Ask HN: I got fired from 100k job so I've made a game and it failed
3 martinlistiak 9 9/2/2025, 8:50:11 AM
Hey guys I am trying to understand why my game isn't performing as I expected.
It's the game I've always wanted to play - logical, puzzle game. I made 3 game modes and I really enjoy playing it.
Help me improve it or just understand my mistakes. If you end up playing it rate the following please: UI: 1-10 Game Mechanic: 1-10 Fun: 1-10 Sounds: 1-10 Ads?: 1-10
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/arrows-logical-game/id6751233749
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=webmobilegamedev.arrows
In my opinion, your game isn't performing well because the gameplay isn't very compelling. In best combo mode, I can see a grid of arrows, I'm informed that clicking one of these arrows will clear more than the others. It says that I should find "creative ways" to clear the grid. I'm not sure that such a thing is possible. At worst, this is a game of guess the 1/25 arrow to click. At best, it's a game of tracking backwards through the arrows. As somebody who enjoys puzzle games, I don't personally find this a fun mechanic.
My initial thought was that the art might be the problem. That perhaps if these were frogs that ate each other in order or if these were bubbles that popped in a satisfying way, this might be more enjoyable, but if you haven't got compelling gameplay, dressing it up isn't going to help. My recommendation is to focus on creating challenging and enjoyable gameplay first.
Perhaps play some other puzzle games and ask yourself what it is you're enjoying about them.