Super Tree Evolution by bigbass1997

[raw]
made by bigbass1997 for LD24 (COMPO)
The source and resources can be found along with the JAR in the downloaded ZIP file. The game should work on any platform. To play the game just extract and run the JAR file.

Please make sure to read the copyright notice that is also in the ZIP! All game instructions can be found in the game. Have fun!

Feedback

馃帳 bigbass1997
26. Aug 2012 路 18:47 UTC
If you are going to post something please only post constructive criticism, complements, and/or questions!
jprogman
27. Aug 2012 路 03:58 UTC
I know there is some kind of trick to growing the plant but unfortunately I couldn't figure it out. I found the details of the growing plant to be too broad and doesn't really pinpoint if I'm doing good or bad. Basically, more details of the growing plant (in-between animation) would have been more helpful.
馃帳 bigbass1997
27. Aug 2012 路 05:25 UTC
Thats the point. Your arent supposed to know exactly how to grow the plant. Thats what makes the game challenging.
jprogman
27. Aug 2012 路 06:14 UTC
That's fine. I like the challenge. I just thought the plant could give out a few more hints -- such as turning brown -- and show some changes a little more frequently.
馃帳 bigbass1997
27. Aug 2012 路 11:26 UTC
Yeah, I was thinking of that but it would be a lot of work to implement, and because I had to use up about 6-8 hours of my time doing something else, I decided not to add anything like that.
Vurb
28. Aug 2012 路 03:41 UTC
i was really hoping to play this but i couldnt figure out how to make tree grow i know like you said you have to figure it out but maybe give something as to controlls or something otherwise you just end up clicking randomly all over the screen.
馃帳 bigbass1997
28. Aug 2012 路 11:28 UTC
Open the game and click on Story. There are instructions in there.
patrickgh3
05. Sep 2012 路 06:15 UTC
I got the tree to evolve twice. I couldn't get it any further.

To me, the gameplay is not all there. The controls are fully functional, and you can tell when the plant grows, so the game is technically functional. But there is no explanation at all to tell you what exactly causes the plant to grow. Therefore the player cannot develop any strategy, and is stuck fiddling with the controls, and gets frustrated and quits. Even if you had put in some kind of instruction on how to win the game, it's questionable weather the game would be fun.

In most games, at the start, you are given a clear description of how you can interact with the world (controls) and your goal. Once you give the player tools, then they can try to use them to get to the goal. But if you don't clearly define what your tools do, and you don't even know what your goal is (do you have to find the right balance? do you have to wait a long time? I have no idea), the player is at a loss of what to do, and it's not fun.

I think having visual clues such as the graphics of the plant changing, and sound effects when it does so, would give the player clues, such as "when it makes this sound and shows this graphic, then I should add more water." Then you learn how to use your tools. And when the plant grows, the player feels satisfaction because he accomplished something, and he avoided danger.

I'm sorry I rambled a lot. But I hope you can understand what I was trying to say. I think that the game has a cool premise.
Rabbits...
16. Sep 2012 路 20:23 UTC
Kinda confusing, but I got it so the plant lived for 6:03, then nuked it and it died...
馃帳 bigbass1997
18. Sep 2012 路 02:29 UTC
RE: patrickgh3,
I think this is the 2nd time iv had to say this, "On the mainmenu click the STORY button to find out the "tools" you have to complete the game".