Intimidating! This game seriously works on every level.
I’m going to try to say some original things - your game really makes its statements clearly so I might be saying the same things as everyone else. There really isn’t anything to fix…I will share the emotional experience I had playing the game.
The conversation at the beginning is wonderful. So many little details are being discussed in this alternate universe: the guy asking what your heat shields are made of. Sometimes the best way to put someone into an alternate world is just to put them into a normal conversation in that world.
Obviously: The moment where you step out of your vehicle and leave it on the pressure plate so you can hit the switch was where I realized I was dealing with a serious game designer (well, that and the feedback you gave me on my game). You are using previously introduced features in a new way.
I’m left wondering if you watched the show Twin Peaks? The diner, the coffee seeking, being a skilled person who is from out of town talking about how things “work around here” felt very Agent Cooper. Anyway, these story elements were beautiful. The sudden introduction of the war ships that your mechanic friend is watching on the news - excellent way to introduce a sense of unexpected urgency.
The second sequence where you are infiltrating the enemy ship was so well executed. You really made me rethink even bothering with a system with lives and continues - this kind of challenge really makes the player grit their teeth and try again and again.
Also the dangers of AI if it’s brought into warfare………thank you for bringing this up.
There really isn’t ANYTHING to fix, this really was so well done. My only suggestion would be to have a “press _ to continue” button for the dialogue instead of auto timing just because the dialogue is so important I wouldn’t want anyone to miss it. I’m left with more questions than suggestions because you are clearly the better game developer.