Nova-111 is a quirky little game that dropped into our laps as a wonderful teaser. Billing itself as a “sci-fi themed turn-based adventure game with a twist of real-time action,” the side-scroller says we must unravel the “real-time/turn-based time-vortex”… for science. So, we do what we must, because we can.
Our world (well, their world) is a turn-based reality. You take one step, I’ll take one step. Unfortunately in the name of science, our researchers have gone a little too far in their research for the “Chronova Device”—an item that will unlock the universal powers of real-time and speed up research, presumably so that everyone can be home in time for tea.
Going too far ripped the fabrics apart, and now our trusty, helplessly outgunned orange science vessel the Nova-111 has to scour various planets for the scientists scattered throughout. And a parrot. The game’s made by developers Funktronic Labs, who have some of the former developers of the PixelJunk series on hand.
The game plays out mostly in turn-based, roguelike-fashion. You move one tile, and enemies move a tile. You will, however, be able to turn the clock into a fast-forwarding real-time spin when needed, mostly to defeat, erm… astrobiological creatures. Also known as aliens. These aliens are just as affected as everything else, with some only able to attack in a turn-by-turn fashion while others will attack in real-time anyway.
Part of the charm of Nova-111 is in figuring out how to advance and defeat foes with the tools you have on hand, such as bombs and falling rock spires. Along the way you’ll also be able to pick up upgrades and gain new abilities.
Nova-111 is scheduled for a 2014 release on PC, Mac and Linux.
