Should RetroLemmini have a Rewind button? I'm currently about 50:50 on this.
On the one hand, RetroLemmini has a replay system which can be used to backtrack when the player makes a mistake anyway; from one point of view, it seems unnecessary for the player to have to wait for the replay to fast-forward to the part of the level they're trying to get to.
On the other hand, RetroLemmini currently represents the best way to experience the original games on a modern PC (in my opinion), and the replay feature is there as a pleasant bonus rather than an integral part of the way the game is played, like it is in NeoLemmix. I'd be wary of beginning to introduce the ability to fine-tweak replays, and essentially ending up with yet another 'Lemmings replay editor'.
If we do include any sort of 'Rewind' feature, it certainly shouldn't be a frame-by-frame backstepping sort of feature. The possibilities I imagine are these:
1) 'Fast-rewind' (similar to the current fast-forward but moving in reverse)
2) A checkpoint system, which allows the player to jump back to the most recent checkpoint
3) Jump back to the last skill assignment
All of the above provide a way to quickly undo mistakes without introducing the kind of granular replay editing that NeoLemmix and Lix offer (which, again, I'd much rather avoid).
I'm very hesistant to do even this to be honest, because I like the fact that RetroLemmini has higher gameplay stakes. However, it's difficult to ignore the fact that the replay system already exists and already means that players can just fast-forward to the part of the level that they need to redo. Why not, then, allow them to get there a bit more quickly.
One other possibility here is to implement a super-fast-forward, which allows the player to advance very quickly through the replay; as fast as the rendering will allow, I imagine.
Please share your thoughts.
I need feedback on this. If I don't hear back from anybody, I'll assume that people are happy with RetroLemmini as it is and I won't take any action.
I vote yes on a rewind button. The thing I dislike about SL/RL is having to start the level over from the beginning when making mistaks especially on large levels or levels where precise skill assignement have to be done. This would be nice to have so I can get the precise skill assigments done quicker without restarting the level from the beginning.
I don't think a Rewind feature is completely necessary, I don't want to ruin the classic feel of this engine either and I think it should be preserved.
I think having to restart when making mistakes about 4-5 mins deep into a level is a little bit annoying because the fast forward is currently not fast enough to get there quickly and it occasionally results in me having to restart the level again because I don't even notice the fast forward reaching the point where I need to re-attempt. This has only become apparent today when making solve replays for my tougher SEB Lems converted levels for RetroLemmini.
1. Faster Fast Forward - this is the feature I'd support most, it kind of addresses the slowness of the current fastest fast forward speed.
2. Checkpoints - this is kind of moot if you are saving your replays at regular points anyway in case you accidentally click to cancel the replay too early or right at the start of the replay. This is probably a separate thing and it's never really been an issue for me personally.
3. Rewind to last assignment - this is the 2nd best option for me, there was a level where precision was ultra high and I think diggers are harder to place precisely on RL than on NL. Being able to return to the last assignment is a useful feature personally.
Again, I'll re-iterate. I am a native NL/Lix player but I don't wish the NL/Lix editing/frame stepping features to be brought into this. Rather something to fast forward through replays faster.
I vote YES for a rewind button!
I don't play RetroLemmini, but here's my opinion:
Once you've added action replay, you've already removed most of the punishment for making a mistake. All that's left is for the player to replay and fast forward, which does not require any skill. It's just tedious, and that doesn't make for a good game.