Bowmen
a silly little game about shooting arrows at murlocs
latest v0.2.0
Basics
Become a bow-wielding hero in this game, battling pesky murlocs to reclaim the land!
Jump around, shooting arrows and setting fire to their tents. Collecting pickups as you go until everything's back to normal, oh and there's a blood moon every now and then...
edit v0.2.0
- aim assisted arrows
- flame shot (get close to fire to shoot fire arrows)
- flamespeakers behaviour revised
- hp regen when moving to a new zone
- removed help and torch lock mechanics
edit v0.1.1
The first release version
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Very surprised to have been able to fit more in after having run out of tokens. Split2d was a major help in saving many a token, obviously no where near what others are doing with pico8 but I'm happy with where this is at for now.
- config editor to help generate the zone level data
- better mob spawning (bag)
- screen shake
- lifesteal arrow pickup
- ladder / chains climbing
- fixed tent smoke in the air bug
- custom cart label
edit v0.1.0
- summoner murloc
- graphic polish
- token saving
v0.0.1
- basic game loop
- torches, locks
- basic murloc enemy
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@pomb - I can see how much effort and time you have put into this cart and it is beautiful. The scenes look great and the characters are wonderful, but something is stopping me getting into it. I think it's my inability to play it properly, so can you offer some advice?
For a game called "bowmen" I really struggle to actually hit anything I want to. This would be less of a problem if I could just fire all the time, but only starting with 2 and then having to collect the arrows, which are really difficult to see when landed, makes the whole process less fun. When I am standing on the ground and a monster is also there it seems impossible for me to hit it. I have to face away and be some distance in order to do this. Am I doing something wrong?
Likewise the torches. Sometimes I can touch them to light them and sometimes I have to fire an arrow at them - is this intentional? Once a torch is lit I can somehow make a burning arrow to burn a hut, but the process feels so random. I just jump and fire as much as I can and then walk round and collect the arrows.
I am sure there seem to be ways of firing that I am unable to do. Once I realised that I could climb, that helped a bit, but it sort of took away the point of level 1, again since this game is called "bowmen".
Like I said the game looks gorgeous. Its great fun, jumping and zipping about the screen. Its just the arrows part that I am not getting to grips with.
Actually, a couple more minor gripes: the enemies can just appear on top of you which feels unfair and it also feels like I can go from full health to dying in a couple of seconds.
But like I said, I think its me, rather than you. If you could offer some advice that would be great.
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Hey @phil thanks for taking the time to play I appreciate the kind words.
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The point of zone 1 is teach the unlocking mechanic, without pressure of combat.
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Nah could be the game... I'm suffering from dev bias/familiarity so some of these things are not as obvious as one might think.
Thanks for taking the time to give me feedback, I appreciate it.
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Thanks for your detailed response @pomb
I think your point about progression of arrows is spot-on. I played around with the source to give myself more arrows and it was fun at first but took away the incentive to try to build up a good supply. The way the arrows whizz about and bounce around is absolutely delightful. A single bonus stage with infinite arrows would be great (yeah... tokens...) so I do agree that a low start is necessary.
Ah you have to have an arrow in your quiver to stick it in the torches to light them! Makes sense know you've explained it.
The strange thing about your game, is as frustrating (to me) as it is, I do keep coming back to it, to try and get further each time! I think you have made something really good here, maybe not 100% my cup of tea, but an amazing Pico cart
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Updated the op with the new v0.2.0 [#1] build and changes. I think it's playing better than before, thanks again for the feedback everyone.
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One of the best games on pico! The graphics, arrow movement, just fabulous! I can't seem to get passed level 2 though, it just won't let me through even after I've lit both torches
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Hi @Tatery1 thank you for that complement it's high praise, but there really some incredible games on pico.
To move forward:
Hope that helps and you get to the zone with flame speakers!
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