When I saw the 8 bit title screen with accompanying music, I thought, "Oh no!", but upon playing the game, I found it to be very engaging with a depth I've only begun to uncover. I had a list of specific things I thought were either good or could be improved... but I can't even understand my own notes! Things I can remember off the top of my head:
- If you are not allowed to use certain items in battles, I feel like you should be able to escape somehow. There could be a penalty for doing so, but without much ability to heal, it makes it very difficult.
- I haven't played long enough to tell, but the game is challenging from the get go. I think I made it to level 6 (somewhere up in the mountains), but the learning curve is steep. I've played games before that put you back to the beginning when you die, but they had more randomization making it more fun to keep trying. For example, there are always keys in the first area, bombs in the second, etc. So you lose a little bit of the "choice" element when those things stay the same. Maybe it is a programming issue so it was done that way, but just food for thought.
- This is nitpicky, but I had to go through 3 menus to find out what my total health was. I'd like it front and center, even on the main screen if I have 84/150 HP, MP, TP... it just wouldn't be so tedious by going through several menus to find the answer.
- I think you are onto something with this game... keep at it because the concept is cool and challenging.