Beat the boss and completed the demo. Wasn't able to find all the armor pieces (only found the helmet). Have to say I throughly enjoyed this.
As for the demo experience: initially the game was very difficult, but after learning how to use the grab properly and the hunger mechanic I started to get into the groove of things more. I have to say that the combat is very well designed and fun to engage with. I also appreciate the Hawaii theme. I saw the citations you left in the credits, you clearly put a lot of thought into this.
Here are some notes I took while playing:
- Was a bit confused by the icon used for the "Punch attack" and "Grab attack" in the tutorial. It looks like the trigger button but I'm not quite sure.
- I like how everything is themed around Hawaiian culture. Like how the opening is on a cruise ship, the items being local things you could find, and the pamphlets. Very unique setting and idea.
- Should indicate with a signpost that the tent (sleeping) is how you save.
- Sign should also indicate that running out of stamina in water will drown you. (I did find the pamphlet later, but I think this is important enough to be put on a sign.)
- Holding down left stick to run is a bit unintuitive. Maybe use a face button?
- On one screen the falling sound kept repeating, but I wasn't falling nor did I see anyone else fall. Probably an enemy out of view that keeps falling? Maybe you should make falling sound distance based?
- Platforming would be easier if the player had a shadow that you could use to see where you would fall after a dash.
- Once an enemy falls they have trouble returning and thus keep falling. Very annoying sound.
- Enemy went into the water, then got pushed into another screen, so I followed them there, but their stats (stamina) stayed the same, so they kept swimming without drowning.
- Enemies too willing to drown.
- Enemy grab attacks are a fantastic addition. Very cool.
- There seems to be some kind of parry system? I'm not sure how to use it. (At least I think I saw something like that)
- Hunger/food should also be directly explained to players, preferably through signposts. I was confused as to why my stamina was decreasing all the time until I read the stats menu.
- Grab attacks are really fun.
- Somehow had a chicken of 0 count stuck in my item use wheel. It stayed even when I added a 10 stack of chicken.
- Somehow able to overload bag space (like 21/16) I don't remember how I did it, but I remember it happening accidentally.
Overall, good job.