Swordplay Prototype

In this demo, I attempted to start creating concepts for an acrobatic platformer. In this game, I intend to have the player use their sword for interesting combat and navigation through the play environment. While I did not have time to do much with combat, I did focus on the most basic kit for the player, equipping them with a jump and a multi-directional sword swing.

Swinging the sword in 3 of the 4 directions (up simply damages things above) can create a knockback effect that the player can use to hop between different obstacles. There is no lose condition, so the player can keep attempting the game unless it softlocks or crashes. Controls for the game are Z for jump, X for using your sword, and arrow keys for movement. Escape closes the game at any time

******REFLECTION******

I think at a fundamental level my game had a representation of what I wanted it to be, but the fun-ness wasn't quite as present as I had anticipated. The concept is there for a fun to control game, but the code and numbers need some tweaking to be more approachable to a wider array of players. We definitely caught on to the idea that my bias in playing platforming games had been a barrier in the design process, and I confirmed that out of class by having more people attempt it with varying levels of platforming experience. Short to say, the idea of using a sword as a navigation tool indeed has potential, but it needs to be built around a more solid base.

From this point I definitely would focus on changing the game to make the experience more accessible. Ideas include increasing the length the sword is out, the size of hitboxes on the sword and the objects it interacts with, and fixing physics and general movement jankiness to feel much tighter to the player experience. If we're looking to build on the prototype's ideas, I would add items that give the sword more temporary versatility (ranged shot, powerful navigation moves that wouldn't fit a core kit, etc.), and create adaptable moves that help increase the inherent capability of the player. I also would love to explore how this play environment could integrate into a PvE context to make a fun combat system