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[jarnik]

The idea is simple - position scrambled planets to create a stable solar system. All the physics are computed and handled in real scales and units, so it is actually a quasi-realistic solar system simulator  

The levels are auto-generated in 3 difficulties. Intended for a desktop and mobile (I've been actually playing it on my Android phone ).

Info about controls and further details are written on the following page (below the game):



PLAY: [ www.jarnik.com/pub/planets/v01 ]

The first version gave you no clues whatsoever to find a working solution (no helper grids, no colored stars - all just white) and with realistic physic, it was hard beyond fun.
I definitely want to keep the realistic physics. So to make it a bit easier, I'm thinking about the following model:
gather stars as a credit for using science power tools - color stars (match stars to a planet), sparser grid (less possible positions for a planet - easier), estimated area (a range in which planet should be placed)...

What are your thoughts on:

• controls and gameplay?
• do you know of any similar games? I'd hate to get close to an existing game
• ideas to spice up the gamplay

Thanks!

[Udderdude]

Haven't tried it yet, but as for similar "Games", you could say Universe Sandbox is somewhat similar, although much less goal-oriented. http://universesandbox.com/

Random gameplay ideas : Asteroids come in to your system and you have to merge them by colliding them until they form a moon, then place the moon around one of your planets.

[allen]

the controls and description of the game make no sense to me..is drag moving the camera necessary? I accidentally keep missing my clicks and then dragging the camera all over the place.

with a proper tutorial I could see this being playable, but in it's current state the game does a poor (no) job of explaining how or what you are supposed to do. writing a "how to play" on the page is not an excuse for such obtuse game design.

[Quicksand-S]

I found myself wishing for more control. It would be nice if I could place the planets anywhere and angle them as I wished, but of course that would change the entire nature of the game. It's too bad, though. I enjoy puzzles more when there are multiple ways to solve them. As it is, it seems like it's just trial and error.

That said, the game works fine. I found the "success" sound incredibly annoying, especially when completing levels in quick succession. That's really the only annoyance I found so far.

As for similar games, I'm sure I've seen at least one or two but I don't remember them. Angry Birds Space is slightly similar, but Planetix is far more difficult.

Error? Zooming out causes stars to reset.

Error: I saw a red planet pick up a green star (this happened while the green planet was nearby, but not close enough to possibly pick up the star itself).