Early 3D era gameplay nostalgia
1996 3D arcade action goes vaporwave in Super Vapor 64.
VAPORWAVE.com talked with KYOTO-CHAN about Super Vapor 64, a vaporwave game that looks like it released in 1996. Part of our "4 answers, 20 questions" series, this interview sheds some light on the title's gameplay experience.
Super Vapor 64 not only looks like an early 3D game, it also feels like one. How would you describe the unique feeling evoked by the gameplay?
While we enjoy the complexity of modern games, we miss the simplicity of older ones. Particularly, we're thinking about games you don't even remember playing.
Picture this: it's the 90's. You see a game you've never heard of at your local video rental store. The box art looks cool, so you decide to bring it home, knowing you'll have to return it in a few days. With so little time, you probably don't read the manual (even if you have it) and jump straight into the game. After all, you're smart enough to figure out the controls by yourself. Maybe you miss out on a few important details, but it doesn't matter. You're probably never going to finish this game anyway, but at least you're having your own personal memorable adventure within it.
This is the feeling we were going for when we created Super Vapor 64.
The controls in this game feel distinctly 1996. Why is that?
There's something interesting about early 3D games in regards to characters and cameras: they often had weird control schemes. Think about some of the first 3D platformers which used tank controls. We don't advocate for making games purposefully hard to play, but sometimes it's refreshing to play a game that works just a little differently. We believe we found the right balance in Super Vapor 64, with intuitive controls that might still surprise you from time to time if you're not careful!
That being said, the physics system is pretty fun. Sometimes, the snowballs can push you off track, but they've also helped us out on more than a few occasions! This is exciting, because something surprising can happen at any moment.
According to the game's description, not every copy of Super Vapor 64 is personalized, but every copy is always changing. What does that mean?
Super Vapor 64 creates new levels for you every time you play. This means that you'll never get the same level twice. We made it so there's a certain level of unpredictability and luck involved too. You might get an easy level, or you might get a hard level. It's always changing.
The only rule that holds true is that as long as you can make it to the finish line, there's a new, longer challenge waiting for you next. How far can you go?
If you could choose only one word to describe this game's experience, what would it be?
Freedom.
Super Vapor 64 never asks you anything. There's no tutorials, loading screens, or unskippable cutscenes. You simply jump in and play. If you want to be competitive, you can do runs for time, score, or levels completed. If you just want to relax and enjoy the ride, you can do that too.
This game would feel right at home in an arcade or a on a retro game console. We hope you'll enjoy it!
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Super Vapor 64 is available to buy now on VAPORWAVE.com
