Today Rob and I are releasing a playable demo of GameHalf. The game is far from finished. In fact it is more of technology demo than a game (hence: "engine testing"), but it's reached the point that we wanted to get it into people's hands.
GameHalf is a turn-based squad-level tactics game. You play by loading up a map and trying to eliminate all the enemies without getting your squad wiped out.
GameHalf includes a map editor, which anyone can use to make their own scenarios. By choosing a name and password (no email address or annoying stuff required), you can save your maps onto our servers, where other people can discover and play them. We're hoping that players will use the map editor to push the game engine in creative ways.
As a two programmer shop, our art and UIs are mostly of the placeholder variety at this point since the game is still evolving. Any art that is even half-decent was done by Rob and the really terrible stuff you can blame on me.
Your feedback will shape the game's future! Please use the blog's comment system to leave gripes, suggestions, ideas, bug reports or any other comments you have. We really appreciate your help.
It seems that Lepton Pistol is always better than Combat Knife. Easily fixed, I'm sure.
The tips seem more like a tutorial, in that many of these are necessary instead of optional.
There don't seem to be many options for healing. Once I've used my health packs, I'm doomed. A small amount of healing for all unused action points could be useful.
Posted by: Amit Patel | May 29, 2009 at 07:37 PM
Once I've shift-clicked to see character info, I'm not sure how to make that overlay go away.
When looting, I'm not sure how to know which items can go where. Shape or color might be useful cues. Or when I pick up over mouse over an object, highlight the possible places it can go.
Posted by: Amit Patel | May 29, 2009 at 07:43 PM
Amit,
Thanks for the feedback!
To get more heal packs, look in the corpses of humans you defeat (with the Investigate button). Also, look in the crate.
The stats screen vanishes when you mouse out of it.
There are popup tooltips which tell you which slots items can go in.
We'll work to get all of these issues addressed, to make it more obvious what you should be doing. Thanks for guinea pigging!
Posted by: Rob | May 29, 2009 at 08:20 PM
Had a blast playing the game. Can't wait for a full polished release! Sent you an email that easily busted the space constraints of this tiny box. :)
Posted by: Andy Moore | May 30, 2009 at 11:38 AM
Andy,
Very much appreciated! So helpful!
Posted by: Rob | May 30, 2009 at 04:30 PM