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You'll likely die, very quickly in fact


Wizard apprentice Lya is a game created with C programming language. This game was reviewed on May 23, 2017 (Because it's obviously not complete.)

This game is a very short experience that takes place withing one large map. You control a wizard girl (because choosing to be a warrior isn't actually a choice!) Before you start you might want to go to the in game settings to change the controls to a more Steam keyboard friendly version, since this requires the use of the mouse (ie. WASD to move because the arrow keys might get in the way of you moving the mouse.)



Killing these 3 guys was quite an accomplishment for me.


You move around the map with the keyboard and fire at enemies with the mouse. The right / left trigger on the mouse can fire different magic spells. You can also use the mouse wheel to rotate to a different spell. There are 4 different magic spells that you can hurl at your enemies. They all have a different color, attack speed, and some other special feature. And each one has a limited use (refer to the right side of the picture, below the hearts.) The game's movement is very quick and the combat can be satisfying, until you die of course... And die you will.

The map is filled with skeleton monster that have bows. And oh boy do they fire those thing with a speed and accuracy you won't believe. It appears like you have a lot of health, but those hits do a lot of damage really quickly. There are no health drops, potions, or an ability to heal yourself in the game (what a great magician you are!)

I had no issue with the graphics or sound design of the game. And the game currently has no story to story to really comment on. So the majority of this review focused on the mechanics of the game. Slower and stupider enemies would be more beneficial at the start of the game. In addition some experience or way to get stronger by defeating enemies would be a plus. And because you're a magician have some healing spells, shields, summon creatures, charm effects, or something that can balance out the difficulty. I currently have no rating for this game, since its so far away from completion.


Posts

Pages: 1
Irog
4858
05/24/2017 02:24 PM
Thank you for your informative review!

Using arrows to move as default was chosen to work decently on as many keyboard layouts as possible, including non-QWERTY. It's always good to hear that the configurable keys made it possible for you to have the most comfortable control scheme on your keyboard.

Indeed, difficulty is high as collectables are not implemented yet.
Do you take cover behind trees and rocks when skeletons shoot at you?
What do you think about the screen moving towards the point you aim at?
Do you mouse near the screen edge when you shoot?
SunflowerGames
The most beautiful user on RMN!
13323
05/24/2017 02:40 PM

I did try covering and moving around quickly while shooting. The skeletons shoot very quickly and have a lot of ammunition. It can be a bit difficult to take them out if they're in groups or if they are in multiple directions. That screenshot took me a couple attempts to pull off. (I'm mean if this was a beginning level of a game it would be too difficult.) You could try to have enemies move slowly towards you and if they hit you with a sword then they deal damage, the arrow skeleton guy you have now are a bit powerful (Not that you couldn't put some guys trying to shoot you with a cannon or a catapult later in the game.)

I had no issues with using the mouse to move the camera. I have played games with similar mouse mechanics.
Irog
4858
05/24/2017 03:00 PM
You probably noticed that skeletons are static. This is because it was easier to have them reuse Lya's shooting mechanics than building AI and path-finding required to develop moving enemies. Yes, enemies that the player should encounter first are not the easiest to develop. But I'm working on it and melee enemies are coming.

Did you manage to defeat all 24 skeletons so Lya congratulates you?

Does the camera move too fast or too slowly?
SunflowerGames
The most beautiful user on RMN!
13323
05/24/2017 11:48 PM

You can see how defeating just those 3 skeletons dented my health. I did run across the bridge and try to run away while avoiding arrows to see as much as the level as possible, before dying.

I had no issues with the camera myself, but it would be hard to really tell since there isn't really much of a map or game to use it in.
Irog
4858
05/26/2017 09:25 AM
Here are some modified executable where the skeletons are weaker. Could you tel which one best fits the easy, normal and hard difficulty for you?
SunflowerGames
The most beautiful user on RMN!
13323
05/26/2017 12:08 PM

Even after the first one I could notice a difference. I could actually reasonably make it to the other side of the river. Number 4 seems like a good starting difficulty. You can have different kinds of skeletons, color coded, with different speeds as you progress. My further play-through, you need something to recharge your ammunition at some point for sure. I fire that thing like a machine gun, I like the really fast one. Perhaps with the missile they can become stronger and you can increase your carrying capacity (sort of like increasing your maximum MP.)

I couldn't figure out how to kill the skeleton in the trees after killing all the other ones.

Irog
4858
05/26/2017 10:24 PM
That red spell is also my favorite. It's the equivalent of Doom chaingun. The purple one deals 2 damages is also nice. You can think of it as the shotgun with no damage reduction at long rage. Unlike the Doom guy, you're a wizard so you don't need to swap between guns. Just have your 2 favorite spells ready; cast 3 reds then a purple and you've send 5 damages to the 5 HP skeleton.

If you cast the ice spell on water, it freezes. So you can create paths to reach all enemies.

When an enemy stands behind a pile of wood, use your fire spell to destroy his cover.
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