goes to show that simplicity CAN work
I have to say I like this, that old classic method of moving about catching objects has always grown on me and never seems to tire or get old. Obviously this could do with a few tweaks) but mostly not bad at all…..
First off, graphics. I genuinely liked the looks of this game. It looked happy and therefore FELT physically relaxing, you gave the game pretty environment, such as the nice distant mountains and the clouds in the bright blue sky ect; such small little details as these really help contribute a great deal to the game’s success and enjoyment. I felt with this look of the game you gave it a very ‘family-friendly’ feel to the game, one that most users on the NG can play and enjoy; connected with the game-play the graphics really boosts the interactivity because it breathes life into your surroundings within the game and therefore gives it mood and setting.. Graphically the game looked sweet although I could argue that in some ways it did look a little MS Painted and that you could add some realism in such as some shadows when the coins fall would be a great help to get a better score; although I felt you already included realism such as the fading colours on the mountains in the background, this gave the game a more dramatic feel to it as I frantically dashed about trying to collect coins. Animation was something I was impressed about too, alright so the game didn’t have a bucket load of animations but the ones you did have were satisfactory enough. For example, the little scuttling movement of Musey as he dashed about was cute and the coins spinning and faces spinning were very classical; and the looks gave me a chuckle at times such as the evil looking face as the sun, and the objects you weren’t supposed to collect had happy faces on them. However, though I liked the graphics I do feel there was a lack at some points graphically, perhaps you could have different backgrounds and settings?
Next, sounds. Again, good and nothing much to complain about. I loved the happy background music because it felt very Mario-ish although since the game last a long time I think you should have other music tunes to listen to, after all the music isn’t exactly complex and loops around a lot and gets very repetitive after a while. I was a little disappointed that you didn’t include sound effects though; perhaps some sound for when you collect a coin or zaphoid, and a ‘game over’ sound?
Finally, game-play. This is where the game really shines for me, it’s nothing original and it’s simplistic but that’s why I love it - it isn’t over-exaggerated or trying to be complex. I like your own ideas of this type of game, such as mostly bad objects being dropped from above, this giving you a requirement to dodge about a lot and actually think about what you’re catching. This certainly gave the game a challenge, although I do question that there seemed to be a little shortage of coins compared to a lot of zaphoids. The game had a lot of replay value though because of its length, although I love how this game lasts but I feel you should break down the length. One game lasts an awful long time due to the objects dropped bar slowly depleting, and this makes the game a little repetitive and frustrating at times for the player. Stick with the ‘objects dropped’ count depleting, but how about including levels? Such as with different backgrounds and characteristics; for example the Zaphoids could be little fireballs in a ‘hell’ style theme and icicles in a snowy one ect. The game could also get increasingly difficult as you go along, with objects dropping faster and increasing the number of hazards to avoid dropping. All-in-all though, I love the game-play style and it’s one that I can come back to again and again.
Overall, “Musey Coin catch” could do with a few little extras but for now it is an addictively entertaining game as it is; and definitely one that everyone can enjoy. It’s simple, but we wouldn’t have it any other way. I hope you found my suggestions helpful, and well done :)
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~T_C