Play Demo
The Cage's itch.io pagePost Mortem
https://cyaygel.itch.io/tunnel/devlog/192162/post-mortem-to-my-first-devtober2020
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Post Mortem
https://cyaygel.itch.io/tunnel/devlog/192162/post-mortem-to-my-first-devtober2020
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Comments
Really awesome man, I loved it. Very tough, but people who like puzzlers like tough. I would recommend making lvl2 a little easier though as lvl1 was kind of just a joke and then 2 was a legit puzzle.
Use the levels to explain the rules. I feel like you did that pretty well, but just a little to fast/aggressive. like in lvl2 I figured out I needed to "capture" the lil crystals instead of just get them and in lvl3 i figured out using falling to change your position. But I would go even farther than that in the beginning levels and teach basic movement. like you could have pillars with "W", "A", "S", "D" on them that you need to fall on sequentially in the direction of their label (if that makes sense). And then for the next level make one similar to the first level, except add a 4-space platform next to a crystal that players have to use to orient themselves to capture the crystal instead of destroy it.
I also don't understand the name "The Cage" but maybe because thats to be revealed in later levels. "Pillar" is a cool alternative if not.
I think you have something here!
I love the look of the game, that the puzzles are at some kind of “pillar” makes it seem endless. Very nice! But when I fell down they stopped before the level restarted, would be nice if they would go on forever..
And a solo project in need of feedback I see :) I love to get feedback and would love give your some too!
For starters I had to figure out how to start the game since i can’t see the controls anywhere, for the menu this might not be super smart. At leased put it very clearly on screen with the buttons to press and maybe even where they are on the keyboard. To make it super clear. Don’t thing a menu should be a puzzel itself so it does not scare people away the first second. But it could be a nice “tutorial” for the basic controls if done well.
I really love the art style looks nice with the light and the calm music. First everything very well! And very nice, clean and simple game-play! But the getting the cube in the right direction makes it pretty hard! Maybe it helps to make the game a bit more forgiving by having some blocking walls in earlier levels so you can;t fall down and have to start over again? At leased i can pass the level without picking up all the cube the right way so that helps but this was not very clear until i tried. Maybe have some more effect or intention to do it right. Maybe the end pillar chances collar or goes from black to blue when picking up something right but to red when you do it wrong or something in that direction so you see your actions have an effect on the end. Maybe just a flash of light on the pillar?
The level select window looks cool too and a puzzle in it self so thats great! But here also some control information would make it a bit more like a menu maybe? And maybe do something to show what puzzle i completed since i can’t see the title cubes if i finished the level poorly (i think). And for me personally i would not replay a level just to have a better score. I would if i get something in return like unlocking levels, unlocking stuff…
That all said, i do like it! it looks nice and calm, the mechanics are fun and easy and the game is forgiving whereby i don;t need to get all the cube’s the right way what also fits the calmness of the game. I can imagine so many extra mechanics in later levels and complex puzzles so keep on going i would say!
Thank you very much for your comments. I am really glad you liked it.
I'm aware couple of problems that you mentioned. But I have realized some new ones thanks to you :D
Your feedbacks are really constructive and helpful, I'll consider them in the following process.
See you :)