SketchFighter 4000 Alpha

SketchFighter 4000 Alpha is a 2006 Metroidvania scrolling shooter video game developed by Lost Minds and originally published by Ambrosia Software for Mac OS X. SketchFighter uses OpenGL and a custom game engine to create visuals for all elements of the game reminiscent of hand-drawn sketches.

SketchFighter was originally released on November 30, 2006 as shareware; specifically, crippleware as only a subset of the game is playable prior to registration.

In 2020, SketchFighter was re-released for the Mac App Store by Lost Minds after Ambrosia closed its doors.

Gameplay
SketchFighter 's gameplay consists of using the ship to explore different "zones" or areas in the game. Players must fight a variety of enemies as they explore and progress through the game. Players acquire different power-up items in the game, such as different weapon types, different colors of weapons, improved shields, and faster and stronger engines. Some of these power-ups require defeating a boss; others are offered for exploring new areas of the map, including areas that can be unlocked by the player through the use of newly acquired power-ups.

The ship can navigate forward and backward and rotate. Strafing is not supported; the ship fires in the direction it is facing (within a random margin of error).

SketchFighter offers two-player cooperative and competitive modes, and it includes a Web-based high score board.

SketchFighter also includes a custom level generator that the player can use to create their own levels.