Code: HARDCORE is a game of 2D mecha combat, letting players choose from one of several different styles of mecha, customize them with weapons and items, and then take them out to clash with friends or play through the game’s various story and arcade modes.
Four types of mecha are currently on display for Code: HARDCORE’s Kickstarter. The Thunderbolt offers all-around solid performance, the tank-like Roundhammer promises high defense and extremely destructive weaponry at the cost of speed, the Geier can transform into a high-speed jet, and the Crimson Flame offers strong melee attacks. The full game will offer fifteen types of mecha upon completion.
The development team at Rocket Punch have put in a great deal of work to make sure each mecha looks unique and has fluid movements. Each was designed full-szied at first, then changed over into the Super Deformed style they will use in the game. The developers have also concentrated on giving the mecha a sense of weight to strengthen the sense of impact in combat.
A pilot is required for each mecha, and the selectable pilots all offer unique abilities such as being able to make repairs, automatically ejecting upon defeat, or doing more damage as they get near death. Pilots will also have their own combat abilities, and can climb into a new mecha should the old one be destroyed.
Mecha can also be equipped with weapons and items of the player’s choosing, with some weaponry behaving differently depending on which mecha it is equipped to.
Once the player has customized the components of their mecha, they can battle on or offline with up to four players, or they can tackle arcade and story modes. The arcade mode offers a Street Fighter-like experience where players will battle a single opponent or large boss. Story mode will walk player through the game’s controls and have them battle their way through several stages.
On top of its Kickstarter (which has already surpassed its funding goal), Code: HARDCORE is also raising votes on Steam Greenlight. It is projected to release in Q3 or Q4 in 2017.
