The Roost
A downloadable game
Ver 0.81 for testing and feedback.
This is a little swipey jumpy game designed for touch-screens but also playable with a mouse. Currently downloadable as a Windows installer but be available for Android phones at a later date.
Simply touch (or click) and swipe to jump. New abilities can be unlocked by purchasing "Hats".
Enjoy. Feedback is very much appreciated.
Download
Install instructions
Run the installer and play
Development log
- Roost v0.81 available for testingJul 17, 2021
Comments
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Feedback & questions:
1. Maybe a subtle visual tutorial on how the controls work on first launch.
2. Is it intended that you lose all your corn (and other stats) after dying? When can you use the shop?
3. It's not very clear what the objective is. Is it to collect 30 butterflies, or to reach the end of the level, or is it an infinite endurance test (but none of your stats save after death?). If it's a fixed-length level, then maybe a level progress indicator will help define that. (Example: the number of meters left, or a small player sprite that moves on a line).
4. If the game is divided on levels, then maybe the first one needs to be easier/shorter, just so the player feels like they're making progress. I couldn't reach the end after a lot of tries (if there is an end). Maybe my difficulty is because of the mouse control (it'll probably be easier on Android).
5. There is no Quit Game button, so you need to Alt+F4 to quit. A quit/pause menu during gameplay would also be nice to have.
6. There are situations where the player is in the air and a sudden action happens that can't be avoided. (Crow flying forward or a pig running from the back). It's pretty hard to test what's possible and what's not though... I think I also encountered a row of 5 chickens which I couldn't jump over, but only once. Maybe more health bonuses can even this out?
Otherwise the presentation and idea are great, and the controls are good and responsive. Will play more and give more feedback as I progress, this was my first impression.
Thank you, as for #2 I have just uploaded an update that fixes that. Please download version 0.81 so you get your rewards. As for the others, all good points that I will address in the final version.
Thanks, I think the stats being saved changes a lot, so some of the other points are probably not relevant anymore. :)
After playing some more:
On the old feedback points:
3. I think the idea is that the level is infinite and that's pretty clear when your stats are kept after dying. Still, I think it could be fun to have a "max length reached" stat, as some sort of hi-score.
4. I think this one is not relevant anymore.
6. I'll add the fast moving chickens and sheep to the list for this issue as well. This is no longer a problem when you have the crow hat, which enables good control in the air.
New points:
7. I think there is a bug in the shop related to the Sheep Wool stat. The crow hat costs 10 wool, but I could buy it with only 5 wool, and it didn't take me any wool (I still had 5 after buying it)
8. The control scheme for the first two hats - to use them, you need to press the button on the bottom left. It's not clear at first that it's a button. The arrow of the "Throw Corn" button at first made me think I need to do the same gesture to throw corn. Also, this is probably a good control scheme for the Android version, but for Windows I propose using the right mouse button for the extra action.
9. I found the Straw and Chicken hats a bit useless, but it may be just due to the control scheme. Scaring chickens often makes them go your way, which often hurts. Throwing corn contradicts a bit with the shop mechanic, but maybe you're supposed to use it very sparingly, so it might be useful if it's easy to perform it.
10. I really love the Crow hat! It makes the game easier, which wasn't that noticeable with the first two hats. The only small criticism I have is that it took me some time to realize that I'm taking fall damage.
Edit:
11. Just reached the second area for the first time (after the rain), and was disappointed that you don't start from there after you die. Not sure I'll ever be able to see any later areas that way. :(