PC
Xbox One
PlayStation 4
Nintendo Switch
Overview
Beyond Critical is a sci-fi versus game where players use unique abilities to battle for control over a super massive black hole.
In this game, exploding is the goal, not the end. Players in combat will choose to either grow until they explode or to sacrifice their mass for kinetic projectiles. Players must bend space-time itself in order to win in this unique and chaotic brawler!
Main Features
2 or 4 player versus game play.
Play as a team or in a free-for-all.
4 unique ability classes.
6 different color options for customization and team selection.
Beautiful visual effects are complimented by reactive sound design.
Seamless looping sound track with progressive stages.
Full Controller and TV support.
Special ultra-wide monitor support that increases the play space.
Customizable match configurations for varied play and settings.
Supports reactive RGB lighting on the PS4 DualShock 4 controller.
Ability Classes
Photon
Lots and lots of lasers...Play as Photon and fire massive laser beams that stun enemies right in their tracks.
Electron
Control time itself...Play as Electron and slow down time for your adversaries and take the lead.
Neutrino
Speed is underrated...Play as Neutrino and fuel high reaction speeds with the ability to teleport in a flash.
Gravitron
No obstacle is too big...Play as Gravitron and push everyone around with massive bursts of energy.
Details
Players will battle for control over a super massive black hole. The goal is to stay on the central black hole to collect mass from it while strategically denying opponents access to it. Players must keep opponents at a distance just long enough to reach critical mass and explode, scoring a point for their team. Players have to be careful while in combat, as firing kinetic projectiles sacrifices large quantities of mass in return for larger projectiles. Reaching critical mass is the only way to score, so players should keep an eye out for micro-black holes that will give them a quick boost. The player or team with the most points at the end of the match is declared the winner.
Planned Features
Free DLC version 2.0 that includes an extended soundtrack, fire-mode selection, new abilities, custom game-modes, local AI, and cross-platform multiplayer.
History
Beyond Critical was originally called Singularity and was an award winning game jam title from 2017. The original game was made by Carlos Hernandez and Dalton Fox. Beyond Critical was renowned at both Shawnee State University and the OCULUS Festival. The original project was based off an abstraction of the local game jam theme "your player wants to die". The team decided to abstract the theme into something more unique and less senseless.
The project was continuously in an unfinished state for a couple of years following its original game jam demo. The game's original Python source code is available on GitHub. After some attempted reboots the project was finally brought to fruition through Dalton Fox's senior project at Shawnee State University.
