Freeverse Software announced Monday that it’s shipping Active Lancer, a new game exclusively for the Macintosh developed by Anson Tsai. Active Lancer is a vertical scrolling action game that features fifteen levels and one or two-player simultaneous local or LAN play. Active Lancer takes its inspiration from classic arcade shooters like Super R-Type, Gradius and Xevious, according to the publisher.
In Active Lancer, pilots fly a mechanical exoskeleton over the surface of an alien world as they fire five different weapons systems at air and ground targets. Each weapon has a “normal” and “enhanced charged” mode which provides extra strength for each shot. Players choose from one of three different pilots, each with customized suits with unique combinations of armor and engine power. The Lancer suits can be upgraded as the game goes on, too.
Features of Active Lancer’s engine include 16-bit rendered 3D graphics, alpha blending and scaling capabilities, 60 frame per second animation and widescreen support. The game uses a 16-channel surround sound audio engine as well.
Active Lancer requires Mac OS X or Mac OS 8.6 or later. Look for at the Freeverse e-store or at Apple resellers for US$19.95.