Update #2 [Fri 28th Apr, 2023 15:45 BST]: Sarah Jane Avory announced on Twitter that Zeta Wing II is finally out. You can now download the highly-anticipated C64 shoot-em-up for $4.99 from itch.io.
You can view a video of it in action below:
Update #1 [Mon 24th Apr, 2023 14:05 BST]: Avory has now posted the first full trailer for Zeta Wing II over on their YouTube channel (as spotted by IndieRetroNews!).
The trailer gives a glimpse at some of the levels we've already posted about below, as well as a couple of stages we haven't previously covered, including one featuring a floating airship. It all looks incredibly impressive from what we can see, and according to the video description will "be released very soon."
To go along with the trailer, Avory also posted a short description of the story in the video description:
"The strange mutant creatures have returned! Only this time they are tougher than ever!
Earth once again needs a hero to stop them... one like you!So strap into your fighter and blast off to end this infestation one and for all!"
We'll try and keep you updated when it is finally available to play. For now, you can watch the trailer below!
Original Article [Thu 23rd Feb, 2023 10:15 GMT]: Back in 2020, Sarah Jane Avory released the award-winning shoot 'em up Zeta Wing for the Commodore 64, and over the last few years, she's been hard at work developing the eagerly-anticipated sequel, Zeta Wing 2.
To document this process, she's been sharing fairly regular development updates on Twitter (as spotted by IndieRetroNews). She gave potential players a look at Stage 1 and Stage 2, for instance, earlier this month, with the most recent update showcasing an early peek at the third stage of the game.
The video (posted above) demonstrates Zeta Wing 2's impressive parallax scrolling as well as gives players a taste of the recently-completed level music and enemy attack waves.
From what we've seen so far of the project, it all looks incredibly promising, with the game being both PAL and NTSC compatible, as well as featuring a fairly diverse range of challenging environments to blast through. Even more impressive is that Avory is apparently responsible for all of the programming, sound, and graphics herself. An incredible flex considering the quality of what they've shown so far.
There is still no news on a firm release date, but it is expected out later this year. We'll be keeping an eye on the project as it progresses, but for now, you can go follow Avory on Twitter to see more work-in-progress clips of the game as it develops. It's also worth noting that Avory is currently working on a follow-up to her RPG BrileyWitchChronicles, which again looks like another project that C64 fans might want to keep an eye on.