16 Jun
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Welcome to part 6 of our '7 Reasons to Play Dad Quest' feature! Today we're looking at the many enemies of Dad Quest!
We're so very close to Father's Day now, but you can get ahead of the fatherly game right now - Dad Quest is currently 60% off, it's largest ever discount on Steam to date.
Blog by Sundae Month's Eric Winebrenner
Prelude
Designing enemies in Dad Quest has always been a challenge. By throwing their child, a player can attack from an infinite number of angles, and a versatile toolbox of toys and charge abilities just adds to their combat options. There is an inherent push-pull dynamic involved in moving the Dad and Child together as a unit - the Dad must avoid being damaged by enemy attacks while the Child performs counter-attacks. When designing the offense of enemies for a given area, we take into account the movement options of the Player, and figure out how to attack the Player in ways that challenge their current moveset. As the Player begins Chapter 2, they have an additional movement option to work with: Double Jump. With Double Jump, the Player can more easily avoid grounded enemies, but they will need to precisely time their jumps to maneuver past flipping pigs and zooming snowy owls while trekking up the Mountains. They will also need to keep their Child close by, as a Child falling off a cliff can leave its unprotected Dad in mortal danger.
Ice Variants
Having migrated to the mountains from the nearby desert ages ago, these creatures have developed certain traits that set them apart from their relatives, and allow them to survive the harsh cold. Their sub-zero temperature attacks will freeze a warm-blooded Dad on contact, so steer clear or wear a Scarf!
Pigs
Once part of a peaceful, fun-loving family, these creatures became feral, shed their clothes, and ran off into the wild. Now dangerous and nude, they perform flips with their strong haunches to attack anything they consider threatening. Keep your eyes peeled for surprise pigs, and hit them out of the air!
Snowmen
Driven into a trance-like state by overwhelming boredom - caused by being rooted in the same spot for their entire lives - these creatures spend their days ripping off their own heads and bowling them toward anything that moves. Since they live in a land of ever-present snowfall, they are able to regrow their heads, and the cycle continues. Don’t fret, though - they can’t turn around! Just get behind them and give ‘em a whack!
Bat
These tiny, three-eyed creatures can fly very fast and are often found in groups; however, they are quite weak, often dying to a single blow. They enjoy hanging out in caves and overhangs, as well as annoying passing travellers.
Bulb
These creatures are born with the unfortunate combination of both an extremely delicate, glass-like exoskeleton and a tendency to be easily frightened. They shatter on contact, leaving behind several pointy shards that are harmful to the touch. Stand back, and watch your step!
Yeti
Once a tribe of peaceful cave-dwellers in the caves near the Gastop, a chance encounter with an abandoned crate of energy drinks has led these creatures to be wild, aggressive, and dangerous. They will often hurl balls of snow and rock at passerby, and even try to bodyslam those who try to get too close. Keep your distance! Travelers seeking passage through the Mountains often go missing near their caves...
Owl
These majestic flying creatures have an almost ghostly appearance as they gently float through the snowy air and perch near cliff faces. They feed on mountain climbing rats, and don’t like travelers who get too close to their nests.
Rat
Servants of the Royal Trash Family, these little rodents like to climb walls and scavenge in dumpsters. They are able to survive almost anywhere. Those whom the Royal Trash Family find trustworthy get additional training in the skills of spear-throwing and bipedal movement.