One of my favorite games this jam. Everything about the core gameplay feels just right, both levels and bosses. Only thing I found a bit lacking is how the gumdrops don't damage Momoyo on touch, since this removes part of the threat of having the drops low on the screen (a low mine will still be a dangerous, though, if you don't manage to end the level before it detonates).
Since the game is close to perfect in my eyes, I'm gonna drop some nitpicky suggestions/opinions:
- I think the game would have even more appeal if the scoring system was a bit better. Clearing levels faster should definitely give more score, but you could also add in some bonuses from grazing (maybe also award it for "grazing"/shotgunning the gumdrops) to make it more Touhou-flavored.
- It's cool that we have both bombs and lives, but maybe reset the bombs upon death? This is not really for balance reasons, but it's just that as the game is now, the bombs practically act like extra lives that don't eat your no-miss bonus, which is a bit unsatisfying.
- The game still doesn't seem to clear up variables properly at game over? I'm running the rom bundled with the linux emulator. The dream would be if it could save the hi score without save states, but just resetting properly would at least let me save my score with a save state, rather than just a screenshot.
My current best is reaching level 19 with default lives and bombs. I aim to clear all 20 stages before the jam is over, and maybe update my review based on the stage 20 boss and any potential 2nd loop.
All in all, excellent game. Starry Mountain of Tenma sounds amazing, too. It really makes me hype.
