Game playtest feedback

[J.]

Love the many roguelite elements, meta progression and unlocks and i look forward to seeing more of that. It's fun feeling the character get stronger and being able to choose a set of abilities in the start is a great addition.

I like that you can get powerful even quite early on, many anvils and scrolls is really fun and i strongly suggest you keep it that way, if the game ends up too easy i rather you buff the enemies than nerfing powers or the amount of pickups.

I love the free movement and the speedy responsiveness of it.
I like how Lyra and her outfit looks. Would like to see different styled outfits instead of just recolors. Maybe with challenging side quests/unlocks or something like that?

Loot magnet could be a tree of cultivation progression instead. QOL in general should be easier accessible to make many future runs more pleasant and less tedious.


Balancing:

- Perfect dodge scroll active powers are too weak, you generally don't really use and utilize perfect dodges enough to make it a worthwhile pick. Especially considering it's skill based as well.

- The Goat snipers are way too punishing and annoying to deal with, too many and too much damage. It's pretty much the only unit i died to because it can burst so fast out of nowhere while dealing with other enemies.
The other units could use some slight buffs though.

- Secondary attack feels a bit weak, could use a slight buff.

- I like the introduction of elite units from the tree of cultivation, but they're TOO frequent making them feel less special and increasing the run time and difficulty DRASTICALLY.

There's about 2 per map or something, it's too much. Some RNG on that and less frequency like once every other ' small map' would be a lot better. Instead of smaller multiple rewards from many elites you can make elites less frequent but with a bigger reward as if you really just triumphed something worthwhile, i also think they have a bit too much health would like to see more dangerous gimmicks and or move sets instead of extra flat damage or health.

Bugs:
- Storm element scrolls on the ground don't have a description same for the storm 'room pillar' choice.
- Health pots get consumed when full health.

Game features i'd like to see:

- Pets would be so cool and fit so well they could be themed with the characters and attack enemies have special abilities and help u destroy urns and pick up gold, jades and health for you.
- Pointers to small chests as well when far away and unlooted.
- Sometimes forgot what static, chill or fire exactly does. Give a way to show what they do in the inventory loadout
- It took me a while to realize u could parry, should probably introduce players to that in an engaging way, maybe in an optional quest where you are challenged to utilize parries.
- A way to sell current scrolls or zodiac buffs.
- Bestiary

Future wishes (full release and after):

- More Customization options for the character would go hard. Hairstyles, accessories etc.
- More NPC's encountered in runs, give someone fun to talk to from time to time.
- More variety and more engaging enemies, the current enemies are a bit lackluster.
- Mod support. Never underestimate the power of community creativity, free content and advertising mods could deliver you and the players.
- Optional ways to make runs more spicy and difficult, like Hades heat system since this games to be inspired by it.
- Single player functionality not ruined by multiplayer balancing, features and unlocks i personally like to play solo as much as with friends.
- Steam achievements.

I used the google form as well, but i added some more stuff and it's easier to read here :3

For reference I played around 3hours and beat the goat zodiac ~5 times.

[saladinxu]

Originally posted by J.:

Love the many roguelite elements, meta progression and unlocks and i look forward to seeing more of that. It's fun feeling the character get stronger and being able to choose a set of abilities in the start is a great addition.

I like that you can get powerful even quite early on, many anvils and scrolls is really fun and i strongly suggest you keep it that way, if the game ends up too easy i rather you buff the enemies than nerfing powers or the amount of pickups.

I love the free movement and the speedy responsiveness of it.
I like how Lyra and her outfit looks. Would like to see different styled outfits instead of just recolors. Maybe with challenging side quests/unlocks or something like that?

Loot magnet could be a tree of cultivation progression instead. QOL in general should be easier accessible to make many future runs more pleasant and less tedious.


Balancing:

- Perfect dodge scroll active powers are too weak, you generally don't really use and utilize perfect dodges enough to make it a worthwhile pick. Especially considering it's skill based as well.

- The Goat snipers are way too punishing and annoying to deal with, too many and too much damage. It's pretty much the only unit i died to because it can burst so fast out of nowhere while dealing with other enemies.
The other units could use some slight buffs though.

- Secondary attack feels a bit weak, could use a slight buff.

- I like the introduction of elite units from the tree of cultivation, but they're TOO frequent making them feel less special and increasing the run time and difficulty DRASTICALLY.

There's about 2 per map or something, it's too much. Some RNG on that and less frequency like once every other ' small map' would be a lot better. Instead of smaller multiple rewards from many elites you can make elites less frequent but with a bigger reward as if you really just triumphed something worthwhile, i also think they have a bit too much health would like to see more dangerous gimmicks and or move sets instead of extra flat damage or health.

Bugs:
- Storm element scrolls on the ground don't have a description same for the storm 'room pillar' choice.
- Health pots get consumed when full health.

Game features i'd like to see:

- Pets would be so cool and fit so well they could be themed with the characters and attack enemies have special abilities and help u destroy urns and pick up gold, jades and health for you.
- Pointers to small chests as well when far away and unlooted.
- Sometimes forgot what static, chill or fire exactly does. Give a way to show what they do in the inventory loadout
- It took me a while to realize u could parry, should probably introduce players to that in an engaging way, maybe in an optional quest where you are challenged to utilize parries.
- A way to sell current scrolls or zodiac buffs.
- Bestiary

Future wishes (full release and after):

- More Customization options for the character would go hard. Hairstyles, accessories etc.
- More NPC's encountered in runs, give someone fun to talk to from time to time.
- More variety and more engaging enemies, the current enemies are a bit lackluster.
- Mod support. Never underestimate the power of community creativity, free content and advertising mods could deliver you and the players.
- Optional ways to make runs more spicy and difficult, like Hades heat system since this games to be inspired by it.
- Single player functionality not ruined by multiplayer balancing, features and unlocks i personally like to play solo as much as with friends.
- Steam achievements.

I used the google form as well, but i added some more stuff and it's easier to read here :3

For reference I played around 3hours and beat the goat zodiac ~5 times.

Hey J,

Wow, thank you so much for playing 13z so thoroughly and for taking the time to share all this amazing feedback! It’s incredibly helpful, especially since your thoughts really align with what we’ve been hearing from other players and even our own take on the game. On top of that, your suggestions fit perfectly with some of the ideas we’ve got in the works, so it’s awesome to have that kind of validation from someone as seasoned in roguelite action games as you!

Quick heads-up about the keyword thing—you can actually check their descriptions by holding down Alt or the Right Joystick in the inventory view. That said, we totally get that it’s a bit tucked away right now, and making it more noticeable is definitely on our to-do list. :)

Thanks again for being such a passionate player—it means a ton to us!

[J.]

Originally posted by saladinxu:

Originally posted by J.:

Love the many roguelite elements, meta progression and unlocks and i look forward to seeing more of that. It's fun feeling the character get stronger and being able to choose a set of abilities in the start is a great addition.

I like that you can get powerful even quite early on, many anvils and scrolls is really fun and i strongly suggest you keep it that way, if the game ends up too easy i rather you buff the enemies than nerfing powers or the amount of pickups.

I love the free movement and the speedy responsiveness of it.
I like how Lyra and her outfit looks. Would like to see different styled outfits instead of just recolors. Maybe with challenging side quests/unlocks or something like that?

Loot magnet could be a tree of cultivation progression instead. QOL in general should be easier accessible to make many future runs more pleasant and less tedious.


Balancing:

- Perfect dodge scroll active powers are too weak, you generally don't really use and utilize perfect dodges enough to make it a worthwhile pick. Especially considering it's skill based as well.

- The Goat snipers are way too punishing and annoying to deal with, too many and too much damage. It's pretty much the only unit i died to because it can burst so fast out of nowhere while dealing with other enemies.
The other units could use some slight buffs though.

- Secondary attack feels a bit weak, could use a slight buff.

- I like the introduction of elite units from the tree of cultivation, but they're TOO frequent making them feel less special and increasing the run time and difficulty DRASTICALLY.

There's about 2 per map or something, it's too much. Some RNG on that and less frequency like once every other ' small map' would be a lot better. Instead of smaller multiple rewards from many elites you can make elites less frequent but with a bigger reward as if you really just triumphed something worthwhile, i also think they have a bit too much health would like to see more dangerous gimmicks and or move sets instead of extra flat damage or health.

Bugs:
- Storm element scrolls on the ground don't have a description same for the storm 'room pillar' choice.
- Health pots get consumed when full health.

Game features i'd like to see:

- Pets would be so cool and fit so well they could be themed with the characters and attack enemies have special abilities and help u destroy urns and pick up gold, jades and health for you.
- Pointers to small chests as well when far away and unlooted.
- Sometimes forgot what static, chill or fire exactly does. Give a way to show what they do in the inventory loadout
- It took me a while to realize u could parry, should probably introduce players to that in an engaging way, maybe in an optional quest where you are challenged to utilize parries.
- A way to sell current scrolls or zodiac buffs.
- Bestiary

Future wishes (full release and after):

- More Customization options for the character would go hard. Hairstyles, accessories etc.
- More NPC's encountered in runs, give someone fun to talk to from time to time.
- More variety and more engaging enemies, the current enemies are a bit lackluster.
- Mod support. Never underestimate the power of community creativity, free content and advertising mods could deliver you and the players.
- Optional ways to make runs more spicy and difficult, like Hades heat system since this games to be inspired by it.
- Single player functionality not ruined by multiplayer balancing, features and unlocks i personally like to play solo as much as with friends.
- Steam achievements.

I used the google form as well, but i added some more stuff and it's easier to read here :3

For reference I played around 3hours and beat the goat zodiac ~5 times.

Hey J,

Wow, thank you so much for playing 13z so thoroughly and for taking the time to share all this amazing feedback! It’s incredibly helpful, especially since your thoughts really align with what we’ve been hearing from other players and even our own take on the game. On top of that, your suggestions fit perfectly with some of the ideas we’ve got in the works, so it’s awesome to have that kind of validation from someone as seasoned in roguelite action games as you!

Quick heads-up about the keyword thing—you can actually check their descriptions by holding down Alt or the Right Joystick in the inventory view. That said, we totally get that it’s a bit tucked away right now, and making it more noticeable is definitely on our to-do list. :)

Thanks again for being such a passionate player—it means a ton to us!

You're welcome and that's great to hear! I love roguelite/like action games like this and played many of them, i wish nothing but success to 13Z and i'm looking forward to see how you talented people improve the game in the future :)

[J.]

Oh also forgot to notice that the narrator is far too frequent. It seems to activate on almost every interaction and i feel like it's too much.

[saladinxu]

Originally posted by J.:

Oh also forgot to notice that the narrator is far too frequent. It seems to activate on almost every interaction and i feel like it's too much.

Funny that we just internally talked about how we felt the Arbiter was too verbose ourselves last week, and pretty much phrased exactly in the way you put it. Thanks for another validation <3