Codex Retro Fururistic Game

Battlestar Centauri is a browser game that combines arcade space combat with tactical decision-making. Players choose from three spacecraft, take on operations across four environments, and build toward a confrontation with the Void Kraken.

I led the project’s creative direction and gameplay refinement, using Codex to support implementation and testing. My goal was to make a nostalgic game that was equal parts fun and challenging.

The main design challenge was balancing progression. As weapons became stronger, players could clear too many obstacles through sustained fire. The boss also needed more endurance, clearer attack patterns, and a more satisfying conclusion.

I introduced electrical asteroids that require players to dodge. Their surrounding fields communicate danger before contact. A collision causes heavy damage, knocks the ship away, and temporarily disables its systems. Destructible asteroids also become tougher as upgrades and campaign progress increase, keeping environmental threats relevant throughout a run.

The Void Kraken became the centrepiece of that tactical approach. Its attacks anticipate player movement, and it can seize enemy ships and asteroids before throwing them toward the player. Players can interrupt a throw by destroying the held object. When caught themselves, they can use boost or EMP to escape before being thrown, losing shield protection and taking hull damage.

I also reworked the encounter’s progression. The first confrontation focuses on breaking the Kraken’s shield while its tentacles remain dangerous. Later phases expose its core.

The visual direction ties these systems together through a gold wordmark, dark cockpit panels, wireframe instruments, and animated reactor displays. Pilot profiles, spacecraft customisation, service progression, and saved flight records support repeat play.

The result is a playable browser game with a consistent visual identity, several mission routes, and combat systems built around meaningful player choices. Testing covered damage behaviour, hazard interactions, boss progression, rewards, and complete victory and defeat flows.