+ Fixes Upgrade Rocket possibly failing and blocking level progress if the player did multiple runs in a row without restarting the game. Sorry about that. Thanks for your bug reports!
+ Fixes Upgrade Rocket possibly failing and blocking level progress if the player did multiple runs in a row without restarting the game.
Sorry about that. Thanks for your bug reports!
alpha 0.9 is out! It has lots of big changes to a run's flow, some fun new fellas to meet and shoot, and local co-op. I'll go into the details now! New Minibosses DEATH STARFISH SUNBEAM: I really like how this goofball's weird attack works and how you can match-3 to get past its
alpha 0.9 is out! It has lots of big changes to a run's flow, some fun new fellas to meet and shoot, and local co-op. I'll go into the details now!
DEATH STARFISH
SUNBEAM: I really like how this goofball's weird attack works and how you can match-3 to get past its armor.
No more level-up interruptions! Level up all at once after minibosses/bosses, and spend your coins on items! For now, all items are heals. I'd like to add a variety of things in the future. This really changes the flow and pace of the game for the better, but it certainly changes a level's difficulty curve. I hope that the extra boss rewards provided by scouts will help that.
These fellas only show up once you buy the "Scouts" upgrade in the Ichor Upgrades Shop! They'll let you pick which boss to fight and which rewards to get. For now the rewards are kinda big and simple: piles of coin or XP. I don't think they make things too easy, given the somewhat delayed upgrade path.
This is part of an overall goal to better pace the levels and give you more control over your run in this update. The game will now spawn waves sooner and scroll levels faster if the screen is cleared of enemies and obstacles, too!
Right now this is a carry-your-friends (i.e. kids) mode. It's a lot of fun as is, but I'm open to a more traditional/tough co-op mode where there's a shared health pool, etc. I'm eager to hear your feedback on this and hope you enjoy it!
I also added a tutorial for where the player's weak point is! Sorry I didn't do that earlier, although I imagine a good few of you figured it out already. It's the pupil.
Here are the full patch notes. It's a lot!
alpha 0.9 Patch Notes
Added upgrade shops. No more level up interruptions!
Level up after minibosses and bosses, spend coins on items.
Added Scouts ichor upgrade: pick which boss you'll fight, and rewards!
Added local co-op! It's a carry-your-friends mode.
Tell me if you want a harder co-op experience, too!
Added miniboss: DEATH STARFISH
Added miniboss: SUNBEAM
Added coin, unspent level-ups to player HUD.
Added weak point tutorial to in-game tutorial and how to play menu.
Improved level pacing:
tighter wave spawning if the screen is cleared early.
levels 2 and 3 now scroll faster if the screen is clear.
Fixed held fire button resulting in instant upgrade acceptance if fire/confirm are bound to the same key
Fixed zapper network enemies on level 3: more variable formations, more of them.
I've got local co-op working in Match Shot Chimera, for up to 4 players! Presently it's a "carry your kids" mode. Player 1 has the usual multiple hearts while co-op players each need resurrecting any time they're hit. Sit in a rez circle for a while or fetch an insta-rez item dro
I've got local co-op working in Match Shot Chimera, for up to 4 players!
Presently it's a "carry your kids" mode. Player 1 has the usual multiple hearts while co-op players each need resurrecting any time they're hit. Sit in a rez circle for a while or fetch an insta-rez item dropped by matching 3, and your co-op partner(s) will get another chance.
It's certainly OP, but that's kinda the point!
I've also tested a "die with your friends" mode where everyone shares the same health bar. That's lower priority at the moment, but I'm open to adding it later!
My big move is mostly done now. This was a great way to get back into the thick of development. I'll be getting back to work on the rest of the next alpha now!
I've added new bosses for level 1 and level 2: CARPY DIE 'EM and MAW MAW. Currently they spawn randomly on any run after you've beaten their respective levels once. That's proven pretty torturous in testing. In the next patch I plan to let you choose which boss you fight before y
I've added new bosses for level 1 and level 2: CARPY DIE 'EM and MAW MAW.
Currently they spawn randomly on any run after you've beaten their respective levels once. That's proven pretty torturous in testing. In the next patch I plan to let you choose which boss you fight before you get to that part of the level.
As I mentioned earlier, I've got a lot more updates planned than these bosses, and I'll be going over those shortly. But first, this alpha's change notes (alpha 0.8):
Levels can now have one of multiple bosses. Defeat one to unlock the next!
Added fish boss: CARPY DIE 'EM
Added factory boss: MAW MAW
Increased level 1 boss healths
Improved spear squid attack hit detection
Improved enemy beam attack canceling
Improved level randomness for repeated runs.
Fixed Perry's parry potentially persisting past player press
Fixed enemy bullet z-order conflicts just after firing
Fixed unexpected behavior after some enemy deaths
My next major focus is going to be improving level pacing and giving you more decisions mid-level.
I've got plenty of ideas for how to better detect "gaps" in levels, either because of generation or an especially murderous player. Then I'll have the level spawn things earlier or outright fast forward the level's scroll progression. We'll see what works best!
This first implementation of mid-level decisions will be represented via friendly targets that fly up to you in world for you to activate, either to pick a route/boss or purchase an item with your coins. It's simple enough, but I hope it'll add extra choices without pulling you out of the gameplay as much as another menu would.
While I'm excited for that general focus, content additions like more player upgrades, more enemies, and more minibosses are also planned for the next alpha! Increasing player choice should make playing with all of that a lot more fun!
Thanks so much for playing Match Shot Chimera, and for your feedback! I hope you enjoy these new bosses and have a good holiday season.
I will be moving over the holidays, which will be hard. But eventually I'll be spending a lot less time working on moving and selling house. I'm looking forward to it!
- Levels can now have one of multiple bosses. Defeat one to unlock the next! - Added fish boss: CARPY DIE 'EM - Added factory boss: MAW MAW - Increased level 1 boss healths - Improved spear squid attack hit detection - Improved enemy beam attack canceling - Improved level randomn
- Levels can now have one of multiple bosses. Defeat one to unlock the next!
- Added fish boss: CARPY DIE 'EM
- Added factory boss: MAW MAW
- Increased level 1 boss healths
- Improved spear squid attack hit detection
- Improved enemy beam attack canceling
- Improved level randomness for repeated runs.
- Fixed Perry's parry potentially persisting past player press
- Fixed enemy bullet z-order conflicts just after firing
- Fixed unexpected behavior after some enemy deaths
Along with a few fixes and improvements, Match Shot Chimera has 2 more bosses coming: Carpy Die 'em and MAW MAW! I'd hoped for more features in this release, but I've been swamped by a move that wasn't planned when I was picking the game's release date(s). That's wrapping up now,
Along with a few fixes and improvements, Match Shot Chimera has 2 more bosses coming:
Carpy Die 'em
and MAW MAW!
I'd hoped for more features in this release, but I've been swamped by a move that wasn't planned when I was picking the game's release date(s). That's wrapping up now, which means I've got even less time to spare at the moment! I don't recommend moving your family over the holidays.
I'm looking forward to being done with the move! And I've still got lots of things to add to Match Shot Chimera after this next update; I just wanted to release these two soon so that there'd be something new for you all to play with!
Happy Holidays!
alpha 0.7.4 Patch Notes: Unity Engine security update Removed player movement acceleration, (more shmup-like movement, instant stops) Improved UI handling of ultrawide displays Level 2 laser enemies no longer fire while off-screen I'm releasing this patch a bit earlier than plann
alpha 0.7.4 Patch Notes:
I'm releasing this patch a bit earlier than planned. A bigger patch is still on the way!
If you're especially attached to the old movement style, tell me! I'm open to making this configurable.
Match Shot Chimera's out now on Steam Early Access! It's been a lot of work, and I plan for it to be a lot more work after this! Compared to the demo there are lots of new things: New character: Wally (shield bubble, makes shield walls) New character: Perry (parries enemy shots o
Match Shot Chimera's out now on Steam Early Access!
It's been a lot of work, and I plan for it to be a lot more work after this!
Compared to the demo there are lots of new things:
New character: Wally (shield bubble, makes shield walls)
New character: Perry (parries enemy shots on swap!)
New level: SPACE!
New enemies: alien-shaped baddies. Lots of brain jars and strange new enemy attack styles.
Ichor upgrade shop: permanent progression between runs
Multiple difficulties: stronger enemies, faster enemies, longer levels.
I'm eager to hear what you think! How's it play? Favorite characters? Is blocking in a shmup a crime?
I'm happy with the game so far, but it won't last you for ages at this point. Multiple characters and difficulty levels to play with is a start! Future releases will focus strongly on improving replayability and the overall content amount.
What's next:
More upgrades, for more varied runs!
More control over your mid-run upgrade choices
More characters
More enemies
Difficulty-specific enemies and wave designs
More unique enemy behaviors and formations
More beautiful and evil bullet patterns to dodge
Better level backgrounds
Match Shot Chimera has been delayed to September 24. Sorry for the delay. Match Shot Chimera was ready for September 9th but there were some things out of my control in Steam's backend. I'm happy to have more time to polish and promote before release, though! Match Shot Chimera w
Match Shot Chimera has been delayed to September 24.
Sorry for the delay. Match Shot Chimera was ready for September 9th but there were some things out of my control in Steam's backend.
I'm happy to have more time to polish and promote before release, though! Match Shot Chimera will be coming at you better than ever September 24th!
Match-3 and blow everything up in Match Shot Chimera, a unique fusion of two rather different genres of games into something fun. Read the full article here:
Match-3 and blow everything up in Match Shot Chimera, a unique fusion of two rather different genres of games into something fun.
Read the full article here: https://www.gamingonlinux.com/2025/08/match-shot-chimera-blends-together-a-shoot-em-up-with-clever-match-3-mechanics/
Match Shot Chimera's coming to Steam Early Access September 9th! Wishlist and tell your friends, tell your mom, tell your pets! Here's a trailer with some new footage of the next level and boss. There will be more!
Match Shot Chimera's coming to Steam Early Access September 9th! Wishlist and tell your friends, tell your mom, tell your pets!
Here's a trailer with some new footage of the next level and boss. There will be more!
It's been great getting the latest version of the demo out to everyone for Steam Next Fest. I wanted to show you all what I've been working on for the full version of the game lately, starting with new characters and persistent upgrades! New Characters The starting character, eve
It's been great getting the latest version of the demo out to everyone for Steam Next Fest. I wanted to show you all what I've been working on for the full version of the game lately, starting with new characters and persistent upgrades!
The starting character, ever-heroic Jeremy, has a pretty simple charge skill: Focus Fire. For the second character I wanted to have a skill that pretty dramatically changes the play-style.
Meet Wally and his shield!
It only adds to your break meter when taking a hit, but two hits will be enough to break a block entirely. On break you drop a temporary shield wall.
A shield's pretty powerful in a shmup, but this is also much larger than your standard weak spot (the pupil). I think this is a fairly balanced place to start, but will certainly keep an eye on how this plays out.
This is Perry!
You'll be able to spend the ichor you accumulate across runs on persistent upgrades. They'll make you more powerful and give you more options on your next run.
The best way to show that off quickly is... a gif of UI. Delicious.
Besides what's pictured I'm also planning on upgrades that affect the kinds of encounters that spawn, your ability to reroll your upgrades on level-up, and a good few other ideas. But these six are a good place to start for now!
I'll be posting about the game's third level and new enemies/minibosses next. Thanks again for your feedback, wishlists and demo reviews! They're a huge help for this tiny team.
Tyrus Peace plays Match Shot Chimera! Hats by grandma.
Tyrus Peace plays Match Shot Chimera! Hats by grandma.
As always, you can get the latest version of the Match Shot Chimera Demo right here: View game page If you haven't tried the demo yet: please do! It's the best way to try out this lil' match-3 shmup at the moment, and I'd love to hear what you think so far. It works great on Stea
As always, you can get the latest version of the Match Shot Chimera Demo right here:
If you haven't tried the demo yet: please do! It's the best way to try out this lil' match-3 shmup at the moment, and I'd love to hear what you think so far. It works great on Steam Deck!
I've improved the effects for matching blocks and player damage quite a bit in this update, which should improve the game's feel and make getting damaged much more noticeable!
I've used some of that same tech to improve the "colored vector" render style, as well!
There are a lot of other changes I've made recently which are focused on the upcoming early access release. I'll detail those in another post soon! But there are many fixes and improvements to the demo in this update, as well. I've included more comprehensive patch notes below.
alpha 0.6 Patch Notes
Improved effects for match explosions
Improved damaged player effects
Improved colored vector render style
Improved UI scaling, especially on Steam Deck
Fixed enemy bullets disappearing early
Fixed unreliable break meter display
Title screen now only plays cutscene on first load
Settings UI arrow buttons now repeat while mouse down
Added controller binding for style swap
Fixed UI hang while generating keyboard binding graphics
New save data format
Ichor is now awarded at the end of a run (not spendable in demo!)