So I just finished playing through the game. I found it tense and being someone who adores Ocarina of Time/Majora's Mask, I really appreciated getting to play a fangame set in the universe.
Bugs
I believe I encountered a bug someone else did below. Where after going onto the balcony atop of the inn and going back inside after being pursued, the Mask Salesmen got stuck on the landing until I beat the game. Though I found this as something of a reprieve because I get scared easily and it was a relief to know I wasn't being chased anymore. Beyond that I didn't encounter any other issues.
Criticism
- At the start of the game, Romani (Cremias's little sister) had very stiff and waddling walk style. It was rather jarring to see and it took me out of things a bit. I understand that all animation is difficult, but given this is the start of the game a more fluid or visually appealing walk cycle would benefit the immersion.
- Though the lantern and it's limited light was emphasized as a mechanic, I didn't feel there were any real consequences to losing it beyond having to fumble a bit in certain areas. Though, that might have been due to the bug mentioned above where the Mask Salesmen got stuck. I feel the lantern should have more mechanical relevance.
- Going up to so many doors and having them just not go anywhere was rather disappointing. I assume this is due to this being a demo, or wanting to narrow the scope of where players can search for gameplay reasons. That being said, I think that fleshing out the other buildings in the town is important. Both to add to the feeling that this is the proper Clock Town, and to assisting with immersion.
- This might admittedly be my own preferences, but the game felt overly simple mechanically. It's effective at being tense and sometimes simple works best, especially with horror. Being able to find the map was neat and it would be nice to at least have more options or things to use or find. However I admit that might also ruin what this has going for it, and naturally that sort of thing would require a lot of work.
Positives
- I liked that you got the run cycles of the dogs going around down so well. The fact you can pet them is a genuinely adorable touch, it made me smile the moment I pressed the button.
- I like the work you did with Creamias model and how the game looks in general. Despite this being on unity, it felt fairly close to the Majora's Mask 3DS port. It could use some tweaks and polishing in certain places, like how the mini-map feels too fluid. It would be neat to see this with lower fidelity, n64 textures!
- The atmosphere is very good. I think you did a good job with the lighting, the creepy atmospheric effect that happens if you look at the Mask Salesmen for too long.
- The opening, the dialogue of the patrons, and the abrupt cut to the frightening situation felt like a good way to establish anxiety right away. Being surrounded by friendly faces only to be utterly alone with some horror was very effective, and had me wishing to see townsfolk if only to know I wasn't alone.
- I loved the opening narration text especially the "No hero to come save you" bit. That felt like some very fitting writing.
- Thank you for having the Mask Salesmen's jump scare be fairly subdued and not deafening.
Ultimately, making anything is very difficult. Thank you for putting the work into making this game at all and for putting it up for people to enjoy. I had a lot to say because I enjoyed this and really hope people do more things like this in the future.
Getting to play around in the Zelda setting, as NPCs no less, is really cool. Especially with possible changes in genre!
I hope my feedback will be useful and my words encouraging.