Looking for game design feedback for Deep Space Rescue game

This is dev preview for new features:

1) new white enemy creates stardust clouds
2) new grey enemy and old red enemies shooting self-guided missiles
3) killed enemies may spawn stardust clouds

You may get stable game on Google play - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.Omega486GameStudio.DeepSpaceRescue1

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Questions:
1) what do you think about visual style?
2) do you think that joystick is a must?

 

The visuals could be enhanced - if you want - by adding in some blinking lights, thrust effects and other particle effects.

From the video the movement looked slightly off because there is no drift from the ship. It moves/stops in any direction as if it was experiencing friction, and that is quite inaccurate. Although you might want this for precise control, I think adding drift in the direction the ship is traveling would improve the visualization of a ship in space.

See Asteroid for a perfect reference how drift is handled in space. I'm pretty sure there is some opensource code that can be used for the Asteroid ship motion/movement.

Oh one last thing - the stars in the background - although accurately motionless - seem very static from the video. Maybe throw in a shooting star/comet/asteroid or other fast moving thing every so often to add a little motion to the background. Maybe a twinkle from one star every so often, other things that could just slightly enhance the static feel of the background.

 

Thanks for your suggestions!
How do you like this:

 

It's looking really good. Much better than how it looked, in the previous vid.

Tip: This might sound trivial, but I think a few of the asteroids, should have different textures. Doing that, will give them some variety, and make them look cool to watch too.

PS: Oh, the artstyle for this game, looks really nice. I'm really digging it alot.

 

Thanks a lot, I really appreciate your reply!
Do you know similar games?

 

Latest showcase here - what do you think?

 

Hi All! What do you think about this trailer:

 

My first thought is something you did right: You got straight to gameplay and action. Too many trailers forget that you need to grab the audience right away.


You mention Google Play, but not a direct web page or other link, nor your own web page. Wouldn't that help players get directly to your game, rather than searching and possible finding a different game instead? (If you're mocking up a trailer, you can always put in a bit like "[insert url here]" to make it clear.)

I'm sure your YouTube page will have the direct link to the game, but that does not get shown for video in a forum thread like this one, so you want potential players to have the information right in front of them to make it as easy as possible.

I also did not see any mention of a developer name or company. That would help identify you and help people make sure they find the right game.

The last several seconds of the trailer could be where to get the game and who made it, which gives people something to pause on so they can type the url into the address bar and go find the game.

 

Deep space rescue arcade game great upgrade - new plasma cannon - watch here:
what do you think?

 

Overall, I like it. You've made some good progress on this game.

The one odd thing watching that video is that my brain doesn't expect a flying saucer to flip around like that where the "bubble" is always facing forward. I innately expect it to always be positioned with the "bubble" facing upward. I realize the way you did it makes it completely obvious which way you are facing, but the saucer orientation just seemed odd.

 

Thanks for your reply!
Yes it is a bit in the beginning, but after a little time I believe it would not be so odd.

Now more enemies have plasma guns!
What do you think about this?

 

Looks like more action. Definitely getting more interesting with more incoming fire.

(Sorry for the late reply. Finally got internet at the new place.)

 

Hi All!
How do you decide is tutorial good enough or not?
Linked video is my tutorial, what do you think about it?

 

Hi all!
Looking for feedback for new tutorial:
Watch video here:

Get game on Google play - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.Omega486GameStudio.DeepSpaceRescue1