https://itch.io/jam/brackeys-13/rate/3347885 Here is my game! I'll make sure to check out yours!
Viewing post in I'd love to play your game and share my thoughts!
I played your game yesterday, but sorry I couldn't get the time to write a detailed review! I loved the experience of it all, and the sound of the wind and the audio atmosphere. The game really nails it to the core. As promised, here are the things that I loved about the game, and things that I would love to see improved:
- First up, the environment, is reaaaallly good. It felt as if I was actually over there. The slowness of the character, along with the snowflakes, and the sounds. It was close to perfect for me.
- I do have some suggestions for the animations and effects. The player movement felt like the rotation was a bit too much. I think it could be lessened a little bit. I would love for it to leave footprints on the ground. It would be a cool effect, along with the particles. For things like bridges, and ropes, I would love for it to have subtle wind acting on it. Right now, it feels static. I know its too much right now, but in time, I would love for these things to be there in the game.
- I would really suggest some more playtesting and bug fixing. There were times when I was on top of the bridge, and I fell down. Perhaps adding a checkpoint system (I don't know if it is already implemented in the game) could be nice.
- Now, the biggest problem for me was the primary balancing mechanic. I don't hate the mechanic, but it distracts me from the exploration aspect of the game. I want to see the world, I want to see snow rolling down, I want to look around in the game, but I couldn't do that as I was focussed on the balancing. It's not a mechanical issue, but to me, it felt like it was there all the time. I would love for it to either not exist, when the player is not moving (It might be the case, but if it is, removing it completely from the UI, when it is balanced would be great) or it should only be a problem randomly. I don't know, it felt like an aesthetic thing for me. Ultimately, you should listen to everyone's opinion, and make that choice.
- I would also recommend fixing some things with the UI. The UI looks heavily cluttered with things. I don't even know what the energy drink does, so it would be helpful if there were some visual pointers as to when to use it, rather than some text.
- I would also recommend adding dialogues, or even some skeletons, or something of other climbers, as you move up. Maybe they could have some story elements too.
Overall this was a great experience and I had fun. I'm sharing this much because it felt really good, and I would love to see this grow into something even bigger. All the very best!
And here is my game! It's a fun project I made in 3 days.
Thank you for such a great and long review! Adressing some things. The falling only happens if you step (or get pushed by the wind) into the hole or you lose balance on the ladder. For the checkpoint they are there however i think ive made the first one a little bit too far. Basically every camp you encounter is a checkpoint and from the menu if you hit continue you will start from the furthest camp you have reached in your previous run. The balancing is distracting, but that was kinda the aim I wanted the game to be a little bit harder. I agree about the ui it is disorienting, but you should really only worry about the energy on the right and the energy drinks (when you hit E) replenish 1 energy. Only later on the oxygen will start to fall and thats where you will have to hit Q to up it. There are some burried bodies down the road :) no dialogue or story thou.
As for your game I thinks the visuals are great, for the gameplay I would explain what the brain throwing does, and maybe make the car accelerate a little bit faster, it feels really slow and heavy especially with the events slowing you down. The wobbly tires are really intense couldnt drive at all when they came up. And the loose condition isn't really explained. Overall I enjoyed the controls and the driving would have been great if the car was accelerating a little bit faster. Feels great and looks good!
Thank you for the review for my game. It was made in the last 3 days of the jam, and I had to sacrifice a lot of balancing and polishing just to get it submitted. The UI and win and lose conditions were made in the last 2 hours, which is why it is just basic text. I really hated wobbly tires too, but I couldn't find the time to fix it as I prioritized submitting the game. I would really love for a story or dialogues for my idea too.
As for your game, personally, I don't find the balancing part "hard". Maybe it's just me. You should definitely consider a poll with the players of the game. As for the other things, I'm glad to hear that most of them are included in the game. The game has huge potential!