Insect Crisis

A place for people with an interest in developing new shmups.
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help computer
Posts: 4
Joined: Fri Mar 09, 2012 2:29 pm

Insect Crisis

Post by help computer »

Hi everyone. I'm in the process of making a retro (kinda late 80's) vertical shmup and was looking for some feedback.

At the moment I have a 1 stage demo, here are a couple of youtube videos:
Stage 1 Full -demo 1
Stage 1 Boss - demo 2

You can download the latest demo 2 for Windows from either of these links:
dropbox: http://bit.ly/JGDAIv
mediafire: http://bit.ly/J2SEnt

Image

Edit: I've added a new video previewing stages 2 and 3 HERE, and some pictures below.

Image

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Last edited by help computer on Sun May 13, 2012 1:42 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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n0rtygames
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Re: Insect Crisis

Post by n0rtygames »

Pretty cool actually! Menus are very slick and remind me of something I might have played more around the era of DOS 6.22 from a cover disk or BBS.

First impressions were pretty good. Bomb was satisfying, music and sounds were spot on for the feel you're going for. Boss music was nice and menacing. :)

Gameplay criticisms I would give - please bear in mind this is all personal taste and your game is still good regardless:-

* Stage was very long -- your game (at least on hard difficulty) should induce restart syndrome and leave me wanting one more go

* I actually became annoyed with the sideways shooting powerup and wished there was a way to either cycle the weapons I picked up, or combine them ala Xenon 2 / Tyrian - However the sideways shot utterly destroyed the level boss by spending about 90% of the fight hovering under P1's score since he doesn't go to the screen edge - so definately make him attack more screen estate horizontally and try to funnel the player in to his bullet streams.

* I think if you were to combine (stack) the powerups or allow switching between them, this would really enhance your game as the player would then have a goal of collecting all 4 shot types as the level progresses to deal with the increase in enemy count/difficulty as the game goes on. Part of the fun of shmups (for me) is decisions that must be made regarding when to make use of or collect your powerups. For example in my game - do I shoot the bullet cancel enemy first, or do I turn his bullets in to coins by activating hyper and then use him to clear up his second wave of attacks? That'll give me 50% meter back and make it more likely that I'll rebuild my meter for the next segment.... but if I sacrifice a little score here.. I could generate a larger chain from hyper shots.. etc etc.

In your game, I would say definately build upon your powerup system and incorporate some more risk/reward decision making moments in there.

Good job so far! Keep it coming :-)
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help computer
Posts: 4
Joined: Fri Mar 09, 2012 2:29 pm

Re: Insect Crisis

Post by help computer »

I've planned for 5 stages, so I was thinking more about total game time when deciding the stage length. I made the stage last around 3mins, plus another 1min for the boss. I can resize the stage easily so it's something I'll definitely try.

The boss will definitely be made tougher since I've had a few commenting it's too easy!

My weapon/upgrade system is kinda directionless at the moment (silly me for not ironing it out earlier.) I prefer the idea of upgrading. Manual weapon switching would present a problem because I only want to use two buttons/keys plus direction. Perhaps some combo is possible if I go that route.

Anyway, thanks for the feedback :D it's really helped.
help computer
Posts: 4
Joined: Fri Mar 09, 2012 2:29 pm

Re: Insect Crisis

Post by help computer »

Just a progress report. I've finished (barring heavy playtesting) stages 2 and 3, and uploaded a video and some pictures of those in the first post.

I've made some changes to the gameplay too. Following n0rtygames suggestions I made the stages about 25% shorter. I've changed the sideways and backwards weapons to variations on forwards weapons, as I found them next to useless for the enemies I had already designed. I also added a ship addon for rear guns in 4 flavours. All basic stuff, but it's coming along. :D
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tiaoferreira
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Re: Insect Crisis

Post by tiaoferreira »

I like this graphic style, reminds me DOS, TWIN BEE (MSX) and other old games, heheh!
help computer
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Joined: Fri Mar 09, 2012 2:29 pm

Re: Insect Crisis

Post by help computer »

I'm glad you like it :) (sorry for late reply, too.)

Anyway I recently setup a blog for the game here: http://unclechristmas.tumblr.com/

In terms of structure (rather than time spent) the game is about 90% finished now, just got a few bits and bobs to add to the actual gameplay. Polishing and playtesting will take some time though.
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