Wasteland Kings is a prototype that was developed at the Mojam game jam in
February 2013 and released in September of that year for free to celebrate’s
the development studio’s third birthday. This prototype forms the groundwork
for the game Nuclear Throne released in 2015. Many elements of this title,
such as the game mechanics, art style and music are also present in the
commercial version. It is an action roguelike game set in a post-apocalyptic
wasteland filled with mutants. The game is meant to be played in multiple runs
and has randomized environments, and weapon and monster placement for each
session. It consists of several levels played in succession, each with a
different theme.

There is permadeath and five characters are available from the start,
representing different playing styles: Crystal, Eyes, Fish, Melting and Plant.
Next to the basic attack each character has a unique secondary action such as
a roll or forming a shield, along with a general perk. The game is played as a
twin-stick shooter where both movement and firing in any direction can be
independently combined. Levels are short and always consist of a single,
scrolling room. When all enemies are defeated a vortex appears that sucks the
character into the next level. Levels contain random chests with ranged
weapons such as a revolver, a machinegun and a crossbow, but also melee
weapons such as a sledgehammer. Ranged weapons usually have a limited amount
of ammo and require ammo pick-ups to keep using them. Up to two weapons can be
carried and they can be swapped when a new one is encountered.

Enemies leave behind radioactive fragments known as rads. These can also be
found as pick-ups. They fill a meter in the top left corner and when a
sufficient amount has been collected the character levels up and a mutation is
offered after completing a level. Mutations are perks permanent for that run
and include a larger bullet capacity, less damage, more health, better range,
better movement speed, slower enemy bullets, increased drops etc.

Wasteland Kings