Lazerball V2

Finally, it's done. Lazerball V2.0
It's made with game maker (since i can't use anything else).
Hope you all like it this time

Download!

screenshots:

i don't like it. sorry. work harder.

i don't like it. sorry. work harder.

 

Well, at least give some CONSTRUCTIVE criticism. 

I'll see if I can get around to playing in a bit.

The first thing I noticed when I started the game was the awful music.

The second thing I noticed was a game that was, for all purposes, extremely dull and boring.  The idea of a bouncing ball that can shoot things looks good on paper, but the game is incredibly easy and the ball moves at an agonizingly slow pace.  Also, having as little control as you do over the ball's movement is really annoying.

Also, having as little control as you do over the ball's movement is really annoying.

Wait.. you can control the ball?

Wait.. you can control the ball?

use space then aim with the cursor
new version use the right mouse button

I've seen worse, but this is close to the bottom end of the spectrum. I have 3 main complaints:

1) The ball moves at a snail's pace. I ended up quitting because it was just taking too darn long to finish each level.
2) What's with the pause between the time you press space and the time the ball moves? Not only do you stop moving during that pause, you can't fire, rendering you a complete sitting duck. It's also very aggravating, especially in levels where you need to change direction a lot.
3) The difficulty is horribly skewed. The player has so much health that the thought of trying to dodge bullets never even crossed my mind (point 2 also factored into that). All the enemies die with just one hit, they're easy to hit, and they hardly do any damage even when they do hit you.

It was a good concept, but there are better ways to do it. But hey, you never know until you try, so don't be discouraged! A lot of game ideas that sound great turn out horribly; I also program with GameMaker, so I know that for a fact.

too bad nobody likes it, but i'm going to make lots of changes:

- ball speed
- other ball controls
- slightly better sprites
- enemies with more health
- more enemies
- more levels

that's going to take more than only one week, though

Suggestion time!

As a "draft" for a game, it's not bad. But it needs more seasoning on the top. Let me suggest the following:

1) Better control of the ball. Players should be able to move with the arrow or WASD keys, and aim/shoot with the mouse. Maybe the ball doesn't have to bounce at all. I know, every Game Maker beginner gets excited with the "auto- bounce" feature, but it really isn't necessary. So arrow key movement/course setting should be one improvement. Also, make right-clicking do some "extra-powerful attack" of some sort, like a mega-bullet or something.
2) Traps (like spiked walls, moving spikes, meteorites etc) all over a level or some of them. It fills empty space and adds a challenge.
3) Power-ups: A shield, stronger bullets, extra lives etc would add even more diversity.
4) More enemies, or groups of existing enemies attacking together. I would also like to see bosses at the end of some levels!!
5) Faster game speed.
6) More music! The music you put may be OK to listen to your walkman, but I don't hink it fits in such a game. So try to add something that will not raise the hair on the back of player's necks after being looped >2 times.
7) Try to fiddle a little bit more with scripting, GML etc. It appears that you exclusively used the Drag&Drop system, which may be good for learning a thing or 2, but sucks major time if you want to actually make something decent.
8 Don't give up! Even if the end result sucks, you will have practiced for a better future project!
9) Don't give up!
10) Don't give up!

Good luck!

PS Did I mention not to give up?

I didn't give up

V2 is out! Things I changed
- faster ball speed
- other ball controls
- slightly better sprites
- enemies with more health
- more enemies
- more levels

That's the whole list