itch.io

Sorry for making a giant wall of text! As a long time follower of your games, this game is a blast! I'd like to take a moment to highlight your game soundtracks, they are phenominal. I really like the two main "vibes" you use, the 8-bit tracks from games like TRYH4RD, PLANET D4RK and BATTLESC4RS, as well as the more serene piano tracks from games such as this one and BATTLESC4RS's (spoiler) final boss. This game also gives major Islets vibes, I'm assuming they're intentional and it works well. In terms of player feedback, the game as a whole has a ton of potential! I'm a fan of platforming in video games, and your use of the star orbs and air dash give me PLANET D4RK vibes (a very good thing, as it's one of if not my favorite game of yours). I think you could make the combat a bit more fun (not to say it's bad, to the contrary) by adding a mechanic like Hollow Knight's Soul gauge or Islets's bow/arrow shots, it could maybe even be related to the stars! The dodge roll could also maybe be upgraded in some way, reworking it to a dash, although that would ruin the Olden Peak vibe the game has. I like the small "air-pogo" you get when hitting an airborne enemy like in Spectral Slash, it's a really fun mechanic (which is why I want the dodge-roll to be reworked lmao, the "dodge" button doing different things in the air than on the ground got me to take a few hits where I otherwise wouldn't have). I also think that "borrowing" some enemies from your old games could be cool, such as the swordsman boss, and flying enemy that shoots a lazer from Spectral Slash. An enemy that fires a projectile that you can platform off of could also be cool (like in Ori and the Will of the Wisps, and PLANET D4RK). I think adding a bit more variance to the NPCs could also make the game come together a bit more, such as adding names to the characters. Taking further inspiration from Islets, they could maybe not all talk about the stars as it feels a bit forced (The priest wanting you to repent, and the girl you encounter again in the crypt were amazing though, I have got to say). It is hard writing dialogue for NPCs, and you've done an exceptionally good job overall, keeping in mind that this is a small gamejam game. Keep in mind most of my suggestions can be added to later areas or be used to make new "Metroidvania pickups". You've unironically been an inspiration to my gamedev passion project hobby, helping me take those first steps to learning a new languages which I'm wholly unfamiliar with. Thank you and keep making awesome games!