Home/r/IndieDev/2025-07-09/#bossfight-game-design-feedback
207

Made a bossfight for my game, does it look fun?

r/IndieDev
7/8/2025

Content Summary

A game developer shares a boss fight prototype for their SHMUP roguelike game inspired by Undertale, seeking community feedback. Key discussion points include: - Positive reception of minimalistic art style - Feedback on repetitive audio needing variation - Suggestions for visual feedback improvements - Discussions about progression systems and difficulty balancing - Comparisons to similar games like Chicken Invaders and ZeroRanger - Developer interactions explaining mechanics and planned updates

Opinion Analysis

Mainstream Opinions:

  1. Positive reception of core gameplay and art style (8+ comments)
  2. Consensus on need for audio improvements (3 direct mentions)
  3. Appreciation for Undertale-inspired aesthetics (2 comments)

Controversial Aspects:

  • Divided opinions on spider web mechanics clarity
  • Debate about bullet hell difficulty vs accessibility

Key Debates:

  1. Progression Depth vs Complexity:

    • Some users question if relic system has enough design space
    • Developer explains stat-based progression balancing
  2. Visual Feedback Standards:

    • Multiple suggestions for damage indicators
    • Developer acknowledges need for improvements
  3. Sound Design Philosophy:

    • Strong recommendations for pitch variation
    • Discussion about arcade-style vs modern sound design

SAAS TOOLS

SaaSURLCategoryFeatures/Notes
itch.iohttps://unaware-robot.itch.io/rogueblock-working-titleGame Hosting/DistributionPlatform for indie game publishing and community engagement

USER NEEDS

Pain Points:

  • Repetitive audio causing fatigue
  • Lack of visual feedback when player gets hit
  • Confusion about spider web mechanics
  • Shooting sound becomes tiresome over time

Problems to Solve:

  • Need for varied audio effects
  • Clearer visual indicators for damage
  • Better communication of game mechanics
  • Balancing progression systems

Potential Solutions:

  • Implement pitch variation (95%-105%) for sound effects
  • Add color changes/animations for damage feedback
  • Introduce tutorial elements or visual cues
  • Expand relic/ability system for progression depth

GROWTH FACTORS

Effective Strategies:

  • Community engagement through Reddit feedback
  • Progressive feature rollout (boss not yet in build)

Marketing & Acquisition:

  • Organic promotion via itch.io platform
  • Leveraging Undertale-inspired aesthetics for recognition

Monetization & Product:

  • Free demo availability (itch.io)
  • Roguelike progression system as core feature

User Engagement:

  • Direct developer interaction in comments
  • Implementing user-suggested features (audio improvements)
  • Maintaining non-promotional community presence