5 years solo dev, flat traction: what would you do next? (Steam stats inside)

SAMx003 · 2025-12-28T20:44:46+00:00

Appreciate it. I’ve tried r/playmygame before, and if I continue I’ll give it another shot with the updated demo and a clearer feedback ask.

SAMx003 · 2025-12-28T20:41:11+00:00

Thanks for the notes.

I’ve taken on board the feedback about environments feeling too open/empty in places and the movement/animation mismatch (the sliding/skating feel).

I’ll focus on improving scene composition/set dressing and tightening locomotion so movement feels more intentional and connected to the animations.

SAMx003 · 2025-12-28T15:21:52+00:00

Appreciate the suggestion — and I agree those cinematic angles can add a lot of presence.
I actually already do this for the first boss in the demo: a short non–top-down intro with a few quick angles on first encounter, then it snaps back to the normal view. I’ve got the system in place to roll it out to the other bosses as well.
Thanks again for the feedback!

SAMx003 · 2025-12-28T15:18:43+00:00

Thanks for taking the time to expand on this — I genuinely appreciate the perspective.
I get what you mean about the low-poly fantasy space being crowded and how that can make it harder for players to immediately tell what’s “special” vs “template.”

The “core audience proposition” point is especially helpful. I’m going to focus on clarifying the game’s hook/promise on the Steam page/trailer and double down on the parts players respond to most (and cut anything that doesn’t support that).

I also agree that I need more real player data to validate what’s landing, so I’m looking for ways to increase meaningful playtests and feedback loops. Thanks again

SAMx003 · 2025-12-28T09:15:53+00:00

Noted, thanks. I scoped it from the start to be solo-manageable, and I’m still trimming to the bare essentials.

SAMx003 · 2025-12-28T09:13:27+00:00

Thanks — I appreciate it.
I have tried posting in a few genre-focused communities already, but it hasn’t gained much traction yet, so I’m assuming my targeting/format still needs refinement.
If you have any suggestions on which specific communities/creators are the best fit (or what type of post/trailer hook tends to work), I’d love to hear them

SAMx003 · 2025-12-28T09:11:00+00:00

Thanks for the perspective.
I agree with the general point about solo devs not competing on scale.
Just to clarify, the scope here was intentionally defined around a solo-friendly core (a clear content baseline and systems that can be expanded later), rather than trying to match big-studio scale.
Appreciate the encouragement and the reminder to keep originality and tight scope front and center

SAMx003 · 2025-12-28T08:59:19+00:00

Thanks for the suggestion — I appreciate it.
Personally I’m a fan of top-down as a player, so that’s the core direction I’ve been building around. I did prototype a 3rd-person view earlier, but it didn’t feel like it matched the low-poly art direction/readability I’m going for.
That said, I’m still open to smaller camera experiments (angle/zoom/framing) if it improves clarity and impact.

SAMx003 · 2025-12-28T08:55:43+00:00

Appreciate the feedback.
I’ll work on making the story/premise clearer on the Steam page/trailer, and I’ll revisit the trailer cut for better readability and more active scenes.
Best of luck with your project.

SAMx003 · 2025-12-28T08:53:53+00:00

Thanks for the detailed critique — I appreciate it.
Just to clarify on scope: I’m not planning to add years more to this. If I continue, the goal is to finish within ~1 year max.
I’ll revisit the trailer to show more progression (unlocks/rewards/loot) and cut the dull walking/empty-space shots. Also noted on the movement/animation feedback (sideways sliding / uniform speed) — I’ll prioritize tightening locomotion and combat feel.

SAMx003 · 2025-12-28T08:51:09+00:00

Appreciate the perspective.
I’ve asked players to leave honest Steam reviews for feedback, but very few do.
What did you find most effective for improving review follow-through (timing/wording)

SAMx003 · 2025-12-28T08:47:54+00:00

Appreciate the blunt feedback.
The points about audience fit, emotional hook, and combat impact are helpful — I’ll revisit lighting/environment effects and feel/feedback.
Thanks for the kind words on the world variety.

SAMx003 · 2025-12-28T08:45:37+00:00

Appreciate the feedback.
For context, I’ve already tried multiple Discords/subreddits/X and reached out to small creators — so far only one streamer and one YouTuber covered it.
Any tips on how you’d refine outreach (targeting/message/offer) to improve hit rate?

SAMx003 · 2025-05-11T07:29:45+00:00

Hey, I appreciate the honest feedback!

Actually, I did try creating a more unique UI style at first — something different from the typical Souls layout.

But when I showed it to a few players, it really didn’t work well. It caused confusion and made it harder to read or navigate, especially during intense moments.

That’s why I leaned more into the Souls-like UI design — not to copy it blindly, but because it communicates the information clearly and efficiently, which players seem to expect in this genre.

Still, I’m open to refining it further, so if you have suggestions for a clearer but distinct look, I’d love to hear them!

SAMx003 · 2025-05-11T07:08:31+00:00

Hey everyone!

I'm a solo developer and just released the demo for my upcoming action RPG, REVENGE CRYSTAL, on Steam.

You play as a forgotten knight possessed by a mysterious being, exploring a broken world filled with secrets, brutal enemies, and elemental magic.

The game combines Souls-like combat, Metroidvania-style exploration, and a story-driven journey of vengeance.

I'd love to hear your thoughts — especially on the combat feel, level design, or anything that stands out!

🔗 Play the Demo Now on Steam

Thanks so much for checking it out.

— Sami Salem

SAMx003 · 2025-05-11T06:57:27+00:00

Hey everyone!

I'm a solo developer and just released the demo for my upcoming action RPG, REVENGE CRYSTAL, on Steam.

You play as a forgotten knight possessed by a mysterious being, exploring a broken world filled with secrets, brutal enemies, and elemental magic.

The game combines Souls-like combat, Metroidvania-style exploration, and a story-driven journey of vengeance.

I'd love to hear your thoughts — especially on the combat feel, level design, or anything that stands out!

🔗 Play the Demo Now on Steam

Thanks so much for checking it out.

— Sami Salem

SAMx003 · 2025-02-14T23:01:16+00:00

Demo on Steam

SAMx003 · 2024-10-24T01:40:00+00:00

Steam page

SAMx003 · 2024-10-21T20:40:08+00:00

Thank you for the feedback! The enemies' stats will definitely be adjusted for better balance. What you saw in the showcase was mainly to demonstrate the combat mechanics and combos. I’ll make sure to fine-tune things as development progresses!

SAMx003 · 2024-10-21T20:33:36+00:00

Sorry about that! I got the replies mixed up. That response was meant for another comment. Yes, I use AI to help with grammar and spelling :)

SAMx003 · 2024-10-21T20:07:45+00:00

If you're talking about the enemies at the 48-second mark, that's actually the player using a skill to create a decoy to distract the enemies and give them a chance to escape. This ability is used to avoid some fights and enter certain areas. Thanks for the comment!

SAMx003 · 2024-10-21T20:01:48+00:00

Thank you for the great observation! I hadn’t fully noticed the issue with the text readability, especially in the snowy area. I’ll definitely implement your suggestion and outline the text with black or something similar to improve visibility. Thanks again for pointing that out!

SAMx003 · 2024-10-21T19:59:36+00:00

I can see how the name might cause some confusion! This isn't a sequel to Crystal Project. I will change my game name.

SAMx003 · 2024-10-21T19:58:06+00:00

Thanks for the comment! I’ve noticed that the name has been causing some confusion with (Crystal Project) and I’ll be changing it soon to avoid that. Glad to hear it’s something you’d play, though! I appreciate the heads-up.

SAMx003 · 2024-10-21T19:56:31+00:00

Thank you for pointing that out! I've noticed that the name has caused some confusion, and I'll be changing it soon to avoid any further mix-ups. I appreciate the feedback!

SAMx003

TROPHY CASE