this was a lotta fun! we don't usually play metroidvanias but each attempt was just bite-sized enough that we could comfortably try again and again, making a lil more progress each time.
mechanically speaking, the concept of having two modes with different abilities/strengths is pretty established. what makes Bunny n Beast especially interesting are:
1) the timed transformations beyond your control
2) the fact that each upgrade you get only applies to whichever character unlocked it
each individual element affects how'd you route your way through the game; together, the puzzle of routing takes on a new layer of complexity. and of course, the limited time available means you gotta optimise the heck outta every second – clear the right section at the right time to get the right upgrade for the right character (I say "right", but I imagine there's multiple routes one could take to beat the game, though some may be more efficient than others).
also like. the game is cute. it's literally cutes. the bounciness of Bunny n Beast as they move and jump, the way their ears wiggle, the sfx, the wonderfully chill music, way night and day are tracked with the sun and the moon slowly making their way across the top of the screen....it's great. it's nothin flashy; the game simply has a lot of lil touches that makes for a lovely play experience.
we would not have guessed this was someone's first complete game. the scope of it may be limited but it's been made quite thoughtfully. the level design is small but dense; there's a specific bit I appreciate where you can drop into a hole that doesn't lead anywhere, but does show you an upgrade in a different section that you could potentially get access to. the game over screen tells you how many upgrades you got, and assigns you a score based on what you accomplished. time is paused in the starting area, which is nice if you want a minute to think about your next steps. Bunny n Beast control well; their movement isn't slidey or imprecise. it's just. a very well put-together game. at no point did I feel friction or frustration with it.
yep! fantastic game. I'm glad we got the chance to play it :)