OceanOwen's game Reviews on Newgrounds

[simple level maker]

It's a nice level editor. It's neat to know there's more parts on the way but I wish there was more space to work with. As is, there isn't a lot to do with these levels. Also, I wish we could toggle the lava off and just have a bottomless pit under the level editor space. Overall, though, it's a neat tool to use. Can't wait to see what's next for this lil' game!

[Down Under]

Eh. The digging mechanic is cool. But the movement is a bit too quick and slippery for a mechanic that precise. As fun as I find it to speed through levels, a more firm grip on the ground would make things not so sudden, especially with the precise platforming challenges. Maybe also lower the overall speed a bit so the player is more certain of where they'll be. And I wish it was clearer from the start you could dig in front of you. Maybe an indicator of which block you would be digging depending on which direction you hold.

The sudden speed and uncertainty of which block you'll hit combine to make the final challenge all that more frustrating. There were several times where I was sure I hit the top block but missed, and several times where I did hit the block and was ready to charge forward to hit the blocks behind it... only to not land on the block and either land in a lower tunnel the game made me dig up or just straight up fall to my death.

And while I'm talking about the final challenge, I remember getting everything right on it and was super satisfied to jump on that final spring, but because I didn't know what was beyond that and I was still holding right, I fell onto a spike and had to do the challenge all over again. It was very disappointing and felt unfair to me.

Maybe when there's a moment like that, where you don't know what's beyond the end of the challenge and one wrong move after beating it the first time results in failure, maybe have some sort of safety net to ensure the player can move on from the challenge after passing the screen beyond the challenge. Like, using that last challenge for example, some sort of platform that you can phase through until you could land on it. Just so the player doesn't get punished immediately after beating a challenge like that.

I do like the digging mechanic, like I previously said. It makes for a fun puzzle platformer, especially when you have limited uses it. And the pixel art is very nice, especially on the stone tiles. The game has a nice aesthetic. Personally, I wish there was sound, but it did fine without it.

Overall, the game has a nice visual style and a cool dig mechanic, but it has a few minor flaws that can and do sometimes combine to make unfun situations. So, it's alright.

slogga responds:

Thanks for that great review!

[GuraQuest(Old)]

This is a very nice platformer. Short yet sweet, with a cute artstyle, fun game mechanics, and the song of choice is very relaxing and something I can't get tired of, even after listening to it for 18+ minutes. I got no complaints. Well made!

[Advent NEON DEMO [Web Version]]

HOT DAMN, IS THIS GAME AMAZING! It's a perfect blend of beat 'em ups and platformers! The art style is top notch pixel art, the music is groovy, and the gameplay feels smooth as butter! It can be button mash-y but no matter how you beat up the enemies, seeing them pause for a brief moment upon impact and then flying around the room is always satisfying, which is just perfect! The dash feels good too, although it took me a bit to get used to having to wait a bit before it recharged after touching the ground.

I only have two gripes with this demo.

1. At Level 4's moving platforms, it's a bit awkward positioning yourself on the platforms after jumping, considering how slow and small they are and how fast and slippery you move. And when you fall into the spikes, it's frustrating trying to get back up if you don't think to use the dash. It's not that big of a deal but it was something that stuck out to me.

2. In the final boss of the demo, the robot's punch always frustrated me because of how fast it was. I knew there was counterplay to it like all the other attacks but how fast it was felt unreactable to me and it made that boss more frustrating than it needed to be, especially since patterns seemed to be randomized and that boss could just throw out punches for days if it felt like it.

Other than those two gripes, I loved this demo. It was super satisfying to beat the shit out of robots and great fun to zoom all around levels. I can't wait to see the full game!

[Kitty in the City]

I like the artstyle. It's very cute. Controls are pretty good for your first (public) game. I wish you couldn't walk past the walls of the building when you're on top of them, if that wording makes sense.

I wish the music for the level lasted longer because, although it's decent, it's very repetitive, especially when combined by how easy it can be to fall off buildings, to the point of mild annoyance.

Overall, though, I like it. It's a cute game! I'd like to see more from you.