Friday, May 30, 2008

Stakker PSP Final Update 2 released

Stakker PSP Final Update 2 released - Image 1 


By way of the PSP port of the Chipmunk Physics Engine (CPE), homebrew developer MK2k managed to create Stakker PSP Final - a game that utilizes physics in a practical but fun way. Stakker even borrows concepts from the arcade game Stacker, block dropping mechanics from Tetris, and destructive physics fun from Boom Blox. This is Stakker PSP Final in its Update 2 form.

There are basically two parts to Stakker PSP: a construction phase and a destruction phase. The construction phase provides you with random blocks that you may switch around in order to build a tower.

The blocks come down at a steady rate. You may build the tower any way you wish, but as soon as the tower touches the marked height, the construction phase is over.

But the fun has just begun: the game launches a primed missile, which will drop from the top of the screen. You launch it at the tower on whatever altitude you wish so as to cause maximum fallout.

The tower's parts will be sent flying from the impact, and every time they bounce of the screen's walls, you get a point. Bounce as many pieces as you can, and gain tons of points. Build a tower with as many pieces as you can, and make them bounce often, and aim for maximum score.

Coder MK2k has entered Stakker PSP to the PSP Hacks Homebrew Idol 2008 contest, but also took care of several suggestions made by the homebrew community. Update 2 has made the following changes to Stakker PSP Final:
  • Swap Controls implemented (you can choose between D-Pad and Analogue handling)
  • Reward system made easier (you get points in the following manner: 1 2 3 4 5 5 5...)
  • Pressing Down lets the blocks fall 3x faster; IMPORTANT: Letting a block fall faster directly on the platform could result in the situation that the block goes "through" the platform and you get -10 points, that's because of the simulation being fast forwarded by the factor 3!
  • New feature: put a JPEG image called theme.jpg in Stakker's directory and the image gets loaded as your new background (standard size is 480x272)
Get Stacker PSP Final Update 2 at the download link provided below, but don't forget to course through the bundled documentation for installation, and gameplay controls. Also included in those virtual white sheets are instructions on how to use the custom soundtracks feature. Enjoy, folks!


Download: Stakker PSP Final Update 2
Visit: QJ.NET's PSP Development Forums