Elysian Shadows

What's up everyone! I'm a friend of GyroVorbis and he said the community on this forum would be more than helpful in regards to getting feedback about a project of mine. The name of the game is Dream Trip and it's a project I've been working on for a year now. There are some definite similarities to Portal and TAG, but I did try to make it a bit unique.

Here are a couple images:


And a trailer for the game:


In the beginning of the game a nightmarish creature steals parts from a mysterious dream machine. The player is then tasked with getting to teleporters that take him to strange, far off places to recover the parts. That pretty much sums up the story for the game. It's a first person view platformer and the player uses three different types of balls to get over obstacles and navigate through levels.

I submitted the game to the IndiePub contest and you can play it here: http://www.indiepubgames.com/game/Dream_Trip
I'm not really naive enough to think I'm going to win, but I figured I had nothing to lose.

I'd really love it if you would give the demo a go and let me know what you think (be brutally honest please). What I have right now is just a demo of what the full game would be like and I'm trying to decide whether or not I should complete the game.

I know the controls need to be tightened up for the player, because every single person I've asked for feedback has mentioned that, so it's definitely on the list. Oh, and sorry about the lengthy first post.

In all honesty, I was really excited when I saw the trailer for this game. I would love to see a full game from this, because I would play it, and enjoy doing so .

I do have a few suggestions, though. As you've said:

Discord wrote: I know the controls need to be tightened up for the player...

I do agree with that, but also, when (in the game) you're in the air, it is kind of difficult to control. Something else that got annoying after a while, was taking a green ball over the acid; the circular collision detection and resolution made it where I would slide off the side of the green ball/oval before I made it safely.

But overall, I really enjoy playing it, and I hope that you do decide to make a full desktop (or console) game with this!

Good luck with your project,
~Asian

The acceleration makes it almost UNPLAYABLE. When i'm trying to get up onto a slightly higher red sphere I have to hold the key for a couple of seconds and by the time I get over it I'm moving so fast I go sailing into the acid uncontrollably. I've been playing this damn acid level for like 2 hours now, I hate you.

Thanks epicasian! I'll definitely look into the in air control. And dandymcgee, I definitely need to look into the problem you are having, haha. That sounds like something that needs to be fixed. Have you tried jumping as you move forward? I think I may know what the problem is, I just have to look into it and do some testing.

Discord wrote:Thanks epicasian! I'll definitely look into the in air control. And dandymcgee, I definitely need to look into the problem you are having, haha. That sounds like something that needs to be fixed. Have you tried jumping as you move forward? I think I may know what the problem is, I just have to look into it and do some testing.

Yes, jumping seems to be working okay provided I'm not touching any of the movement keys while in the air. It just seems like static friction is extremely high while kinetic friction is unexpectedly low. Also I found almost not practical use for the green one, it seems really awkward in that the platform that it produces' rotation is relative to the camera angle. Anyways I gave up, but it's not a bad game at all. It would be awesome if you keep working on it. Out of curiosity, what would happen if you used cubes instead of spheres (to prevent the "falling off" problem)?

dandymcgee wrote:The acceleration makes it almost UNPLAYABLE. When i'm trying to get up onto a slightly higher red sphere I have to hold the key for a couple of seconds and by the time I get over it I'm moving so fast I go sailing into the acid uncontrollably. I've been playing this damn acid level for like 2 hours now, I hate you.

Hahaha, Dandy got taken by the acid! Wait, there's acid in this game? *** Pritam goes to play it

But no really, I attempted to play it earlier but didn't have the bandwidth, will give it a try soon though.

Wow.. thats all I gots to say...

I got owned by the acid a couple times too lol, but overall very fun game and a nice polished look, great job mate
p.s. I love Portal like most people here hehe

dandymcgee wrote:Out of curiosity, what would happen if you used cubes instead of spheres (to prevent the "falling off" problem)?

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. Trying to bounce off of spheres is unpredictable, because it's hard to control what angle you're hitting it. Other than that, and occasional frustration with the controls, it's a great game. You're pretty good with the puzzle design and stuff.

It looks really impressive, i'll have to give it a go when i have a bit more time on my hands.

Thanks for the compliments everyone! I guess I will go ahead and continue progress on this then. Although, I think I'm going to take a month or two off and work on something else then come back to this. Working on something non-stop makes things a bit stale.

dandymcgee wrote:Anyways I gave up, but it's not a bad game at all. It would be awesome if you keep working on it. Out of curiosity, what would happen if you used cubes instead of spheres (to prevent the "falling off" problem)?

I actually thought about using other shapes as well. Cubes could work, but the problem I see happening is that if you shot an arch out of the cubes, then you wouldn't be able to run across it. You would have to hop across it like a staircase. Which may not be a problem. I'll have to give it a go and see how it handles.

Or maybe (just an idea here) you somehow could have the player choose what shape s/he wants to use.

Just throwin it out there :D

~Asian

Oh, that may be a good idea. Let them choose whatever they prefer.

Discord wrote:

dandymcgee wrote:Anyways I gave up, but it's not a bad game at all. It would be awesome if you keep working on it. Out of curiosity, what would happen if you used cubes instead of spheres (to prevent the "falling off" problem)?

I actually thought about using other shapes as well. Cubes could work, but the problem I see happening is that if you shot an arch out of the cubes, then you wouldn't be able to run across it. You would have to hop across it like a staircase. Which may not be a problem. I'll have to give it a go and see how it handles.

Right. You'd have to calculate the distance and determine whether or not to allow the player to "step" up like it like it was flat.

epicasian wrote:Or maybe (just an idea here) you somehow could have the player choose what shape s/he wants to use.

Just throwin it out there :D

~Asian

I like that one!

epicasian wrote:Or maybe (just an idea here) you somehow could have the player choose what shape s/he wants to use.

Just throwin it out there :D

~Asian

Yea, i think thats a good idea. Gives a bit more customisation as well.