Post by Galvanic in Proto Zero - Demo comments

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Played the demo. Liking the direction, but I do have some critique to give for the current demo.

Combat feels a bit weird. At the one hand, it can feel tough yet at the other hand, pressing the regular attack buttons interchangeably was more than enough. Trying to get out of harm’s way feels a little tricky. I am not sure if it’s because of the animations fast startup or what, but it makes it feel tricky to dodge via normal movement. Side note, with the game perspective, I half-expected a lock-on system. I was able to get accustomed to it, but it does feel off not having some type of lock-on that the player can trigger especially for the tougher enemies.

I like the hit stop effects, but the screen shake can definitely feel insane. Furthermore, I like how insane it can be, but having an option to adjust screen shake would be nice as well for those who might feel motion sickness.

It does feel great to hit things, and I think that part is nailed down. I will admit, though, I did not use the four power moves much, if at all. Maybe it’s because it is the first level, and it would be more useful on the later levels, but just something to keep in mind.

Also, the game runs pretty smoothly on my end so that’s good. Haven’t gotten much stuttering, if at all. Overall, I can see the vision, I feel once the game’s overall combat reaches a cohesive all it will shine more as this trippy techno beat-em up.

ExtraWildGames1 day ago (1 edit)

Dully noted. what about the combat in particular was weird or felt off? And also I'm wondering about getting out of harm's way being difficult? Is there a situation you came across that made it clunky to dodge?

Also this "pressing the regular attack buttons interchangeably was more than enough." Did you not need to use any charge moves? What about the combat was somewhat weird to get? And did you play the demo again?

And as far as performance, was there any lagging or framedrops at any rate when an enemy got destroyed at all?

Galvanic16 hours ago

Played it again right now, I am starting to understand more what you are going for.

At first, the controls took a bit getting used to. Which is fine, new game after all. I think having a training mode of sorts for the final release would help with getting used to how the controls work can after doing some messing around, I see the potential lying underneath.

The way how combos is structure, I actually like. It’s surprisingly free-form. At first, I thought, how could I weave the charged punches into this string? Once I realized that I could negative edge cancel while doing the normal punches and kick, it clicked. I saw what you were going for. Cause while only pressing normal attacks could get me through the level, it’s injection of charge moves that really makes it come alive especially with the free-form.

With this extra time, I think I am able to describe in what I think is why the combat felt off. With how free-form it was, I was thinking that after a hit, I could cancel into some form of directional attack (basically if I push the left thumb stick to my left, the next punch from the character will go left), especially considering how much the enemies tend to gang up, as a way to do crowd control.

As for dodging/dash, I think it because it also doesn’t really have a form of directional dodge canceling after a hit towards an enemy. Because of how fast they come and how often they swarm, trying to get away from them felt clunky.

Side note, enemy animations and when I get hit from them feels confusing. Sometimes, I would just get stun-locked with how fast they attack after one another. And even when doing one on one, it seems like when an enemy runs after me, they can also attack while in running animation? Something to look into when possible.

For performance, it runs stable, did get a few frame-drops this time around when multiple enemies exploded. I do have a somewhat strong computer (that’s showing to its age) so bear that in mind.

Galvanic15 hours ago(+1)

One additional thing before I forget. Have you tried switching out X and Y with LB and RB? I feel with how much negative edging there is to be in the game, having the attacks be at a place where it can be done with relative ease via multiple fingers vs a thumb might work better for this, perhaps?

ExtraWildGames15 hours ago

Input manager coming soon for custom button config.

Galvanic2 hours ago

Perfect!

ExtraWildGames15 hours ago (1 edit)

There has been a bit of an issue with that in regards to enemies being too clustered together, gonna need to find a way to stop them from being so clustered or near each other so often. Also clarifying that when your severity is higher, there's less hit stun overall, and enemies will try to mash out on less tighter combos.

There is no directional dodge in the game as I do believe just turning left or right, then back dash or dashing is already very strong. Also a lot of, if not all, the enemy attacks are very much linear. Adding side dashes would just invalidate most of the close ranged attacks enemies have.

Also going to your quote here:

"I think I am able to describe in what I think is why the combat felt off. With how free-form it was, I was thinking that after a hit, I could cancel into some form of directional attack (basically if I push the left thumb stick to my left, the next punch from the character will go left), especially considering how much the enemies tend to gang up, as a way to do crowd control."

Attacks are actually soft auto locked from a certain distance on enemies, meaning that Yuuto will shift his forward position to the nearest enemy, but has to be very close in order for this to happen. I was trying to experiment to where the attack button isn't as dedicated as moving him forward, and having it similar to how strings work in Yakuza or No More Heroes by flicking the control stick a certain way, but that completely broke the way animations animated and collided. Will probably have to go in and change some normals that are more orbital in nature, since enemies do like to swarm around the player often.

"Side note, enemy animations and when I get hit from them feels confusing. Sometimes, I would just get stun-locked with how fast they attack after one another. And even when doing one on one, it seems like when an enemy runs after me, they can also attack while in running animation? Something to look into when possible."

Please describe which enemy this was. Might have to adjust behavior based on the issue of severity.

Galvanic2 hours ago(+1)

Gotcha, gotcha. For the enemy, Dop-E XL and CQC - RC are the enemies.

itch.io

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