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[JDM]

A falling action game
This is the first game I'm putting to TIGSource for feedback.  This started out as a quickie creative jam thing a few months ago where the theme was "freefall."  I ended up liking it, so I decided to spend some time polishing the movement and the level design. 

Please try it!
I'd like whatever feedback I can get, but particularly what you think about the way the movement feels and the overall design of the level. 

I'm thinking it's going to be just a one-level freeware game, meaning it's going to run all of about 3 or 4 minutes from start to finish at the longest.  Checkpoints will be implemented soon, and will be optional.

This is not supposed to be an easy game!  It's supposed to be the sort of game that tests both whether the player can get to the end and how high a score they can get by that point.

(I intend to also create an endless mode, either as an alternate gameplay mode or as a separate release.)



Here's the current version, which isn't yet a complete build (so when you get to the end, there's just endless space).  I've made it in Game Maker, so it's a Windows executable.

Fall Free 4/14/2012 (22 MB)

CONTROLS:

Left/right - move
X - Charge dash

Also looking for music composer!
Also, the file's kind of huge, because I've included two MP3 samples representative of the kind of music I'm thinking I'd like for the project, since I'm also hoping that I might be able to find some musically inclined person who thinks they might enjoy composing an original upbeat, aggressive (chiptune-y or rock) track for the BGM!  To change the music, press "2" or "3" either at the title screen, or before you restart the level after you die.

Thanks to anyone who checks this out!

[harkme]

Fun little game. The controls are fine, but I'm not digging the dashing. The dashing itself is fine, but I don't like dashing into the breakable boxes. I think if the breakable crates were removed, the game would be better since it could focus on high speed dodging rather than also having to press dash at the correct time to advance. Coincidentally, the farthest I got is pictured in the second screenshot of your post. I dashed and broke the first two boxes, but because I dashed a little early, I smacked into the boxes right after.

[janitar1]

Fun game! very addicting and challenge seems to be well balanced. I rather enjoy the dashing aspect of it, it adds to the challenge. Maybe for those that dont like it, add a mode without the boxes and dashing.

[JDM]

Thanks for playing, you two. 

I'm glad the challenge seemed well balanced, janitar1.  Since I basically locked down movement and speed, it's been all about making the level design and hostile objects feel fair and beatable while remaining difficult. 

I'll think a bit about the boxes.  It's a little too hard for me not to see them as integral to the design as I feel like it gives a second function to the dash and it makes the player think more about how and when they'll use the dash.  But games with a tighter focus have their virtue, too.  I'll reflect on it.

If anyone has any more input, I'd be happy to hear it! 

[JDM]

Also, in case anyone's interested, I've made a second, smaller game that plays with the same ever-falling-downward concept, starring a chicken who can flap her wings to small effect.  It's a bit slower and less challenging.  It's called ChickenFall and you can get it here.

[PompiPompi]

That looks more like a rooster to me than a "her"

[janitar1]

Hey the chicken fall game was't half bad! You know, if you turned that into a falling plane or helicopter, took out the blocks and just added obstacles in the sky, that could be a more 'realistic scenario'.. just some food for thought ^.^