Designer(s) Steven E. Hugg Release date(s) 1991 Developer HAMCO Software Platform Microsoft Windows | Engine WinG Initial release date 1991 Publisher HAMCO Software | |
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Genre(s) Multi-directional shooter Mode(s) Single-player, multiplayer up to 4 on same PC or 2 over network Similar Castle of the Winds, Astro Blaster, Commander Keen in Keen Dre, Ninja Combat, Bio Menace | ||
Comet Busters! is an arcade game inspired by Asteroids created by Steven E. Hugg for Windows 3.1/95. It was originally released in 1991 as shareware with a registration cost of $9. The latest (and probably last) version is 1.4, which works well in Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7 (although because it is a 16-bit program, it no longer works in the 64-bit versions of Windows) and has also been reported to be playable under Wine. It supports multiplayer with up to 4 players on the same PC or 2 players online, and includes a variety of modes and settings.
Gameplay
Comet Busters! is a 2D, top down, arcade style game. Each level starts with a number of comets which must be destroyed to progress to the next level. The first time a comet is hit it splits into two medium-sized comets, which in turn split into two small comets. In later levels, sometimes destroying a comet unleashes cronies (little happy faces) that home in on players and destroy them. UFOs pass by at random intervals shooting in random directions and can be destroyed for extra points. A player earns an extra life after obtaining 10,000 points. As players progress further in level, comets are faster and more numerous and UFOs/cronies appear more frequently. Each level has a different comet shape; there are seven unique types that repeat with different color palettes.
Player's can customise their starships by changing bullet speed, thrust, maximum speed, rotation speed and special ability. There are four different special abilities: Hyperspace (teleports ship to a random location), Shields (destroys comets that hit the starship), Disruptor (repels comets) and Cloak (ship becomes nearly invisible; useful during multiplayer matches).
