Author Topic: Platformines  (Read 2608 times)

Offline zebramatt

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Platformines
« on: October 17, 2012, 11:01:42 am »
Someone mentioned this in the Greenlight thread and I kept meaning to check it out but have yet to get around it it.

The RPS article makes it definitely sound like something I want to play.

Anyone played it? Any good?

Offline magikogaming

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Re: Platformines
« Reply #1 on: October 17, 2012, 04:02:20 pm »
Hello,
We are the creators of "Platformines".
I can answer your questions here.
You can also join our Greenlight community (http://steamcommunity.com/groups/Platformines) and enter the Chat.
See you! Thx.

Offline LaughingThesaurus

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Re: Platformines
« Reply #2 on: October 17, 2012, 05:13:52 pm »
Okay, I looked at that screenshot of the weird colors and I was like, is this some kind of puzzle game? I don't see platforming in the-- oh.
The oh came from the "That's a map of the world that I explored, showing all the corridors I passed through." Are you kidding. I can't even see the corridors! There's so much in that map that I can't see the corridors!
Just so you know, I love to explore very, very vast levels of content. This game's got a beta, and I am giving that a look immediately.

Offline magikogaming

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Re: Platformines
« Reply #3 on: October 17, 2012, 07:08:52 pm »
About vast  levels, you should find what you like (Hope so...).
Any feedback is much appreciated, thank you!

Offline madcow

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Re: Platformines
« Reply #4 on: October 17, 2012, 08:08:58 pm »
It looks interesting, but I can't tell. Is it randomly generated or handcrafted? As I saw some mention of random generation.

Though no mac native version puts it low on my priority list I'm afraid (wine is hit and miss on those things). Like I said it looks interesting, can't say I know much about it beyond the RPS article, so I'll keep an eye here if anybody plays it.

Offline LaughingThesaurus

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Re: Platformines
« Reply #5 on: October 17, 2012, 10:58:55 pm »
Yeah, it's got random generation for sure.

I think my concern is it's going to end up being too repetitious if you play it for a long term. It's one of those games where the feel seems to be making my numbers go up. There are four distinct weapon types, but other than those, are there any interesting variations, such as guns that shoot in more unique ways? That might be something to consider, like bouncing rockets, or a pistol that shoots wavy pattern shots or something. I like seeing more variance in weapons in those ways, and if it really ends up just being four kinds of projectiles, I can see it getting old quickly for some players.

I question why there is fall damage when I can jump six times in midair, but that's not such a huge deal and it keeps me careful about my jumps.
In fact, regarding jumps, there really should be a better indication of how many jumps I have left. I don't always count them, particularly when I'm floating above enemies desperately trying to pick them off when there are no good platforms. ;) I'd say some circles below the player that are filled in for each jump the player has remaining in that time midair would be helpful, or even just something on the HUD would be nice. Audio cue for as your jumps run down, rather than a unique sound on the last jump so that you get the 'whoops, time to take damage' feeling when it's too late to stop it.

Default controls were a bit awkward. Space to jump, Alt to shoot was weird. Didn't check for rebindable keys but I'm willing to bet that they're there. If not, that's something to look into as well.

Oh, here's a big one as well. There have been weird home portals that are like, actually in range of rotating saws, or directly above holes where I'd take damage, and such. Maybe make how they work a bit safer. Throw a platform under them, or invincibility time of a couple seconds, if those things are possible. All you really lose out on if you go through and take damage is you go back in, then come back out and remember your double jump. That doesn't really add much and it's like "Oh, come on, another portal in a deadly location?" Then again, maybe that was deliberate.

All of this stuff seems negative but I'm posting primarily my problems with the game rather than what I enjoyed about it. And, I liked pushing out when I only had that crap 151 pistol from the safe at the start, because I was getting SO impatient for finding good guns. Then, I get the sense of wanderlust, and I keep finding chests with cool stuff, and... I love exploration games. I really do. I don't care how repetitious they are, I like exploring. It's certainly in line with a kind of game that I really enjoy.
Edit: That goes for others here. I'm posting some ways for them to improve the beta. The game is quite enjoyable as it is, albeit a bit simplistic. If you like exploring, getting stronger, and... actually a surprising amount of tactical toying around to snipe off enemies with your limited range of firing, the game's pretty fun. Beta's free, so no harm done.
« Last Edit: October 17, 2012, 11:14:43 pm by LaughingThesaurus »

Offline magikogaming

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Re: Platformines
« Reply #6 on: October 18, 2012, 04:29:46 am »
Yeah, it's got random generation for sure.
Global layouts are randomly generated. Then we add handcrafted "rooms" (areas with intricate traps, ending on a loot).

I think my concern is it's going to end up being too repetitious if you play it for a long term.
About variation, the final release contains:
– a lot more world layouts (islands, mazes, …)
– new enemies, new traps, new weapons, new hats, new minerals…
– new “rooms”

I question why there is fall damage when I can jump six times in midair, but that's not such a huge deal and it keeps me careful about my jumps.
Just consider that your hero is equiped with "jumping boots" ;)
Jumping boots do not avoid him to get damaged when the fall is too high.

In fact, regarding jumps, there really should be a better indication of how many jumps I have left.
I agree with you, playing the "warning sound" 1 jump before the last one would be more clever... I'll correct this in the final release.

Didn't check for rebindable keys but I'm willing to bet that they're there. If not, that's something to look into as well.
Keyboard is customizable in the Options screen.

Oh, here's a big one as well. There have been weird home portals that are like, actually in range of rotating saws, or directly above holes where I'd take damage, and such.

By design, we chose that it was not a problem, since portals are always close from home, and energy is automatically refilled in your home.

I'm posting some ways for them to improve the beta. The game is quite enjoyable as it is
Thank you! Really appreciated.
If you have more suggestions, feel free to join us by Chat in "Platformines Community" group (http://steamcommunity.com/groups/Platformines)

Offline LaughingThesaurus

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Re: Platformines
« Reply #7 on: October 18, 2012, 08:15:52 am »
I actually came back to it and kept exploring for like 4 hours after I got the last block cannon thing, so you've certainly got something going on for the gameplay. I was just a bit concerned about weapon variety later on.

I noticed the room thing in that session as well, and the rooms kept me interested as well.

Anyway, keep up the good work. I also totally didn't realize that you were the guys who made Platformance, and I played Temple Death. I remember getting frustrated, but... in a good way.

Offline magikogaming

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Re: Platformines
« Reply #8 on: October 18, 2012, 04:13:40 pm »
Happy to see you played for such a long time. You could post your resulting map in "Platformines Community" :)
Did you find it too repetitious ?
Have you finally customized your keyboard ?

Offline LaughingThesaurus

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Re: Platformines
« Reply #9 on: October 18, 2012, 04:32:14 pm »
I might do that, although staying active in too many communities will be a bad idea for me, for a fact. I joined the community but I don't know how to post the screenshot.

Too repetitious? Nah, I actually love exploring around in games. I eventually stopped because I could not progress any further, but the generation of the terrain kept things interesting enough, so long as I was always able to steadily progress to new environments. Any concerns I had on the repetitious front was for people who might be looking for really cool loot instead of doing the platforming and exploration.

Oh yeah, I definitely did. That's what led to such a long session. I was like, I'll just see how the controls work set-up like this, and... then the time was gone.
« Last Edit: October 18, 2012, 04:43:19 pm by LaughingThesaurus »

Offline magikogaming

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Re: Platformines
« Reply #10 on: October 18, 2012, 05:18:59 pm »
To post a screenshot:
  - First Add "Platformines Beta" as an external Steam game, in Steam
  - Then you can take screenshots (F12), and upload them in your profile
  - Then you can add a post in the community referencing your screenshot

"I was like, I'll just see how the controls work set-up like this, and... then the time was gone."
    Addiction... :D

Offline zespri

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Re: Platformines
« Reply #11 on: October 23, 2012, 04:48:59 pm »
Sorry, for hijacking the thread, but did anyone tried Blocks That Matter? Nothing revolutionary there, but I think a good fun for puzzle/platformer lovers.