As of right now, too boring
I like the retro feel of the game. The music doesn't seem to get so grating on my ears either, even after 20+ levels. Also, the controls were simple enough and never hassled me at all.
However, I didn't feel compelled to complete the game. It's too simple and repetitively so.
Currently, here's what happens in a level:
Find a shield pick up to increase speed, shot power and shot speed.
Try to find the exit. Many times, exits even spawn close to the start location.
The enemies are of no consequence-there are only two so far that I've seen in at least twenty or thirty levels. And they are fairly easy to dodge or kill, even when they swarm you.
Only when the yellow nodes start to appear does the action seem to be more hectic, even though I don't know what they do anyway.
My recommendations:
More enemies, naturally. I've yet to see one who shoots back at me, for example.
Powerups are way too strong. Just two or so and enemies get cut to shreds.
If those are extra lives at the top left of the screen, then I have yet to lose any. I suppose the counter only shows 9 lives, though, but seriously, the game was too easy because the enemies were too easy.
Stage design shouldn't have been an open arena type. Make them closed, windy perhaps. (maybe with a few branching paths.) If they were closed and linear, it would have been more focused, and then you could add doodads and obstacles so that each level would have a certain flavor to it.
Right now, the experience is basically wandering off in a random direction, checking to see if the exit is there. If not, sweep the next area. Repeat again. I never was forced to go around the massive levels at all.
Better a few levels of focus than 100 levels of sheer wandering around.
