Now updated with an in-game tutorial! When the game loads, use the up and down arrow keys to select a level (with the number displayed in the red box) and press Shift to load the level. Start with level 1 to get the rundown on the game without having to read this old-fashioned instruction manual. Play it here!
OverviewShifter is a 2D puzzle platformer.
In Shifter, each level is made up of two "dimensions," each with different level geography, that exist in the same space. Neither of the two dimensions is traversable on its own; the player can only complete a level by switching between them as necessary.
The player has three charges of energy that can be used, with the Z key, to create or destroy solid blocks in designated spaces.
This version is created in a level-prototyping tool made in flash, so all art is placeholder and all environments are brightly colored blocks. I think it's got a sort of stark beauty to it. The little placeholder smiley-face man seems to be happy about it, and he
lives there.
Anyway, since it's Flash, you can just click the link and run it in a browser. Should be no trouble! Since the presentation isn't much to speak of, I'm mostly looking for feedback on the level design and the basic mechanics of the game - shifting, creating, and destroying. Do they make sense to you? If there some way they could be changed, or better utilized, to build puzzles? Are the puzzles easy, difficult? Hard to understand?
Play it here!InstructionsTo use the "Level Select Menu":
When the swf starts, there'll be a red box with a number inside it. Use the Up and Down arrow keys to switch levels 1 through 4, and press Shift to load the indicated level.
At the end of each level, there's "gold" blocks that'll return you to the level selection screen when you touch them, so you can select and play the next level.
Blocks:-Black blocks are run-of-the-mill inert walls and floors.
-Red blocks are solid "Fire energy" blocks. Press Z while standing next to them to destroy them.
-Blue blocks are non-solid "Ice energy" blocks. Press Z while standing next to them to make them solid.
-Green blocks are non-solid "Energy Springs." Each time you use Energy, one of your three charges is drained. Touching a spring restores all three charges and causes all changes you've made to energy blocks to start reversing.
Green blocks also function as checkpoints that you can return to by pressing W. In level 4, returning to checkpoints in this way becomes necessary in order to solve puzzles.
Controls:-Right and Left arrows to move, Up to jump.
-Z key to use energy powers (When standing next to, and facing towards, energy blocks)
-Space Bar to shift dimensions
-W key to warp to the last checkpoint (energy spring) touched.
Click the arrow in the bottom right corner to go back to the level select menu at any time.
Shift IndicatorThe circle near the bottom of the window indicates whether you can shift:
Level Overview:Level 1 is the Shifting level, in which there's no energy blocks. It's only necessary to move and shift.
Level 2 is the energy-powers level, in which there are (red) fire energy and (blue) ice energye blocks. Using the Z Key on these blocks will turn solid fire blocks non-solid, and non-solid ice blocks solid.
Level 3 introduces "fast" variants of the fire and ice blocks. Fast fire blocks are orange, and fast ice blocks are purple. They burn and freeze at five times the normal speed.
Level 4 is the "warp" level, in which it's necessary to use the Warp ability (w key) to solve puzzles.
