PAX West 2018: Vlambeer surprise reveals new untitled bullet hell game

Published , by Kevin Tucker

Industry events like PAX West 2018 offer a great opportunity for fans to catch up on the latest video games, but they also provide a fantastic opportunity for brand new game announcements. Such was the case yesterday when Vlambeer, the developer behind games like Luftrausers and Nuclear Throne, decided to surprise reveal their latest title in an impromptu celebration of the studio's eighth birthday.

According to a report from IGN, the so-far untitled game, which is sort of a space-based bullet hell title, was presented via a playable demo available over at Vlambeer's PAX West 2018 booth. The game has very simple controls, with arrow keys controlling the ship's flight and a single button activating the craft's weaponry.

The action takes place in a small, enclosed arena where players must precisely navigate through a web of different enemies. Once foes are destroyed, they leave behind globs of some sort of green substance that apparently spawns new enemies if the player flies too far away. Basically, the player needs to keep their craft as close as possible to enemies while simultaneously evading their projectiles. And, as death is inevitable, the game becomes a matter of chasing increasingly higher scores.

Speaking in an interview with IGN, Vlambeer's Rami Ismail stated that he'd forgotten that September 1 was the studio's eighth birthday. As such, the decision was made to give the unknowing public a little taste of what the studio has been cooking up. Naturally, the game is still in its early stages, but the team are eager to hear player input and continue coming up with new ideas and fresh refinements.

We really don't know much else about the game for now, but we do know that this untitled experience is the first game Vlambeer has shown in three years following the release of Nuclear Throne. With that said, hopefully we'll be able to learn more details soon. For more news from PAX West 2018, keep it tuned right here to Shacknews.