Lumencraft is a brand new release from developer 2Dynamic Games that is going to suck up far too much of my time, and might be a new favourite run blast through on my Steam Deck. Note: personal purchase.
Blending together a Tower Defense game, with a top-down shooter and destructible environments, it has all the makings to be the next indie hit and I get a slight Deep Rock Galactic vibe from it too. Blasting through the tutorial and then some of the first sandbox map, well over an hour vanished in the blink of an eye — that's the kind of game I like to see.
Direct Link
Working great on the Steam Deck right away, although the fonts are a little small in places and the resolution isn't quite what it should be but they're aware of such issues and said they will look to solve both. Despite the issues, it's an awesome top-down game to get into already with a lot to like about it. Drilling around, setting up a base and watching out for holes appearing in front of you for creepy-crawlies to appear from — it looks brilliant.
Made with the open source Godot Engine, it's nice to see more developers pick up FOSS tools and the Early Access release comes with Native Linux support: "With a lot of effort and a set of original algorithms, 2Dynamic Games have transformed the open-source Godot Engine into a completely new tool. This allows every bit of terrain (pixel, as we used to call them) to be destroyed, and maps can be painted as if in a drawing program".
Game Features:
- Defending the underground settlement by direct combat and the use of diversified turrets.
- Highly efficient and satisfying digging mechanics.
- Explosive weapons. Yes, we have dynamite.
- Dynamic lights and pixel-perfect interaction with the fully destructible terrain.
- Dread atmosphere created through the impactful sound design and a unique 2Dynamic lighting system.
- Realistic simulations. Just look at the lava!
Available to buy on GOG and Steam.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Although I did find that my PS5 controller was unplayably janky, so I switched to kbd/mouse. The interface isn't perfect, but the gameplay is lovely and the whole game is so smooth and pretty. Really enjoying it!
hardpenguin Apr 14, 2022
As a side note, I just saw that the recommendations for the linux versions on GOG are updated. E.g., for this one it just says "Modern Linux-based operating system". Others specify various distributions. But the days of 'Only Ubuntu supported' seem finally gone!
MisterPaytwick Apr 14, 2022
On the downside: laggy (tho my rig is starting to show its age), especially when big waves or massive lava leaked everywhere. The demo is too short. And the mechanics are definitely (in the demo) on the lighter side. and the weapons felt a bit weak.
Guess with my very picky habits that's a solid score nonetheless, because get me right: I bloody enjoyed my time playing that demo. With neat points like high-ground being a thing, having to print ammunition and so on. The digging was a bit slow tho. But both guns and digging being balance issues, time will tell what to do with those issues.
I remember seeing Calinou covers it on godotengine.org, IIRC it was prompted me to grab the demo. I really hope they can address some of the performances issues, I really want to play this.
Edit: Calinou linked his godotengine post
Last edited by MisterPaytwick on 14 April 2022 at 3:57 pm UTC
We actually bought 2 copies of it because I thought it was network co-op, and it turns out it was just hotseat. >_< Whoops. Slightly frustrating that it's not even split screen as both players need to move around the world together, but it was still fun. Honestly as somebody making a fairly similar game with networked co-op I jealous... That's a lot of scope creep to avoid. >_>
Last edited by slembcke on 25 April 2022 at 1:15 am UTC
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