Not a Hero
A pixel-art cover-based shooter with nine unique protagonists.
Not a Hero is a 2D side-scrolling cover-based shooter developed by Roll7 and published by Devolver Digital. Originally released for Windows in 2015, it later received a Super Snazzy Edition for Nintendo Switch in August 2018. The game is notable for its pixel art style and cast of nine playable protagonists, each with unique mechanics.
Quick Facts
- Developer
- Roll7
- Publisher
- Devolver Digital, Team17 (Xbox One)
- Engine
- Clickteam Fusion 2.5
- Platforms
- Android
- Microsoft Windows
- OS X
- Linux
- PlayStation 4
- Xbox One
- Nintendo Switch
- Genre
- Shooter
- Modes
- Single-player
- Director
- John Ribbins
- Producer
- Simon Bennet, Tom Hegarty
Facts from the source article.
Gameplay
Not a Hero is a 2D side-scrolling cover-based shooter presented in pixel art. At the start of each level, players choose one of nine protagonists, each offering twists on core mechanics. The player carries a primary weapon that can be upgraded temporarily or for the rest of the level via map pickups. Special weapons include deployable turrets and exploding cats. The player cannot jump but can slide, using this to take cover or tackle enemies, leaving them open to execution. Health regenerates quickly, but the player can only sustain a few hits. Level objectives vary—such as killing all criminals, rescuing hostages, or destroying drug production—and each level includes three minor objectives with some randomness. Dynamic mid-level events, like an attacking SWAT team or a helicopter gunship, occur. The nine protagonists, unlocked in order, include Steve (cockney assassin with fast-reloading pistol), Cletus (supposedly-Scottish hillbilly with shotgun), Samantha (fast Welsh woman who reloads and fires while moving), Jesus (hip-thrusting SMG-wielder who runs fast and executes while moving), Mike (rapidly-moving alcoholic with sawed-off shotgun), Stanley (slow paramilitary soldier with high-capacity rifle), Clive (bumbling spy who shoots two guns at each side), Ronald Justice (deranged superhero with hammer and pistol), and Kimmy (katana and SMG user). Each has modifiers like movement speed.
Development
Not a Hero originated as a free indie game titled Ur Not a Hero by John Ribbins, released on The Daily Click under the username butterfingers on 10 January 2013. The game was based on three of Ribbins' 2012 game ideas: the cover-based shooter aspect from Ur Not a Hero, indoor level design from his game Jeffrey Archer, and BunnyLord's randomly generated sentences and sounds from Hackathor. Roll7 later developed the game further, partnering with ISO-Slant, a Clickteam Fusion add-on that makes a 2D game appear 2¼D and allows viewing through ISO-Slant glasses. Roll7 artist Jake Hollands arranged this port, making Not a Hero the first game to use ISO-Slant technology. The visual style is bright pixel art; Hollands stated he learned pixel art the week before his interview at Roll7 and improved while working on the game, but did not plan to return to it. Devolver Digital, which had published OlliOlli on Windows and mobile, picked up the game. A Twitter account for BunnyLord was created to voice comical opinions on contemporary politics for marketing. On 21 April 2015, the game was announced as hacked by its antagonists, revealing a playable demo. On 1 May 2015, Roll7 announced a one-week delay because Hollands wanted the game to run at 60 frames per second, as previous versions ran at 30 FPS. A later update using the Chowdren runtime for Clickteam Fusion 2.5 by MP2 Games introduced OS X and Linux builds on 30 September 2015. On 12 January 2016, a PlayStation 4 release was announced for 2 February 2016, with the PlayStation Vita version cancelled that same day.
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