The Masterplan

Release Date: June 4, 2015

Action, puzzle elements, elements of strategy, indie games, side-scroll, singleplayer

62%

Steam

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The debut title from Shark Punch, an independent studio previously known from creating games for Disney Interactive. The Masterplan spins a crazy conspiracy theory, in which the Nixon administration’s decision to change the fixed exchange rate currency into a free floating one had a more sinister tone. When it comes to mechanics, we are looking at a mix of action game and a real-time strategy.

Plot
Mechanics

The Masterplan for PC is the debut project of Shark Punch, an independent development studio established by former members of Finish Rocket Pack, a studio responsible for creating games for Disney Interactive. The game creatively mixes elements of classic, side-scrolling action games, and turn-based team strategy games, with a healthy dose of logic riddles.

Plot

The action of the game takes us to 1970s USA, and tells a story of what is supposedly “a biggest con in the history of mankind”. In 1971, the Nixon administration had abolished international convertibility of the United States dollar into gold, changing the fixed exchange rate currency into a freely floating one. The administration had justified the move through fight against unemployment and hyperinflation, as well as safeguarding of American currency and economy. In their debut project, the developers from Shark Punch spin a conspiracy theory, which assumes that the whole process was a smoke screen for a historic, large-scale con, and an attempt to cover the real reasons behind Nixon’s decision.

Mechanics

The Masterplan is another unique title in the indie world, mixing a few different genres. The game was inspired by authors’ favorite titles from 1980s and 1990s, which in contrast with present-day AAA titles, focused on interesting gameplay and a new approach to video game entertainment. The Masterplan is a mix between an action game and a real time strategy. Our goal is to create a team and acquire the necessary equipment, and then proceed with the titular “master plan” that is connected to the controversial move made by the American government.

When it comes to mechanics, the game is a classic side-scrolling action game, which is complemented by logic riddles, and physics manipulation. The player can make use of the active pause to have a clear approach to each obstacle, while the hand-drawn graphics are clearly influenced by the Nixon era, which is further reinforced by the soundtrack, containing various music tracks from the period.

Last updated on January 30, 2017

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