Maze Game

Buzz12586,
I quickly tested the game with the included maps. I did not test the map editor. Here's what I think...

Positives:
1)You made a game. And I'm sure it took some time and thought.
2)It seems to function fine.i.e(I wasn't able to walk through walls or off the edge of the screen, it ends when i find the exit etc...).
3)The under-fog-of-war esque element(the grayed playing field) is a nice edition, than to just say tracing out a maze.

Things to consider:
I am not sure what type of criticism you think will help. Because, as a game it just really isn't that fun to play. maybe for 2 minutes or so. I am not putting down your effort. I think that you worked very hard on this, and learned alot. But the main thing about a game is "Is it fun to play?". My answer to this is "not really" (at this version). Understanding that this is version 1.0, I have some ideas that may make it more fun. I am not sure if you planned to improve this project or if you just wanted to keep it as a "simple maze" game. If you possibly let us in on your intentions we will probably be able to give better advice.

It's a good start but it will need some additions before it can be considered a "Fun" game to play.

basic changes that should be made right off the top:

a.) Upon starting the play window pops up on top of, and covers, the map choice screen. At first I thought the program was locked. I would suggest cleaning this up with a better select screen, and/or using MFC to give it a more game/windowesque interface.
b.) Add a title screen.
c.) add a countdown clock, enemies, & Reward the player for winning
d.) I prefer the input to be the arrow keys
e.) Make the graphics more interesting.

other comments:
1.) The algorithm to unshadow areas needs to be adjusted. To many times I am standing next to a wall and it wouldn't show me until I pressed into the wall.
2.) I Couldn't figure out how to select between the 3 difficulty levels.
3.) Try to expand this game and borrow some gameplay featues from "Gauntlet" or "King Tuts Tomb" just to name two games that made mazes fun.

If you planned on just keeping this as a simple maze maker, than it's probably fine the way it is, and I have wasted time commenting. Just don't expect people to rave about how fun it is.

Over all:
Very good effort. Works fine as a simple maze game. Enuff Said!


[edited by - Zenassem on July 23, 2002 1:53:25 PM]

yah, what zenassem said...
also, maybe you could include an option to generate a random maze (there are several threads about this here at gamedev.net, and i''m sure you can find tutorials too).
but you should definitely add in a few more features, it works fine (good job) but it isn''t quite what i''d call a "game". someone chasing you, or stuff to find, or some way of earning points, i dunno...
also, i didn''t know how to change the "difficulty" either...
but, hey it works, this is a good start!

Thanx for your input everyone. I just made this in like 3hrs and then made some minor tweaks. Just wanted to see what everyone thought of it. Maybe I should say this, I am only 16 and have taken one year of Computer Science. The reason the ms-dos window comes up on top is that I am using a free graphics package I got from school. I am working on converting this game to use the windows GDI and such.

Personally, I think it''s pretty slick. Kudos!

http://roninmagus.hopto.org

quote:

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Original post by buzz12586
I just made this in like 3hrs and then made some minor tweaks. Maybe I should say this, I am only 16 and have taken one year of Computer Science.

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Ohmigod, not one of these guys again.. I hope you don''t think you''re special.

Dude? What did you mean by that? I''m 15 and I''m just learning to program in DX, so does that make me "one of those guys?" I''ve made a very crappy pong in DX, so am I "one of those guys?" He completed a game, I haven''t had any time to play it, but at least he completed a game.

Hibiki
Wheres the any key?





find your element
at mutedfaith.com.
<º>

Thanx for the support guys. No I don''t think I am special at all. I am just doing what I love to do. Make Games!!!

umm... how do you change the difficuilty level?

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shurcool
wwdev

To change the difficulty use the black screen that comes up.

quote:

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Original post by civguy
Ohmigod, not one of these guys again.. I hope you don''t think you''re special.

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No, seems to me like he wrote that just to let people know that it might not be the best program ever written, not to try to look good.

http://roninmagus.hopto.org

That is exactly the reason I posted the message. To say that I didn''t proclaim to be the best programmer since sliced bread. (or something like that). Right now I am working on making a pong game using Direct X but its being a pain right now.