The end goal is obvious: make the forest light again. But the game doesn't say how to get there. I can tell this was well-executed and the effects and theme are great, but without clear motivation or objectives, this just gets boring.
Now that I have finished the game, I'm changing my rating a little bit. The end was interesting, and though I managed to defeat the boss shadow without dying, it wasn't quite the unexpected I — expected. I was expecting something more unexpected, and thus that makes this end unexpected? Gotta give Wuzzy credit...
But the end could still use a little work, since I didn't know how to get to the last part of the game until Wuzzy told me
Lists and ratings:
Scores rate how good different aspects of the game are.
Effects is mostly how the game looks and is built. If a game doesn’t have good-looking textures, particle effects, or architecture that is actually plot-relevant, it can get a low Effects score.
Gameplay involves how good, fun, interesting or effective the gameplay is. If a game doesn’t have well-designed puzzles that are something a gamer actually feels they can figure out with obvious end results, it can get a low Gameplay score.
Plot, of course, is how good the plot is, how well it fits with the game itself, and whether it is interesting enough to keep players interested. If a game doesn’t have an obvious plot or goals, it can get a low Plot score.
Theme is how the game feels and is laid out. If a game doesn’t feel right, have a theme that fits its plot or gameplay, or is too bland or empty-feeling, it can get a low Theme score.
Unexpected Theme is only how a game fits the theme of the 2024 Game Jam.
All of these are rated out of ten (#/10), and the final result will be a combination of all these scores out of fifty (#/50).
Yeah, fair enough. I tried to do something with mobs for the 2023 game jam but this was a risk since I'm not very experienced with them. I'm not really happy with the end result either, but you know, time constraints. As for the Unexpected theme, there is a minor plot twist / surprise / ??? at the end that you probably haven't reached although the question of how good it is is debatable of course. Admittedly, the 2023 theme is quite hard to find a good game idea in the first place. Just look at the other submissions. :-(
But yeah, it's not like I disagree with the critics or I'm unaware of the problems. That's the thing with risky game ideas, you can never know how well they turn out before you actually put them into practice. Originally I've planned more types of mobs but it turns out making good mobs is hard lol, especially under time contraints.
Anyway, it seems you haven't figured out how to reach the end boss. If you have 3 light crystals, you need to approach the bush in the last level (portal in the 1st floor of the Tree of Life) to unlock the final level.
I admit the dialog doesn't communicate the goal very well, maybe I improve it in the next version.
Overall, I agree with you. I'm also only half-happy with the result.
Ah thank you very much for telling me. I will edit my review as soon as I try that. I forgot to say that I hadn't finished it, I hope that hasn't caused too many problems.
For me I didn't really think it was bad, I merely think it could use some work. I would like to specify: most of my reviews are not reasons not to download something, or listing things that are bad about them. I use my reviews mostly to list things about games/mods that might be able to be fixed. A few more obvious goals (and maybe some mob-spawning changes lol) would make this game great :)
The time-constraint is absolutely understandable, and this game was still much better quality during the competition than most of the other ones. Good work
The end goal is obvious: make the forest light again. But the game doesn't say how to get there. I can tell this was well-executed and the effects and theme are great, but without clear motivation or objectives, this just gets boring.
Now that I have finished the game, I'm changing my rating a little bit. The end was interesting, and though I managed to defeat the boss shadow without dying, it wasn't quite the unexpected I — expected. I was expecting something more unexpected, and thus that makes this end unexpected? Gotta give Wuzzy credit...
But the end could still use a little work, since I didn't know how to get to the last part of the game until Wuzzy told me
Lists and ratings:
Scores rate how good different aspects of the game are.
Effects is mostly how the game looks and is built. If a game doesn’t have good-looking textures, particle effects, or architecture that is actually plot-relevant, it can get a low Effects score.
Gameplay involves how good, fun, interesting or effective the gameplay is. If a game doesn’t have well-designed puzzles that are something a gamer actually feels they can figure out with obvious end results, it can get a low Gameplay score.
Plot, of course, is how good the plot is, how well it fits with the game itself, and whether it is interesting enough to keep players interested. If a game doesn’t have an obvious plot or goals, it can get a low Plot score.
Theme is how the game feels and is laid out. If a game doesn’t feel right, have a theme that fits its plot or gameplay, or is too bland or empty-feeling, it can get a low Theme score.
Unexpected Theme is only how a game fits the theme of the 2024 Game Jam.
All of these are rated out of ten (#/10), and the final result will be a combination of all these scores out of fifty (#/50).
Effects: 8/10
Gameplay: 4/10
Plot: 7/10
Theme: 8/10
Unexpected Theme: 4/10
Overall: 31/50
*Was accidentally /10
Yeah, fair enough. I tried to do something with mobs for the 2023 game jam but this was a risk since I'm not very experienced with them. I'm not really happy with the end result either, but you know, time constraints. As for the Unexpected theme, there is a minor plot twist / surprise / ??? at the end that you probably haven't reached although the question of how good it is is debatable of course. Admittedly, the 2023 theme is quite hard to find a good game idea in the first place. Just look at the other submissions. :-(
But yeah, it's not like I disagree with the critics or I'm unaware of the problems. That's the thing with risky game ideas, you can never know how well they turn out before you actually put them into practice. Originally I've planned more types of mobs but it turns out making good mobs is hard lol, especially under time contraints.
Anyway, it seems you haven't figured out how to reach the end boss. If you have 3 light crystals, you need to approach the bush in the last level (portal in the 1st floor of the Tree of Life) to unlock the final level.
I admit the dialog doesn't communicate the goal very well, maybe I improve it in the next version.
Overall, I agree with you. I'm also only half-happy with the result.
Ah thank you very much for telling me. I will edit my review as soon as I try that. I forgot to say that I hadn't finished it, I hope that hasn't caused too many problems.
For me I didn't really think it was bad, I merely think it could use some work. I would like to specify: most of my reviews are not reasons not to download something, or listing things that are bad about them. I use my reviews mostly to list things about games/mods that might be able to be fixed. A few more obvious goals (and maybe some mob-spawning changes lol) would make this game great :)
The time-constraint is absolutely understandable, and this game was still much better quality during the competition than most of the other ones. Good work