Disclaimer: I'm not a game dev. Some of these opinions are subjective, but I feel they are valuable and should at least be considered. I'm by no means an expert, but I am experienced in 2D platformers.
The game is fine and definitely has its issues, which is to be expected, but there are a few problems that need to be addressed because they affect the game on a more fundamental level. The issues are in no particular order.
Major issues:
- The dash mechanic needs to be implemented better. Right now, outside of the "tutorial" and a few other jumps, it's entirely optional. If the purpose of a dash is to go faster and skip enemies, platforms, etc., then it's a bad reason to have a dash. A mechanic shouldn't feel like an afterthought; the levels need to be built around the mechanics of the game. Sorry if it sounds too harsh, but I feel like it's a bigger problem than it seems.
- The camera needs to be zoomed out more. Right now, the player needs to see better. Since this is a fast-paced platformer, the player needs more information to know where to jump, where the enemies are, where the pits are, etc. This also means the levels need to be remade with this in mind.
- The movement feels odd. The jumping is floaty but doesn't feel right; it feels like you have way more mobility than you should. Your base speed and jump height make it so you can avoid enemies really easily, and that is without even considering the dash.
- (Very subjective issue): The game feels oddly barren. There are enemies, coins, guns, platforms, and alt paths, but I feel like it needs something else to mix it up. Maybe add a new mechanic, or add functionality to the dash or shooting mechanic to spice up the levels with a focus on movement. I don't know, but it needs something.
- The enemies don't pose much of a threat. I get it's the first level of an Early Access build, but still, if the main point of the game is to go fast and shoot enemies, they need to be fun to shoot and avoid. Maybe have them shoot faster, respawn offscreen, or make a few that are inaccessible and unkillable so you have to constantly avoid their bullets.
Minor issues/bugs:
Most of these are probably already known, but just in case, I'm adding them here.
- Collision on the ship is weird.
- The "Controls" button on the pause screen does nothing.
- There is no "Resume" button on the pause screen.
- Going to the main menu and starting another game mutes the music.
- There is no feedback when a flag is reached or an enemy is hit. Adding something like a flag raise or making enemies flash red would solve it.
- Enemies don't respawn when the player dies, eventually leading to empty levels.
- The boss alien head's laser doesn't hit you if you stay still.
- The dash cooldown is longer than it shows (not intuitive).
- Guns have too little delay. Right now, the best way to deal with monsters is spamming the shoot button, and everything melts, including the boss. It's not really fun to do after about 5 minutes.
- You can jump over the end-level teleport and fall down infinitely.
- The character can get temporarily stuck to a wall when they are in the air (probably a known issue).
- There are enemies that fly above you offscreen that you can't see.
- If a moving platform "crushes" you while on solid ground, you clip temporarily through the ground.
- Green aliens deal 2 damage. When you are at 1 health and get hit by them, you respawn with 2 HP rather than 3.