Puzzle Moppet (source released)

xDan · Post by **xDan** » Thu Dec 17, 2009 4:53 pm

**** Updated 30th June 2012: Aaaand the source is released.

--> http://garnetgames.com/PuzzleMoppetSource.tar.gz

**** Updated 20th June 2012: Puzzle Moppet is now freeware.

Download links:

http://garnetgames.com/PuzzleMoppetFull.exe
http://garnetgames.com/PuzzleMoppetFull.dmg
http://garnetgames.com/PuzzleMoppetFull.tar.gz

**** Updated 2nd August 2011: Mac version, testers wanted!!! See here: http://irrlicht.sourceforge.net/forum/v ... 70#p255170

**** Updated 14th Jan: Test the completed version here: http://irrlicht.sourceforge.net/phpBB2/ ... 442#241442

**** Updated 4th October: See newest release below.

Hello!

This is an alpha of a puzzle game. I am especially interested in if anyone thinks this is actually fun or not? (i.e. worth me continuing on it to make a full shareware game).

A screenshot

Level editor

Download:
http://xzist.org/temp/puzzlegame/PuzzleGameALPHA.zip

(both Windows and Linux binaries included, for Linux you will have to chmod to executable)

I would recommend playing "concept_level" first to get the hang of it, then
"alittlebridge" and "up_and_down" for something hopefully more challenging.

See the readme for instructions!

shadowslair · Post by **shadowslair** » Thu Dec 17, 2009 6:25 pm

Yep, I think it is fun- played all the levels. Here`re some advices popping up in my head:
1) Avoid creating big levels like the "big and boring" one, especially if you may do sth in the wrong sequence with the blocks etc. and have to restart the whole level.
2) I like the non-shader version mostly.
3) The design of the character is bad, but I believe it`s for tests only.
4) The fans are rotating way too slowly- you may increase the rotation speed a bit, but not too much. Umm.. are you using frame independent behaviour for these?
5) I would do some shaft cover for the fans if I was you- sth like this (made for 5 minutes in Paint): http://pics.data.bg/categories/1/%D0%BE ... 4c02/image

But once again I like the idea as a whole, so it is fun.

Dorth · Post by **Dorth** » Thu Dec 17, 2009 10:14 pm

Tip: Do not punish the player for a simple mistake by making him restart the level. Do you watch AVGN? Do you read Samus? Have you talked with casual players who play that sort of game (your target audience). They don't like to start from scratch. That's more a trait you'll find in the self proclaimed hardcore gamer (aka, those that have played from young until adult and thus have had the chance to master all the skillset. Even amongst them, a 1 hit fail, do over is not pleasant).

What to do to go around that?
-Checkpoints
-Rewind mechanics à la Prince of Persia of sort
-Generous level that tolerate a certain level of error (the more you progress, the less tolerant it becomes as you slowly master the skillset)
-Elevators that come back if you fall an edge (if at some place it is strategic, make 2 kinds of elevators)
-Teleport back a player who falls to the void to the location he occupied before falling.
etc.

Good luck

Virion · Post by **Virion** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 2:27 am

i'll critique on the visual!
The blocks are pretty fine and I like the skybox. However I don't think it's good to use pure white color for your character. Make it look attractive, preferable warm color (red, yellow, orange) that can attract attention. Good job so far!

BlindSide · Post by **BlindSide** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 2:52 am

I like this, it looks very polished and the controls/camera are smooth and easy to get used to.

I hope to see it with a menu that automatically lists the available puzzles (Perhaps they should be in a separate folder for better organization?).

andres · Post by **andres** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 10:59 am

really good!
finally someone releasing linux binaries

like shadowslair i think you can change the character.

xDan · Post by **xDan** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 12:17 pm

Thanks for the feedback! All suggestions are noted

What's "Samus"?

Everything that is white is only a placeholder, I will be redoing the player, fans, lifts, portal. I just wanted to get a playable concept ready quickly. Likewise, with the level loading - I won't bother with a GUI until I've got some gameplay working.

Dorth · Post by **Dorth** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 12:22 pm

Sorry, it's Shamus
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/article ... ced-points

grumpymonkey · Post by **grumpymonkey** » Sun Dec 20, 2009 1:49 am

screens look good but I cant play it. It crashes whenever I drag any .lev file over the executables

Im running Windows Vista x64

xDan · Post by **xDan** » Sun Dec 20, 2009 10:08 am

Thanks Dorth, that looks interesting.

@grumpymonkey, did it say anything interesting in the log.txt? I guess not.

dipi · Post by **dipi** » Thu Dec 24, 2009 1:55 pm

How do you do the 'big and boring' level. I'm trying it for a half hour and still no result

PS: Very good game

MikeDee · Post by **MikeDee** » Thu Dec 24, 2009 6:55 pm

shadowslair wrote:
2) I like the non-shader version mostly.

Are you serious ? The game looks absolutely great with shaders, while it all looks flat and ugly without them.

Btw nice game, I like it !

xDan · Post by **xDan** » Thu Dec 24, 2009 8:40 pm

Thanks

dipi wrote:How do you do the 'big and boring' level. I'm trying it for a half hour and still no result

if I remember correctly,
- get two blocks to fill the first hole
- then get that new block and float it on the fan by the platform with other blocks on it
- find your way on that platform and push those blocks down, using the floating block as a bridge so they land on the main platform
- then you can move the top block that filled the first hole, send it up a lift on to that platform and push across the floating block as in the previous step
- then float a block on each remaining fan to fill the way to the exit

P.S. an invisible cookie to anyone who discovers the really easy way to solve "up and down"...

dipi · Post by **dipi** » Fri Dec 25, 2009 1:51 pm

Thanks, It's the right solution

xDan · Post by **xDan** » Mon Oct 04, 2010 5:36 pm

Ok! Almost a year later, and I have a beta version!

Download link and more info after the screenshots.

Download links

Windows:
http://xzist.org/temp/puzzlegame/beta/P ... ersion.zip

Linux:
http://xzist.org/temp/puzzlegame/beta/P ... ion.tar.gz

Changes:
- graphics finished! No more placeholders! Main character done by a proper artist!
- sound effects
- menu system
- better camera, with zoom
- auto saving of progress
- a simple game intro
- configuration utility

Most of the levels are the same as in the last version, in fact there is really just one proper new level. If you just want the new level you can run "PuzzleGame liftland.lev".

The game should now be considered more or less feature and gameplay complete. What remains now is for me to make a whole lot more levels, and possibly also some extra block types.

As before, any feedback is much appreciated. Good or bad! Target is shareware, so if you think it's rubbish or unsellable I want to know. Tell me what would stop you paying for it

Oh! And yes, the name is actually going to be "Unnamed Puzzle Game".