Nauticulos Demo

NAUTICULOS  - A memory building puzzle game

I will appreciate it if you play the game and give me some feedback on what can be improved, added or fixed. Currently there are 20 levels added that guide the player through the already implemented mechanics. I plan on releasing the game on steam, but only if it gets some traction here first. 

For more experienced developers out there, I made the game with PC in mind, however it does work on my Android device (Xiaomi Redmi 4 Prime). Should I publish the game there once it is done? Even though I would have a new dev account, which are being limited as of November.

About the game

Use your mouse to give instructions to the diver (Nauticulos) to guide them to the treasure chest while avoiding obstacles and picking up the key, which unlocks the chest. 

The goal is to complete the level in as few inputs as possible, pressing play also counts as 1 input, so ideally you will press play only once! The fewer the inputs you use the shinier the completed badge will be.

The idea for the game came about as a learning tool for kids and to help with improving their memory capabilities in a fun way. But since I expanded on that idea it does not mean it is for kids only, but the UI was built with them in mind.

Controls/Inputs

Rotate 45 / 90 degrees in place

Move Forward/Backward 1 tile in the direction Nauticulos is facing

Remove Last/Delete All inputs

Reset level or play the input commands

Obstacles & Interactions

Walls - Upon crashing into one it spins you in a random direction

Mines - resets the level

Teleports - teleport from one pad to another

Key - needed to unlock the chest

Chest - finish the level and display the badge you obtained

Future plans and YOUR input

One more interaction that I can add are door/switch types which could be controlled if I add a pick up/drop input, so that the item has to be picked up and dropped onto the switch in order for the door to remain opened.

I could also use teleports to add more levels per level, since at the moment I am limited by 8x8 playing field.

At the moment I'm also changing the color of the tiles that you walk on, and changing the color back to original if you walk over it for a second time. I could maybe also do something with that mechanic or I just disable the color change on walking on the same tile, so you see at all times where you walked.

Since the game was made with kids in mind I don't think if I should speed up any of the animations. The movement speed is sped up, I initially had it set to twice as slow. Which admittedly  was more immersive as it gave you the feeling of being underwater. But as it is, you don't have to wait twice as long to finish with your movements. However, let me know what you think.

What are YOUR thought on:

Is the mechanics progression too fast/slow?

Should the gold badge only be obtained if you reach the absolute minimum inputs possible per level?

Anything else you want to share with me?

Nauticulos v1:

From the feedback I received I changed the button colours and grouped them up so it is easier to know which buttons turn, move, remove and plays the inputs.

I uploaded an android version (simple conversion from the desktop build), let me know about any feedback you might have!