I replied in the DBC thread. Just in case you are only checking back here i copied my post and added more comments...
Skeletor,
It's a decent start. And I hope that you will build on this, because it's just not that fun to play at this point. But I think with some work it could be. Here are some of the things that I think need to be addressed.
1 - I'm not sure of the speed that it plays on your computer, but on mine you would have to be Flash Gordon, to dodge the enemies bullets. Especially Saddams fire-ball. Plus his shot comes from his left side, I wound up with him to the left of my charcter and there was no way for me to get a shot in without being killed. (Also at some point I wasn't able to reaload anymore, so I was left with no choice but suicide )
2 - There isn't a feel of strategy. The enemies firing feels completely random. It would be better if they grouped, moved and shot in patterns. This way I could plan a strategy and actually get good at the game, instead of feeling like it's random luck or unluck.
3 - You need some power-ups.
4 - There really needs to be more of a game here. More media, animations, levels, enemies, weapons.
5 - Add some other elements. like: perhaps the big sandbag takes damage, and to build it up re-enforcements hand out sand bags at the sides of the screen. By grabbing these and returnig back to the center, the player can repair the sandbag. Perhaps they also supply the you with grenades or (rocket-propelled-grenades)
6 - After some of these enhancements; if I were designing it, I would make the game more like Commando or Ikari warriors for the NES. Where the playe can move up and the screen scrolls. If you like i can try to get screenies of commando, and Ikari warriors for reference.
7 - Lose the two-gun stuff. It doesn't work well. Plus If I am behind the sandbag with one of the guns outside the barrier it's shot still gets blocked. Which I can understand because if you allowed it to fire, someone would be able to stand and shoot there all day. But to just have the bullet dissapear looks half-baked. Have one gone and center it. This way to soot at least part of the player as to be exposed to damage.
8 - Work on the sprites a little. Use some dithering to add shading. tone down the colors of the players. Add something to the bullets. Work on some particle FX.
9 - The color of the guns fade into the color of the road.
[edited]
Pros: (There are good elements here)
1 - You took on a game that you can complete.
2 - Some nice music.
3 - Saddams big head was fun.
4 - More complete than the 5 or so projects I am stil working on.
5 - Smooth movement (no jerkyness)
6 - I liked the simplified backgrounds
7 - I liked that you can see if your gun has bullets
8 - good implementation of amo left meter
9 - Nice that you provided the source. More people should do this with their game demos.
10 - What you have decided to implement so far, works. I didn't notice many glitches like abilty to move to spots you shouldn't, collisions seemed to work right.
