Lore
Welcome to the forest planet Parassium, a verdant planet covered in trees and lakes. Interspersed across the planet's surface are highly unusual structures that appear to pulse electricity into pools of water. Based on the appearance of these structures and their locations, Unified Earth Forces intelligence believes that they are hunting traps meant as a food source for enemy forces. Whether this is a primary food source for their homeworld, or just one they are using to supply their warriors during constant attacks on our Solar System, remains unknown. Either way, Parassium holds vital strategic importance and we must secure a foothold.
Gameplay
Lakes and Trees
For this planet, I wanted to add challenging new twists that fit the theme of difficulties you'd face fighting in a forest: decreased mobility and decreased visibility. To that end, I added lakes and trees that might influence how you approach this mission. Whereas the rock structures on the desert planet Forgrit (available in the free demo) served to slow down you and the enemies alike, the lakes on Parassium stop you completely. They are completely impassable for you, and you have no choice but to go around. The enemies, however, can still cross them at reduced speed. Keep this in mind as you choose your base building location and as you sprint past enemies during resource collection. Don't get cornered.
The trees, on the other hand, offer concealment to your enemies. Since the game is presented in a top-down view, whenever an enemy walks under a tree, they will be barely visible to you. Maybe a bit of red will show between the leaves, but they are otherwise well-hidden. You and the enemies can both pass under trees at full speed, though. Will you take a chance and charge blindly through the trees? Or will you be careful and avoid them whenever you can?
Orbital Strikes
Finally, Parassium introduces the concept of a Special Objective. In order to build a spaceport and complete the mission, you must first complete the Special Objective. On Parassium, it's to destroy a certain number of enemy hunting traps that are randomly spawned around the map. To destroy them, walk up against them and press F to call in an orbital strike. Your ship will fire its railgun at the target. If you stay close enough to the hunting trap during the shot, it'll hit accurately and turn it into a beautiful glowing-red crater. Any enemies within the blast radius will be vaporized, but you are immune to your strike's damage. This opens up interesting opportunities to deal heavy damage to enemy numbers if they are led to the correct spot. More things to think about as you choose where, and how, to build your base.
Wishlist Today
If this planet mission sounds fun, consider wishlisting the game to be notified when it is released on March 27, 2026! The price is expected to be $3.99, although the free demo will always be available to play.
Happy Gaming,
Nightsail Game Studios