Hey there.
Really enjoying the game, it's wonderful. On this note, I would like to leave my two cents on player deaths.
I think that would be my #1 criticism, related specifically to punches/kicks or weapons. I had been holding this in me for a long time up until this very clip with the Shovel (more bonus clips attached):
For context: the first clip was shortly after the round start, I didn't get damaged by anything even once before being shovel-ized. I suppose colliding with the wall somehow increased the damage taken.
Please, pardon the mild profanity in the videos.
Totally fine with environmental hazards since all maps play around that excluding the sports modes. I personally think that environment should be the only way to die - reward the people that actually play by the map rules instead of mindlessly spamming punches or weapons.
Deaths are also quite punishing outside of Non- Sports Team Matches (where you can respawn shortly after perishing). In Last Stand and Sports you will respawn only in the next round.
(For context, deaths in team sports events are rare but possible, I once got hit by a rugby ball and then ganged by enemy team which actually killed me, not sure if I got the clip but I will add if I do)
Dying from punches or weapons, in my opinion, greatly takes away from the core gameplay which revolves around interacting not just with the players, but also the map. The worst part of this possibly being absolutely helpless in such situations... As in, there is no room for counter-play, you often die while knocked out.
I am fairly positive that if you get hit by super punches (can powerup) or weapons (such as shovel or nun-chuks) you get a bunch of hit points taken away from you, so, for example, you're more likely to die on Ichiban from Poisonous Gas compared to, say, a player who hasn't been hit. I think launching players or knocking them out would be enough, taking away hit points might be an overkill.
Since the system is not shown to players, it's pretty understandable that they get confused by "weird" deaths.
I also think there's a stark contrast between, for example, a crossbow/boomerang/inflated-hammer (which I consider what balanced weapons should be) and shovel/nun-chuks/pan, the latter are straight up lethal and are a no-brainer pick over the former, they are not exactly rare either.
This would conclude my opinions and propositions. Thanks for reading! I would like to hear others' takes on this topic and, maybe, hear from the developers on this. 😋
