000," created by a solo developer known as Captain Navigator, who is praised for his efforts and improvement in game development.
- The text expresses hope for the developer's future projects, particularly mentioning an upcoming RPG called "The White Meteor Saga," and emphasizes the potential of the unique gameplay mechanics introduced in "Saturn Quest Rune 3000."
