What it is
Perpetua is a space shoot-'em-up made for Scratch Game Jam #23, where you play as pilot Zak Gravtrak defending the Milky Way Alliance from the Infinite forces. It mixes procedurally generated stages, power-ups, and a score-chasing arcade loop. The game is still in development and can be played in a browser via itch.io.
From the developer
In the developer’s own words, from therealpotajoe.itch.io.
It's the far-off year of 2020. The Milky Way Alliance is in the middle of a brutal war across space with the relentless Infinites. You are Zak Gravtrak, one of the best pilots in Earth's space defence force, given a special job; destroy as many of the Infinite forces as possible.
Play through increasingly difficult procedurally-generated stages, defeating enemies and grabbing power-ups to try and gain as much score as you can. When you run out of hearts, it's game over! Compare scores against your friends to see who's the best pilot in the galaxy!
It's non-stop arcade laser-blasting action, with state-of-the-art digitized graphics so real you'll forget what is!
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Controls
Move - Arrow Keys Shoot - Z
Credits
Programming, Art, Sound Design - PotaJoe Music - beeswithchainsaws Playtesting & QA - Lovey , Damien Packaged using Turbowarp Packager Created for Scratch Game Jam #23
Get the soundtrack here!
Unofficial Extensions/Mods Used
Turbowarp (60FPS, Custom Resolution, Better Performance, Limit Removal)
Editor takes
“Arrow keys plus Z is a crisp two-button setup, but the procedural stages can throw some genuinely mean patterns that demand sharp reflexes.”
“Procedurally generated stages and score-chasing give it a solid one-more-run hook, even if a few minutes is all a single run lasts.”
“Pre-rendered Blender sprites mashed into chunky pixel palettes nail that 90s FMV-era look, and the synth soundtrack sells the retro space war.”
“Zak Gravtrak versus the Infinite forces is knowingly cheesy space-opera pulp, but the endless void could use more personality to make it feel like a real war.”
How to play
Move your ship with the Arrow Keys and shoot with the Z key. Blast enemies, grab power-ups, and survive each procedurally generated stage as long as you can. When your hearts run out, it's game over and your score is what you compare against friends.
Tips
- Keep moving to avoid being cornered by enemy fire.
- Prioritize grabbing power-ups early, as they can make later waves much easier.
- Focus on smaller enemies first to build score safely before tougher targets appear.
- Watch your remaining hearts and don't risk risky maneuvers when low on health.
- Use short, controlled bursts of fire to stay accurate in tight situations.
Questions
Is Perpetua free to play?
Yes, the game is available on itch.io with a name-your-own-price download, including a free option.
What platforms can I play it on?
It runs in a web browser as an HTML5 game, packaged with Turbowarp for better performance.
Does the game save my progress?
There is no described save system; it's an arcade score-chasing game meant for short sessions.
How long is a typical session?
Sessions are usually a few minutes, since the game ends when you run out of hearts.
Is this the final version?
No, the game is still in development, with updates such as difficulty adjustments and visual upgrades already released.
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