)I have to say that you guys made a nice gem of a game there
I will admit that on the surface it does seem a little short, like given that the campaign is only around 10 levels. That said I can see where the bulk of the main game lies, mainly being in the challenge mode. Suppose it's just up to the player whether they wish to invest that amount of time into the game. I will say right off the bat that the game looks gorgeous, like the level of effects and how it matches the beat is great
Also the gameplay was a nice spin on the usual rhythm game formula, what with it being a hybrid of space shooter and rhythm game. Rather enjoyable
Also I have to give major props to Skyler for doing a great job with the music, there are some really catchy electronic tunes here (Personal favourites being A Winner Is You, Retro/Grade Groove and I am Error)
Though I will admit knowing that the game took a total of four years to develop, would I say that the game feels like it did take that long? Not necessarily. I mean don't get me wrong the level of polish there is great and everything runs great but I wouldn't say that level of content there is indicative of four years of work on the game. Like if I was guessing without knowing the development time I would have probably said like around 2-3 years. Although I do know the whole story behind the game as I watched your post-mortem (Which was very interesting by the way
) so it's clear that you just wanted to put your whole heart and soul into the game, which I do respect. It's a damn shame that the game didn't do as well as it deserved mind you, I feel like it should have deserved a larger amount of attention then it got. Suppose it's just bad timing (With the rhythm game market dying out) and a lack of marketing. Though I am interested in asking, with Neverending Nightmares are there a lot of lessons that you learnt on Retro/Grade that you're employing into the development of NN? Like how many of the things that you learnt from the development of that game are you actually utilising in this new developmental project? More or less than you expected? Just curious is all haha
I will say though Matt, I have a good feeling that you'll do better with Neverending Nightmares. I mean you have a great community on here that will definitely play it. Plus positive word of mouth is a great tool these days, especially in the hands of people with loud voices which there are plenty of in the horror game playing market hahaa
I think NN is definitely something that's been lacking in horror for a while. Just the focus on atmosphere and the honesty that you express within the elements that you put into the game is really noteworthy. Even from the early Alpha footage that I've played, it's just something that feels like it was done with heaps of passion. Sure it might not be the most technically advanced, in depth (mechanically anyway) horror game but it's still great to play. Purely for that sense of honesty and passion that exudes from each aspect of the game. So I hope that it becomes successfull anyway, as you really do deserve it
Anyway long story short, Retro/Grade is good fun and has some great music. What more could you ask for from a rhythm game? Hahaha
