Unity - Rhya's Crusade [v1.5] [blackfortressgames]

*This is for Version 1.4*

Not bad for a demo of an H-Game that actually tries to play like a game! I get some serious Metal Slug vibes from this (which is awesome because I love that series) and, despite what some people say, I don't think it's that difficult.

I do think that not being able to shoot directly upwards in the air is a bit of an issue, though, as well as the grenades having literally no arc to them whatsoever (they kinda roll out in front of you). Otherwise, I wish there was a way to remap the controls on the keyboard since the layout is pretty strange. Not much else to say gameplay-wise outside that.

H-Scenes look nice for the most part, and the animated one actually flows really well for how pixelated everything is. Would like to see more of those in the future as opposed to still frames, but one thing at a time (especially with all the fixes in the gameplay department).

Overall, a fun little romp for those who like Metal Slug/Contra-esque run and gun games!

Thought this would be a fun game, turns out it's "3 hits aaaand you're out, go f.ck yourself difficulty", oh yeah also memorize every enemy's attack pattern when you're getting shot from everywhere on the screen. Not for the casual gamer. This was a pretty dogshit experience, I'm out.

Review for version v1.3, things may change with later versions.

Ok, this is really is trying for the old school run and gun, with a lot of the annoyances and bullshit difficulty that implies.

Honestly this just isn't the type of game for me, I enjoy a lot of sidescroll beat um ups and shooters, but this type of gameplay is lacking a lot of the changes (and improvements) to the genre from the last 25-30 years. If you like that type of game, it'll probably be good for you but not something I personally want, with or without the porn.

It's a standard 3 hit life, with a short mercy invulnerability after a hit. I'm not good at this type of game, so I personally got just slightly past the first "boss" tank before I decided to stop. I just find the lack of a checkpoint and forced restart of the level if you take 3 hits to be shitty design. You're not trying burn quarters to make cash off of this, so maybe offer an immediate continue option. It's just too much "memorize where enemies spawn and their attack patterns to attack, oh you didn't know about this attack, well fuck you start over". I know the standard response to that is "git gud", but it's still shitty design IMO.

As was said by another review, the controls have some issues. No idea about gamepad, but default keyboard controls are wasd and jkl, which just put my hands in an uncomfortable location. You can switch to arrows and zxc, which is better for me, but it would be nice to have full control customization in game.

It would be nice to have better air control, and the ability to turn in air. Currently you can't (from what I can tell) jump backwards and fire opposite the direction you jumped. That is such a useful thing to dodge enemy attacks while actually killing them to keep your minimal HP intact.

Art seems to be good for the pixel style. Like many things, not amazing but good. The story is the standard type of thing. Lone space cop (or whatever) is going alone to take out a pirate base.

One thing with the art is that the grenade throwing enemies drop inactive grenades on death. Which kinda sucks to have to try dodging actual attacks and simultaneously figure out which ones won't hurt you. Just having them not bounce down the terrain would help with that.

Like I said, this game isn't for me. I realize that and rated it higher that I would otherwise. I'd currently give it a 1-2, but a lot of that is just due to me disliking the gameplay style and not real faults of that style itself.

Good game, but short (as it's in development). The devs actually made quite a few changes, most of which I've pointed out (I feel noticed!) though admittedly others have made some mention too. Thank you, devs, for listening.

Gameplay, 5/5: Good Platform Shooter, Still Few Issues
So, it's your Metal Slug/Megaman type gameplay. It has power-ups like Metal Slug where you only have so much ammo until you have to get another power up, but the enemy layout is more like Megaman where they tend to be there or slowly drop in, instead of the more chaotic Metal Slug. There are grenades like Metal Slug, however. It's also a "3-hit and you're out" type game, still. It's still only one level, and I hope to see more soon.

Overall, from the last review I left, the gameplay feels a lot smoother, though I still wish you could aim up when shooting the gun, even if you can't affect grenade trajectories. Text is also skippable and fast. Basically, it's easier than before, but mostly because you do not have to work around jank.

Visuals, 5/5: Excellent
Overall, the parallax and environments are very nice and retro but still clean. Animations are smooth, and enemies are distinct enough. For example, the "Codec" opening and closing is smooth as hell, and the worm boss' animation is smooth as well. The generic enemies are distinct enough, though one thing I noticed but got used to quick is that when the grenadiers (grenade throwers?) die, they drop inactive grenades which gave a bit of a scare, because it's very similar to the normal grenades. Some enemy in the future might drop mines, so... Would be nice to make it a bit more distinct as to not confuse it with potential damage sources.

Audio, 5/5: Great
Music is nice, the little "Good luck!" is good too. Nice, not crunchy bits and sounds. Laser pews and booms. Still no real voice acting other than the initial "Good luck!" after the Codec call, but the worm cries and the other stuff is good. From what I can tell, is unique samples or at least doesn't use the same stock sounds for stuff. Though, it's not often I see "Sci-Fi" H-Games.

Story, Eh/5: Still Developing
If I gave it a score, I'd say... 4? It's not entirely original, and fitting for NES-era game stories, but it's better than generic h-game plot. There's too little to really give it a score, but so far, it's just:
Flat-Space-Demon-Lady is making a galactic empire for herself to rule, and you're going to stop her with your boomst- uh, megablas- not that either... Space... Gun. Quite entertaining and a bit funny for what's there, but again, a bit more to work off of would/will be nice.

Overall, 5/5: Great Game, Devs Listen
So, the core gameplay loop is the same. I hope nothing too drastic changes since, now the devs have set this up as the core gameplay loop. Maybe upgrades later, or something, but as long as it's nothing substantial. The core is quite smooth now, though, again, I have the one gripe of not being able to aim directly upwards while jumping. It's not hard, and made easier without the life system. With how it is right now, I could see maybe 2 hours of gameplay max before the game is drawn out, but with new powerups (armor, weapons, grenade changes, etc.) and obviously new enemy types, maybe longer.

Essentially, to boil it down, the core is good. Three hits is fine. Plays like Metal Slug with the enemy/map layout of Megaman. Now I just hope the future levels are good as well.

Game's only 45MB, and takes maybe 10 minutes to beat and acquire all secrets/H-Scenes. Give it a try, it's good.

Great potential! The gameplay is very engaging but also difficult (which makes you feel all the more rewarded for the scenes) and the controls are sooo smooth. It's great to play even without the lewdiness.
9 out of 10!!
What could be improved?
- steering while mid-air, to change direction
- story, maybe a hub area between missions
- scenes are great too, but lack a bit behind in contrast to the rest of the graphics, maybe a 7 out of 10

Don't get me wrong, these are nitpicking. The game is superb still!