OK! Larger batch of updates here - mostly first-impression type improvements for new players, as well as general game-feel stuff.
Visuals:
- Cooler-looking peashooter
- Better animations & FX for air jump, high jump, sprint, grub abilities, etc.
- Full-size title screen (no more black bar on right)
- Easier-to-see animation when enemies emerge from loot
Gameplay:
- Facility seeds are picked to ensure some basic visual / powerup differences from the last facility
- For noobs (who haven't reached sector 2 yet) the game substitutes flamethrower / tracer in place of fire / electric mod in sector 1-A; those high-cost mods can be a little confusing with no battery upgrades, and don't show off the shot type system & weapon possibilities very well
- Removed shot speedup / knockback from sector 1-A (keeping it to essential mods early on)
- Fewer enemy-spawn situations in 1-A and 1-B where the 8-direction limitation is a handicap; for later sectors there's homing, spread, bounce, etc.
- Added some random jitter to propeller shot & spike ball, to help them reach more places
- Added some new room layouts
- Added mouse support to the menus / UIs
I've got a backlog of freelance work coming up so game-dev time might be tight the next few weeks, but as I get time I hope to add new content (player abilities, enemies, mechanics) as well as keep some marketing / promotion going.
Thanks to all who have left reviews & feedback, reported bugs, streamed the game on their channels, etc., really appreciate it!