Thanks for taking the time to play our game.
Numbos is a puzzle game with a focus on customizable game modes and graphics, where you can compete for high scores in single player or play against your friends (not currently implemented).
During this play test, you will be asked to play different game modes and leave feedback about each one in a Google form. We will use this feedback to improve the game and implement changes in future Numbos updates.
The game has original art and music featured in this version, though not all art is final.
Gameplay Elements
Numbos is a vertical drop block puzzle using “Numbinos” – geometric shapes – which are made up of a varied amount of “Numblocks” – single block shapes each containing a number. In basic Numbos, Numblocks contain a blank,1, 2, or 3.
Numbinos will drop from the top of the screen onto the board, falling vertically in the default mode. They can be arranged along the bottom of the board for various effects.
Having 3 blocks in sequence result in a sum of 7 causes a sum, which will clear the blocks when placed in a sequence horizontally vertically, diagonally, or all of them depending on the level or game mode you choose. Having more than one sum in a row results in a Numbo (number combo.) The larger the Numbo, the greater the points!
Default game modes contain a numbo indicator we are calling “ghost piece” showing where a numbo would occur on the gameboard below, but you can shut this off for a greater challenge.
Gravity can be triggered in different ways depending on game mode, allowing any piece with a blank space below it to drop to the bottom. Gravity clears can result in rows and numbos and are a great way to increase score and extend your play! In the default mode, completing a row of numblocks will trigger a gravity effect. In other modes, gravity may be triggered by sums, numbos, or be active all the time, depending on the game configuration.
In this Alpha you can also use a dash move to move horizontally at a high rate of speed. By default, this is done with Q and E, but can easily be remapped. Additional controls are available in the controls menu.
While Numbos may be reminiscent of games you have played in the past, the addition of sums and numbos puts a new twist on traditional gameplay. Please keep in mind this is an Alpha, and the program may have crashes, bugs, or fail to accurately score your game. To help both you and us with this process, we have error logging available in the game. Thanks for taking the time to help us improve Numbos!
Press Escape during gameplay to bring up a pause menu. You can adjust your volumes, and controls from this menu, as well as exit to the main menu, or quit the game. You should use this menu to view / remap your initial controls.
In this Alpha, the following game modes are available:
Default: In this game mode, complete rows to trigger gravity. Sums and Numbos will clear blocks, and solving a certain amount of Numbos will increase the Round, increasing the speed of Numbinos. Numbos are scanned vertically and horizontally.
Perfect Mode: In this mode, Numbinos may only be rotated 3 times, allowing for each position only once. Make sure you are aligned before dropping! Rows trigger gravity, and Sums and Numbos trigger Rounds. Numbos are scanned vertically and horizontally.
Numbos Only: No rows in this mode. Numbos are scanned in all 8 directions, and there is no gravity. How many Numbos can you get before topping out?
L’s Mode: Shapes are non rotatable L shapes that spawn in a random rotation. Gravity is triggered by Rows. Rounds are increased by Sums and Numbos. Numbos are scanned vertically and horizontally.
Diagonals: In this game mode, complete rows to trigger gravity. Sums and Numbos will clear blocks, and solving a certain amount of Numbos will increase the Round, increasing the speed of Numbinos. Numbos are scanned Diagonally, not Horizontally and Vertically.
You may notice that Numbos game themes all look quite different. That’s because Numbos is all about customization, and we plan to launch it with its own theme builder. The “Numbuilder” allows players to customize the look of their Numbos levels, including which stats and scores appear, how they appear, and where they appear. In the future, you will be able to share these themes with other players, and even gamble them in head to head competition for hilarious results.
Some of the default themes attached are simply to showcase the level of customization possible. If you are not satisfied with the current theme, you can change the theme by pressing R and the theme will change randomly.
Please let us know what you think of the themes presented, and we would love to hear any suggestions or ideas you may have for future themes. Thanks again for your help in making our dream of sharing Numbos with the world possible!
Angus Fox
Gutpunch Studios
