I like the concept for this game. I've never played a pachinko-styled game, and I think this has a lot of potential for something amazing.
I think this would be a great mobile game, something to just relax with in bed. Music is nice, I like it, it didn't loop though, so it stopped after a while, then resumed after I completed the apple level.
I would have loved for some different level layouts to make levels more interesting, maybe like pegs in the shape of a tree, or upside down tree, or other obstacles in the level that the faces follow to make me guess where they are going to end up. The different shapes for the pegs was interesting and fun, but doesn't change too much on a per-level basis, the smiles still travel in the same directions. The level with the squirrels, birds and dolphins in the third area is good, exactly what I wanted. I loved the space level! the starts lighting up surprised me. I would have loved for some levels like these to appear in the earlier areas to have some variety.
When the eyes appeared, that was a fun and surprising moment. Guessing what it is they are looking at, and seeing a gold smile drop down but then miss it was really engaging. Definitely the kind of thing I was hoping for to change things up.
I didn't realize you could click on the smiles to get bonus points, I only figured that out after two got stuck on some pegs and I clicked them hoping they got free, and they did! Smart design! It also makes for some interesting min-max gameplay, trying to click on them as they fall to get a lot of points. (funny thing, you still get points if the game is paused and you click on them XD)
Sometimes the smiles go much further outside the range that I can catch them, the basket wont go to the edge of the screen, that part I don't like a lot.
Overall, I really enjoyed the game. It was really surprising and fun, and definitely refreshing as Smol Beans says, this is a kind of fun that I never expected or had before.
You are in luck, it is a mobile game! Try it out on iOS or Android.
I should fix the "can click on things paused", but last time I was looking at that particular bug, I decided if it makes someone happy to do it, then I should let them. :) The first task on my to-do list actually is to revamp the graphics a bit; for older mobile devices the graphics are large and it they need to be cleaned up.
On mobile there is another way to get the balls unstuck. :)
I had lots of plans for this game; in particular swapping out the smiles during holidays (for Christmas smiles and such), as well as new levels. Unfortunately development has slowed on this project due to other projects (and my requirements of the day job). I keep the "to-do" list open for when I have time, but I have also been pushing new game projects lately.
I for one can surely resonate with the message behind this game. We all have busy days and need a break. I can't tell you how many games and devs I need to review and how refreshing it was for me to play this.
The gameplay is simple, but solid. You don't need fancy physics to accomplish what you were aiming for and to that I say good job. The controls feel a bit loose at times, but that could be due to my mouse's extreme calibration. rather than shotty design.
Now for the level difficulty . . . It's fine. The difficulty ramps up just enough as to where the player's not being bombarded with ball after ball, but essentially eased into the challenge. Nice balance.
Now my only real complaint could be labeled as subjective, but I feel that the art design, while creative in its own right, needs to go. Everything has this weird Salvador Dali aesthetic to it, which creeps me out instead of calming me. Now again art design can be argued up and down the street, but I feel that you should try to aim for a more soft and cartoonish look.
Something that doesn't have so many hard edges and whatnot. Now for my final piece of advice . . . Please change that U.I(User interface). While your artwork is strange yet intriguing, the U.I is so stock and unimagined. Now I can tell that you're still working on this game, but you'd need to really shake up the menus if you plan on getting serious with this game.
So in conclusion, we at Shock Site gaming give this 3.5 stars out of 5. Keep working on this, it's not the end, but only the beginning.
Wow! Thank you for your wonderful review! Some of the things you've said are to be expected, but some are surprising!
You are the first person who has said that the art is creepy and uncalming. Most are saying "wow that's beautiful!" It's all hand watercolor paintings (with some post processing). Perhaps we hit the brightness/contrast buttons too hard.
The UI isn't something anyone has talked to me about so far, but have been struggling with it. I think it might be a bit obvious I made the game, and then tried to figure out how the UI goes. Not only that, there are several cases where I am trying to think up something that looks good, and a cartoony UI would make things easier to see but I haven't done it, thinking that it would seem out of place in the game. The UI is (mostly) hand drawn and painted too, actually.
You've given me a bit to think about! I had thought the difficulty ramped up too quickly, but I eventually got frustrated tuning it! I may replace the menus with something more cartoony. I'm currently working on making pop-up features to highlight some of the unique aspects of the game - my analytics tell me that very few people find Ella, so I keep modifying it to make it easier for her to find. And although I hate the idea of a window popping up and saying "go do this!", I'm starting realize why it is so common in games.
You are very welcome. I too once wanted to be a game designer then I realized that I could never do what you and so many others do. So now I focus my efforts on helping others because that's what's more important. I really enjoy the game, and I look forward to seeing you improve upon it in the future.
I don't know how this got past me, but the music quite literally stops after some time. I made it down the the final screen below and the music cut out and all that was left was the sound effects that the little dividers made when the balls touched them. That needs to be patched Asap!
... that was a design choice. We wanted the music to stop when you were contemplating your question.
I'll modify it so the music quiets down rather than suddenly stops. I'll convene with the artist and see what she thinks. One man's feature is another man's bug. If it looks like it's broken, I'll change it so it looks purposely done.
I want to revisit the music altogether! People who play through the game say they got sick of the music (and the developer says this too ;) but once upon a time I had the idea that each page would have its own music. Time to get on that!
That's a very interesting design choice. I personally found the music to be the most soothing aspect about the game, but I'm glad you plan on updating the game with quality of life patches. Shows the mark of a true developer who cares.
← Return to game
Comments
Log in with itch.io to leave a comment.
Good job!' The game is fun, You put effort into this. I am proud of you!
Thank you for your comment! It makes me happy when someone enjoys my work!
I like the concept for this game. I've never played a pachinko-styled game, and I think this has a lot of potential for something amazing.
I think this would be a great mobile game, something to just relax with in bed. Music is nice, I like it, it didn't loop though, so it stopped after a while, then resumed after I completed the apple level.
I would have loved for some different level layouts to make levels more interesting, maybe like pegs in the shape of a tree, or upside down tree, or other obstacles in the level that the faces follow to make me guess where they are going to end up. The different shapes for the pegs was interesting and fun, but doesn't change too much on a per-level basis, the smiles still travel in the same directions. The level with the squirrels, birds and dolphins in the third area is good, exactly what I wanted. I loved the space level! the starts lighting up surprised me. I would have loved for some levels like these to appear in the earlier areas to have some variety.
When the eyes appeared, that was a fun and surprising moment. Guessing what it is they are looking at, and seeing a gold smile drop down but then miss it was really engaging. Definitely the kind of thing I was hoping for to change things up.
I didn't realize you could click on the smiles to get bonus points, I only figured that out after two got stuck on some pegs and I clicked them hoping they got free, and they did! Smart design! It also makes for some interesting min-max gameplay, trying to click on them as they fall to get a lot of points. (funny thing, you still get points if the game is paused and you click on them XD)
Sometimes the smiles go much further outside the range that I can catch them, the basket wont go to the edge of the screen, that part I don't like a lot.
Overall, I really enjoyed the game. It was really surprising and fun, and definitely refreshing as Smol Beans says, this is a kind of fun that I never expected or had before.
You are in luck, it is a mobile game! Try it out on iOS or Android.
I should fix the "can click on things paused", but last time I was looking at that particular bug, I decided if it makes someone happy to do it, then I should let them. :) The first task on my to-do list actually is to revamp the graphics a bit; for older mobile devices the graphics are large and it they need to be cleaned up.
On mobile there is another way to get the balls unstuck. :)
I had lots of plans for this game; in particular swapping out the smiles during holidays (for Christmas smiles and such), as well as new levels. Unfortunately development has slowed on this project due to other projects (and my requirements of the day job). I keep the "to-do" list open for when I have time, but I have also been pushing new game projects lately.
I'm so glad to hear that you enjoyed the game!
Excellent controls . . . Interesting Art Direction?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I for one can surely resonate with the message behind this game. We all have busy days and need a break. I can't tell you how many games and devs I need to review and how refreshing it was for me to play this.
The gameplay is simple, but solid. You don't need fancy physics to accomplish what you were aiming for and to that I say good job. The controls feel a bit loose at times, but that could be due to my mouse's extreme calibration. rather than shotty design.
Now for the level difficulty . . . It's fine. The difficulty ramps up just enough as to where the player's not being bombarded with ball after ball, but essentially eased into the challenge. Nice balance.
Now my only real complaint could be labeled as subjective, but I feel that the art design, while creative in its own right, needs to go. Everything has this weird Salvador Dali aesthetic to it, which creeps me out instead of calming me. Now again art design can be argued up and down the street, but I feel that you should try to aim for a more soft and cartoonish look.
Something that doesn't have so many hard edges and whatnot. Now for my final piece of advice . . . Please change that U.I(User interface). While your artwork is strange yet intriguing, the U.I is so stock and unimagined. Now I can tell that you're still working on this game, but you'd need to really shake up the menus if you plan on getting serious with this game.
So in conclusion, we at Shock Site gaming give this 3.5 stars out of 5. Keep working on this, it's not the end, but only the beginning.
Wow! Thank you for your wonderful review! Some of the things you've said are to be expected, but some are surprising!
You are the first person who has said that the art is creepy and uncalming. Most are saying "wow that's beautiful!" It's all hand watercolor paintings (with some post processing). Perhaps we hit the brightness/contrast buttons too hard.
The UI isn't something anyone has talked to me about so far, but have been struggling with it. I think it might be a bit obvious I made the game, and then tried to figure out how the UI goes. Not only that, there are several cases where I am trying to think up something that looks good, and a cartoony UI would make things easier to see but I haven't done it, thinking that it would seem out of place in the game. The UI is (mostly) hand drawn and painted too, actually.
You've given me a bit to think about! I had thought the difficulty ramped up too quickly, but I eventually got frustrated tuning it! I may replace the menus with something more cartoony. I'm currently working on making pop-up features to highlight some of the unique aspects of the game - my analytics tell me that very few people find Ella, so I keep modifying it to make it easier for her to find. And although I hate the idea of a window popping up and saying "go do this!", I'm starting realize why it is so common in games.
Thank you again for your wonderful review!
You are very welcome. I too once wanted to be a game designer then I realized that I could never do what you and so many others do. So now I focus my efforts on helping others because that's what's more important. I really enjoy the game, and I look forward to seeing you improve upon it in the future.
I don't know how this got past me, but the music quite literally stops after some time. I made it down the the final screen below and the music cut out and all that was left was the sound effects that the little dividers made when the balls touched them. That needs to be patched Asap!
... that was a design choice. We wanted the music to stop when you were contemplating your question.
I'll modify it so the music quiets down rather than suddenly stops. I'll convene with the artist and see what she thinks. One man's feature is another man's bug. If it looks like it's broken, I'll change it so it looks purposely done.
I want to revisit the music altogether! People who play through the game say they got sick of the music (and the developer says this too ;) but once upon a time I had the idea that each page would have its own music. Time to get on that!
That's a very interesting design choice. I personally found the music to be the most soothing aspect about the game, but I'm glad you plan on updating the game with quality of life patches. Shows the mark of a true developer who cares.