X-Scape
Encyclopedia
X-Scape, known in Japan
as and in PAL region
s as 3D Space Tank, is a first-person combat simulation game developed by Q-Games
and Nintendo
released on the Nintendo DSi
's DSiWare download service. It is a sequel to the Japan-exclusive Game Boy
title, X.
X-Scape is seen in a first-person perspective. It uses the Nintendo DSi's top screen to show players' surroundings, while the bottom screen acts as a means to control the game and a radar. Moving the stylus to the top of the bottom screen causes players to move forward, while moving from side-to-side allows players to look around. Pushing any of the d-pad or face buttons causes the players' tank to fire. There are two types of missions: tunnel and planet. In tunnel missions, players control the tank, attempting to escape through a narrow tunnel as fast as possible, avoiding barricades, attacking foes, and collecting coins to add to the constantly ticking down timer. In the planet missions, players are able to freely explore the area. They must destroy a set number of enemies throughout the world in order to progress to the next mission. Players are able to fly into the air by hitting pyramid-shaped ramps. Several secrets can be found throughout the game, including an ability to fly into the air at any time. Other tasks on the planet missions include searching for bombs in order to deactivate them, as well as hackable buildings that reveal the game's backstory.
and published by Nintendo for the DSi's DSiWare download service. Its lead designer, Dylan Cuthbert, explains that the development team wanted to return and make a sequel to X. It was chosen to be released for the DSiWare because of its visual style, which designer Kazuyuki Gofuku explains would be difficult to sell as some would not be receptive towards the style. Cuthbert adds that the service allows developers to experiment more than they can in retail games. When asked why this and fellow Q-Games video game Starship Defense were not included in the Art Style
series, Gofoku explained that the Art Style games were about visuals and sound, and that it would not be right to force a visual or sound gimmick into a game if it is not necessary. After submitting it for testing to Mario Club, a group of people who test Nintendo's games, they found that most of them did not understand the motivations of some characters. In response, they added flashbacks scenes to the game to explain the series' plot. This was also done to help English players understand the series' plots, due to the fact that X was not released outside of Japan.
The visual style of X-Scape was described as being a great way to show off the DSiWare service's visual power. Many of the visual clues comes from retro vector games on the Amiga
, like Starglider
and Starglider 2
for example. X-Scape is Cuthbert's first game as the art director, citing "obvious references" such as Tron
for its visual style as well as other "more obscure references". Kazumi Totaka
, who was involved in composing the music for X, collaborated with Q-Games to compose the music for X-Scape. Totaka made many visits to Q-Games to ensure that he understood the game well enough to compose a quality soundtrack.
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
as and in PAL region
PAL region
The PAL region is a television publication territory which covers most of Asia, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and most of Western Europe...
s as 3D Space Tank, is a first-person combat simulation game developed by Q-Games
Q-Games
Q-Games is a video game developer based in Nakagyō-ku, Kyoto, Japan. It has a mixture of foreigners and Japanese nationals on staff and works closely with both Nintendo and Sony.-Foundation:...
and Nintendo
Nintendo
is a multinational corporation located in Kyoto, Japan. Founded on September 23, 1889 by Fusajiro Yamauchi, it produced handmade hanafuda cards. By 1963, the company had tried several small niche businesses, such as a cab company and a love hotel....
released on the Nintendo DSi
Nintendo DSi
The is a handheld game system created by Nintendo and launched in 2008 and 2009 in Japan, North America, PAL territories, and other regions. It is the third iteration of the Nintendo DS, and its primary market rival is Sony's PlayStation Portable...
's DSiWare download service. It is a sequel to the Japan-exclusive Game Boy
Game Boy
The , is an 8-bit handheld video game device developed and manufactured by Nintendo. It was released in Japan on , in North America in , and in Europe on...
title, X.
Gameplay
Players control a commander who has returned to his home after a decade-long tour of duty. However, an evil warlord has taken control of the entire planet, forcing the commander to take control of an enhanced version of the mobile spacecraft from the game's predecessor, VIXIV. Throughout the game, the player will visit 20 different planets as well as completing a number of main missions and side missions.X-Scape is seen in a first-person perspective. It uses the Nintendo DSi's top screen to show players' surroundings, while the bottom screen acts as a means to control the game and a radar. Moving the stylus to the top of the bottom screen causes players to move forward, while moving from side-to-side allows players to look around. Pushing any of the d-pad or face buttons causes the players' tank to fire. There are two types of missions: tunnel and planet. In tunnel missions, players control the tank, attempting to escape through a narrow tunnel as fast as possible, avoiding barricades, attacking foes, and collecting coins to add to the constantly ticking down timer. In the planet missions, players are able to freely explore the area. They must destroy a set number of enemies throughout the world in order to progress to the next mission. Players are able to fly into the air by hitting pyramid-shaped ramps. Several secrets can be found throughout the game, including an ability to fly into the air at any time. Other tasks on the planet missions include searching for bombs in order to deactivate them, as well as hackable buildings that reveal the game's backstory.
Development
X-Scape is developed by Q-GamesQ-Games
Q-Games is a video game developer based in Nakagyō-ku, Kyoto, Japan. It has a mixture of foreigners and Japanese nationals on staff and works closely with both Nintendo and Sony.-Foundation:...
and published by Nintendo for the DSi's DSiWare download service. Its lead designer, Dylan Cuthbert, explains that the development team wanted to return and make a sequel to X. It was chosen to be released for the DSiWare because of its visual style, which designer Kazuyuki Gofuku explains would be difficult to sell as some would not be receptive towards the style. Cuthbert adds that the service allows developers to experiment more than they can in retail games. When asked why this and fellow Q-Games video game Starship Defense were not included in the Art Style
Art Style
Art Style is a video game series created by skip Ltd. for WiiWare and DSiWare. The first game in the Art Style series, ORBIENT, was released for WiiWare in September 2008. Another two Art Style games, CUBELLO and ROTOHEX, were released during October 2008 while two more were added in 2010...
series, Gofoku explained that the Art Style games were about visuals and sound, and that it would not be right to force a visual or sound gimmick into a game if it is not necessary. After submitting it for testing to Mario Club, a group of people who test Nintendo's games, they found that most of them did not understand the motivations of some characters. In response, they added flashbacks scenes to the game to explain the series' plot. This was also done to help English players understand the series' plots, due to the fact that X was not released outside of Japan.
The visual style of X-Scape was described as being a great way to show off the DSiWare service's visual power. Many of the visual clues comes from retro vector games on the Amiga
Amiga
The Amiga is a family of personal computers that was sold by Commodore in the 1980s and 1990s. The first model was launched in 1985 as a high-end home computer and became popular for its graphical, audio and multi-tasking abilities...
, like Starglider
Starglider
Starglider is a 3D video game released in 1986 by Rainbird. It was developed by Argonaut Software, led by programmer Jez San. The game was inspired by Jez San's love of the 1983 Atari coin-op Star Wars, It was a fast-moving, first-person combat flight simulator, rendered with colourful wireframe...
and Starglider 2
Starglider 2
Starglider 2 was an early 3D space simulator/flight simulator video game released in 1988 by Argonaut Games and was the sequel to Starglider...
for example. X-Scape is Cuthbert's first game as the art director, citing "obvious references" such as Tron
Tron (film)
Tron is a 1982 American science fiction film written and directed by Steven Lisberger, and released by Walt Disney Pictures. It stars Jeff Bridges as the protagonist Kevin Flynn; Bruce Boxleitner in a dual role as security program Tron and Tron's "User", computer programmer Alan Bradley; Cindy...
for its visual style as well as other "more obscure references". Kazumi Totaka
Kazumi Totaka
is a Japanese video game composer and voice actor who composed many major Nintendo games, including Mario Paint and Animal Crossing. He occasionally also does voice acting for Nintendo games, including Yoshi from the Mario and Yoshi series. He is also one of the various composers who worked on the...
, who was involved in composing the music for X, collaborated with Q-Games to compose the music for X-Scape. Totaka made many visits to Q-Games to ensure that he understood the game well enough to compose a quality soundtrack.