You have to be able to angle the player, I mean half the objects in the game need it. Ice puzzles, the faster laser puzzles, just because it is somewhat on a grid, does not mean that it plays on a grid. Play "son of bouncy" or "mishmash" for certain, they have puzzles that would not work with that.

Thanks for your input, I am not going to use it, but thanks

thegamedesigner.

I am not worried about the animations, the game is real time and not at all tile based, about 20 of the 60 types of things that you can meet/use in the levels are built on a full none grid based world.

Ice that you can angle your self to slide on, fast lasers that you need to cut it close to avoid, barrels that you can slip between rather then push-blocks that you cant, Spike cannons that you can only avoid by swerving. In one room, there is a puzzle that you can only beat by slideing against the wall between two spike monsters at just the right moment.

Its based on chip's challenge type games, but it is not tile based.

Hmmm...
You could press w+d at the same time, cant you?

But, there's still something annoying with the controls of the player.

One possible solution: turn the camera depending the player.

Another solution: use each key to move the player depending the angle of the view instead of the player's angle.

Maybe, you could add a first person perspective too. I like to be involved in a game that way.

Well, one thing this has backup is that people don't like my current control setup, since I have had about 5 or 6 people complain, so...
I changed the controls, I am using the mouse to move the camera and the players pan, and the wsad move forward and strafe, like in any fps.

I am not posting an updated demo, yet, since I have lots to do. I will revive this post in a month, or make a new one. I have lots of work to do on it.


thanks all for posting.
thegamedesigner.

I really enjoy your game concept! The game isn't easy at all so more save points would definitly help, as some of the puzzles are really tricky. The controls are a bit strange sometimes, but with easier ones, no one would fall into the lava

i like the game's concept as well, but may i suggest powerups, like invulnerability for 20 seconds or something, try adding things like that which will give it more style, and add to the gameplay. Maybe have unlockable puzzles and bonus stages too.

@Iron Chancellor - You are the third person who has suggested save points or checkpoints. They also allow me to control how difficult a level is. So I added them. And don't worry about the controls, they are quite easy now.

@Manslayer101 - ooo, unlockable levels, thats a good idea. I will have to add a couple of levels that you can get in if your score is high enough.

I decided against powerups, but given that my brain is like a dry twisted sponge due to level designer's block of the worst kind, I may add a few just to spice it up a bit. I was thinking of a special shield, that could bounce the lasers, as well as invulnerability and super health (gives +1 health).

Thanks for your ideas. I will be posting a demo in about a week, when I finish a bit more. If you would like to sign up to play test this, please email "thegamedesigner@hotmail.com" I will be in need of playtesters.

Thanks,
thegamedesigner.

may i suggest a speed powerup as well? and maybe a "slow motion" one for lasers, and other obstacles, and possibly one for walking over lava for about 20 seconds

remember, when someone is going to pay (or even if not) for your game, they'll want some replay value, that's why i suggested unlockables, you could even have unlockable powerups, like the powerup shield for unlimited use, so everytime you go through the game, it gets easier, unless you want to just add more levels, maybe player models, possibly give them special abilities that work in certain levels (ie guard has a laser deflecting shield) but of course, you'd have to unlock them...

heres another idea, why not let the player choose what kind of movement to use? like point and click, turning style (left and right turn) and crimsonland style (all keys move you up, down, left, and right)

well, that's just some more input from me. hope your game goes well

-Manslayer101