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| OpenSupaplex | |
|---|---|
 | |
| General | |
| Author | sergiou87 |
| Type | Puzzle |
| Version | 7.1.2 |
| License | Mixed |
| Last Updated | 2020/08/21 |
| Links | |
| Download | |
| Website | |
| Source | |
Supaplex is a video game created by Philip Jespersen and Michael Stopp, two Swiss students, and published by Digital Integration in 1991.
Since then the source code has been lost. Some enthusiasts have disassembled the game, fixed many bugs, and added many features. Today the game and the so-called speed fix can be downloaded free from here. The source code for the speed fix is likewise, unavailable.
OpenSupaplex is a 1:1 reimplementation of the original game in C and SDL, with just a few changes to make it easy to use with game controllers, and also easy to port to any platform. If you're interested about this reverse-engineering process, check out this thread.
User guide
Supaplex is an extended clone of Boulder Dash, but it introduces a number of new elements that were not present in Boulder Dash, including bugs, pieces of base that randomly cause a life-threatening electrostatic discharges, Ports, which limit Murphy's movement to specific directions, and terminals, which set off yellow Utility Disks.
Utility Disks are explosive floppy disks and come in three different colors: Orange Disks work like Zonks, but explode when hit or when falling. Yellow Disks do not fall yet may be pushed in any direction, but not pulled (which allows creating Sokoban-like puzzles), and explode when the Terminal is used. Red Disks can be carried and dropped when convenient, exploding seconds after.
Supaplex is the first Boulder Dash-like game that is not fully grid-based: while the playing field is an obvious grid, the objects do not "snap" from one grid position to another, but can be halfway or "in between" grid positions while moving or falling. This behavior has led to a number of well-known bugs that can be turned to the your advantage, many of which need to be exploited to complete fan-made levels. For instance, by turning around quickly, you can cause an enemy or rock to "bounce" off Murphy.
The game also applies "gravity" on some levels, which means that Murphy will fall down empty spaces and will be unable to go back up, unless he climbs up by using bases. Gravity is not actually designated - you can only notice via trial-and-error.
Controls
Left Stick or D-Pad - Up/Down/Left/Right
Y+Left Stick/D-Pad - Removing bases/infotrons next to Murphy
Y (hold) - Detonate red disk
X - Show/hide bottom game panel
A - Show number of red disks
L/R - Change game speed
Minus - Exit/back
Plus - Pause
Screenshots
Changelog
v7.1.2 2020/08/21
- NEW:
- Added proper Linux support (thanks @DarthGandalf).
- FIXED:
- The Nintendo Switch port can now be played in Applet Mode. Virtual keyboard support has been disabled (thanks @rjimenezda).
v7.1.1 2020/07/05
- FIXED:
- LB/L1/L and RB/R1/R buttons won't change the game speed anymore when used in the main menu.
- Wii and Wii U ports had the wrong title in the Homebrew Channel.
- Fixed game panel behavior when you restart a level with it hidden. Now it will be shown when you restart a level.
v7.1 2020/07/02
- NEW:
- Added support for PSP, Nintendo 3DS, Windows 64bit, macOS, PS3, Wii and Wii U.
- Added Music and Sound Effects.
- Added support for saving and loading game states.
- Bumped the default game speed from 5 to 10 (maximum).
- Added different scaling modes.
- Improved gamepad controls:
- LB/L1/L and RB/R1/R buttons can be used in the main menu to select a different level set.
- LB/L1/L and RB/R1/R buttons can be used in during the game to change the game speed.
- Y/Triangle button (X on Nintendo consoles) shows/hides the bottom panel during the game.
- B/Circle button (A on Nintendo consoles) displays, for a few seconds, the number of red disks you have.
- Back/Select/Minus during a game will exit the level immediately.
- Start/Plus during a game will pause the game.
- Added advanced menu giving access to many options that were only available with a keyboard before, or not available at all:
- Restart the level.
- Sound and music volume.
- Change the scaling mode.
- Game speed.
- Play/record demos.
- Debug options (show FPS, load/save state, remove Zonks/Snik Snaks…). If you use these, your progress won't count.
- And more things!
- Added command line options in platforms that support this. Just run the game with
--helpfor more info.
- FIXED:
- Fixed many MANY bugs. Now the game should behave exactly as the original, validated by almost 7000 pre-recorded demos.
v7.0 2020/05/06
- NEW:
- Initial version for PS Vita and Nintendo Switch! Almost everything is working except sound. The game should be fully playable.
- I chose version 7.0 because the original game and its subsequent updates went up to 6.3.