Score: 7

"Well made"

submission: Heavy Gunner

date: August 27, 2009

A very well made game all around, everything in it is solid and functional, only small problems to be addressed really. First being that my screen couldn't fit the entire game, I can't think of a reason why you would need a large game screen instead of small characters and enemies but ah well, its done right?

Wonderful visuals. Only things I will say are that there is very little visual difference between a regular shot and a charged shot and that all shot sprites appear to be the same sprite just with a different size or behaviour.

As I couldn't see the whole game screen I can't be sure if there was a meter or some sot of indication to let you know when a powerup was coming, if there wasn't, there needed to be. Would also give the player a reason to move aside from dodging enemy shots.

Also: I am playing on a laptop, so controlling the ship with a touchpad mouse was awkward. Try having a second control setup or laptop users. All it really means is having some keys to fire and angle your gun really.

But dont take too much of this criticism to heart, you have a brilliant game and one I have definitely enjoyed playing. 7/10

Score: 5

"Done well, needs more"

submission: Space Voyage - Invasion

date: August 27, 2009

Good idea, I've not seen a vertical scroller combined with tower defence elements. However it all seems to be very basic with little expansion on it.

Yes there is a 'Maingun'. This maingun is a crosshair on the screen that changes size slightly when you click. This changs the focus from shooting enemies to clicking on enemies, subtle difference, but noticeable.

Yes there are a varying amount of enemies. However they are all the same image with different colours. The varied flight paths are GOOD, I like this in the aliens. However the same image with different colours does not make them different enemies. This is easily solved though, if aliens with different flights paths also have different images, it bring the two elements together well.

Turrets are good, nice variety however your plasma cannon seems weird, having 1 damage and 10 fire rate yet being insanely slow. No explanations for what these stats mean, nor any indicator of upgrade status outside of numbers on the menu, this may seem weird given what I said previously, but why not change the colour of the weapon depending on it's upgrade status? Or give it an identifying, incremental feature like strips or battle scars or a larger muzzle or some addendas or something?

I think the only real problem with this game is that everything you put down in as features is really a standard, you have the wrong focus. Upgrades, multiple levels and a final boss are all standard with TD and most shooters, work more on your original idea and you shouldn't go far wrong.

I look forward to seeing more of this game from you.

Score: 4

"Nothing to it"

submission: Xalaxer

date: August 27, 2009

A good idea but executed poorly. The dual control system was functional but playing on a laptop with a touchpad mouse made it a little awkward. Allow for control with arrow keys as well as A and D, or some other letters further to the right than A and D.

That being said, I'm sure the entire flow of the game was meant to be simple, but this feels more than simple, its minimalistic and it tends to make for a game that doesn't engage or encourage play. Idea: Give the player a goal other than a high score. Since the high score isn't even shared with anyone or anything it is racking up points for the sake of raking up points. Give a goal, an ending, a series of upgrades or something for the player to attain. The player doesn't even need to dodge shots, just strafe a lot which ties me in nicely to my next point.

Visually your game is retro and that's sweet, however the line between background and foreground is blurred with the scrolling stars I feel. It took me moment to get around the fact that the stars change size and I am not being fired at by these ships. If the ships shoot, make sure it is a rectangular shot, or not white.

Overall I feel that there could be so much more done with this game. Offer a couple more game modes. Have both ships on the same screen, one red, one blue. The red ship can only shoot red ships, the blue ship can only shoot blue ships, the ships cannot pass each other. You could have both ships on one screen but facing opposite directions, one firing at enemies from above, one from below. They could be at opposite ends of the screen firing towards and capable of destroying each other, trying to destroy vertical scrolling enemies.

Like I said at the beginning; good idea but executed poorly. Mess about with the concept and see what works for you, should you plan to take this any further. Best of luck. 4/10