Finally got around to submitting that review (abitofcode aka codemuppet)
[Game] Alone: isometric platformer
(55 posts) (14 voices)-
Posted 1 year ago #
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Did anyone else tried the last update? Did you like the changes?
I'm going to release this week probably a new update, improved those translations (paid a professional translator, so hope would be ok), also will unlock levels once you play for more than 10 minutes or so, and my brother who did the designs is preparing new art work, new icon, new splash, hope you like it this update as well.
Ah, and new level 9 is online, and level 10 is also ready, but won't put online until next update, as I had to fix a small bug. This last level 10, is 38 rooms big, and if id not as big as games like Batman or Head over Heels, it's more likely, and I hope will keep people entertained for a while! (I'm preparing a map for this one, which I will put on the website)
If anyone in particular is interested to try the game, send me a PM and will send a promo code, I don't want to give away random codes anymore, as I have the feeling some people left bad ratings (in the US store I have a few 1 start rating, and someone even said "just awful"), of course everyone is free to put whatever they like, but this is the kind of game that if you like the style, I am sure you will love it, but if you don't like the kind of games, you may thing is not good, but for that reason you wouldn't buy this game in the first instance, so therefore wouldn't rate bad...
Many thanks.
Jose Miguel Gomez
http://www.itlgames.comPosted 1 year ago # -
Quick post to catch up with you guys, anyone has finalized the levels? I made two new levels available to download (levels 9 and 10), and now with the last update (v.1.2) next level will be unblock as loon as you play 10 minutes. Also there is a map for level 10 on the website, as that level could be a bit more complex than the others!
Thanks.
Jose Miguel Gomez
http://www.itlgames.comPosted 1 year ago # -
Although with the new update I was able to complete level1, I couldn't complete level 2 :-(
I still find it very difficult :(Posted 1 year ago # -
I still can't get past the second room in the first level, the death room although it is nice that when you die you start back in the room again instead of the previous one. This room is entirely too dificult for so early in the game.
Alone is a very cool game except that the initial difficulty keeps me from wanting to play it.
Posted 1 year ago # -
New update (v1.2) should unlock levels after 10 tries or 10 minutes playing.
But if you guys find that room difficult, I better create a new set of levels!! cos difficult escalates each level.
I reckon level 10 is the best one, it's a big map (there is a map here http://www.itlgames.com/alone), and difficult should be not too much, it's more like finding the way out, and resolve some puzzles.
Jose Miguel Gomez
http://www.itlgames.comPosted 1 year ago # -
@David994A, if you like, take a look to this video:
Get the Video Plugin it shows how to pass level 1.
I reckon is not easy, but just as those original games like Head Over Heels or Batman or Knight Lore, or the fantastic Fairlight. But yeah, maybe I did make levels a bit difficult!!
Jose Miguel Gomez
http://www.itlgames.comPosted 1 year ago # -
Lev
MemberNice work, I really like the iso pixel art!
I was a little surprised that there's no inertia in the jumps. I think it would be easier for me if the jump distance were governed by the length of time the jump button is held. Perhaps this is because I've more dexterity in my right hand, and timing being more difficult to articulate than the direction state.
Posted 1 year ago # -
blackmouth
MemberI never got through the first level but after seeing your video walk-through I know why. I played again a week ago and made it back to the robots & aliens room . I realize now that there is a bottom room with a knife. I couldn't tell because I thought it was just a reflection of the top room door.
I don't think you need to entirely redesign the levels at the moment. I think you just need to ease in the difficulty. For example, you should make the first key really easy to get. Like a platform straight to the key with one jump of spikes. This way you ease in the difficulty.
I like the shadow, it really helps with the jumps.
Posted 1 year ago # -
I think I will do that, ease the initial levels a bit more! I have played so many times those levels that I can pass them even blind...
@Lev, I think I know what you mean, releasing the right finger would stop jumping, is that what you mean?
you can still do that just release the left finger, the fact that the jump button doesn't control the length is because some times you just need to jump vertically, then concentrate on the d-pad control, to move, note you can also control the direction of the jump, this is vital in some levels, so you jump, then change direction on the fly. I guess this is all inheritance from those ZX Spectrum games, try play Head over Heels and you will understand what I mean (there is a nice free PC remake by the way: http://retrospec.sgn.net/games/hoh/)In the other hand, would it help if I put an option to inverse controls? so d-pad on right, and jump/fire on left?
Thanks guys for your input.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Ok, I have made level 1 a bit easy (the death room), and added tips on levels 2 and 3 (an info panel in level 2 and the snail in level 3 will speak to you). All available to download. Will build-in anyway in next update.
I wonder why I am getting 1 start ratings, two in UK and five in US, people don't leave any comment so I'm totally clueless... could it be because the difficult? I was initially afraid to make levels so easy people would finish in 10 minutes, so I tried to find a balance, obviously I didn't spot it.
Thanks.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Hi there, just quick post to see if anyone playing and some more issues.
I have the impression that this kind of game won't get a nice target audience, so any honest feedback appreciate, as I have got some 1 start ratings in UK and US (no comments on the ratings so not sure exactly why people is complaining)
I am also considering to move on and start another different game (have in mind couple of games), always isometric/retro style, but maybe something simple and easy.
Thanks.
Posted 1 year ago # -
My main complaint is the difficulty.
The game is a mix of Puzzle + Arcade, and sometimes the "arcade" part is MUCH more difficult than the puzzle part.In level1, after picking up the key and knife, you have to kill a lot of robots (not an easy task)
In level2 ( I couldn't complete it):
puzzle: find out that you have to put the box on the elevator... no so difficult
arcade: once on top of the box, you have to jump to the platform that is near the door, but that platform dissolves so you have to do it quickly... Well, I tried at least 5 times to do it but I couldn't pass that room.Posted 1 year ago # -
Blue Ether
MemberI haven't tried this game, looks pretty much like the old NES game Solstice (though with the hero from Gegege instead). That game was brutally difficult, so its hardly surprising to me that this game has the same issue. Pretty much what Riq said is exactly what I always remember hating about Solstice!
I have a lot of respect for the effort and care that went into this. Part of me definitely wants to give this game a go, or would anyway if I had any patience for virtual d-pads. But alas, I don't.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Yes, I know, the difficulty was a tricky part, those games back on the 80's, I remember been playing for hours!
I have eased some of those initial levels, but if I make them too easy, then, it won't be the same! I think is just this type of game, it can get your nerves... maybe that is why I have got the bad ratings.And the controls, yes, I know, but unless we could use something like iControlPad, there is not much we can do for this type of games...
Even if I will keep maintaining Alone (next update will include Chinese Simplified and Japanese, and next one probably AGON or OpenFeint), I am going to start in couple of new games, always using same isometric engine, but something for a more general public, I have nearly ready a Zelda-like adventure, and a simple a fast pace puzzle game.
Thanks for input guys, appreciated.
Posted 1 year ago # -
oh yeah, I remember Spindizzy, all those memories of the ZX Spectrum makes me feel so good... I really loved Batman (Ocean) and Fairlight, and one of the best ones, if not the best, a Spanish one "La abadia del crimen", based on the Umberto Eco's novel "The name of the rose" don't think there was a English version:
Get the Video Plugin I don't think I would do a remake to be honest, but I am working on a few more isometric games, even though this style doesn't seem is getting to the public!! I released a free version of Alone and well, after a few days, and even been in top 100 and top 50 of few countries (not any big country) it has disappeared on the immensity of the app store...
Posted 1 year ago # -
re: Hi, did anyone tried the last update?
Just picked this up again and made it past the first level :) One thing that would be helpful for me is if you would double the radius of the two bottom right touch circles. For some reason I find it uncomfortable to hit the bottom right circle with my thumb to jump. It may be because I have a case that goes right up to the bottom right corner of the screen.
I agree with earlier suggestions about holding down the jump button to stay in the air longer although I know that would break puzzles that require that you can only jump one block high ... maybe double the height of blocks to compensate ? The key in my mind is to be able to have more control while in mid air in case you need to get back to a platform.
I would also suggest maybe timing the conveyer belts so that they moved a little closer to the player's speed so I don't have to tap the move controller so often to stay on the belt. Even better in my opinion would be to set the players motion speed in one direction proportional to how far away the touch is from the center of the directional pad. This way the player could find a comfortable spot to rest his thumb that perfectly countered the speed at which the conveyer was moving against him.
Posted 1 year ago # -
@thefuzz, thanks for the feedback!
I'm working on a major update, migrating to cocos2d 0.99.5, movement based on delta time (not framerate) and more smooth.
I also added a few new features, like platforms moving with the accelerometer and shake, and will try to add a set of about 10 mini levels.
And the controls, I agree they are tough to get use to it, did you try the "USE CORNERS" option from the settings page? Lot of people complain about the virtual d-pads on this kind of games, so using the corners to move should hopefully help these people, this option it has been from the beginning, but somehow people don't try it, funny it was my initial idea for controlling, but someone recommended me to use a d-pad and I put it as default option... maybe not a good idea!
Posted 1 year ago # -
Codemattic
ModeratorMaybe your next iso based game could use a mechanism where you tap where you want to move to. It would be less action/arcade (maybe more puzzle based?) of course since you dont have split second movement control that way - but it might be easier for players to control and get into.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Thanks @Codemattic, yeah, I am trying different controls on the next two games, one is going to be an adventure, I was thinking to use the corners or tap on position to walk.
Posted 1 year ago # -
phpbug
MemberHi Guys ,
I saw few of the clips in youtube regarding the tilt map.
I've seen it somewhere in this forum , some suggested using the tilt map editor,which is also what i am using now.Hope this forum is still active,just one thing i don't really get it is that , how do we use the cocos2d to turn the map into like !! left 45 degree ? Sames as few of the clips posted here.
Hope you guys out there able to pin point me to the right direction.
Posted 11 months ago #
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