Feedback Request: The Magic Toy Chest (beta)

[gradgames]

We are currently working hard to finalize, tweak and perfect our next game, The Magic Toy Chest and are seeking vasts amount of constructive criticism. We would appreciate it if everyone would take a few moments to download our beta build and let us know how we can improve the game.

Direct Download Link (20MB):
http://www.graduategames.com/Downloads/SetupToyChestBeta.exe

Early Gameplay Video:
http://www.vimeo.com/1017965/

Description:

The Magic Toy Chest is a physics based puzzle game where you use different toys to move your goal toys into the Toy Chest. It is inspired by classic 2D games such as "The Incredible Machine" You can learn more about the game and look at screenshots here:
http://www.graduategames.com/toygame.php

Screens:
http://www.graduategames.com/images/toyscreen1.png
http://www.graduategames.com/images/toyscreen2.png
http://www.graduategames.com/images/toyscreen3.png


We highly appreciate any feedback concerning graphics, GUI usability, gameplay etc.

Please tell us what exactly you like or dislike, which levels are interesting/fun to you and which are not. We really want to hammer down a good demo with fun levels prior to the release and hope you will help us along the way.

We will send you a $5 off coupon for the full version of the game if you give us your feedback or submit a homemade level (make sure we have your email so we can get you the coupon). Thank you so much for your time and interest.

[Blaine]

I'm a big physics game fan so, it seems right up my alley. That said, the download link is broken so... I'm just gonna critique GUI.

Great, vibrant graphics. I think it has an excellent look that fits the theme very nicely. The backgrounds clash with the foreground a little. At first blush it's hard to tell what is what.

I think either pushing the background out (lowering the color saturation a little, lowering the brightness a little) or really adding some serious shadows to the foreground.

Good work!

[gradgames]

FIXED DOWNLOAD LINK (http://www.graduategames.com/Downloads/SetupToyChestBeta.exe)

[Roger Gerald]

hi I downloaded this demo and gave it a quick try.

I dont want to be discouraging but this game needs a lot of "cleaning up". The main problem is the user interface, its just not simple and obvious enough. Trying to work out what to do and how to do it is too difficult and frustrating. Dont rely on instructions to inform the player : make it apparent by what's on the interface. You have too much detail on the screen : try to simplify it more.
The sound file needs to be programmed so that its not interrupted by the player's actions : it keeps restarting which is not pleasing to the ear.
Finally, the graphics are fine but the overall design needs to be rethought : there is one line of lego pieces going right across the screen : it may have a purpose being there but it looks out of place and it takes away from the overall design.

Hope my simple summary helps.

[gradgames]

Roger-

Could be more specific about some of the comments you noted? When you said, "Trying to work out what to do and how to do it is too difficult and frustrating." were you referring to the puzzle solutions and gameplay?

What detail on the screen would you suggest eliminating? What is most distracting. Any further guidance on how we can clean this up would be greatly appreciated.

Perhaps there needs to be graphical hints/word bubbles that guide the player through the first few puzzles.

[Frantic-Sheep]

Looks fun :) I edited in the fixed link for you (should be less confusing for people).

I'll try to test this as soon as possible ^^

[gradgames]

Thanks a lot

Here's a link to the game's trailer:
http://www.vimeo.com/1210447

It shows a lot of the toys not found in the beta and is a much more updated look at the gameplay than the last video.

[Roger Gerald]

only played first two levels : on first level you need to find 3 keys to unlock one box? why 3? why not 3 boxes + 3 keys?or maybe 3 padlocks on one box?
second level I got stuck : I purposely did not read instructions but i had trouble working out what was required of me... so i guess i had a problem with both the solution and gameplay. It was certainly not obvious to me and I have seen/ tested thousands of similar games.
Maybe hint boxes would have helped but you should rework the puzzles and get people to test it without hints etc. In my experience, the best games are fun and "obvious" to begin with and fun and complex at the end .
The thing that bothered me most was the line of lego pieces going across the screen : if you could rework the game design so that everything is integrated on the screen at once rather than just the "lego line" and the background picture. For example, make it possible to pick the items needed off the floor ,sofa etc.

Good luck!

Roger-

Could be more specific about some of the comments you noted? When you said, "Trying to work out what to do and how to do it is too difficult and frustrating." were you referring to the puzzle solutions and gameplay?

What detail on the screen would you suggest eliminating? What is most distracting. Any further guidance on how we can clean this up would be greatly appreciated.

Perhaps there needs to be graphical hints/word bubbles that guide the player through the first few puzzles.

[gradgames]

Have received a lot of comments about the foreground & background being hard to distinguish from one another. We have recently added in selectable background filters into the game to help people who feel this way. Upon starting a new game, you will select your filter and you will be able to change it at any time from the pause/options menu. Take a look at the filter comparison below (not as crisp due to jpg compression):
http://mike.gnade.googlepages.com/filtercomparison.jpg
Filters From Left to Right: Default, Blur, Simplify, Antique