Playable version of my game, need feedback, it's like 4 minutes long

Hello, I made this 2D shooter with a simple gameplay in order to learn game design. I'm looking for some feedback and how can I improve it, also if any of you wants to collaborate or ask for help on something I'll be glad to.

here's the link:

http://metraplayers.blogspot.com/2011/10/terminal2d.html

 

Nice, great work! It's just a very simple gameplay and so, but you did it very well I like the effects when i get hit and when the game become slow motion (i hope you can understand my english ...).
With the time the game become a little bit boring because there was very much health and the enemys did not so much damage, so i was very suprised when the finale enemy came This is a very nice fight (that I lost ... xD).

You asked for things you could improve: In my opinion there isn't something to improve! You could just add things, for example an upgrade system (more armor, flying faster, shoot faster ...) or more weapons

All in all: Great work!

 

It looked nice, with an interesting glowing look.

It was a tad bit difficult... I think it has to do with the controls. It's hard to turn without moving in the direction your turning....so If I wanted to face the enemy to shoot at em, I ended up right in his line of fire. I would add some sort of torque, so that you can turn while retaining some of your accelerated momentum. Good job on the game!

 

Yeah it's simple, but elegant.

I think it's hard to dodge bullets. Some lateral movement (like strafing) would be nice in some sort of way.

keep it up!

 

@TayFe
Thanks you, I perfectly understand your english, it's not my main language too, so we're even.
I got your feedback about difficulty, upgrade system and more weapons. =)

thanks again !

@TehWut

Good !, will tweak some stuff and see how's it goes.

@JelleHusson

thanks man, that's the feedback I need, I'll see what I can do about that.

 

Suggestions.

Instead of using WASD to move, try having the ship follow the mouse.

 

I like the feel and I like the controls. I think it's a bit clumsy to control but that's not a bad thing, sometimes that can be part of the challenge. Strongly reminds me of the star control series of games:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQZk_8ieELw

They had a nice charm about them. The control system is quite different to other types of games and can takes a while to get the hang of but I don't think that means you should change it. I would definately keep it as WASD and maybe tweak the amount of drag and turn speed.

The Star Control games are free to download so I reccomend checking it out.

 

@Petroz

Thanks for the reference video, I'll look forward to analyse the gameplay, I haven't played it.

@SBritton

I already tried that and it feels like a totally different gameplay, since I'm learning I'm ok with having different versions of the game.
Thanks !

 

Pretty cool.. like the visuals. Can't say much about the sound since I was playing w/o it. Perhaps a little bit too much effects, but overall pretty great.

 

I'd move the pivot of the ship to somewhere slightly more centred - the rotation seemed slightly odd. Also, why not loosen the drag a little to get a bit more momentum?

Nice work

 

Really nice! I liked how the ship moved. It's a bit hard at first but I got into it pretty quickly.

 

Control + Arrow Keys on the mac will move you to another screen, might I suggest ALT+Arrow Keys instead?

It would be nice to have the instructions vanish from the bottom once the game starts

I like the movement, and the color effects (Trails and glows).. good work.. it feels nice so far!

 

Thank you all for the feedback ! I'm currently working on another game. When I find some free time I will surely improved this one, I have a lot of feedback and ideas to do. =)

 

It's really easy to exploit the game mechanics and AI since the player ship wraps around the screen but the enemy bullets and pathing do not. You can just sit in a corner shooting everything that appears and whenever bullets get close just back-up off the screen till you appear in the opposite corner, turn around and repeat.

 

Wow ! You're totally right, thanks for playing and pointing that out !.

Maybe adding the screen wrap to the bullets will do.

 

I solved similar AI problems by making 4 invisible game objects that are placed Above, Left, Below and Right of the ship, at a distance of screen height, width, height and width away i.e. the virtual place that your ship would be if the enemy "understands" wrapping. The enemy then just goes for whichever is closest and he wraps like you do. That way he will always take the shortest distance to you.

Here's a view of my version of a similar game, although the wrapping effects happens at a bigger scale http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H__YPbXelrk

 

Hey 3uhox,
over all I liked it and it worked pretty well, did have some difficulties with getting into the start menu and have yet to figure out what I actually did to the "Start" to get the menu up.

Additionally it didn't seem as if though the HP bar ever got smaller from getting hit.

After having killed the boss, the console started spewing out null references.

Felt old school in a good way.

Don't have much else to say, keep it up!

 

@runonthespot

There's a function for detecting distances between transforms. That's what I'm using for the enemy's AI. In away I like that you can get away as a player wrapping to the screen, however, I'll have to fix some exploits.

@Jona Marklund

Thanks for the feedback, I'm glad that you like it.

The start menu was a attempt of integrating gameplay and teaching tutorial.

There's some bugs, and null references are happening now, I haven't had the time to fix it, but I will check out your point.

again. Thanks!