Feedback request: Sheeplings (Iteration 1)
Author
KarjaSoft is a bit nervous to present iteration 1 (v0.1) of Sheeplings! Lately I've just been tweaking and holding this off, but I really need to release a first iteration to get somewhere.
Description:
Wolves, eagles, bandits - everyone is after your cute little friends! Protect and guide the sheep through (undecided) wool-raising levels, until you finally reach your goal: the sheep-jumping competition in Woollyville.
Screenshots:
http://www.sheeplings.com/sheeplings1.jpg
http://www.sheeplings.com/sheeplings2.jpg
http://www.sheeplings.com/sheeplings3.jpg
http://www.sheeplings.com/sheeplings4.jpg
http://www.sheeplings.com/sheeplings5.jpg
http://www.sheeplings.com/sheeplings6.jpg
Demo download:
http://www.sheeplings.com/Sheeplings.exe
System requirements:
Not really sure! I haven't gotten hold of an older comp to test it on yet. Windows 2K/XP with a 3D-capable graphics card at least. Maybe 98/Me as well. The speed of the game ought to adjust itself according to the framerate, but I don't know at which point it becomes too jerky.
Other information:
* There are no options at the moment. Sorry! But you can run the game in windowed mode with the flag -w. (Or select the windowed option in the start menu.)
* There's just one default profile right now, but the progress is saved when you exit the game.
Some questions:
* Does it work?
* Is it fun?
* Does it look and sound decent enough?
* How's the difficulty?
* Does it need more tutorials? I'm pretty sparse with this.
* This iteration has one map screen and 24 levels. I'm thinking that this ought to cover one hour's worth of play quite well. Right?
I welcome any comments and suggestions you may have!
Does it work: Yes, but I have an AMD 3400+/Geforce 6800 etc, so I would hope so.
Is it fun: Quite fun, though it is sometimes a little frustrating when either a) the sheep get stuck behind each other or b) the sheep get stuck on the edge of the screen
Does it look and sound decent enough: Yes! I really like the graphics, sound and music. Very cute, but not sickeningly so.
Difficulty: It seems probably about right, though I've only played the first 10 or so levels so far. Also, the ranking system seems a bit random - on the first wolf level it seems very hard to not get a 1 star ranking.
Tutorials: I don't think it actually needs any more tutorials, but I do think the intro text on the first level should mention the fact that you have to bark at the sheep by left clicking. I'm sure everyone can work this out within a few seconds just by experimentation, but it would seem more polished if you were told how the game worked rather than having to work it out. Real sheep dogs just chase sheep by moving towards them, they don't need to bark...
One hour's play: Don't know.
Also, pressing escape exits the game altogether rather than just exiting to the main menu screen. Maybe you need an "#ifdef DEBUG" or a boolean debug setting in the profile config file to toggle this behaviour on for debugging but off for release versions.
Is it fun: Quite fun, though it is sometimes a little frustrating when either a) the sheep get stuck behind each other or b) the sheep get stuck on the edge of the screen
Does it look and sound decent enough: Yes! I really like the graphics, sound and music. Very cute, but not sickeningly so.
Difficulty: It seems probably about right, though I've only played the first 10 or so levels so far. Also, the ranking system seems a bit random - on the first wolf level it seems very hard to not get a 1 star ranking.
Tutorials: I don't think it actually needs any more tutorials, but I do think the intro text on the first level should mention the fact that you have to bark at the sheep by left clicking. I'm sure everyone can work this out within a few seconds just by experimentation, but it would seem more polished if you were told how the game worked rather than having to work it out. Real sheep dogs just chase sheep by moving towards them, they don't need to bark...
One hour's play: Don't know.
Also, pressing escape exits the game altogether rather than just exiting to the main menu screen. Maybe you need an "#ifdef DEBUG" or a boolean debug setting in the profile config file to toggle this behaviour on for debugging but off for release versions.
Author
Hey, that's a very good idea! Keyboard/gamepad support, for a more direct approach for those who prefer that. (There were some complaints about the mouse control already - this could solve that!)
I'll see what I can do about the sheep getting stuck, and I'll also make the ranking system more obvious. I'll add some hints as to how to score high on certain levels, for example. In general, I think I'll add some more tutorials, just to be on the safe and polished side (like you suggest.)
Oh right! The escape -> quit thing won't be in the released version; I just didn't think of removing it right now. Thanks for noting!
And thanks for the feedback! Glad that you enjoyed it, and hopefully your suggestions will make it even better!
I'll see what I can do about the sheep getting stuck, and I'll also make the ranking system more obvious. I'll add some hints as to how to score high on certain levels, for example. In general, I think I'll add some more tutorials, just to be on the safe and polished side (like you suggest.)
Oh right! The escape -> quit thing won't be in the released version; I just didn't think of removing it right now. Thanks for noting!
And thanks for the feedback! Glad that you enjoyed it, and hopefully your suggestions will make it even better!
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