Super Freaks Classic Pack

So, you played Super Freaks 1 Ultimate Edition and want more, huh?

You probably know by now that Ultimate is a remake (well, remakequel at this point) of Super Freaks 1 all the way back from 2006, but there's actually a whole truckload of other old Super Freaks games, and I'm smashing them together into one classic pack. 

IMPORTANT: Several of these games include "Polished" versions that fix bugs, rebalance the difficulty, and sometimes even add new features where appropriate. While the original versions of them are included for historical purposes, they're tucked away in folders and the Polished versions are presented upfront, because you really should just play those instead.

Let's go over the list of games currently in the pack:

• Escape the Spider Maze (2005)
  • Yes, it is basically just a heavily edited old Game Maker maze tutorial, but it's different enough, right? And it did give us Gambi, so I think it counts.
  • The Polished version, running in Game Maker Studio 1.4, adds a level select, an arcade mode for the original experience, some fun retcons to the otherwise excuse plot, and a ton of little changes designed to make your incredibly rough maze experience a little more easy going.

• Super Freaks 1: The Search for Tikiman (2006)
  • The one that started it all! A very stiff and short platformer, but I think it's charming at the very least.
  • The Polished version was ported to Game Maker Studio 1.4, and features a whole host of QOL changes: Proper saving/loading, a level select, checkpoints, a pause menu, fixes to the more frustrating bugs, etc. As of v4, also includes the Ultimate Edition soundtrack as a toggleable feature!

• Super Freaks 1 Remastered (2016)
  • Made to celebrate the original game's 10th anniversary; also soft rebooted the series and introduced the modern characters/designs and quite a few things that would later make it into Ultimate. Overall, an interesting version in-between 2006 and Ultimate.
  • As of v5, like the 2006 version, includes the Ultimate Edition soundtrack as a toggle, alongside a number of nice QOL features!
• Super Freaks 2: Scruffy's Quest (2007)
  • Similar to 1, but with a more action packed tone, better bosses, and vehicle levels.
  • The original version was incredibly rough and buggy, but the Polished version fixes enough things to make it better than 1 in every way. The bosses and vehicle levels especially benefit from the fixes, removing the tedium and making them much more fun.
• Scruffy Rides Again (2007)
  • A top down shooter game with platformer elements mixed in. Weird enough to be worth playing! 
  • The Polished version overhauls your movement and shooting entirely, with autofire and six different strafing modes (including keyboard and mouse, which I highly recommend).
• Super Freaks 3: A Day in the Life (2008)
  • Expands on 1 and 2 with the new Speed and Battle Suits that give you new powers and can be swapped to at any time. Also slightly better graphics!
  • The Polished version overhauls the suits, making them more powerful, while adding a stamina meter so you can't abuse them too much. As of v4, a right stick quick select wheel has been added for gamepad players. The end result is gameplay that is much more balanced and fun!
• Strato-Scruffy (2009, Completed 2023)
  • Long awaited (yes really) since 2009, Strato-Scruffy has now been finished. A Fantasy Zone style shmup game with fancy graphics and bosses for its time.
  • Also has its own itch page as well as an upcoming and much better sequel, Strato Freaks 2!
• The New Quincy's Adventure (2014, Original by Kingnormal in 2006)
  • The first of the three Quincy's Adventures by Kingnormal; sadly they were mostly lost. This version was made as a bet to see if I could complete a game in 24 hours. Adds a weapon system similar to 3's Speed/Battle Suits.
• Super Freaks: The Demo (SAGE 2016)
  • VERY long story short, this was a testing ground for gameplay and features meant for the long awaited Super Freaks 4ever. Compared to the other games here, it has a strong score attack focus.

There are a few more games I'd like to include in the pack, some of which need to be given the Strato treatment and be properly finished. If you were hoping Rides Again DX, 3 1/2, or Crystal Castle would be in this pack, don't worry--as Strato proves, good things come to those who wait. They'll get their time to shine here...once I get around to them anyway.