Gameplay / Fun / Engagement: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Art Style / Visuals: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Audio / Sound Design: ⭐⭐⭐
Theme: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This was simple but actually really fun. The snail is super cute and the climbing mechanic is easy to understand almost instantly. I also like how it slowly gets harder instead of becoming crazy right away.
The last part was probably my biggest problem. Once you have rocks and birds together it sometimes starts feeling more like luck than skill 😭 Id make the dangerous stuff a little more predictable. Maybe rocks could have a small shadow or warning before they fall. Birds could also have a short sound before flying across the screen. That way you can actually react instead of just getting destroyed out of nowhere.
I would also add a tiny amount of invincibility after getting hit. Even like half a second would help. Getting hit once and then immediately getting hit again feels pretty brutal. Maybe the snail could flash for a moment so you know youre safe.
Checkpoints could be another nice thing. Not too many because I think the rage game feeling is part of the fun. But maybe reaching certain parts of the mountain could save your progress. Or you could have an easier mode with checkpoints and keep the current mode for people who want the pain
The art works really well with the game. I like the minimal style and the snail design a lot. Some extra small animations would make it even better though. Like the snail squishing when hit. A little dust when moving fast. Maybe the shell shaking when you land after getting knocked around.
Audio is probably where Id add the most. A hit sound is really needed. I would also add different sounds for rocks and birds so you can react without always looking directly at them. Some wind getting stronger as you climb could be cool too. And maybe a small sound or jingle every time you reach a new section.
I think a timer and death counter on the finish screen would also be fun. This kind of game makes you want to beat your old time after you finish it once. Maybe even show how many times the bird knocked you off 😭
Theme is definitely 5/5 for me. A snail slowly suffering its way up Mount Fuji to get home is basically the long way home.
For only 6 hours this is really good. With better warnings more hit feedback and a few small quality of life things I think it could feel way more fair without making it easy.
If you have some time please check out my game too! Id really appreciate a rating and some feedback :)