Congratulations Imanok for the game. I've really enjoyed during all the play.
Regarding the game the most remarkable point is difficulty/playability. First and second stages are hard but affordable even turning the path 180º. I've reached the 3th stage but with this level of difficulty it was not able to pass.
Despite this the game is highly playable. All the sprites movements includding the player are fast and smooth so this fact allows a very good control and predictable paths of the enemies. It reminds me HYPE.Nice gameplay!
Also the detection of collision is perfect! very restrictive. The good known massive shoot'em ups allow a margin. The active collision area is smaller than the sprite area and usually centered. This increases the fake thought that the player is better than he/she really is and it produces the enthusiam for the game. When both ships are in formation the area is excesive.For me this is improvable point.
Other point to improve is Autoshoot. Usually I don't keep the fire pressed all time for autoshoot but this game requires it. Sometimes you need to increase the shooting power. Crush the fire and the rate will be the same or lower.
Different items would provide a new level in playability: +1 player speed / +1up (in screen when reaches a new score step) / blast/ and the most important shooting power. I know, is only 16kb...
and yes! this is a wish not a valoration point.
Fusion is really the key of the game! This happening during the game is that the player really expects and remember. Recorded in the memory. (Salamander !! wow). During the fusion process the player is vulnerable and static. I expected invulnerability during the fusion and a while after, the player gets the climax of the game but close enemy kick his/her ass . frustrating!
Mental note for Imanok: shmup! Is not only the challenge. During the fusion the player enjoys the game.
I also enjoyed the big bosses. Another wish: Why the bosses movement is only horizontal? I was very afraid waiting for a fast falling of those bastards.
I can continue but all the related points are the most important for me.
Technically i'm overhelmed:
- fake scroll multilayer SC1. (bottom layer alike from ending Zanac stages or similar could be nice here)
- Smooth control (but improvable). A bunch of sprites moving perfeclty 'IN' the gameplay screen. One sprite per character is enought for fun.
- Great coding of the game engine.
- Mr. Hassink music. Probably the best of all the MSXdev'13 but...this game deserves one melody per stage and big boss rush!!! 16kb again...
- SFX could be improved. Lack and low volume but nice.
Resuming : GREAT MSX GAME! This is the shoot'em up game I was expecting for years.
Thanks Imanok.
PAUSE Key LOST: Don't forget the old real MSX machine users.
