Better Understanding My Game // Devlog 1

Having just finished playing my own demo from start to end, I've realized more of what this game will be. It was incredibly fun going from section to section, despite it mostly being linear. Having the balance of action and suspense is definitely something that I didn't expect, and allow me to elaborate.

When you play the demo for the first time, you don't know what to expect. You start on this long pathway that leads to a dead end. Only when you make your own way through do you begin to have a feel for the game. 

Once you make it into the village, the whole play-style begins to take shape. Slowly, you begin to realize that you can't just dash everywhere. Each death only makes you better at the game, and the pathway gives you time to think about what you should do next time.

Each time you enter a new section, you have a feeling of suspense. "Where will the turrets be? Where is the exit? Am I safe here?", and only when you move forward do you begin to answer those questions. "There are the turrets. There is the exit. I am safe here."

The best method I have found to getting through a section is to look at your surroundings, and that is great. It means that every little detail is important. It means that you need to look at everything in order to bypass a section. One wrong step, and you're dead, and I absolutely love that.

At the end of the level,  when I finally reach another note, I feel powerful, like I just conquered some great challenge, and I feel ready for the next one. It's like nothing can stop me anymore. I have mastered that level, and I have succeeded after many attempts.

This style of play looks interesting to explore. Perhaps it's better to not have any mid-level checkpoints. Maybe you can't replenish your health until after you beat the level. It's so interesting that a full game NEEDS to be made. This level type simply can't be ignored by me. More sprites are needed, and music, and tiles, but this is 1000% worth every last bit of effort.

I'm anon216, in awe at the design of this game, and also signing out.