Judge feedback

Judge feedback is anonymous and shown in a random order.

• I like it.

  It really is a pretty game considering it's a Pico8 cartridge, that limits the scope for sure but  also give it its charm.

• A good entry and a valiant effort. Rules were clear, art was good. Music was good... until I'd played for some time. Some variation (or moodiness) would have helped a lot. I appreciated that when I was hit, it was my fault. It felt above all, fair.
  

  Some variation of the monsters would have been appreciated, as would have some way of telling where I was and where I'd been. It may have been a little too big for the amount of gameplay - 10 screens by 10 screens began to get repetitive.
  

  I did not reach a victory condition (if there is one) but got to 79 riches before thinking that I've seen what the game had to offer.

  Thank you for your entry, and congratulations on your success.
  

• Verger has an "open world" map that you explore screen by screen, which I had first assumed  was infinite but is actually a 10x10 grid. You shoot enemies that look like T. rexes, collect coins from them, and then recharge your mana in pools. With only one enemy and little strategy, there's really not much here. However, Verger is more than the sum of its parts. The aesthetic is terrific, the music and sound effects solid, even the text is evocative. Little details like random enemy/grass colors on every run are nice. I ran into a few annoyances (mostly typical ones having to do with screen to screen movement and obstacles), but nothing major... though I am convinced recharging at pools should be instant instead of requiring ten button presses.

  I enjoyed exploring this game, even though I wish there was more to it. The help screen heeds you to "unseal the hidden door". If such a thing exists it must be well hidden because I couldn't find it after meticulously exploring all 100 screens.