bungalow 2018-08-11 21:51
I couldn't understand the game at first but it was fun when I got the concept
Foon → Ludum Dare Explorer → LD42 → Checkout Simulator
By fengol
| Category | Rank | Score | Count | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 2.50 | 6 | ||
| Fun | 2.25 | 6 | ||
| Innovation | 3.12 | 6 | ||
| Theme | 2.75 | 6 | ||
| Graphics | 1.62 | 6 | ||
| Audio | 2.62 | 6 | ||
| Humor | 3.25 | 6 | ||
| Mood | 2.50 | 6 |
I couldn't understand the game at first but it was fun when I got the concept
The game isn't super exciting. It's pretty repetitive and there doesn't seem to be much to it except just dragging from left to right. The graphics are fairly plain, but the pictures get the point across of what the items are supposed to be.
I did really enjoy the "Next Customer" sound. And scanning the same item 30+ times to rack up a huge bill is entertaining.
Interestingly I didn't know that there were going to be a score at the end of the day, I think if you were being scored it would be good for that feedback to be more immediate.
Mechanically, it wasn't super interesting in and of itself. I guess it's a good commentary on the soul-crushing menial task of the check-out clerks under the weight of capitalism. I do think though, that there are interesting things that could be done with the base game play in a Papers Please type of way, where you're forced to make decisions about your own job vs the pleas of a customer who can't pay, or someone who wants to be discreet, etc. I liked that I could scan an item multiple times to rack up the bill, or skip the scanner entirely. There are many scenarios that could play out with this. Could be interesting to explore.
"Next Customer". Cool idea :)
In its current state there really isn't much to do but to get the items over as quickly as possible and pray the colliders register, and for that it got repetitive quite early.
The idea is awesome though, I'd like to see what can be done with it if you were to add more mechanics. Imagine being scored on speed, but you have to consider how fragile some items are (handle slowly or maybe balance), ensure the customer gives the right amount of money, or/add packing plastic bags etc.
Bit repetitive, dont know how it worked with the theme. More time pressure would be good. I liked the concept and the next customer sound effect was hilarious
I also got a strong "Papers Please" vibe from this game which is really interesting! There are definitely some cool ideas that could be explored along those lines. Especially around adding time pressure on the player. Like if they break something they have to wait to get another of that product, angry customers in the line, having to wait for the manager to override "double scans", counting change or using the card machine. I would love to see some of those things explored if you decide to continue working on the idea :)
The beep sound effect was a bit jarring and could be toned down a bit and it was a bit annoying that you couldn't undo a scan if you double scanned it by mistake.
Your game is reminiscent of papers please, with some of the same tension, especially when you miss scans and double scan. This could make an interesting job simulation VR game (with a little graphics work, obvs :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye: ).