I've been working on the important details as we begin implementation of the first boss. Of course, that includes one of the most prevalent shmup tropes- the heads up warning. Knowing you're about to fight something big always gets the blood pumping, but the warning should be brief enough that it doesn't add any unnecessary idle time. I'm going with a simple, yet striking design that includes kanji characters.
Also, I created a HP meter for the boss. This is a pretty standard feature in bullet hells, as it's helpful for resource management, and psychologically helps with those long fights. The different color sections represent the phases of the fight.
A satisfying explosion for the boss death is also an important staple, and I'm working on adding a little extra flare to the final deathblow. Note, the final implementation will also include shrapnel particles that burst out of the explosions.
Lastly, I wanted to show off some WIP of the sky factory environment. This image shows the cargo door at the back of the vessel that you will enter at the beginning of the mission. I've still got a ways to go with the details and color balance, but I'm liking the mood so far. Development of this mission will be exciting!