Game summary - its great!

[Phreak]

I played this with a friend and we loved it. this is a high paced game which feels a bit frantic and on the edge of hectic sometimes but is great fun.

there are some really lovely mechanics, like reviving a coop partner costs you both a share of your maximum life total - so unlike so many games falling over actually has a negative impact.

Your skill is used by "q", you default start with a rocket. it is recharged by collecting the blue orbs that the enemy drop. neither is super obvious but I think the Devs know this. the mechanic actually works pretty well in my opinion and stops you trying to "snipe" the enemies as if you do then you don't get any orbs. I think ti works nicely

all in all the game is actually very well balanced and presented for an alpha release on its first outing. it is not only playable but thoroughly enjoyable. Overall I am very impressed and eagerly await the next instalment!

resolution is limited to 4 choices (1280x720, 1600x900, 1920x1080, 2560x1440), however I have an ultra wide 3440x1440 but was completely content playing at 2560x1440. Just an FYI for people really. I didn't feel like this game was limited by this but would be nice for more resolutions to be supported (totally not a priority though!


mild hints/spoilers:

general:

if you cant get through locked doors read this: https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2205093234 we made it through with wild guesses and luck!

the best thing you can get into the habit of doing is moving to dodge bullets - if you have played it you will have realised the enemy bullets are slow. moving continuously is a good idea and just going back and forth means you still get shot. a lot

if playing coop then don't stand near each other. the slow bullets mean that your partner may dodge a bullet aimed for them but you end up getting hit by accident.


if you get an upgrade (or perk? - what ever press H is) if there is an option for health my suggestion is to take that. health is the rarest resource in this game

To upgrade the basecamp you need to complete stuff which gets you wrenches. I still haven't worked out how many you get for what. I think you also get a bonus of them if you get an A rating or possibly a bit higher (only did it once by accident really early on I think)


Artefacts:

the jetpack is the most useful artefact (and is rightly given last). this makes many challenges much much easier. also it makes the first boss (mole) much easier as most of his attacks are on the ground - it actually makes him a bit easy.

second most useful is the extra life - this means falling over doesn't cost you any of your max health and you revive at full health. the wording on the game is a bit vague - it is single use per attempt, if you die and start again you will have it back.

the less orbs and the vacuum are useful, but less useful than the other 2


Minor issues:

If you are playing coop and "fall over" (need reviving) and you were on a rail that's it. there is no way for the other person to revive you. (i provided this as feedback already)

when you encounter the mole boss for the first time (at least for us) he uses his ground pulse attack. this killed bot my friend and I in 1 hit (it was our first run and we had near 0 health anyway). It would help if the first time this attack is deployed it was for less damage maybe? or at least not fatal immediately as it was frustrating but did make us both laugh.

Not really an issue, but every time you die, you start from the beginning and although there are at least 2 paths to some bits it does get a touch repetitive.

the stunner tower/defender is very accurate and often seems to be able to see through obstacles to target you. however its effect is pretty mild so may not be an issue.

[Matty101]

On level up i never take health, i always go with the all stats +1.
Ability +2 seems a bit of a waste since there is so much gameplay just trying to get your ability up to be useful.
Health is fighting the inevitable if your slow killing enemy.

[Phreak]

I don't disagree normally but if you are in coop then both of you get the health boost which makes it a lot more helpful.

And i suck at dodging...