Hey there, little doodads! I’m Mission Ark 182, or M.ark for short. Your favorite space-time vessel! A quick debriefing: you are my Kritters, my defense robots made in M.ark, and I need you. After an unfortunate accident (which definitely did not happen after consuming ethanol-kerosene), I miserably crashed on this totally unknown planet. The problem? I’ve lost a good number of pieces necessary for navigation. Your role? Explore this planet and find all the useful resources for our escape. Defend me against all exterior threats that could damage my magnificent hull. Get stronger and get us out of here! I think I’ve been clear so far, but since you look like a bunch of goofballs, I'll warn you just in case: I have a time-reversal option. If I feel threatened... poof, a little trip back to the past, and you'll go back to slaughtering those darn monsters! The advantage is that with the experience and resources from your previous attempts, you can come back much stronger for the next run. EXPLORE AN UNKNOWN PLANET During my programming, I was equipped with a Survival Manual to be used in case of extreme emergency. Here's what it says: "Launch the Kritter program..." Done. "Pray and cry..." Well, that part isn't very interesting... AH! "Send the Kritters to explore the surroundings and retrieve the minerals and artifacts necessary for the conception of defenses." Now that's much more useful! According to the Manual, we're going to need resources to craft ramparts, turrets, and traps to facilitate our survival. It also advises staying alert, as certain events might occur during exploration: arena fights, bases containing upgrade chests, patrols offering gold and resources... Well, this Manual knows a lot of things! DEFEND YOUR FAVORITE SPACESHIP The Manual also says: "Your exploration time is limited. You will have to return near M.ark before the end of the timer to protect it from the waves of enemies that will seek to destroy it and to prepare your defenses." It even knows my name! It seems that the more waves we face, the more enemies there will be, and the stronger they will be, potentially including mini-bosses. It is therefore recommended to properly distribute the work on all fronts and ensure that the enemies do not reach M.ark (that's me). ALWAYS GET TOUGHER Thanks for the clarification, Manual... Between each wave, you will have the choice between several varied rewards, both in quality and effect, capable of making you much more powerful. This is also your little coffee break: you can upgrade and reinforce defenses, as well as chat with a merchant ready to "exchange his creator for a few coins." He sells upgrades, notably... interesting! "The time reversal process of the Ark 182 model will activate." I've already told you about that. We will therefore be sent back to the past with our memories and the most important resources, notably those capable of "exponentially and definitively improving the capacities of the Ark 182 model and its Kritters, " unlike the temporary upgrades obtained during the run. The Kritters will also have the possibility to change model among: The Defender: Melee specialist, more robust. Make pretty windmills with your sword and turn your enemies into salami. The Engineer: Fancy a little extraterrestrial barbecue? With their flamethrower and turret, they are perfect for area damage and covering multiple fronts. The Tracker: The long-range Kritter, specialized in explosives and precision shots! A small mine here, a missile there, and bam, done. The Ninja: Swift and sharp, he doesn’t hold back. Faster than his peers, he dashes through enemies to lacerate them and rains down kunais from a distance. Simple, clean, and lethal. And more to come... The Manual stops there. It doesn't seem to indicate any other steps... Nevertheless, it offers us "its most sincere condolences" and "will report the loss of you and the Kritters to your families." Nice of it! Ready, Kritters? TO YOUR POSITIONS!