Game Development - Exercise 1

25.09.2024 / Week 1

IAN CHOO XIN ZHE / 0369451

Game Development / Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media

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MIB

Exercise 1: Game Critique

As part of the Games Development course, I am tasked with critiquing an existing game developed by students from Taylor’s University, hosted on the Taylor’s GameZone platform. The objective is to provide an in-depth evaluation of the game, analyzing various aspects such as gameplay, visual design, sound, narrative, and overall player experience. This critique will help identify strengths, areas for improvement, and offer constructive feedback to support the continued development of student projects.

Fig 1.1 Reaper Test Main Menu

Game Title: Reaper Test

Reaper Test follows the story of Kuro, an ordinary human who has died in a car accident and is chosen by the gods to become the next grim reaper. To achieve this, Kuro must pass a divine test, which requires him to scale a floating tower known as Hells Points. The game, created in Unity, is a platformer that tests players’ skills and reflexes across three levels. My initial impression was one of curiosity due to the "Reaper" theme, and the simple menu design featuring a reaper-like character and a pumpkin piqued my interest, even though the background was rather plain.

Fig 1.2 Character Movement Controls

Fig 1.3 LMB & RMB Controls

Gameplay & Mechanics

In terms of gameplay and mechanics, the pacing is smooth and levels increase in difficulty as you progress. The controls are straightforward, with movement being controlled by the left and right arrow keys (or 'A' and 'D'), while the spacebar is used for jumping. As you progress, the game introduces 2 more extra controls, left mouse click being a melee attack and the right mouse click a ranged attack.

Fig 1.4 Screenshot of the Game

Visual & Sound Design

The visual design of the game is simple but functional. The graphics consist of basic vector-like illustrations, and while the design isn’t particularly detailed or immersive, it fits the game's neutral earth-tone color scheme. Although it’s not visually striking, the simplicity isn’t a dealbreaker. The UI/UX design is clean and easy to navigate, adding to the overall user experience without causing any usability issues.

The audio design is adequate, with appropriate sound effects for attacks, but it lacks sound for actions like jumping or walking, which would have added to the immersion. The background music fits the adventurous theme of the game and enhances the gameplay atmosphere.

Fig 1.5 Game Plot

Narrative & Storytelling

Narratively, the game introduces Kuro, the player’s character, along with the monsters he must defeat. The plot, which revolves around Kuro's journey to becoming a grim reaper, is unique and intriguing. The dialogue and story complement the game’s dark yet adventurous tone.

Technically, I encountered a minor issue with the platform hitboxes, where the edges of the platforms felt inconsistent with their visual representation. However, this was the only noticeable bug. When it comes to innovation and creativity, the story of becoming a grim reaper stands out as unique, but outside of that, it’s a relatively typical platformer in terms of mechanics.

Fig 1.6 The Part Where I Struggled

Fig 1.7 The Part Where I Struggled

In terms of player experience, the game was engaging and fun at first, but the challenge ramps up quickly, particularly in one area with moving platforms and spikes, which I found very difficult to pass after multiple attempts over 30 minutes. Although the objectives are clear, the balance of difficulty seemed skewed, making the game frustrating at certain points. Despite this, I would consider playing it again to try to overcome the challenge and complete the game.

Final Thoughts

Overall, Reaper Test is a solid platformer with a unique storyline that keeps players intrigued. While the gameplay and mechanics are smooth, the difficulty curve could be better balanced to avoid frustration. The simplicity of the art style and audio design doesn't detract from the experience but could be improved for a more immersive feel. The game is enjoyable and challenging, though its potential for replayability may be hampered by the steep difficulty in certain sections. However, I would return to the game to conquer the challenge and see the conclusion of Kuro's journey.