Rex and the Galactic Plague

Huge demo update  - 23 March 2025

Firstly, thanks once again for all the feedback I’ve had so far. It’s been incredibly helpful and I’m glad you are enjoying what you’ve played. 

I’ve taken on board feedback and added it in to the refinements I have already been planning and now have a big demo update. 

This has taken a bit longer than I expected due to a failed SSD and the loss of six week’s work, but the rebuild gave me the opportunity to improve some elements. Every cloud, and all that…

There is lots new and (hopefully) improved here, so in the updated demo you will find:

• Difficulty options (easy / normal / hard) - some enemies only appear in normal or hard modes, attack patterns can vary and various other gameplay elements are affected
• Continues (the amount you get depends on the difficulty you choose)
• New bosses for both levels
• New or tweaked enemy attack patterns
• New animations for some enemies
• Updated sound effects
• Level two extended and remixed
• Difficulty has been balanced 
• Rex now becomes briefly invulnerable after taking a hit
• Increased base speed for Rex
• Reworked smart bomb function
• Smart bombs available from the start (different number according to the difficulty selected)
• Improvements to the shield power up
• Energy bars for bosses 
• Four fantastic new music tracks
• Updated title screen with options including controls and credits
• New story screens between levels, plus other presentation screens
• Some general nips and tucks to improve performance 

All of these changes have been integrated, of course, into the rest of the game. While not quite as far as I should be with it thanks to the data loss, it’s still coming along very well and is hopefully not far from completion now. 

Of course I’m still looking at ways to improve and develop so any further feedback is gratefully received. 

I really hope you enjoy the demo and like the updates! 

Also look out for an exclusive demo of a brand new level coming to Zzap! Amiga soon!

UPDATE - 22 February 2025

Making the changes in the demo clearer:

On 22 Feb 2025 I released an update based on the feedback I received from the initial release of the demo.

I am really grateful that so many have downloaded the demo, and seeing the YouTube playthroughs in particular was really helpful in identifying some of the issues in the game.

The update addresses some events that didn't trigger reliably, which meant that for some they played level one without the music. I also took the opportunity to fine tune other elements, to make it play more smoothly and remove some confusing elements.

Updated in the demo:

• Removed level one's scientists - not only were they causing some performance issues, they were also confusing people and didn't add anything to the game anyway
• Adjusted the scripted events at the start of level one, as they weren't reliably triggering. This meant some people were playing level one without music, and without the explosion (which signals the space station coming under attack) happening.
• Fixed level two's mid-level boss so that the satellites rotate around the centre of the screen, which is how I had intended it to work.
• Changed how the speed up power-up works, so it can now be stacked up to three times, with player speed increasing incrementally.
• Adjusted the hud at the bottom of the screen to show the speed power-up stages and allow up to three smartbombs to be held at one time.
• Changed power-ups so that they can now be shot to cycle through the available power-ups on the level, allowing a more tactical selection and upgrade path.
• Changed the player's shield so it rotates properly around the player and degrades with use.

There are other updates and improvements for the rest of the game, but they will all come in time!

Introduction

The vicious Amorni have unleashed a virus across the galaxies - will civilisations fall or will you be able to stop the virus in its tracks and deliver a vaccine?

Space Corps are stretched holding the Amorni at bay, but Rex, the robotic best friend of a Space Corps professor, has set out on a mission to recover a vaccine from the Omar Foundation. With the vaccine in its hands, the Corps can distribute across the galaxies, bringing relief to billions.

Take control of Rex and collect the vaccine from the foundation before it comes under attack. Fire up the boosters and get away as soon as you can, because the agents of the Amorni are never far behind...

Background

This vertical shooter for the Commodore Amiga started off life as a SEUCK game back in 1993 but has been brought to life again thanks to the fantastic Scorpion Engine.

It's also my first game, which just goes to show how amazing Scorpion Engine is at giving someone as non-technical as me the chance to create games!

The demo 

This demo gives you a chance the play the first two levels. Escape the Omar Foundation with the vaccine and survive a desperate dash through space!

Rex and the Galactic Plague supports a two-button joystick. The second button will fire your smartbomb, but don't worry if you only have a single button - the space bar will do the trick!

Some weapon upgrades are available in the demo, although there will be more in the final game.

The future

The full game will have seven thrilling levels and will be available in the spring.

Although the game is functionally complete, it's still a way from finished and the next few months will be spent polishing and refining. Please share your feedback in the comments.

Thank you for playing!