I'll start with what I think can be improved (and may or may not be nitpicking):
- I felt very, very uncomfortable shooting with right click. I think it's overal way more intuitive to move with wasd (I tried using the mouse but... it's way better to use wasd) and shoot with left click (like in any shooter) simply because it's more convenient and comfortable to handle repetitive clicking with what you're used to mash the most (the left click) while the right click is often for secondary actions (usually you would just hold it or click once in a while, not repetitively).
- I found the game pretty easy, since the bot would just aim where you are and there isn't very much variation. Not an awful thing though, since I think the AI was very responsive and worked well generally. It just was a bit easy to predict.
- The screenshake might be too much. Don't get me wrong, I love screenshake! But I found it was a bit too easy to trigger. What makes a screenshake special is how it makes certain actions feel more satisfying and impactful than others. In this case, it shaked a bit on contact and i don't know if it activates while an enemy dies but it escalated fast and quick. I think toning it down would have been good to, for example, make it feel more satisfying when a bigger screenshake happens. (so, the screenshake balance overall)
- This one is 100% personal, but I feel like tiny crosshair and bullets makes it a bit too tiny to be visually as interesting as it would while bigger; although I'm guessing with so many bullets on screen it might have acted as nuisance; but i still find most of it really small. (as an example, the binding of isaac, enter the gungeon and nuclear throne - granted they're roguelights though, but still top down shooters - all have preposterous bullet sizes, but it works just so well and adds to the satisfaction)
That said, the game felt satisfying and the music and sound effects were very appropriate! The AI is well done and I love how the battlefield gets field... I mean, filled with corpses!
Good job!
Viewing post in Ants of Jam: Justice Unleashed jam comments
Thank you for your honest feedback. I really appreciate you taking the time to write out your thoughts. I'll address yours and in no way take any offense to anything you said, just giving my honest thought process in making those choices:
- I had originally wanted to only allow the player to use the mouse to move and shoot, but found it was much more enjoyable with WASD and never removed the original control scheme... so I can certainly agree left click might feel more natural. Perhaps I'll add a control choice in a menu moving forward.
- Totally agree on AI ease, simple was better for me as far as jam went, but definitely noted for future updates.
- I know I went overboard on screenshake, knew I was taking a risk with its outright madness, but I enjoyed it overall. I'll definitely allow for some options there or toned-down-ness moving forward.
- I can see what you mean on larger projectiles as well, I went for less of a caring about personal wellness and for the overall ant hill style here. But I could definitely see many style points that way
Again thank you so much for your feedback as it is truly useful advice to take forward if I want to continue dev on this project (which I think I truly do). Thanks!