Holy crap. The game feel incredible to play. From the snappy respone of your input, to the little details like the crt and the animation really add to the feel of the game.
An extremely well done game. a simple idea excuted to most perfection.
I would love to see this idea being expaneded more in the future. 9/10
Right. I was intending to write fully detailed report, but I was too absorbed playing to actually notice.
I will leave the good parts aside and focus on the part I think can be improve. (There are too much good points to point out.)
1/ The Difficulty: While the mechanic is the type of simple to understand and hard to master, the lack of the path between them hurts the game a bit. Not to be point of frustrating like many others.
A good tutorial can be where you give the player small planets for them to figure out the timing of the flights (because small planets have smaller force).
2/ The Goal: There is a lack of clear goal in your game.
Let me clarify: I assume from your design that you want to player to aim for higher scores and fuels to survive.
However, be aware that this type of gameplay doesn't really signpost the progress to the player, and thus creating a gap between engagement and boredome.
Because the gameplay is difficult, and there are no sense of progress that the character is clearing making (passing a level can be a progress signpost). It is extremely hard to keep the player engage.
3/ The Camera: (A very minor gripe)
The Camera, from its follow of the mouse, I assume by design you want the player to stop and plan their route ahead.
But, the movement of the spaceship and the overall feel of the game is fast. This clash with the slowness of the camera.
Furthermore, when you try to chain, or weave, between planet. The lack of a clear view can be very frustrating.
I think that is all. Let me say it again, you game is extremely polished for a game jam, you should be proud of it.
These are only my opinion base on the analysis of my games and others, so take it as a grain of salt. Think for yourself and take what you need.
That's all.
Thanks for the honest feedback, this is exactly the sort of critique I wanted to hear so don't think you're being rude sharing your analysis! I am really glad you loved the game and want to hear from those who do enjoy it how it can get even better!
Just to cover some of the things you mentioned:
All that being said, I will get back to working on Planet Looper once the jam is finished so keep an eye out for updates. Following will notify you of any updates I post! Thanks again, and as always... fly safe, astronaut!
