UFO 50

Last updated
UFO 50
Developer(s) Mossmouth, LLC
Publisher(s)
  • Mossmouth, LLC
Designer(s)
Composer(s) Eirik Suhrke
Engine GameMaker Studio
Platform(s)
ReleaseSeptember 18, 2024
Genre(s) Various
Mode(s) Single-player, multiplayer

UFO 50 is a video game collection developed and published by Mossmouth. It features 50 unique games of varying genres and lengths. It was released for Microsoft Windows on September 18, 2024, with ports to consoles planned. [1]

Contents

Gameplay

UFO 50 is presented as a compilation of various games developed by the fictional company UFO Soft for their LX video game console; the collection encompasses the company's supposed output between the years 1982 and 1989. [2] Half of the games feature a two-player mode, being either versus or co-op. All 50 games are playable from the start and do not have to be unlocked. [3] [4] [5]

The games belong to a wide variety of established genres, such as shoot 'em up, platformer, and role-playing, each of which containing a unique twist. The games vary in length and scope, with some being described as "shorter, arcade-style experiences", while others "have narratives and expansive worlds to explore", with one of the games estimated to take upwards of 60 hours to complete fully. [6] [7] [8] [9]

The order in which the games are presented is intended to show the history of UFO Soft's development slate, with some games having sequels and others featuring cameos from previously released games. [3] [4] [5] [10] Each game also features short development notes informing their fictional creation. [2]

List of games in UFO 50

#NameGenreVersusCo-opDeveloped by
1BarbutaAdventure/PlatformerEirik Suhrke
2Bug HunterPuzzle/StrategyYes check.svg ?
3NinpekArcade/PlatformerYes check.svg ?
4Paint ChaseArcadeYes check.svg ?
5Magic GardenArcadeDerek Yu, Jon Perry, Tyriq Plummer
6MortolPlatformerYes check.svgJon Perry, Paul Hubans
7VelgressArcade/Platformer ?
8Planet ZoldathAdventure ?
9AttacticsArcade/StrategyYes check.svgJon Perry, Derek Yu
10DevilitionPuzzle/StrategyDerek Yu, Jon Perry
11Kick ClubArcadeYes check.svgDerek Yu
12AvianosStrategyYes check.svgJon Perry
13MooncatPlatformerYes check.svgEirik Suhrke
14Bushido BallSportsYes check.svgYes check.svg ?
15Block KoalaPuzzle ?
16CamouflagePuzzle ?
17CampanellaArcadeEirik Suhrke
18GolfariaAdventureDerek Yu, Tyriq Plummer, Paul Hubans
19The Big Bell RaceSportsYes check.svg ?
20WarptankAdventure/PuzzleEirik Suhrke
21Waldorf's JourneyArcade/PlatformerYes check.svg ?
22PorgyAdventure/Shooter ?
23Onion DeliveryArcade/Racing ?
24Caramel CaramelArcade/ShooterYes check.svg ?
25Party HouseStrategyYes check.svgJon Perry
26Hot FootSportsYes check.svgYes check.svgJon Perry
27DiversAdventure/RPG ?
28Rail HeistPlatformerYes check.svg ?
29VaingerMetroidvania ?
30Rock On! IslandStrategy ?
31PingolfSportsYes check.svgEirik Suhrke, Ojiro Fumoto
32Mortol 2: The Confederacy of NilpisAdventure/PlatformerYes check.svgDerek Yu
33Fist HellArcadeYes check.svg ?
34OverboldArcade/ShooterYes check.svgJon Perry
35Campanella 2AdventureEirik Suhrke
36Hyper ContenderSportsYes check.svg ?
37ValbraceAdventureTyriq Plummer, Derek Yu, Paul Hubans
38RakshasaPlatformer ?
39Star WaspirArcade/Shooter ?
40GrimstoneRPGDerek Yu, Paul Hubans
41Lords of DiskoniaStrategyYes check.svg ?
42Night ManorAdventurePaul Hubans
43Elfazar's HatArcade/ShooterYes check.svgEirik Suhrke
44Pilot QuestAdventure/Idle ?
45Mini & MaxAdventure/PlatformerJon Perry, Paul Hubans
46CombatantsReal-Time StrategyYes check.svg ?
47Quibble RaceStrategyYes check.svg ?
48Seaside DriveArcade/ShooterYes check.svgOjiro Fumoto
49Campanella 3Platformer/ShooterEirik Suhrke
50Cyber OwlsPlatformer ?

Development

UFO 50 started development in GameMaker Studio. [11] The development team consists of Derek Yu, Eirik Suhrke, Jon Perry, Paul Hubans, Ojiro Fumoto and Tyriq Plummer, who have respectively worked on Spelunky , Downwell , Time Barons, Madhouse and Catacomb Kids. [11] The project originated after Derek Yu and Jon Perry decided to reunite to make smaller games as they did earlier in their careers; the idea to create a collection of games came from Yu's belief that these smaller games would not do well as standalone releases in the current marketplace. [2]

UFO 50 was announced in 2017, with an expected launch date of 2018. However, development eventually took six more years, its release date ultimately being set for September 18, 2024. [12] The delay was due in part to the team underestimating how long it would take to make 50 games, as well as the simultaneous development of Spelunky 2 . [13] Its eight-year development time coincidentally ended up matching the time frame spanning the games' fictional release dates (1982–1989). [14]

All games in the collection impose restrictions which could be found in games released during the era, such as utilizing only 32 colors across each game. Slowdown and sprite flickering were not included, as Yu believed that it would hinder the experience. [5]

Marketing and release

UFO 50 was revealed in 2017 on the Mossmouth YouTube channel, and was slated to be released the following year. [13]

An early version of UFO 50 was showcased during 2017's Pax West game convention, [15] as well as the following year's Pax West. [16]

It was one of the games featured at Summer Game Fest's Day of the Devs livestream, where its final release date was announced to be September 18, 2024. [17]

Reception

According to the review aggregator website Metacritic, UFO 50 received "universal acclaim" from reviewers. [18]

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References

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  11. Day of the Devs 2024: UFO 50. The Game Awards. 7 June 2024. Archived from the original on 24 July 2024. Retrieved 30 July 2024 via YouTube.
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