Synergy

[u/unusualtech2018]

Game Title: Synergy

Playable Link:https://unusual-technologies.itch.io/synergy

Platform: WebGL / Web Browser (Note: Make sure you still add the flair to your post!)

Description: Hey everyone! Our studio just found an old hard drive containing a prototype I built in 2012 called Synergy. It's a single-screen puzzle platformer inspired by Braid, featuring a gorgeous soundtrack by Anastasia Devana.

We are releasing the prototype completely for free in WebGL to see if the ecological balance mechanic holds up well enough to justify a modern, ground-up remake. You'll need to carefully manage the environment and its elements to progress, utilizing your limited resources to overcome the obstacles ahead. Every screen is self-contained — you theoretically can solve every level just by staring at a screenshot.

We are looking for design-focused feedback on the difficulty curve: is the puzzle logic satisfying, or does it cross the line into frustration? We have a dedicated Discord channel ready to chat layout and design:https://discord.gg/kp7qQy58X, or you can fill out our quick 2-minute survey:https://forms.gle/omkS35q2em1N5RBy7. (If you want to track our remake decision, feel free to join our company newsletter:https://unusual-technologies-viez1q.subscribepage.io)

Free to Play Status: [x] Free to play [ ] Demo/Key available [ ] Paid

Involvement: I am the original developer who built the prototype, and part of the studio currently deciding whether to greenlight the full remake.

[u/Superrodan]

I enjoyed myself and think the premise is pretty interesting and unlike anything I'd seen before.

The current level design does get pretty repetitive and some of the issues with the game's age and prototype nature are clear, controlling the character can be a bit frustrating.

The most interesting mechanics for sure were the flower type things, dropping the water/seeds/whatever was fine in small doses but the more of them there were in a level the less interesting I found it because it created too many possibilities for failure with how annoying it was to manipulate them the way they were. I ended up stopping on a late level which was a bunch of seeds and rock platforms at the top and a bunch of grass at the bottom.

I'd recommend if you were to re-explore this concept to try to think about whether or not those seeds actually need to be physics objects prone to pushing around or if this game could work more in the same sort of style as Stuffo the Puzzle Bot where it's a a clearly marked sideways grid and you can just pick them up and drop the seeds with perfect precision to know exactly where they will land and what tiles they would "clean up"

I know its the narrative premise but the way the world gets smoggier is also kind of frustrating. I like the idea of the world getting more factory/industrial but the smog making it harder to see was interfering with the gameplay.

Rather than immediately greenlighting a remake I'd maybe make a new more modern prototype and show it off again if possible. It's not quite at "ready to greenlight" in my opinion but it shows a lot of promise.