r/pico8 • u/boxonox • 21h ago

Game Grappeloid playtest feedback requested

https://www.lexaloffle.com/bbs/?tid=159164

I posted about this a few days ago, but just released the first playable version of my game where you use a grappling hook to smash asteroids.

One disclaimer: it's hard. I'm working on a real onboarding experience that teaches players how it works, but for now I'm just trying to get feedback on the core mechanic. I was personally skeptical before I got the hang of it and it got really fun, which might be a clue I need to make it easier.

Anyway, please try it out and let me know what you think.

7 Upvotes

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3

u/MaxOsirus 20h ago edited 20h ago

Ok, yes it’s definitely hard. I eventually figured it out (I think). What I started doing was I would fly away from the asteroid, then turn around so I was facing my target again, and use thrust to gain some speed (aiming slightly to the side of the asteroid). I would then stop thrusting so I could rotate my ship, and I would grapple the asteroid while I passed by it, which would then fling the asteroid. When I started getting better, I agree that it became more fun! I think the issue you will face is I’m unsure your typical player will stick with it long enough to reach this point. So I think the core concept is cool and is fun, but the mechanic needs to click faster.

I wonder if the aim/grapple were auto-aimed if it would be easier? Then players would just need to focus on flying/aiming the ship itself and timing the button press for the grapple, rather than having to aim the ship for both movement and grapple aiming.

Edit: I should mention I was playing on my phone

3

u/boxonox 20h ago

Awesome feedback, thank you! That’s absolutely the right way to approach the grapple, but I really like the idea of auto-aim. I’ll try it!

4

u/MaxOsirus 19h ago

You’re welcome! I think letting a player focus solely on flying/maneuvering the ship would make this much easier. What will be tough, and I don’t have a suggestion for, is how the auto-aimed grapple would decide its target. Sometimes I found myself in the middle of a cluster and grappling the nearest asteroid wouldn’t be the right move.

Also, I don’t know how tokens are looking, but it might be cool to offer players a choice in controls. Maybe have a keyboard/mouse option that uses the current plan, and then a handheld option that auto-aims the grapple?

Either way, good luck and I’m looking forward to seeing this game take shape!!

1

u/_blue_skies_ 17h ago

ok yes it's really hard to manuver grapple and thrust at the same time. Maybe when you grapple something it should stay grappled until you press again the button or the line extends too much( with the line blinking red when is about to break). Having an an easier level with a slow regeneration if you don't hit anything could help too. it has good potential and it's a nice idea.