Xta Large
Hey, this is my entry for the GBAtemp Tempmas Mini-Competition #13. The game is called Tempmania, and the story... well, I think it's pretty awesome. And so should you, since you're a cool guy. I know this, because you're reading this.
Contents
Tempmania
Game Info
Name - Tempmania
Console - Nintendo DS
Genre - Platformer/Beat 'em up/Adventure/Shmup/Racing/etc
Story
Rick Tempman
Rick Tempman was just your typical cool guy, except not really. In reality, he was a huge nerd who had no discernible talents or abilities outside of his favorite hobby - tinkering with his game systems. See, he had a knack for finding little holes in the system that the makers themselves couldn't find. He'd use those holes to his own advantage, and whether that meant loading up custom apps on his Pretendo ShameBoy, or customizing his uber-powerful IBM (complete with a 33 MHZ processor and 32 MBs of RAM), or so on, he always did it better than the rest.
And one day, he found the biggest hole of all...
Hardcore Hax
He was just trying to get a game to work on his Pretendo Containment System. He tried blowing on the cartridge, smacking the system... he even cleaned out the thing with rubbing alcohol. Still didn't work. It was then that he had a wonderful idea... what if he could ditch the cartridges altogether and load the games up directly from the system? Several hours and hundreds of Nacho Cheese Doritos later, his machine was nearly complete - a customized Pretendo, with twelve whole MEGABYTES of onboard memory and every single PCS game that ever existed ready to load at his command. He closed his new and amazing technological wonder, unaware that he neglected to demodulate the flange widget...
The flick of a switch, a sucking noise, and a thud that sounded strangely as though his head had smacked against his Pretendo controller were all that Rick was able to remember when he woke up. With that said, it took him a few seconds to realize that he was no longer in his basement...
A Whole New World
He couldn't believe what he saw. In front of him, the boxarts from dozens of his favorite games, glowing as though they were trying to invite him in... An ever-expanding world, filled with characters and locales found only on the Pretendo Containment System!... and above it all, a small point meter bobbing above his head, letting him know just how far from completion he was... 250,000 points!?! Better get cracking, Tempman!
Gameplay
Premise
Rick Tempman, the main character (who shares a staggering likeness with THE Tempman, controller on face and all), is faced with an incredible challenge. To get out of the world of Pretendo, he must brave the most popular Pretendo games, including UberMan, Bay City Bribe, Triple Tiger, and of course, The Ultra Uberto Brothers, among many others. Each level, straight from the Pretendo game of your choice, is short but challenging, and completing the level as well as completing certain criteria within the level net Rick points. With points, Rick becomes stronger, jumps higher, reacts faster, and gains entry into new levels. After reaching a specific point goal, such as the first (being 250,000), Rick gains entry into a Boss level. Each of these boss levels is a slightly longer level from a predetermined Pretendo game, and at the end of the level, Rick must face off against the game's main character. Will he have what it takes to reach the final 10,000,000 point goal and beat the final boss? That's all up to you!
The classic fun doesn't end there, though. You can make your very own levels using the many sprites and tileset resources available in the game, and upload them to a global database where you can then share and even play them with your friends over Nintendo Wifi Connection! Customize enemy movement patterns, boss fights, and level designs using your touch screen!
Gameplay Elements
Level Variety
You control Rick Tempman differently in each level. You're journeying throughout many different games, after all, so it only makes sense that Rick controls differently in each locale. Lets say you decide to brave the UberMan 2 level... Tempman will don a blue suit, helmet and all, and will gain access to the MegaBlaster! Want to play Ultra Uberto Brothers? Rick becomes a Jumpman who gains power from various fungi found throughout the level! Relive your old favorites while helping Rick conquer each gaming world!
The gameplay and overall game formula shifts as you move between worlds. You'll find that, in the Legend of Delza level, you'll be using swords to fight and shields to keep your hearts from being depleted as you quest for the 3 pieces of the Trifarce, but when you go to challenge the ExciteTrike level, you'll simply have to dodge the on-track obstacles to stay alive. Adapt to these classic gameplay formulas - Tempman's life depends on it!
Tempmaniac
Tempman isn't completely limited to what each level provides him with. Collecting points will fill up his Maniac Meter, and once you've filled that meter up, tap Tempman with your stylus to transform him into Tempmaniac!
Tempmaniac is a whole new experience. In between levels, you can choose to customize Tempmaniac Mode. In the Tempmaniac Customization menu, you're able to customize Tempmaniac with up to five extra abilities collected from stages you've already conqured. Can't beat Dr. Whilly in the UberMan level? Customize Tempmaniac mode so that you can bust out your Guntra weapons and dodge Whilly's cheaper attacks using the Uberto Brother's insane jumping skills! Tempmaniac literally allows you to bring together the best of all worlds in this game, allowing Rick to become the character YOU want him to be.
Tempmaniac lasts for a whole minute once activated... make the most of him!
MiniMania
To lighten things up, you are given the option to play a minigame after each level (based on the theme of the game, of course). You can choose not to play these, but if you do, you can net yourself some valuable points. After you defeat Gannondork and complete the Legend of Delza level, for example, you can challenge yourself to a minigame where Tempman must dodge incoming projectiles spat at him by Octocrocs! You use the stylus for that minigame, of course - these minigames forgo the traditional control schemes in favor of control schemes that truly make the most of the Nintendo DS hardware.
Nintendo DS Feature Utilization
The minigames aren't the only place where you'll be feeling the extra power and abilities of the DS. See some lava blocking your path in Mehtroid, and your Ice Beam just ain't cutting it? Maybe blowing it out'll cool it down! A Mehtroid stuck to you? Drag it off using your stylus! This game encourages experimentation - if you just can't figure out how to get past something using traditional means, one of the DS's unique features will do the trick.
Custom Levels
This game has endless replayability. Even if you somehow manage to conquer every level in Rick's massive collection, you can - get this - make your own levels through Tempmania's comprehensive level editor! From here, you can design levels using tilesets from other levels (or ones that you design!), create enemies, customize their patterns, and even design epic boss showdowns! Your creativity isn't inhibited here, so go crazy!
Once you're done with the level, you can even choose to share it - by connecting to Nintendo Wifi Connection, you can upload the game to an online database, where you can view point and time leaderboards, challenge ghost records, and even face off against other players using your custom Tempmaniac mode! Epic battles and challenging levels await - go for it!
Characters
Rick Tempman
You've read his story, now you can take control! Guide him as he journeys through the wonderful world of Pretendo searching for a way back home!
Tempmaniac
Rick's gaming alter-ego! The culmination of his and your gaming dreams... His eyes glow red! His hair burns white! He takes on the abilities of your favorite characters, to do battle against the dangerous foes that you'll undoutably face during your adventure! Use Tempmaniac well!
Protempman
Rick sees this guy pretty early into his adventure and dubs him Protempman. He seems to be an exact copy of you, and it looks as though he's also trying to beat the game... You'll find him assisting you in times of need, doing battle with you when you get in his way... he's an unpredictable guy. What's he up to?
The Player
You. Rick knows you're there. After all, he's in a game now... where would he be without the player? He'll talk to you, give you hints based on his incredible knowledge of the games around him, and beg for you not to suck. It's his life on the line... keep that in mind. If he's low on health, you can comfort him by talking into the mic. It won't heal him or anything, but he'll breathe a sigh of relief knowing that you're there.
Example Levels
Ultra Uberto Brothers
Jump into the fantastic Toadstool Kingdom, where the evil warlock Bowstard wages war against the benevolent citizens! Use your enhanced jumping skills to defeat enemies and collect power ups to grow larger and fight Bowstard at full strength! Don't worry, the Princess is at that castle.
UberMan 2
Rick becomes a cybernetically enhanced blue bomber! Armed with the MegaBlaster, take down your enemies with careful timed shots and proceed through the level with pixel-perfect jumps! Can you defeat Dr. Whilly and his (admittedly small) army of robots?
The Legend of Delza
The evil Gannondork has scattered the 3 pieces of the Trifarce around the world and captured Princess Delza! It's up to you and Tempman to stop his evil by locating the Trifarce Pieces and dueling him to the death!
ExciteTrike
Fly by obstacles and trick your way to victory! In ExciteTrike, Tempman is given awesome racing skills. It's up to you to make sure he uses 'em right as he soars through the air and narrowly avoids crashing into senseless floating electrical sparks.
Bay City Bribe
Tempman somehow has a girlfriend (pfft) in this level, but in classic video game fashion, she's been kidnapped by a rival gang... and it's up to you and Tempman to save her! Beat rival gang members with various items found in the environment, or just get all up in their face with your foot. It's up to you!
Guntra
You need to escape a military base. Three hits'll kill ya, so make sure to tread lightly while kicking ass with your high-calibur machine gun. Blast your enemies away, Tempman!
Bosses
There are twelve Boss Showdowns in this game - after reaching a certain point total, you unlock a special, longer (around ten minutes) level where, if you complete it and take down the boss at the end, you can unlock a whole NEW set of levels, with more point-collection opportunities than the last! Here's a sneak peek at two of 'em...
Boss Showdown #1
You're dropped on an isolated planet, with nothing but your Strength Suit and Power Gun at your disposal. Explore the level, collect powerups, and find the boss key! Can you defeat Shamus Rana at her own game? Take control of the Mehtroid home planet and blast your way to victory!
Boss Showdown #2
One room. Eight Robot Kings. Defeat them in succession, take their weapons, and fight the ultimate weapon master... UberMan! He switches weapons often, and you should too! Each of his weapons is weak against one of yours, and vice versa... find the cycle and defeat UberMan! Can you do it?
