Looking for game recommendations to tickle my Tempest itch
For those who do not know it, Tempest is a classic arcade vector-based game, and I urge you to check it out. It is highly addictive and nowadays should fall well within the fast-paced retro fashion.
The problem is that for quite some years, I had nothing to scratch that itch. The last proper Tempest-like game that I played was Typhoon 2001 on Linux, which was a free/gratis clone of Tempest 2000.
Now it seems that in 2018 Tempest 4000 came out, but only for PC (a.k.a. Windows), PlayStation 4 and XBox One. As a Linux and Nintendo Switch gamer, that doesn’t help me one bit.
There are two FOSS versions: Arashi, which works only on old Macs, and Arashi-js, which is a JavaScript re-implementation of the former. Unfortunately, none of the two seem to work on my laptop.
So, here I am, itching for that Tempest fix, yet without a clue how to get something on either Switch on Linux (apart from perhaps Typhoon if it still works). Any suggestions would be more then welcome.
If you want to play something like tempest that's a little different, pull up MAME and play Konami's enhanced clone, gyruss. It's not vector, for better or worse, but the gameplay is excellent and it's got a great, though short, soundtrack.
Unfortunately it doesn't have a native Linux or Switch version either, so this won't help you immediately, but maybe it will start working through Proton eventually. (Edit: it sounds like it somewhat works already, maybe it's improved since that report?)
Polybius is excellent (especially in VR). It's by Jeff Minter, who was the developer of Tempest 2000 and Tempest 4000. Here's a good video of him playing through the first 7 levels while explaining a little about the game: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VXsAiNdelk
Speaking of Polybius, highly recommending Ahoy's "Polybius: The Video Game That Doesn't Exist" documentary.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7X6Yeydgyg
That was very to interesting watch, thank you.
It's a shame Polybius never seems to go on sale. Practically every game on Steam is on sale right now except Polybius.
Oooh, that looks indeed like something I would dig. Thanks a tonne! :D
It seems like a crossover of Tempest and Race the Sun
The genre you are looking for is "Tube Shooters". Polybius is inspired by Tempest and an urban legend. The same developer previously released TxK for the PS Vita as well as a number of official Tempest games.
Neon Rider 1985
It's probably not nearly as slick or polished as what you're looking for, but it is playable in browser!
It seems somewhat sluggish, unfortunately. But thanks for the suggestion nonetheless.