Platfinity™
- May 25, 2016
- Ian Martin
Get on Steam"Platfinity™ is a platform game creation tool, allowing users to easily create and share games with multiple tile layers, customizable physics, and built-in painting tools. The game also includes demo games such as 'Proving Grounds of the Mad Game Designer' and 'Purgatory.' Games made with Platfinity include '7WORLDS: The Dreaming Dale,' 'AI Anomaly,' and 'Little Marisa's Disaster Journey.'"
PC
Windows
Reviews
- Platfinity is an easy-to-use game creation tool that allows beginners to quickly make simple 2D platformers without needing programming knowledge.
- The software provides a fun and engaging way to introduce game design concepts to children and novice developers, with a drag-and-drop interface and built-in mechanics.
- Despite its limitations, users appreciate the potential for creativity and customization, allowing for the creation of unique games with basic retro aesthetics.
- The program suffers from a lack of advanced features, such as combat mechanics, collectibles, and the ability to add custom scripts, which limits the complexity of the games that can be created.
- Many users find the interface clunky and convoluted, with issues related to importing assets and navigating menus, making the experience frustrating at times.
- The absence of ongoing updates and community features, like a Steam Workshop, has led to concerns about the software being abandoned and not evolving to meet user needs.
- graphics26 mentions
- 15 % positive mentions
- 73 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game are described as basic and retro, with stock assets that may not appeal to everyone, but users appreciate the ease of importing custom graphics and sprites. While the built-in pixel editor allows for some creative freedom, the overall visual polish is considered lacking compared to classic titles like Jet Set Willy and Manic Miner. Users note that while the graphics are simple, the ability to customize and create unique levels is a positive aspect, despite some limitations in scripting and obstacle creation.
“For nice visuals, there are foreground and background tiles.”
“There are plenty of stock graphics to get you started and ample slots to import your own.”
“You can make a level like this in literally minutes or sink some time into your artwork and level design and make something pretty impressive if you have a bit of talent.”
“I was slightly put off by the fact that Platfinity has no ability to load custom scripts at all; you cannot create your own obstacles aside from editing the graphics, and that's a bit of an issue for me.”
“You can zoom in the graphics to make it appear more of a side scroller, but realistically the levels feel very Meatboy-like and are super easy to patch together.”
“You don't have to use the (admittedly kind of ugly) presets for graphics.”
- gameplay10 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 30 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The gameplay is described as basic yet functional, providing essential mechanics for creating simple 2D platformers, making it accessible for beginners. However, those seeking more advanced features and customization options may find it lacking. Overall, it serves as a straightforward engine for novice game developers.
“It is a great basic engine with built-in mechanics that allow a noob to begin game creating.”
“All the mechanics for a good 2D platformer (without guns) are in there at the click of a mouse button.”
“If you want something with more gameplay features and user customization, then I suggest you look elsewhere.”
“It is gameplay at its most basic.”
“If it's transparent, it effectively doesn't affect anything in the gameplay.”
- music4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game allows players to import their own audio, including music, enhancing the customization experience. However, there is a notable appreciation for Kevin MacLeod's music, suggesting it is a favored choice among users.
“You can customize controls and other game settings such as gravity, climb speed, etc. You can also import your own audio (including music).”
“Edit: removed note about music, because all hail Kevin MacLeod!”
- monetization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game creation software is criticized for excessive advertising and branding, which detracts from the user experience and hinders the ability to create and sell custom titles. Users feel that the overwhelming presence of the software's name and promotional content diminishes its overall appeal.
“I would have almost used this software except I can't use the custom titles or anything. Also, the game creation software's name is all over the place. There's too much advertising to even make a basic platformer you can sell, even though the author of this software encourages it. Maybe a little less branding would actually make it okay, but that alone ruined it for me.”
