mossieur-patate 2022-10-17 16:46
(I am now in a rush to test as many games as possible to help, so please do not mind the cursory reviewing style.)
[testing the navigator version]
1. the context (through description and captures) seems immersive and funny; by the way, the giant ‘boss’ Grim Reaper at his desk on the cover reminds me of Thanatos from [*Necrow Co.*](https://itch.io/jam/gbjam-9/rate/1208403) 2. "Didn’t have enough time over the jam weekend to finish the game so I decided to turn this into an EXTRA" -> Oh! :o I wonder if you can have several entries, if they are in a different format… (I was myself considering partaking in Jam instead of Compo to enhance the game, but stuck to the challenge, while pinpointing separate updated versions) 3. "Statistically, there are 18 deaths every 10 seconds. But that’s not coincidental, no! That’s a mandated quota for Soul Reapers." -> I was thinking of *Grim Fandango* right from seeing the cover, and I get an even bigger such vibe X) 4. I like how the objective is a *precise* amount, as opposed to a minimum; this is not so often the case 5. are the cats an allusion to the nine lives concept (or rather a joke about cute kittens)? By the way, this would mean you only need two cats! ;) [later: explained in game; all right, reference to nine lives, but I get the logic, a cat can have lost some lives before; this is clever] 6. launching the game; wow, great dramatisation-introduction!! Haha, and great humour (the volunteer bit) (including the contrast with the groovy music) 7. and already great sound effects for the interface 8. Controls are layout-independent, great! :) (I have an AZERTY keyboard) AND arrow keys are enabled. 9. my God, this is insanely hard!! :o I just lost at the first round for my first four runs!! 10. managed to beat one round; then overflowed?! Oh, I get it: I had completely forgotten one cat is **not** necessarily worth only one life! X) So, I must have been super unlucky the first four times around, stumbling upon low-life (!! XD) cats! 11. I think I reaped a zero-life cat; is this a bug, or did I see wrongly? A bit later: oh my, I am a complete imbecile… I totally forgot you had to properly **collect the souls by moving onto them** XD 12. first real legitimate non-idiotic run: lasted 6 rounds 13. I was wondering where the strikes were shown: only now do I realize these are the white cards at the upper borders of the screen… I thought it had something to do with the lower-right counter, but now, I think this is the total cumulated amount of reaped souls. Suggestion: add some name or icon for this (and other?) counter 14. ah, looks like you can sometimes collect a soul by touching it with the scythe! Expected collision? 15. 7 rounds, this time 16. just checking the borders of the scenery/arena: I see, fence posts; nice! :) By the way, I realize everything is cleverly lively through 3D *movement* rather than (complex) animation. Great job
**Takeaway:** efficient clever concept, loads of humour, efficient cute graphics (including through movement and luminescence), absolutely fitting sounds (maybe a ‘meow’ could also be used? ;)) and music, clear-cut explanations (although I managed to play as if I had not read them XD Once again, maybe an in-game tutorial rather than written explanations would help, but I understand this is not easily set up in general), simple yet original main mechanic and objective, fine interface (although some counters could be made just a bit clearer, I think): frankly, this is a great self-contained piece. If I really wanted to ~~be mean~~ nitpick, I would ask for even more originality in how the 10-second cycle/theme is handled, but, great job.
Honoured to be the first one to comment and cast a vote for this little gem. :) Thank you for it!
[Do not forget to review and rate other games, if you have enough time; it will also help yours get noticed and have testers and feedback. :)]