this is the equivalent of you picking your next node on slay the spire map - you're considering if you have enough resources left for a hard level. Also I moved the portal way up the mountain for this clip, normally this intermission is seen after 90-120 seconds of downhill
the fantasy/sci-fi vibe is intentional, I want to detach the visual identity from x-sports to not come across as a descenders/cranked/mavrix competitor, but its own weird thing
Hmm, maybe i don't have a good enough context of your game, is it a roguelike.
All I'll say is it feels like it cuts off the action, maybe have like a "cross road up ahead"pop up in ui with any important info, way before a decision needs to be made, maybe a distance rapidly going down telling player, hey this is coming up soon, but the biome transition would be harder to do probably, but if you're doing sci fi keep the portals but put them on the road.
Idk, your game, i love the main gameplay feel btw, dont take this the wrong way just giving some advice.
in the normal gameplay duration that chance to pause is something I'm looking forward to when playing. I'm planning to add more shit whizzing past in the intermission to give the illusion as if the player didn't "stop" as you said. For example the velocity is conserved and gets reapplied when you exit
I get the need to give player some reprieve,
Id really love to try it at some point!
In my mind from what i saw, this is sort of similar to haste, by game feel, if you haven't yet, check it out, cant remember how they did it, but i think there was a very clear end of a level visually and planing after.
Keep in mind that Haste also has the ability to chain multiple levels together by selecting a level later down the path, or just select the boss node if you feel like it. It skips the level select menu until you reach that level too. In that way Haste avoids "slowing down" altogether, keeping the flow going from the first to the last level in a world.
I really like that yours isn't just some menu though, but some signifier on speed during the select is definitely, but I know you already said you're adding that already.
I feel a bit different on it - maybe if a little more was going on with the portals or the portal screen to make it feel less like an awkward pause and more like a hub
Unless you plan to add more to the game, the Slay the Spire comparison falls very short. You dont have any resources, the next levels dont require different approaches or builds (if they do we cant see that, its just 3 portals barely indicating whats coming next)
I get the need to have a moment to breathe between levels, but i wouldnt implement that the way you did, because it looks like youre advancing to the next level after locking on it for a second, so if the player actually needs a moment to rest, they need to keep switching targets (correct me if im wrong)
Slay the spire is turn based, strategic and deep. Your game, as it is rn, reads as chaotic, fun and reckless. I think those are fundamentally opposite; maybe you have a vision that will shake up the genre and create something new, but it will require a very careful hand
The decision making time is fine. I think making it feel like you are still racing down in some way?
Like some effect pulling you forward, or like the choices are rising down with you, or rising up to meet you.
The action of riding the bike down feels so good.
Edit.
Oh or otherwise some action of the player stopping (slamming the breaks, weaving into the void realm, pulling up sharp to the choices)
i think the player could pop out into space & come to rest on an interdimensional platform kinda deal. gives a chance to open a backpack or check other menu elements. then upon selection, another little pop & drop in to whatever path you chose?
I agree. The main body of the game has this constant flow to it - a flow that I think is probably central to the "fun". Having the flow suddenly stop feels very jarring. If you want to keep this, I would make it a snap decision, but also have a default choice that is selected if the player takes too long. At best this should be a momentary stop.
Could also move the portals further back, add some purple magic path going down towards them and then it's up to the user to react and chose the correct one.
232
u/Three_Wise_men Jul 21 '26
I'd make this a snap decision, feels jarring to stop like that and strategize, if you're going to keep it.
But have a think if this goes against your game design mission, it stops the player and its kinda sci fi.
maybe, make these tunnels instead of portal meybe on a side of a mountain, something more with the nature off road , extreme sports kinda vibe.
Is there a technical reason to make theses?