Thumper (video game)

Last updated
Thumper
Thumper (video game).jpg
Developer(s) Drool
Publisher(s) Drool
Programmer(s) Marc Flury
Artist(s) Brian Gibson
Composer(s) Brian Gibson
Platform(s) Microsoft Windows
PlayStation 4
PlayStation VR
Oculus Go
Oculus Rift
Oculus Quest
Nintendo Switch
Xbox One
iOS
Android
Stadia
PlayStation 5
Release
  • Windows, PS4, PS VR
  • October 10, 2016
  • Oculus Rift
  • December 20, 2016
  • Nintendo Switch
  • May 18, 2017
  • Xbox One
  • August 18, 2017
  • iOS
  • January 24, 2018
  • Oculus Go
  • September 6, 2018
  • Android
  • February 21, 2019
  • Oculus Quest
  • May 21, 2019
  • Stadia
  • November 19, 2019
  • PlayStation 5
  • February 22, 2023
Genre(s) Rhythm
Mode(s)

Thumper is a rhythm game developed and published by Drool and released in October 2016 on Microsoft Windows and PlayStation 4, with optional virtual reality (VR) support for the Oculus, HTC Vive, and PlayStation VR headsets. It was later released on the Nintendo Switch in May 2017, the Xbox One in August 2017, iOS in January 2018, Oculus Go in September 2018, Android in February 2019, Oculus Quest in May 2019, and Stadia in November 2019. The game was shown at the Experimental Game Workshop during the 2015 Game Developers Conference.

Contents

Gameplay

An end-level boss in Thumper Thumper Gameplay Screenshot.png
An end-level boss in Thumper

The objective of Thumper is to guide a beetle-like creature along a single or multi-track through a series of unnerving worlds. [1] The player must press a button to hit lit "notes" on the track in time with the background music, while also bracing against obstacles, turning against curved walls, jumping over spikes, and defeating enemies. The game is played in a third-person point of view with an extremely fast scrolling speed.

Each level is broken up into segments. After each segment, the player is given a score and a rating showing how well they performed. The beetle can sustain one hit (a missed turn or crashing into an obstacle), and at certain places it can regain its shield if it is lost. However, taking a second hit without its wing-shield in place will destroy it, and the level starts over at the last checkpoint. The player can repeat the segment as many times as is necessary to beat the level.

Each level in the game features rhythms corresponding to a time signature related to the level number, from 1/2 through to 9/8.

A secondary mode, 'Play+', is unlocked for each level after it has been completed. In this mode, the player must progress through the level on one 'life' (though still with the shield allowing one hit to be taken). Dying requires re-starting from the beginning of the level. In addition, the speed increases with the player's score multiplier.

Development

Marc Flury presents on the game's development at the 2017 Game Developers Conference Seven Years in Alpha- 'Thumper' Postmortem, Marc Flury (Drool) at GDC 2017 (32314176494).jpg
Marc Flury presents on the game's development at the 2017 Game Developers Conference

Thumper was developed by the two-man team of Drool, consisting of Marc Flury, the programmer of the game, and Brian Gibson, the bassist for Lightning Bolt, who composed the music and created the artwork for the game. The design of the game was a collaboration between Flury and Gibson. [2]

The game runs on a proprietary engine of Flury's design and has been ported to many different platforms and includes VR support. The game was praised for its rejection of the object-oriented programming paradigm in favor of a procedural programming approach.[ citation needed ] Much of the game's code was organized via a small handful of large files, some of which reached 6000 lines of C++ code. [3]

The game was released for the Nintendo Switch on May 18, 2017. [2]

A version for the Xbox One released on August 18, 2017. [4]

The game was released on iOS devices as Thumper: Pocket Edition on January 24, 2018. [5]

The game had a physical release for the PlayStation 4 and the Nintendo Switch on July 20, 2018.

The game was one of the launch titles for Stadia on November 19, 2019. [6]

Reception

Thumper received "generally favorable" reviews according to review aggregator Metacritic. [7] [8] [9] [10] PC Gamer declared it "one of the best rhythm games ever made." [19] Chloi Rad of IGN wrote that "Thumper's trippy sights, sounds, and intense rhythm action create a terrifying VR experience I won't soon forget." [14] The Official UK PlayStation Magazine listed it as the second best PS VR game. [20]

Related Research Articles

The Game Critics Awards are a set of annual awards held after the E3 video game conference since 1998. The awards are given to products displayed at E3 with the title Best of E3 of their category.

<i>Jurassic Park</i> video games Video game franchise

Numerous video games based on the Jurassic Park franchise have been released. Developers Ocean Software, BlueSky Software and Sega produced various games in 1993, coinciding with the first film, Jurassic Park. In 1997, several developers, including DreamWorks Interactive and Appaloosa Interactive, produced various games for nine different platforms to coincide with the release of the film The Lost World: Jurassic Park.

<i>Tetris Effect</i> 2018 puzzle video game

Tetris Effect is a block-dropping arcade-styled puzzle video game developed by Japanese studios Monstars and Resonair and published by Enhance Games. The game was released worldwide exclusively for the PlayStation 4 on November 9, 2018, and features support for the PlayStation VR. A Microsoft Windows version, with support for Oculus Rift and HTC Vive, was released on July 23, 2019. A version for the Meta Quest standalone VR headset was released on May 14, 2020.

Superhot is an independent first-person shooter (FPS) video game developed and published by Superhot Team. Though the game follows traditional first-person shooter gameplay mechanics, with the player attempting to take out enemy targets using guns and other weapons, time within the game progresses at normal speed only when the player moves; this creates the opportunity for the player to assess their situation in slow motion and respond appropriately, making the gameplay similar to strategy video games. The game is presented in a minimalist art style, with enemies in red and weapons in black, in contrast to the otherwise white and grey environment.

<i>Crypt of the NecroDancer</i> 2015 video game

Crypt of the NecroDancer is a roguelike rhythm video game developed and published by Canadian independent game studio Brace Yourself Games. The game takes fundamental elements of a roguelike dungeon exploration game and adds a beat-matching rhythm game set to an original soundtrack written by Danny Baranowsky. The player's actions are most effective when moving the character set to the beat of the current song and are impaired when they miss a beat, so it is necessary to learn the rhythmic patterns that the various creatures follow. The mixed-genre game includes the ability to import custom music, and the option to use a dance pad instead of traditional controllers or the keyboard. The game was released for Linux, OS X, and Windows in April 2015, being co-published by Klei Entertainment, for the PlayStation 4 and Vita in February 2016, for the Xbox One in February 2017, and for Nintendo Switch in February 2018. Crypt of the NecroDancer Pocket Edition, developed for iOS, was released in June 2016.

<i>Owlboy</i> 2016 video game

Owlboy is a platform-adventure video game created by Norwegian independent developer D-Pad Studio. The game is notable for its long development cycle, which began in 2007, and was released in November 2016.

<i>Megaton Rainfall</i> 2017 video game

Megaton Rainfall is an action video game developed by Pentadimensional Games for PlayStation 4 and Microsoft Windows. It was released on October 17, 2017, for PlayStation 4 as a timed exclusive and later on November 17, 2017, for Microsoft Windows. It was released on the Nintendo Switch and Xbox One on August 9, 2018. It is also compatible with Sony's virtual reality headset, PlayStation VR, and was made compatible with the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive on August 9, 2018.

<i>Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes</i> 2015 video game

Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes is a puzzle video game developed and published by Canadian studio Steel Crate Games. The game tasks a player with disarming procedurally generated bombs with the assistance of other players who are reading a manual containing instructions. It was designed around virtual reality support, with availability first on Android-driven Samsung Gear VR, with later ports to supported devices on Microsoft Windows, OS X, PlayStation 4, and Linux; though could be played without virtual reality in some cases. An update for the game released in August 2018 removed the virtual reality requirement for these existing systems, as well as included releases for the Nintendo Switch and Xbox One. Non-VR ports for iOS and Android were released in August 2019.

<i>Ark: Survival Evolved</i> 2015 video game

Ark: Survival Evolved is a 2017 action-adventure survival video game developed by Studio Wildcard. In the game, players must survive being stranded on one of several maps filled with roaming dinosaurs, fictional fantasy monsters, and other prehistoric animals, natural hazards, and potentially hostile human players.

<i>Rock of Ages 2: Bigger & Boulder</i> 2017 video game

Rock of Ages 2: Bigger & Boulder is a tower defense racing video game developed by ACE Team and published by Atlus USA. The game is the sequel to the 2011 Rock of Ages, and was released in August 2017 for PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One. A Nintendo Switch port of the game released in May 2019.

<i>Pac-Man Championship Edition 2</i> 2016 video game

Pac-Man Championship Edition 2 is a maze arcade game in the Pac-Man series which was released for PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One on September 15, 2016; an updated version featuring an exclusive 2-player co-op mode, Pac-Man Championship Edition 2 Plus, was released for Nintendo Switch on February 22, 2018. It was developed and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment, and is a direct sequel to Pac-Man Championship Edition, making it an indirect follow-up of Pac-Man Championship Edition DX+.

<i>Overcooked</i> 2016 video game

Overcooked is a 2016 cooking simulation video game developed by Ghost Town Games and published by Team17. In a local cooperative experience, players control a number of chefs in kitchens filled with various obstacles and hazards to rapidly prepare meals to specific orders under a time limit. The game was released for PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One in August 2016. A Nintendo Switch version was released in July 2017.

<i>Dont Knock Twice</i> (video game) 2017 survival horror video game

Don't Knock Twice is a first-person survival horror video game developed and published by Wales Interactive. The game is compatible with the PlayStation VR, HTC Vive and Oculus Rift virtual reality platforms. It was released worldwide in September 2017. A version for the Nintendo Switch was released in October 2017. Don't Knock Twice shares the same name as the film and is loosely based on the same story. The player takes the role of a guilt-ridden mother who must save her estranged daughter by uncovering the truth behind the urban tale of a vengeful, demonic witch.

<i>The Mummy Demastered</i> 2017 Metroidvania video game by WayForward

The Mummy Demastered is a Metroidvania video game released in October 2017 by WayForward Technologies based on the 2017 film The Mummy. It takes place concurrently with the events of the film, with players playing Prodigium soldiers under the command of Dr. Henry Jekyll who must fight the evil forces of Princess Ahmanet. The game released for Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One in October 2017. The Nintendo Switch version was released in Japan on July 30, 2020. A version for Amazon Luna was released on October 20, 2020.

<i>Just Shapes & Beats</i> 2018 video game

Just Shapes & Beats is an action rhythm video game developed and published by Canadian indie team Berzerk Studio. It was released on May 31, 2018, for Microsoft Windows and Nintendo Switch, February 24, 2019, for macOS and Linux, May 10, 2019, for PlayStation 4 in the US, and May 30, 2019 for PlayStation 4 in Europe, Russia, and Australia. It was also released on June 30, 2020, for Stadia, and on May 31, 2022, for Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S. In this game, players move a colored shape to the beat of background music and dodge pink shapes.

<i>Five Nights at Freddys: Help Wanted</i> 2019 video game

Five Nights at Freddy's: Help Wanted is a 2019 virtual reality survival horror video game developed by Steel Wool Studios and published by ScottGames. It is the eighth main game in the Five Nights at Freddy's series, following Freddy Fazbear's Pizzeria Simulator, and the ninth installment overall. It presents itself as "The Freddy Fazbear Virtual Experience", produced for the fictitious corporative entity Fazbear Entertainment to help improve its public image after a series of debilitating lawsuits, following several incidents and disasters that allegedly occurred at their various locations.

<i>Trover Saves the Universe</i> 2019 video game

Trover Saves the Universe is a 2019 action platform game developed and published by Squanch Games for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One and Oculus Quest. Envisioned as a comedy game, the title features an optional virtual reality component. Justin Roiland, who was the founder of Squanch Games and the co-creator of Rick and Morty, provided voice work for many characters in this game. It received generally positive reviews upon release.

<i>Battlezone</i> (2016 video game) 2016 video game

Battlezone is an arcade game released by Rebellion in 2016. It is an update of the original 1980 arcade game. The game was one of the launch titles for PlayStation VR in October 2016.

<i>Chronos</i> (2016 video game) 2016 video game

Chronos is a 2016 action role-playing game developed and published by Gunfire Games for the Oculus Rift virtual reality (VR) headset. The game received generally positive reviews upon release. An overhauled version of the game, titled Chronos: Before the Ashes was released for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One and Stadia on December 1, 2020.

<i>Gorn</i> (video game) 2019 video game

Gorn is a 2019 virtual reality game developed by Free Lives and published by Devolver Digital. The player is a gladiator who fights opponents to death in arena using weapons at their disposal. The game was launched in early access in 2016, and had a full release on July 18, 2019 for Microsoft Windows. A PlayStation VR version released in 2020 and an Oculus Quest port followed in 2021. An updated version for the PlayStation VR2 was released March 16, 2023.

References

  1. ↑ Walker, John (2015-03-09). "How Thumper Made A Lot Of People Very Uncomfortable". Rock Paper Shotgun .
  2. 1 2 Diver, Mike (May 18, 2017). "Prepare for Sweaty Palms Now 'Thumper' Is on the Nintendo Switch". Vice . Retrieved May 18, 2017.
  3. ↑ "Seven Years in Alpha: The Thumper Postmortem". Game Developers Conference 2017. June 28, 2017.
  4. ↑ Flury, Marc (9 March 2017). "Thumper's Blend of Rhythm Violence is Coming to Xbox One This Spring". Xbox Wire. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  5. ↑ Devore, Jordan (December 13, 2017). "Intense rhythm game Thumper coming to iOS". Destructoid . Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  6. ↑ Webb, Kevin (November 18, 2019). "Google just doubled the number of games launching with its video game streaming platform on Tuesday — here's the full list". Business Insider . Retrieved January 1, 2020.
  7. 1 2 "Thumper for PC Reviews". Metacritic . Retrieved 12 August 2019.
  8. 1 2 "Thumper for PlayStation 4 Reviews". Metacritic . Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  9. 1 2 "Thumper for Switch Reviews". Metacritic . Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  10. 1 2 "Thumper for Xbox One Reviews". Metacritic . Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  11. ↑ Devore, Jordan (2016-10-09). "Review: Thumper". Destructoid . Retrieved 2021-05-26.
  12. ↑ Cork, Jeff (2016-10-05). "Thumper Don't Expect The Hits". Game Informer . Retrieved 2021-05-26.
  13. ↑ Brown, Peter (2016-10-10). "Thumper Review". GameSpot . Retrieved 2021-05-26.
  14. 1 2 Rad, Chloi (2016-10-05). "Thumper Review". IGN. Retrieved 2017-02-09.
  15. ↑ Whitehead, Thomas (2017-05-18). "Thumper Review (Switch eShop)". Nintendo Life . Retrieved 2021-05-26.
  16. ↑ Nation, Justin (2017-05-18). "Thumper Review (Switch eShop)". Nintendo World Report. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
  17. ↑ MacDonald, Keza (13 October 2016). "Thumper review". PC Gamer. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  18. ↑ Robillard, Alex (2016-11-13). "'Thumper' Review". Road to VR . Retrieved 2021-05-26.
  19. ↑ Davenport, James (17 December 2016). "Why Thumper is one of the best rhythm games ever made". PC Gamer. Retrieved 2017-02-09.
  20. ↑ PS VR Hall of Fame, Official UK PlayStation Magazine, Issue 136, June 2017, Future Publishing, page 108
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.