Indie developer Odd Object’s upcoming co-op roguelikeScrubbin' Trubbleis set to release on Steam later this year. The game presents a blend of turn-based combat with frantic, multiplayer mayhem in a variety of maps that are initially covered in grime and trash. Players must move through these maps, cleaning up the rubbish using their abilities, all while also dealing with a variety of enemies.Scrubbin' Trubbleis Odd Object’s maiden title.
Game Rant recently spoke with Odd Object’s co-founder Tyriq Plummer. He explained howScrubbin' Trubbleattempts to put its own spin on traditional tropes. Despite the game being something of a return toold-school roguelikes, Plummer is confident that the speed at which the combat unfolds will appease fans of more modern games, too.
Scrubbin' Trubble Injects New Life Into Traditional Class Tropes
For it not to get lost among a sea ofother indie roguelikeson the market, Plummer was keen to ensureScrubbin' Trubblehad a unique, memorable theme at its core. The idea of giving the game a ‘cleaning’ aesthetic, mixed with tactical turn-based combat, allowed for a degree of freedom in terms of how the game looks and feels. It also lets Plummer get creative with the game’s wording, putting his pun skills to the test. He explained:
‘‘It was like, okay, how can I explain this mechanic from a thematic perspective? What if it’s actual grime that we’re cleaning up, and we’re cleaning agents and that sort of thing? Then I started thinking of puns, which I had a lot of fun with. The rest is history. I also didn’t want to just go directly to classic fantasy. Because there’s already so much of that. And I feel like I wanted to do something a little more unique, a little more special, something, something where I could have a little more fun playing around, as opposed to leaning on tropes.’’
Scrubbin' Trubble Classes Still Give Players the Same Options
Despite trying to inject some creativity and originality intoScrubbin' Trubble’s classes, Plummer was eager to point out that thetraditional tropesstill have their uses. Despite the pun-heavy names given to the game’s classes, as well as their unique look and abilities, they still serve the same purposes that gamers have likely become accustomed to over the years. Plummer continued:
‘‘Even though I said I’ve tried to avoid the cliché of traditional fantasy, of course the class tropes are still useful. In terms of, like, you have your healer, you have your damage dealer, you have your defensive class, that sort of thing. And so all the traditional classes are still represented. Even the names are kind of puns on those classes, like the Frothbarian instead of Barbarian, the Washbuckler, the Bubbledin instead of Paladin. They all try to fulfill those specific gameplay roles.’’
Each of these classes will have unique abilities that can be utilized in combat, helping to keep things fresh and engaging. Even though it’s designed asa multiplayer experience, the game can be enjoyed solo too, and Plummer assured that it is balanced so as not to be difficult to the point of unplayable for those playing on their own.
