I would argue that the tank controls are integral to the gameplay since all levels and obstacles were designed with them in mind. Removing them would remove a level of challenge and can become a problem considering the line behind you at all times. Fine tuning your angle and speed as you move while avoiding obstacles is the core of the gameplay.
I'm glad you enjoyed the rest though!
okay played it a bit more, yeah I’d say I’m getting use to the controls and see your point. Though I still think the controls should dynamically change depending on rotation.
Though now I have ✨a bonus criticism✨. If you stand a little close to an edge the game will just *push* you off into the void. I can tell this is likely an intentional thing, assuming it was added to prevent any air floating, but literally this only causes frustration. For a game that has pretty long levels (well less of literally but more in their feeling, since you have to be very focused) and isn’t too forgiving with checkpoints, you want to cut corners as much as possible to optimise the amount of time you spend in a run - but then this mechanic just exists to punish you. Also other weird stuff relating to this mechanic exists also, I was on one of the wire platforms in a level and I wasn’t even that close to the edge and I still got pushed, and I got pushed like CARTOONISHLY far here. It was kinda funny tbh. Basically, I’d say just remove this. I really don’t see why it should be here. Or at least like make it more forgiving, so you can cut around corners.
This is something that took me a lot of getting used to as well... I've gotten the hang of it now but I still sometimes find myself feeling not entirely in control, though maybe that's part of the fun.
Maybe you could allow the player to point Cereal directly with the arrows/joystick, but still clamp his rotation speed to its current value? That way it's more intuitive to understand how he'll rotate in response to input, but he still needs some time to fully rotate to that direction, and the player still has to think a few steps ahead. Just an idea! I could see that still taking a bit of the challenge out of it too. :)
