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Cyborg Lumberjack - Rough Demo Out - Help needed

Posted: Sat May 25, 2019 12:33 am
by Darsycho
NOTICE: Please keep an eye on my Twitter, Tumblr, YouTube, Itch.io, and other social links (listed on itch.io) for further updates, there won't be any more updates posted here.

Sup all, I’ve got a demo of my new game out today: Cyborg Lumberjack.

You’re a lumberjack with some cybernetic enhancements, such as an arm that can transform into various weaponry, and it seems a bunch of rednecks and their crazy contraptions have decided to piss you off, time to blow 'em up!
Spoiler: SCREENSHOTS
https://darsycho.itch.io/cyborg-lumberjack
(New version coming soon)

This is a very rough demo, and I’m looking for suggestions and criticism, I’m not entirely pleased with the demo, so I’m looking for feedback.
Spoiler: Stuff that needs help

Re: Cyborg Lumberjack - Rough Demo Out - Help needed

Posted: Sat May 25, 2019 12:54 am
by Skelegant
I love the atmosphere, the whole thing feels like a grungy 90s claymation music vid :D The jetpack worked fine for me, aiming up with the mouse is faster than holding jump.
The second map is a little difficult to navigate, there's a lot of wandering around looking for the next switch, it might help if the important doors/areas had a campfire or barbeque or something similar near them, to make them more visible from the other side of the map?

Re: Cyborg Lumberjack - Rough Demo Out - Help needed

Posted: Mon May 27, 2019 9:33 am
by galvahad
Just a matter of preference but for starters I think the game just looks better without the filters. And the controls could be edited a bit, since v to jetback and e to jump is a little odd. Maybe like, shift to jetback, space to jump, e activates.

As for the game itself I think it plays alright but the first level is very labyrinthine for a first level. It does introduce jetpack stuff very well but I think it might be a bit much because it also introduces like 3 guns, and many different types of enemies at once. Usually it goes a slower pace than that. The fuel stations also don't seem necessary, there's so many around but on the off-chance you do run out you'll be likely stuck. Maybe just have the jetpack refuel over time. Guns feel great, although the rocket lacks a bit of punch, I imagine that's due to the good amount of ammo you can get for it. Aside from a few polish issues (like there being no title screen of course, or lack of intro story), I think the idea of a jetback focused game could work very well. I enjoyed what I played!

Re: Cyborg Lumberjack - Rough Demo Out - Help needed

Posted: Fri May 31, 2019 4:19 pm
by Snarboo
Gonna be frank: I really, really like this! Even though it's an early demo, I can already feel the PO'ed influence.

Here's a quick list of criticisms I could come up with after playing the demo:

Things I liked:
  • The game doesn't feel anything at all like other Doom engine games, which I appreciate immensely.
  • The level design in the demo already takes advantage of the jetpack in a good way, having a good mixture of on foot areas and areas where you need to fly.
  • Weapon sway!
  • Dig the unique visual style. I'm not sure I've ever seen a cyber-lumber-punk themed...anything.
  • The weapons are fun to use.
Things that could be improved:
  • The lighting is a little too even in the first map, making it hard to navigate. It may help to adjust the lighting level in some areas to make them more visually distinct.
  • Going with the above, the first map is very labyrinthine, and I couldn't find an exit (if there is one). More landmarks are needed, as well as clues where to go.
  • Weapons feel a bit weak and could use some buffing.
  • Enemy damage is very random, either doing lots of damage or seemingly none at all. Rocket turrets seem to be the sole exception, killing you nearly instantly.
As for allowing the player to fly up and down with the jump and crouch buttons, you might be able to do that with ZScript! The player has dedicated checks for jumping and crouching, and you might be able to override the default behavior by checking if the player has the jetpack on.

Re: Cyborg Lumberjack - Rough Demo Out - Help needed

Posted: Fri May 31, 2019 5:44 pm
by Darsycho
Skelegant wrote:The jetpack worked fine for me, aiming up with the mouse is faster than holding jump.
True, but having the option to fly up and down can be useful for dodging projectiles while firing at the enemies in aerial combat.
galvahad wrote:The fuel stations also don't seem necessary, there's so many around but on the off-chance you do run out you'll be likely stuck. Maybe just have the jetpack refuel over time.
I was adding this in before you did this post actually, haha. The jetpack will refuel up to 25% when not in use for a few seconds, there will still be fuel stations here and there which will refuel you MUCH faster than the regenerating fuel though.
Snarboo wrote:As for allowing the player to fly up and down with the jump and crouch buttons, you might be able to do that with ZScript! The player has dedicated checks for jumping and crouching, and you might be able to override the default behavior by checking if the player has the jetpack on.
Gonna need help with that one, I have absolutely no idea how zscript works.




Anyhow, I'll have a new version up tomorrow, probably not with new levels in a few days with tweaked levels, weapons and monsters. Weapons feel better now IMO, like the shotgun now uses the altfire as the primary, and the new altfire is a grenade-like attack which can deal some nice damage. And monsters are tweaked a bit to be more fun to fight against, and the tire enemy isn't a buggy mess anymore (though it still could use some rewriting with its attack)

Till then, here's a screenie.

Image

Re: Cyborg Lumberjack - Rough Demo Out - Help needed

Posted: Fri May 31, 2019 7:32 pm
by Snarboo
Darsycho wrote:Gonna need help with that one, I have absolutely no idea how zscript works.
I've been meaning to implement a Duke 3D style jetpack in ZScript myself, so if I discover a solution, I'll share it here.

And that shot looks great! :D Looking forward to the new release.

Edit:
I was able to get the flying movement code working! :D It even lets you crouch if you're touching the ground while the jetpack is on. If you're interested, I can post a pk3 with the code, Darsycho, or just post the code directly into the thread. I can also PM it to you if prefer that.

Re: Cyborg Lumberjack - Rough Demo Out - Help needed

Posted: Sat Jun 01, 2019 4:47 am
by Darsycho
Snarboo wrote:
Darsycho wrote:Gonna need help with that one, I have absolutely no idea how zscript works.
I've been meaning to implement a Duke 3D style jetpack in ZScript myself, so if I discover a solution, I'll share it here.

And that shot looks great! :D Looking forward to the new release.

Edit:
I was able to get the flying movement code working! :D It even lets you crouch if you're touching the ground while the jetpack is on. If you're interested, I can post a pk3 with the code, Darsycho, or just post the code directly into the thread. I can also PM it to you if prefer that.
Sure, send a PM.

Re: Cyborg Lumberjack - Rough Demo Out - Help needed

Posted: Sun Aug 11, 2019 12:49 am
by Captain J
I certainly hope you're still working on this. Because it's very promising! The overall wackiness and unconventional but creative designs are charming and mostly likable. You're really good at making such clever TCs and i would like to see this TC finished! I love the fact that you used some assets from CiF 3. Unfortunately i don't know the name of the game with such sprites, but at least it's getting some spotlight... Again! Also i made some feedback for the future update. Hope you like it!
Spoiler: heave ho it goes
I do hope there's more Jetpack puzzles to tinker around with. Looking good so far!