Virtual (Virmay)
We entered the Arcadia. We were attacked immidiately after entering. We have to do something. But not kill.
Virtual is the Master level created by Virmay. The first level of Virtual Arcadia EP features the boss Neneko, owned by Geoxor & Ariimaw.
The level was announced in PA Direct Summer 2021 as the reboot of Virtual Arcadia 2020.
Style
The style was inspired from Exploring Space by Jolly Jack. The level has mainly combinations of scarlet, pink, purple and blue colors on a black background. Semi-transparent effects layered on top of each other appear in front and behind the background grid.
Layout
Intro
The Virmay splash screen is played, after which a cinematic screen appears with log from ##/##/####, in which Neneko tries to find out from someone whether he is real and in what place they are.
Entry (Checkpoint 1)
"Episode 1: FIRST CRUSH"
The color theme becomes black and white. This part contains only white pulse attacks.
The console displays information about preparing for import in the background. After that, the countdown begins. After it expires, flash occurs.
Checkpoint 2
A white pulse in the center throws circular, rectangular, triangular and cross bullets. 2 wave lasers are emitted from the left and right. The pulse is firing bullets again.
a semicircular hexagon appears from the edge and tapers to the center. After its disappearance, 3 bullets fly out in the opposite direction from it.
This is repeated 3 more times.
All these attacks are repeated one more time.
The Geoxor logo appears in the center. Its 2 "arrows" fly apart and emit wave lasers 3 times at different heights, after which they change places, repeat the same actions and disappear.
Hints in the background tell which direction the player should quickly dash to avoid 4 abrupt obstacles.
2 squares will appear on the right, and one on the left. Immediately after that, they change sides, stretch horizontally and disappear.
2 horizontal and 2 vertical stomps appear, after which the part with abrupt obstacles is repeated.
Checkpoint 3
"DOOMSDAY MACHINE by AirTech reference"
Break part.
A round wall closes over the player. During this part, bullets will randomly spawn from the wall.
The Geoxor logo appears again. At this time, its arrows multiply twice, shoot wave lasers once, scatter in 4 directions and attach to the wall. They take turns firing wave lasers. After a while, the wall and arrows will disappear.
Kitty bombs fly out and explode from the right side.
A beating heart comes from above and begins to crack, emitting square bullets.
A giant silhouette of Neneko appears behind the heart and produces a flash.
Checkpoint 4
The most difficult part.
Neneko randomly sweeps across the screen as a comet and appears from the left, emitting a laser from top to bottom and flying away.
She rushes again and appears in the center, dragging 2 spikey walls on both sides, and flies away again.
She sweeps again and repeats the first attack, but to the right side.
Audio visualizers appear at the top and bottom, leaving a free space just below the middle.
Neneko appears on the left, shoots lasers twice, rushes to the right side and throws 2 laser balls.
The free space moves up.
Neneko repeats the previous attacks, but now a large bomb appears on the right, and she rushes right into it, exploding with bullets.
The free space is moved to the middle.
2 laser balls explode, Neneko rushes vertically on the middle, a Kitty bomb appears, divides into two and scatters spikes. After that, 3 more Kitty bombs explode.
Checkpoint 5
Neneko creates an energy sphere that emits three lasers down, and then conducts the laser from left to right and back.
The pattern repeats, but to the top.
3 vertical stomps appear, and Neneko runs through the empty seats. The pattern repeats, but horizontally.
Neneko throws 2 chains and pulls 2 pillars, blocking the player with them. Neneko pushes the pillars apart to get to the player.
But the player shoots at her with a large beam, knocking her down and causing a collapse.
Ending (Checkpoint 6)
Neneko tries to get up, but she is crushed to death by the rock. The player escapes the collapse and breaks the wall.
Credits, the end.
Video
Final release
VA 3D 2020 version
Trivia
- Virtual was featured by Pidge in Bedtime Digitals SAVE & SOUND Day 1.
- Also, gameplay screenshot was placed on the game's page in the Steam store.