Gang Garrison 2
| File:GangGarrison2.jpg Title screen of Gang Garrison 2 1.0 | |
| Developer(s) | Gang Garrison 2 Team |
|---|---|
| Platform(s) | Microsoft Windows |
| Release | 2008 |
| Genre(s) | Shooter game |
| Mode(s) | Multiplayer |
Gang Garrison 2 is a freeware, open-source, indie video game "demake" of Valve Software's Team Fortress 2. Inspired by the 3D graphics of Team Fortress 2, it takes place in a 2D, 8-bit environment, while retaining its online multiplayer gameplay. The game was started by TIGSource.com users "mrfredman" and "MedO", with other users contributing to development. It was conceived as an entry into the Template:Vgy TIGSource.com "Bootleg Demake" competition.
Gameplay
Gang Garrison 2 uses the major gameplay tenets of Team Fortress 2, while modifying them for use in 2D. The player can choose one of nine different classes, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. One is hidden and can be accessed by pressing 'Q' at the class select screen.[1] Each class had their name changed, and lack abilities as specialized as Team Fortress 2 due to technical constraints.[1] The classes are: Runner, Detonator, Rocketman, Firebug, Constructor, Rifleman, Healer, Overweight, and Infiltrator. The main character from Cave Story makes a guest appearance as the hidden class.[1] Each character only possesses one special ability and one weapon; for example, the Rifleman's rifle and the Infiltrator's revolver. There are two game modes, capture the flag, involves capturing a briefcase filled with intelligence, and Control Point, in which either one team defends and the other team attempts to capture the points.[1] "Critical" shots, special attacks which cause extra damage in Team Fortress 2, have been removed in Gang Garrison 2.[1] Games are played on online gameservers, which the player can find with help of a lobby server or join manually.[2] Servers can also be hosted by players.
Development
Development of Gang Garrison 2 began as an entry into the Template:Vgy TIGSource.com "Bootleg Demake" competition. While it did not win the competition, it later grew in popularity on the site's forum. Initially the game lacked several features and balancing, especially class abilities for the Constructor and the Infiltrator, which caused other developers to decompile the code and update the game[1] without consent. The original development team reacted by merging the unofficial changes and releasing the game under an open source license to allow contribution to the official version and avoid further forks[3]. Version 2.0 was released on February 10, 2009. This version included taunts, new music, maps, and options, various graphical improvements, a spectator mode, autobalance, kill notification, and in-game communication.[4] Version 2.1 was released on May 3, 2009. This version included Control Points, new music, maps, various graphical updates, Demoman "sticky counter", sentry hud, and "superburst", a medic ability very similar to Team Fortress 2's "Ubercharge", and various other smaller tweaks, which are now being downloaded via the new Gang Garrison 2 Updater, which allows the creators to make small changes and fix bugs, without the player having to redownload the entire game.[4]
The creators of the new game warn that officially it is still a work in progress.[4]
Reception
Gang Garrison 2 received positive reviews from critics. Darren Gladstone of PC World noted that the game "translates surprisingly well [to 2D]."[5] Tyler Nagata of Games Radar commented that it "is guaranteed to make you grin when you hear its cover of the TF2 theme song with MIDI-fied bleeps and bloops ... and ... when you start scrolling through the game’s super pixilated takes on TF2 classes."[6] Scott Sharkey of 1UP wrote that the game "was pretty much at the top of the heap [of demakes]," also stating the possibility that he might "prefer this thing to Team Fortress 2" and that it was "a great way to blow a few minutes while putting off work."[7]
Eric Smith of the Team Fortress 2 development team expressed support for the game, announcing version 2.1 on the official TF2 blog.[8]
References
- ^ a b c d e f Murff, James (2009-02-20). "Freeware Friday: Gang Garrison 2". BigDownload. Retrieved 2009-03-15.
- ^ Murff, James (2008-09-23). "Indie Showcase: September 23rd". BigDownload. Retrieved 2009-03-15.
- ^ MedO (2008-09-17). "Re: Gang Garrison II (FINISHED)". TIGForums. Retrieved 2009-09-02.
- ^ a b c McWhertor, Michael (2009-02-10). "Team Fortress 2 Demake Gang Garrison 2 Goes 2.0". Kotaku. Retrieved 2009-03-15.
- ^ Gladstone, Darren (2008-09-19). "Casual Friday: Free Game Remakes". PC World. Retrieved 2009-05-07.
- ^ Nagata, Tyler (2008-09-25). "See GTA IV with 8-bit graphics... And more bootleg "demakes" that put a retro twist on your favorite games". GamesRadar US. Retrieved 2009-05-07.
- ^ Sharkey, Scott (2009-03-19). "Gang Garrison 2". IGN Freeloader. Retrieved 2009-05-07.
- ^ Smith, Eric (2009-05-05). "I'm gonna be all over ya like shingles". TF2 Official Blog. Retrieved 2009-05-09.