Extremely cute. This game is threatening to give me diabetes.
+ Visual polish on top. Great designs, and mechanics that reinforce the theme.
+ Very reliable breadcrumbs/hints for players who get lost (As I did, once or twice)
+ The combinatorial puzzle can be a decent challenge
- UI for the Notes could be stronger. I originally missed the instructions on how the combinatorial puzzle worked, because the tabs didn't stand out much. (The hints in the corner saved me)
- Shadow combination is compelling, but having to remember which aspects belong to which creature got a bit burdensome, especially when those aspect symbols are hard to see without capturing the creature first.
Being unable to see aspects until you're able to capture is particularly unhelpful here.
- The music and gameplay loops got a bit repetitive by the end; having more elaborate steps to capture a creature would help break things up, but I'd want to be sure that the creature has the aspects I need, first.
Viewing post in The Garden of Umbra jam comments
Thank you for the super detailed feedback, it's really useful to have! We completely agree with many of your points, rejigging the tutorial/UI and adding a bestiary for creatures you'd already captured to make it easier and add some cute descriptions was high on our priority list.
In an extended version, we'd have loved to have added rare creatures that had to be lured to the garden via completing hidden puzzles - we'll see how we get on!
Thanks again for the feedback and telling us about the parts you enjoyed, it's wonderful to hear 💚