5/4/2023 VOD: https://www.twitch.tv/videos/1811761765
I provided a lot of feedback during the stream but it's 2:00 AM. I'm going to bed and I will definitely leave all the feedback in an edit and on each individual game tomorrow! Thank you, goodnight.
1. Aerostrike
Very fun metroidvania bullet hell. Good enemy variety. I really like the ability to move between rooms on each level. Good weapon variety and unlockables. There is replayability due to secrets on the map during the level. I heard a sound alert for a double kill, which unlocked a paint job for the ship, but I didn't like how I didn't understand what that sound meant in real-time due to no reward notification pop up. Controls were very consistent and I had no issues, personally. Love the art style. It fits with your musical tone as well!
2. Chair Racing Simulator
The music is the JAM! High energy and upbeat. It's super fun because it's an original idea and whacky and that adds to the fun. I don't like how the Player 2 image and button icons are on the left side of title menu and how the Player 1 image and button icons are on the right side of the title menu. It confused me so I was pressing "WASD" to move when I was obviously player 1 that had to use the arrow keys. I hope that makes sense. Just switch those icon locations to avoid confusion. Tooltip or tutorial to also explain stamina. Other than that critique, the game is solid and forms the bones of your game. Art style matches your theme and complements the music.
3. Coraland The Worst Rescuer
Fun in a joyful and aggravating way! The art is used to define the silly tone of the game and instantly lets the player know they are about to have some fun. I feel like the music is slightly too quiet but that's personal preference. The music is adorable though. I jingled to it. Controls all worked as intended but I know I ended up breaking the game by doing things you probably never expected hahaha however I was able to still complete the demo even with the bugs so that is normal.
4. Crazy Kitchen
Good framework on this project. All the core elements are there, so now it's just building blocks. Good fun but after 5 minutes there is no super game changer to keep player invested. Consider adding an upgrade or skill tree to the appliances to add fire damage, ice damage, etc. Add a better setting around the kitchen instead of a plain blue skybox. Add backgrounds and backdrops to fully immerse the player in this world. MUSIC was incredible though! Huge props there and the enemy art style is cute. Keep it up!
5. Sword Scroll Saga
Great skill variety with characters. Good job on making a complete world with lots of lore building around Swords and Axes. RPGs are dialogue-heavy but the beginning does too much switching between combat and dialogue. Add more basic battles in the beginning where the first battle starts with just attacks, the next battle teaches sword classes, the next battle teaches class skills, etc. Every mechanic is thrown right at the player in the first 5 minutes so it becomes very overwhelming. Also make the text easier to read by not making it transparent and adding a bold black outline. My eyes struggled to read the dialogue-heavy scripts because of the transparent text. I really enjoy the art style and the control inputs are good. Add a tutorial or tooltip so the player knows what buttons move, a tip to let us know we can click to move around the map, and then a tip that the spacebar talks to characters on the map.
6. Vacuum
Vacuum is a relaxing vibe with simple controls and simple concept. And that's why this game works so well. Straightforward, easy to understand, and calming. I love the explosion when you win the game and then do a rebirth. Absolutely beautiful. Only critique is possibly change color of the comets or add a soft glow so we have a more appropriate alert for danger. When you get bigger, the comets become really hard to see compared to the planets/moons orbiting around. Really fun!
7. Who Are you?
Creepy and spooky! Not exactly scary but sound design is on point! Very fun thriller. Gameplay is way too difficult for a beginner player. Controls are explained in the beginning with a sidebar but specific items are needed to move the story forward. Once items are received, it requires an advanced button prompt to make an object in inventory to interact with another world object so this causes some confusion with the player. Flashlight is a little too bright which makes the objects that you need to find almost invisible in the light source. Recommend to add a soft outline or glow to key objects within a certain range of the player and textures/colors for better player experience. Good stuff here. Keep it up!