v0.2.0 - Bountiful Bonus Bosses

We’ve got a new update for Upupa and this one is all about boss fights! After releasing the prototype in December, we were amped to see players enjoy themselves and when we came back in January we set to work making new bosses for the game. You’ll find three new bosses spread around the game, and each will challenge you in interesting new ways. We’ve also included a few bug fixes and general improvements.

Each boss has its own unique spin on it. The first boss you’re likely to encounter, in the middle of the map, is the “Oroboss.” Named after the famous Ouroboros snake, this skittering creature crawls around its arena, coming at the player with unmatched ferocity. It also has two smaller children in a nearby room that can serve as good training fodder. Fortunately this creature is very vulnerable to being sliced, but unfortunately it has a tendency to grow new heads, and keep coming after you with renewed vigour! You’ll have to think carefully about how you take it on, if you’re overeager you might get yourself into deadly trouble!

On the south east side of the map we have our take on a bullet hell fight with the “Vengeful Vessel.” This boss will unleash an onslaught of projectiles which will require some quick reflexes to dodge while looking for openings to counter attack. This is a lengthy boss fight which can be quite a challenge, and you’ll need to do well in a few other rooms before the door will open up, but we trust true sword masters to persevere and find a way.

And lastly for the new bosses, on the north side of the map we have the “Skitterbug” who will try to jump directly at the player without mercy, while also leaving behind deadly spikes that you’ll need to avoid. You’ll have to be clever about how you approach this boss to find its weakness.

The Oroboss and the Skitterbug replace the previous boss and its mini version we’re now calling the “Eye Boss” in the progression. But not to worry, the Eye Boss is still lurking around on the east side of the map, if you can find it.

Other changes include some tweaks to the camera and parallax effects, better signalling for where the bosses are, so you don’t miss them, and an update to the itch page. We’re eager to hear about your experience with this update, especially the new bosses, over on our Discord. Which is your favourite boss? How quickly can you dispatch them?