Line #12 VideoGame/Colosseum


1	[[quoteright:270:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/CTClogo3.png]]
2	[[caption-width-right:270:Everything gets shot in this game.]]
3
4	''Colosseum'' is a [[GameMod total conversion]] for ''VideoGame/EscapeVelocity Nova''. Created by [=JoshTigerheart=] in 2008, it was the first total conversion for Nova to be released in years, albeit just barely with ''Acheron'' and ''Ashen Galaxy'' released right on its heels, and was well received by the community.
5
6	The total conversion is a major gameplay departure from the game is built on. Instead of being a large, open ended galaxy where the player chooses what to do, it instead has a much more linear plot and focus on combat. More specifically, it focuses on dogfighting between space fighters. Players customize their fighters by choosing a careful balance of weapons and essential outfits, such as engines and shield generators, to use in various fights, primarily duels, against other pilots. The goal is to advance in rank and eventually win the tournament, though the player gets caught up in other events in the meantime.
7
8	Originally, medium and capital-sized ship classes were going to be included, but were scrapped so the plug could get released instead of becoming {{vaporware}}. A third party capital ships expansion by Jacabyte is in the works and is supposed to actually be pretty close to finished, just lacking a storyline. LNSU was responsible for the medium-class, but dropped the project. The original release is still maintained, with an update coming "soon".
9
10	[[http://evn.wikia.com/wiki/Colosseum The closest thing Colosseum has to a website]], which contains a bit more information.
11
12	!! This video game mod provides examples of:
13	* AbnormalAmmo:
14	** The Chaingun doesn't actually use bullets, it fires tiny, explosive warheads.
15	** [[spoiler: Even stranger would be the Hector Cannon and its Birdseed Pellets.]]
16	* TheAlliance: Coalition of Independent Systems, though they've been defeated by the time Colosseum starts.
17	* AllJustADream: [[spoiler: Win, lose, or reload your pilot, the battle with the flat Teacup ships may just be a dream. Though it's hinted that it might not...]]
18	* AllThereInTheManual: Most of the backstory is within the plug-in's readme file.
19	* ArbitraryWeaponRange: In fact, everything that can explode will once it reaches it.
20	* ArtEvolution: Originally, Colosseum was using placeholder graphics from the trilogy. Then it found some free-to-use-with-credit graphics. And finally, during the beta testing, it finally got its own complete set.
21	* ArtificialStupidity: Precisely why the A.I. gets more and more jamming as you advance in rank, since they're too dumb to dodge missiles. Also why the star in one arena sector isn't dangerous to collide with. They had a habit of killing themselves...
22	* TheAsteroidThicket: BAS-8050, BAS-1134, TAS-0007. Though, as in the original game, the asteroids are not dangerous and merely existing for eating weapon shots.
23	%%* BattleCry
24	* BettingMiniGame: Only now it's simulated space fights!
25	* {{BFG}}: [[spoiler:Nuclear Pulse Emitter]]
26	* BraggingRightsReward: The Spaceball Trophy. According to the guide, it actually does things. The problem is, none of those features it affects are used in Colosseum.
27	* BossBattle
28	* CombatByChampion: Unlike the EV trilogy, when you demand tribute you do not face hundreds of ordinary ships. Instead, you get to fight a Bonus Boss.
29	** Granted, other ships in the system tend to jump in anyway.
30	* TheComputerIsACheatingBastard:
31	** Many of the NPC ships are stuffed with more weaponry than the player could ever hope to own.
32	** Also, let's not forget that system murk and interference don't bother them at all.
33	* CoolStarship: The player's ship, the Arctic Fox, is not only described as such, but is ''too cool'' to use within Colosseum's regulations. [[spoiler: Of course, that doesn't stop it from getting stolen and used against the player.]]
34	* CriticalExistenceFailure: Slightly subverted. While ships are disabled right before getting destroyed, they'll otherwise run just fine regardless of close they are to being disabled.
35	* DeadlyDodging: Unlike in unmodified Nova, every weapon, including homing missiles, can hit every ship excluding the shooter. Well, [[spoiler: except Nuclear Pulses and their massive blast radius that damage the shooter]].
36	* DualBoss: Optional, but if you're crazy you can fight dual bonus bosses by demanding tribute from Colosseum and Al's Paint Stations.
37	* DuelBoss: There may be 2 vs. 1 duels and team battles for normal fights, but all storyline bosses are fought 1 vs. 1.
38	* EasterEgg: Lots, particularly the whole post-storyline bit.
39	* EscortMission: Inverted, for once the ''player'' is the escort.
40	* ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin
41	* FakeDifficulty: [=JoshTigerheart=] has admitted to using it to make up for the A.I, which can prove to be quite stupid at times.
42	* FallingIntoTheCockpit: There are no practice mode opponents, you have to learn how to fight your opponents on the fly.
43	* TheFederation: Sol Confederation
44	* FightClubbing: The whole point to Colosseum, albeit legally.
45	* FinalBoss
46	* FlunkyBoss: In an indirect sense. Demand tribute from any of the stations and watch as everyone in the system joins the boss against you!
47	%% * FragileSpeedster: The Coyote, and to a lesser extent the other two fighters, can be customized into this.
48	* GameMod: Of ''Escape Velocity Nova''.
49	* GatlingGood: Chainguns and [[spoiler:Hector Cannons.]]
50	* GlassCannon: One way you can customize your fighter.
51	%%* GravitySucks: BAS-7485
52	* GuideDangIt: Averted. Colosseum comes with an official guide.
53	* HitAndRunTactics: One viable method to fight the A.I. The A.I, however, caught on and will try this on the player.
54	%%* HyperspeedEscape
55	* InterestingSituationDuel: All but two of the battle sectors have various effects that impact the fights in some fashion.
56	* InterfaceScrew: Several systems have reduced visibility or scramble your radar.
57	* InventoryManagementPuzzle
58	* ItsUpToYou: [[spoiler: The duel with Grigory Smirnov. Justified that he keeps running from the military, but, being a bit of a hothead and quite angry with the player, is willing to try to him/her at all costs.]]
59	* KillItWithFire: The Flame Exhaust and [[spoiler: the Flame Thrower]].
60	* LightningBruiser: Another customizable method [[spoiler: and a number of the illegal ships, particularly the Arctic Fox, qualify]].
61	* LockedOutOfTheFight: The final battle, [[spoiler: justified because Grigory will run if anyone else shows up]].
62	* MadeofExplodium: [[spoiler: Nuclear-equipped ships go BOOM when they die.]]
63	%%* MightyGlacier: Yes, you can make a fighter like this too! Although, considering the number of missiles an enemy can carry, it may not be a good idea.
64	%%* MoreDakka
65	* {{Nerf}}: Heat Seeking Missiles and Needle Rockets, two of the most abused weapons in the original release, got smacked with this.
66	* NintendoHard: Not so much normally, but when you turn on "Strict Play"...
67	%%* OldSchoolDogfight
68	* OneHitPointWonder: You become this if you don't equip any shield generators or armor layers.
69	* ThePowerOfFriendship: [[spoiler: Aleksander and Elisa try to help the player recover the Arctic Fox. It doesn't work though.]]
70	* RuleofCool: The reason why the less-realistic weapons exist.
71	* SecretAIMoves: Largely in optional and post-storyline content.
72	* SelfImposedChallenge: Power Duels, 2 vs. 1 matches where you're the 1.
73	* ShortRangeShotgun:
74	** Burst Lasers [[spoiler: and Burst Ion Bolts too]]. [=JoshTigerheart=], in an "unused ideas" text file, mentioned he originally planned to have a Chaingun version too called the shotgun.
75	** If one looks in the files, there's also a Burst Trap Cannon collecting dust. JTH says it doesn't work right, however.
76	* ShoutOut: Lots. These include references to the EV Trilogy, some of JTH's other works, many games, shows, internet AbridgedSeries, and more.
77	%%* SkippableBoss: Jordan Smith.
78	%%* SpaceIsNoisy
79	* SpaceFriction: As in the main triology, ships have a maximum speed and will drift to a stop when disabled. But otherwise ships do not slow down when the engines are cut off.
80	* {{Supeboss}}: If you reach a high enough combat rating, you can demand tribute from the various stations and planets, just like in Nova! Good luck actually winning...
81	%%* TwoDSpace
82	* UnintentionallyUnwinnable: Averted in the newer versions, [[spoiler: but in an old version if the player died, ejected into an escape pod, or otherwise reloaded their pilot during the battle with the ships from Teacup TC, the player would be booted back to Colosseum Station and would be unable to finish the storyline. It got fixed my making it AllJustADream.]]
83	* WakeUpCallBoss: [[spoiler: [=JoshTigerheart=] has mentioned Larry Antiles is meant to be this.]]
84	* WhatTheHellPlayer:
85	** Attack the random, non-hostile duelists or the Colosseum Staff. I ''dare'' you!
86	** Attempting to dominate the stations for tribute also counts.
87	** It's actually a bug, but [[spoiler: the Antares and Orion Hypergates will lock if you shoot too many non-hostiles]].

Context VideoGame / Colosseum