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[Lo-Fi]

New version. This version contains level layout changes, as well as a new level altogether.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/580413/the_fourth_wall_releases/the_fourth_wall_v1.19.exe

edit: is it worth a new post when I have a significant new release out? Or should I just edit it into one of my older posts?

edit2: changed link to link to newest version

[yosh]

Very good concept and nice ambience.
I agree on the fact that good graphics would make the game terrific ^^

However, I think there's too much similitude with Braid...
For instance :
- Tiny white logos at level start-up
- The cannon
- The "door" goal

You have a great game concept over here, keep going !

[Rikus]

Hi Lo-fi, excellent game! I loved it. I reviewed the game for you at:

http://www.indie-gamers.com/2011/05/review-fourth-wall.html   

[Lo-Fi]

Wow, Rikus, that's awesome! I guess I should specify that the game is not in a finished state, I will be working on it throughout the summer. Thanks for the review, though!

[Rikus]

No problem, I changed the title of the review to "In Progress", and referred the game as a beta version in the review. This way I can keep changing the review as the game continues its progress to completion I will continue to follow the progress of the game since I would love to see what changes and levels you will implement to make it even better. 

[Lo-Fi]

Hey Rikus, thanks for making that change.

New version is up. This version may be a little weird, I am experimenting with some new mechanics. Let me know what you guys think of them.

edit: Newest version: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/580413/the_fourth_wall_releases/the_fourth_wall_v1.23.exe

edit:
Yosh, I never replied to your comment about the similarities to Braid. Yeah, it is a little too similar to Braid, I agree. Braid is one of my biggest inspirations, but you are right, that shouldn't influence my game in a negative way to the point where I am copying the game.

I feel that the white icons/titles at the beginning of the levels are important for my game. In Braid, they were used as a reminder for the player as to what each door led to. In my case, I am trying to use the icons/titles as clues/hints for the player as to what is going to happen in the next level.

The doors and cannons are most likely placeholder. At some point, I will be giving the game a graphical overhaul.

[Lo-Fi]

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/580413/the_fourth_wall_releases/the_fourth_wall_v1.24.exe

New version. Some of these puzzles are getting tricky, so be ready to think!

[tesselode]

You have a great mechanic there. The game has qualities similar to Portal.

The Braid inspiration with the level intros is too obvious. You can still have the previews, just present them slightly differently.

The game stayed fun, but of course I got a bit of puzzle-solving fatigue and stopped.

I like the atmosphere change when you discover how to do screen locking. The music is nice, but it's quite repetitive.

You should definitely develop objects beside the player wrapping around the screen.

The graphics could be better.

Other than that, I have nothing to say. Very nice game. Please finish it.

[Lo-Fi]

Hey everyone, a new version is ready.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/580413/the_fourth_wall_releases/the_fourth_wall_v1.40.exe

This version should be better optimized. It also has multiple changes to level layouts, as well as some new puzzles and some small art tweaks. I also rearranged the order of some of the levels.

Any feedback is appreciated!

[tesselode]

The more I play this, the more I dislike the music. It's quite repetitive. Also, it reminds me of this mediocre game that my cousin forced me to watch him play. But it is quite repetitive.

[Lo-Fi]

The more I play this, the more I dislike the music. It's quite repetitive. Also, it reminds me of this mediocre game that my cousin forced me to watch him play. But it is quite repetitive.

Noted. I will see what I can do about the music. It's not at the top of my priority list right now, but I will see if I can make some new music sometime.

Anyways, I've got a new version. This version looks a bit nicer, and has some changes to some of the puzzles, as well as one new puzzle.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/580413/the_fourth_wall_releases/the_fourth_wall_v1.44.exe

[kidchameleon]

I have to say, this looks very promising. It will take allot of play testing, polishing. bug fixing, but its a great idea. One of those concepts that makes you think "why didn't I think of that?"! These ones usually end up being very successful... One glitch I found, if I fall towards the corner of a platform, the sprite lands in mid air...

Ill be keeping a close eye on this game...

[Lo-Fi]

I have to say, this looks very promising. It will take allot of play testing, polishing. bug fixing, but its a great idea. One of those concepts that makes you think "why didn't I think of that?"! These ones usually end up being very successful... One glitch I found, if I fall towards the corner of a platform, the sprite lands in mid air...

Ill be keeping a close eye on this game...

Thanks! Besides the corner collision glitch, could you go into specifics as to what needs polishing and play testing? I've got a deadline coming up soon (in 1-2 weeks), and I would like the game to be as amazing as possible. If that means cutting levels and re-structuring them later, I will do that. Any levels/sections in particular that need to be worked on or cut?

Thanks again.

[kidchameleon]

*increase the size of the splash screen

*a basic story at this point would add allot of depth. it would make the player feel more for the avatar...

*more pronounced borders for walls would be nice. sometimes (particularly the first level just after he wakes up) i found myself walking into the walls, thinking they were scenery...

*for the icons that show how to jump and use doors, it would be nice to have a bit of text. now i know text can be intrusive and not atmospheric in some games, but you would be surprised how many non gamers would not understand those icons.

*animate the lava. it may not be obvious to everyone that it is in fact dangerous...

*when the player dies, he immediately appears at a checkpoint, with no clue as to what happened. something like "press space to continue" would allow the player to learn from mistakes more easily...

*on the section where the bridge collapses, on my monitor it appears that the bridge is completely gone, yet i am able to walk on it as if its just under the screen, making that particular puzzle confusing.

*i feel the jump is slightly exaggerated for the height and style of the character.

*the music can get a bit repetitive. adding one or two more tracks would be a huge improvement.

*when walking near the edge of a platform and i let go of the arrow key, sometimes the character keeps walking, causing him to fall into lava at times.

[Inanimate]

*on the section where the bridge collapses, on my monitor it appears that the bridge is completely gone, yet i am able to walk on it as if its just under the screen, making that particular puzzle confusing.

*i feel the jump is slightly exaggerated for the height and style of the character.

*You're walking on the top of the platforms above you.

*Agreed. That is a very dramatic, floaty jump!

I really enjoy that 'slam' you do when you press down. Perhaps that could be used for some puzzles (if it isn't already)?

The music is a little repetitive, but I'm sure it's a placeholder, alongside the textures.

Also, I really enjoyed the icons you have at the start of the levels; perhaps to address kidchameleon's concern over the controls being taught by arrow-icons, you could instead use those little graphics you have, except inside the level?

Overall, great start to a great game! Really enjoying, and can't wait to see it continued.