03-11-2006, 06:54 PM
This one runs a lot more stable than the original build. It doesn't crash here at all, I was finally able to complete the demo. Also, it seems to run a lot smoother than before...the pace seems faster, which is a very good thing (the original demo felt lethargic...games like this need to have a good pace and it was just too sluggish-feeling before). I have a few suggestions though:
-The control mapping is very counter-intuitive. WASD works for FPS games but not for top-view games like this one. You should go with the standard cursor key mapping for directional and probably the Ctrl key for attacking. Either that or make the controls customisable (without having to recompile the source).
-Add gamepad support. Major props for doing that. If you only intend this game for Windows, look into joyGetPosEx. And make sure POV is supported.
-If you can, try to reduce the number of keys used. A game like this should be content with no more than three "action" keys (main [for attacking and conversations], support [special items and 'cancel'], and sub [for intermediate screens or menus]), plus directionals. That'll help maintain a "console" feel, which it seems like you guys are going for here.
-A subscreen would probably be a good idea, although the current method of using items would heighten the difficulty level.
-When you pick up a special item (that gets the drrrrrrrum rolllll), you should stop the music, then restart it when the little ditty is over. That places more importance on the item you've just picked up. It's a little psychological game trick.
(For excellent examples of this, see Neutopia, Neutopia II, The Legend Of Zelda: Link's Awakening, and Illusion Of Gaia. For a good example of where the importance of the item is diminished because the music keeps playing, see The Legend Of Zelda: A Link To The Past.)
Keep up the good work, guys.
-The control mapping is very counter-intuitive. WASD works for FPS games but not for top-view games like this one. You should go with the standard cursor key mapping for directional and probably the Ctrl key for attacking. Either that or make the controls customisable (without having to recompile the source).
-Add gamepad support. Major props for doing that. If you only intend this game for Windows, look into joyGetPosEx. And make sure POV is supported.
-If you can, try to reduce the number of keys used. A game like this should be content with no more than three "action" keys (main [for attacking and conversations], support [special items and 'cancel'], and sub [for intermediate screens or menus]), plus directionals. That'll help maintain a "console" feel, which it seems like you guys are going for here.
-A subscreen would probably be a good idea, although the current method of using items would heighten the difficulty level.
-When you pick up a special item (that gets the drrrrrrrum rolllll), you should stop the music, then restart it when the little ditty is over. That places more importance on the item you've just picked up. It's a little psychological game trick.
(For excellent examples of this, see Neutopia, Neutopia II, The Legend Of Zelda: Link's Awakening, and Illusion Of Gaia. For a good example of where the importance of the item is diminished because the music keeps playing, see The Legend Of Zelda: A Link To The Past.)Keep up the good work, guys.
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