Tänzer (video game) explained

Tänzer
Developer:Mikael Tillander
Publisher:Mega Cat Studios
Composer:Johan Agurén
Platforms:Sega Mega Drive
Genre:Action, hack and slash, platform
Modes:Single-player

Tänzer is a 2019 hack and slash action-platform video game developed by Mikael Tillander and originally published by Mega Cat Studios for the Sega Mega Drive. In the game, players assume the role of a ballerina whose body was transformed to fight against enemies in a post-apocalyptic setting. The title was crowdfunded through Kickstarter, being first released in 2019 for the Mega Drive and has since been re-released as part of the Mega Cat Studios – Collection 1 compilation for Evercade in 2020.

Gameplay

Tänzer is a hack and slash action-platform game reminiscent of , Osman and Strider, where players assume the role of a ballerina whose body was transformed to fight against enemies and bosses through multiple stages in a post-apocalyptic setting.[1]

During gameplay, players can execute a variety of moves including slash attacks and triple jumps, as well as a "Transmutation" ability.[1] After completing a stage, players can buy items such as additional "Transmutation" abilities via gold currency dropped by defeated enemies along the way.[1] Attacking on determined locations is also crucial, as certain setpieces in stages hosts secrets within their scenery.[1] There is no save feature but an item that allows players to resume their progress after a game over is available to buy in the game's shop mechanic.[1]

Development and release

Tänzer was created by Swedish developer Mikael Tillander acting as the sole programmer, as well as creating the pixel art and sound effects, while the soundtrack and cover art were handled by Johan Agurén and Fergi Susetiyo respectively.[2] Agurén also provided additional game design during development.[1] Tillander stated that the project was influenced by games like Strider and Osman, artists such as Keita Amemiya and Roger Dean, as well as the anime series Guyver.[2] [3] [4] When looking for an idea to his project, Tillander stated that he remembered Hagane: The Final Conflict and settled on making a hack and slash platform-esque game for the Sega Mega Drive.[5]

Tänzer was first launched on Kickstarter in 2018 and successfully reached its funding goal of 20,000 SEK in hours.[6] The game was published for the Sega Mega Drive by Mega Cat Studios in 2019 as both a physical and digital release.[6] [7] The physical version was released with packaging mimicking officially licensed Mega Drive releases from multiple regions.[8] The title was later re-released in 2020 as part of the Mega Cat Studios – Collection 1 compilation for Evercade.[9]

Reception

Pixelated Gamers Dan Adcock gave the original Sega Mega Drive release a highly positive review, praising various aspects such as the visuals, gameplay and difficulty.[10] Retro Gamers Darran Jones gave the game a positive outlook on the Mega Cat Studios – Collection 1 for Evercade, praising Johan Agurén's music and stating that "Mikael Tillander's Strider clone tops the Mega Cat collection".[11]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Tänzer manual (Sega Mega Drive, EU)
  2. Web site: Tänzer: A new SEGA Mega Drive / Genesis Exclusive game. Kickstarter. May 27, 2018. 2020-09-06. https://web.archive.org/web/20200525014637/https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/835242565/tanzer-a-new-sega-mega-drive-genesis-exclusive-gam/. 2020-05-25. live.
  3. Web site: Battison. Jamie. Kickstarter: Tanzer – Megadrive/Genesis. Homebrew Legends. Zaps Media. May 27, 2018. 2020-09-06. 2019-10-27. https://web.archive.org/web/20191027165247/http://www.homebrewlegends.com/kickstarter-tanzer-megadrive-genesis/. live.
  4. Web site: Croft. Paula. Mega Drive recibirá Tanzer, un nuevo juego, gracias a kickstarter. MeriStation. PRISA. May 28, 2018. 2020-09-06. es. 2020-09-06. https://web.archive.org/web/20200906195130/https://as.com/meristation/2018/05/28/noticias/1527517620_176052.html. live.
  5. Web site: Battison. Jamie. RVG Interviews: Mikael Tillander. Retro Video Gamer. Zaps Media. April 13, 2018. 2020-09-06. https://web.archive.org/web/20200329170557/https://www.retrovideogamer.co.uk/rvg-interviews-mikael-tillander/. 2020-03-29. live.
  6. Web site: González. Alberto. Un nuevo juego para Mega Drive irrumpe en Kickstarter con gran éxito - Se llama Tanzer y está enfocado a la acción. Vandal. El Español. May 28, 2018. 2020-09-06. es. 2019-07-17. https://web.archive.org/web/20190717114449/https://vandal.elespanol.com/noticia/1350708108/un-nuevo-juego-para-mega-drive-irrumpe-en-kickstarter-con-gran-exito/. live.
  7. Web site: Passero. Andrea. Tänzer, una nuova esclusiva per... Sega Mega Drive - Il Mega Drive avrà un nuovo gioco in esclusiva!. IGN Italia. Ziff Davis. May 28, 2018. 2020-09-06. it. 2020-09-06. https://web.archive.org/web/20200906195334/https://it.ign.com/ign-retro/140521/news/tanzer-una-nuova-esclusiva-per-sega-mega-drive. live.
  8. Web site: Wong. Alistair. Tanzer Is Time-Travelling Sidescroller Of Battling Demonic Chuck Wagons & Evil Sheriffs. Siliconera. Curse LLC. June 5, 2018. 2020-09-06. 2020-09-06. https://web.archive.org/web/20200906195116/https://www.siliconera.com/tanzer-time-travelling-sidescroller-battling-demonic-chuck-wagons-evil-sheriffs/. live.
  9. Web site: Mega Cat Studios – Collection 1 Cartridge. Evercade. Blaze Entertainment. April 28, 2020. 2020-09-06. 2020-08-21. https://web.archive.org/web/20200821073007/https://www.evercade.co.uk/mega-cat-studios-collection-1-cartridge/. live.
  10. Web site: Adcock. Dan. Tanzer Review (Sega Genesis). Pixelated Gamer. August 18, 2019. 2020-09-06. 2020-09-06. https://web.archive.org/web/20200906195115/https://pixelatedgamer.com/tanzer-review-sega-genesis/. live.
  11. Jones. Darran. Evercade: Forgotten Gems - Tanzer: Strider Through Time. Retro Gamer. 210. Future Publishing. August 2020. 74–75.