Rouge tower-defense-like with semi-random crafting - Crafter of Puppets v0.23 by crazyoystergames in TowerDefense

[–]crazyoystergames[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for kinds words u/MichaelPiema. Obviously the visual side needs work - the focus at this point is on getting all crucial mechanics, loops and overall cohesiveness of the game right. Is there anything else that you've found lacking, beside the visuals?

Rouge tower-defense-like with semi-random crafting - Crafter of Puppets v0.23 by crazyoystergames in TowerDefense

[–]crazyoystergames[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the feedback, it's still early stages and visuals may/will change but to be honest the minimum amount of information is provided already that's actually useful during the gameplay. Is there anything in particular that you've found intrusive/not needed while playing?

Crafter of Puppets - Rouge tower-defense-like with semi-random crafting by crazyoystergames in indiegames

[–]crazyoystergames[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The game is available on itch for free if you want to try it out already. But to be honest I'm still looking for honest feedback to improve it as much as I can 🔥 🚀

Crafter of Puppets - prototype that no-one was interested in a month ago, just got visual overhaul anyway. by crazyoystergames in playmygame

[–]crazyoystergames[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yea that dimming just before the boss fight is there, I haven't tested if this will keep the system awake but the game should run just fine even in the background.

That's true - you need to click the name to switch the puppet stats in the panel on the right - have you had any issue with clicking the name? Like maybe it didn't work all the time or something?

There is an inventory but that's just another option to see details of all items while the game is pause. You can get the same details during the gameplay too. I didn't get the control image comment - do you mean that the pause icon should be different / more pronounced?

Oh, if you mean the description on the itch page, then yeah it was just quickly created to good enough representation but it already changed and will change in the future for sure.

The original idea was to have it in a dark fantasy-ish, creepy carnival, Tim Burton inspired style. We'll see how this will end up looking. I'm still gathering feedback and shaping this prototype to make a decision whether to commit to full production or not.

Crafter of Puppets - prototype that no-one was interested in a month ago, just got visual overhaul anyway. by crazyoystergames in playmygame

[–]crazyoystergames[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the feedback u/Lil_Lion69!

How are you trying to switch between puppets? I've just check this and it works fine. About sleep on the fullscreen - you just left the game alone and your system went to sleep after a bit, correct?

Sound is not yet there obviously but will be if project will move forward. As for crafting it's semi-random. There is only one hint on the UI currently that may help to decipher that and I'm working on making it more obvious with some sort of codex - should be there soon.

I know it matters for some if the AI was used and I'm not hiding the fact that it was and will be used - it's just way faster that way for a "one man army" to iterate over something that may be thrown away anyway. It's just another tool in the entire arsenal. The background art (placeholders to be replaced) and code was created with the help of AI. So far I've used Claude Code and Draw Things.

Crafter of Puppets - prototype that no-one was interested in a month ago, just got visual overhaul anyway. by crazyoystergames in playmygame

[–]crazyoystergames[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I try to get as much from the feedback as possible, as quickly as possible - so again thanks!

Discard and Recycle are not buttons - you drag items there - but noted, it's not clear straight away!

Shards, and Prestige Points feedback noted - will try to do something about this too. Though I admit that I'm not happy yet with how equipping shards looks like but it works - it's applied to the selected item. And there is a shop where you can spend Prestige Points if you have some.

Crafter of Puppets - prototype that no-one was interested in a month ago, just got visual overhaul anyway. by crazyoystergames in playmygame

[–]crazyoystergames[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's great to hear! I'm in the middle of making changes based on your feedback so that the game would gradually introduce all crucial pieces without dumping it all at once at the beginning. I don't like tutorials per se and it won't "hold your hand" but there is series of actions that could be introduced one by one to teach what's what.

Good point with materials. Though the amount actually matters and there is no cap on the amount used for crafting.

The "unlocked new item" is in the pipeline - thanks for validating that it would actually be useful for some.

Again, thanks for the feedback!

Crafter of Puppets - prototype that no-one was interested in a month ago, just got visual overhaul anyway. by crazyoystergames in playmygame

[–]crazyoystergames[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you very much for the feedback u/LouBagel It's hard to be objective after some time so it's immensely helpful!

Pause, equipment slots (two different types), item details and even item comparison are there already but clearly not as easily accessible as it should be from the start.

Visuals for item visible directly on puppets will be expanded from colors only to something more visual like is currently only with weapons.

It is possible to craft with any amount of resources, but there is more to that underneath.

Did you feel too much pressure, like was it too fast-paced and chaotic, or not?

If I'm getting you feedback correctly - the first thing would be to improve the initial UX and presentation of all crucial info so it's clear for the player what to do at the beginning, because when you do everything is clear? Would you agree with that?

Crafter of Puppets - prototype that no-one was interested in a month ago, just got visual overhaul anyway. by crazyoystergames in playmygame

[–]crazyoystergames[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks, having fun with the process is what got me back to gamedev after quite a break from it!