Ether streams (RELEASED)
A downloadable game
This is a game about space flight, trading and battles in space. Download and try it yourself to find out more.
If you want to support me, you can buy full version here: https://boosty.to/cyanmargh
You can see more info in the official playdate discord in thread "devlogs/ether streams".
Download
Install instructions
just put game here https://play.date/account/sideload/
Comments
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Hey, bought the version with the sound, am loving it immensely. The exploration and the gameplay loop is great.
I think the combat is too difficult. It's to the point where I figure a run is over if I get hit by an enemy at all. I get a lot of rockets and try firing, and no matter what, other ships are able to bombard me with more tickets than I can reasonably dodge even without worrying about shooting them down, which isn't really explained or clear. Am I shooting them by targeting them with the X-rays and pressing "a"? If so, that is doable (I've shot enemy ships a few times I think), but the enemy needs to fire rockets less frequently, it becomes frustrating to be unable to dodge them more reliably. The ship is too large for the way the rockets come in from the side so close together, and focusing on hitting the other ship is too much in addition to this.
>I think the combat is too difficult.
It's not that hard (according to the people I've let play it). It just takes some time to get used to. Also, ships in the central area have low HP, they often die after the first shot (before the laser timeout).
>Am I shooting them by targeting them with the X-rays and pressing "a"
yes
Rockets that you buy are not intended for fights. It's just an expensive item for trading :^)
I mean, okay. I have never been able to win a fight. You at least need a tutorial, or something. Your answer implies that I can't shoot back at them?? I still don't even understand what is really happening when a ship attacks me. The problem is that the game doesn't explain what's happening for you to figure out, and an attack happens so infrequently that it's rather inconvenient to figure it out as you go. I play for a half hour and loose my progress. It's kinda a frustrating experience to play.
Do what you want with your game, but I really think you need some kind of explanation at least if how the fighting works. You didn't even really address any of my questions.
Huh, is fuel consumption the same no matter how much thrust you're using? That feels weird, makes it most efficient to go 0-100-0.
Could also use an indicator whether you're accelerating forward or backward, that was confusing to figure out at the start. Maybe a general speedometer too, with all reference points so far away it's hard to tell how fast you are going.
> That feels weird, makes it most efficient to go 0-100-0.
This is intended. You can control the ship more accurately, but you will pay for it with higher fuel consumption.
> Could also use an indicator whether you're accelerating forward or backward
This has already been fixed in the newer version, that will be released soon. (on the old version, the direction can be understood by the shape of "thrust fire" & fov change)