Another tiny patch before Steam's Next Fest. As I'm thinking about achievements (and leaderboards) for the release, I decided to change the signs following level numbers (in SOLO and COOP games), which indicate the current "mode".
In practice, the important thing to remember is that you are no longer in a regular game when a "-" is following level numbers.
The details are a bit more complicated:
- If a new game has been started on a level greater than 1, or MOVE LIMIT is off and COLORS are on (or they have been at any time during the current game), then level numbers are followed by "-". This is the easiest mode, which is good for unlocking levels and for trying out individual puzzles.
- If a new game has been started on level 1 and MOVE LIMIT is on and COLORS are on, then level numbers are followed by "+". This is the usual mode to play "regular" SOLO or COOP games.
- If a new game has been started on level 1 and MOVE LIMIT is off and COLORS are off, then level numbers are followed by "
X". This mode is much more challenging than the former modes. - If a new game has been started on level 1 and MOVE LIMIT is on and COLORS are off, then level numbers are followed by "*". This is the most challenging mode.
To remind players of those relations, the signs are shown when setting MOVE LIMIT and COLORS (via SETTINGS > MODES) as well as when choosing a starting level for a new SOLO or COOP game.
And because regular SOLO and COOP games have to start on level 1, players are now always prompted to choose level 1 when starting a new SOLO or COOP game. (My current planning is that only SOLO and COOP games that have started on level 1 qualify for leaderboards.)
I hope this makes at least a tiny bit of sense. I also hope that it feels much more natural in game than in writing. Please let me know any comments or questions.