At times I've referred to coding as digital witchcraft. Media magic conjured up by deals with the Devil. I've stated that making games out of text, symbols, and numbers does not make any logical real world sense. Not even with the modern hardware to back it up. Going into FUZE4 I'd hoped I'd be wrong about this assumption. That I'd not only be able to see and understand how coding works, but also make some sense out of the seemingly illogical. Unfortunately in my time with the programming tool I still ended up completely clueless as to how any of it functions. The developer of the FUZE coding program definitely went out of their way to explain things through help menu references, and definitely offered all the necessary tools to create programs, but even with all of that available content I was at a loss. I still do not understand coding. I did not figure out how to write my own programs, and I did not understand how to use the tools at hand. Even after reading through the help menu tutorials, and looking over each of the eight menus I could not make sense of anything. It was filled with college level lingo as if it were a college lesson being taught by a professor, and not the beginner's guide I thought it would be. It reads as if it expects you to understand the basics enough to apply them to advanced coding applications. It's like it skips past the fundamentals, and the foundation rushing into what you could do if you understood coding on a slightly deeper level. I digress though ...
FUZE4, as it is, is the 4th iteration of a coding program that uses a set of basic coding tools that can help you create most types of indie style video games including that of the 3D sort. Everything from Metroidvanias to classic RPGs, and even arcade shooters included. It features an eight menu selection of fully functional tools, help references with basic information, sharing and save options as well as already created resources that can be used in program creation. You'll find a coding editor with an onscreen keyboard for typing up the coded command lines, and adding in pre-stocked images and assets to create your own programs or games. The "Help" menu which acts as an introductory tutorial to this mainstay feature will give you a brief breakdown of what coding is as well as what is available in FUZE4. The "Help" menu is also where you'll read about the inner workings of the available tool menu content. Aside from the coding editor you'll find pre-made programs, and assets that can be viewed, and used in the editor for better comprehension as well as creative application. Assets such as images, and map tiles can be applied easily by copying and pasting content via the media button. You'll gain access to the code of pre-made programs which are broken down by genre, and see for yourself the inner workings of the code while you test run the program between each line of code. A sort of educational hands-on look at what can be done.
Through the set of editor tools you'll be able to name your programs, save them, catalog them, and share them with friends if you so desire. You can even try out your friend's programs through the "Friend" menu. Aside from that you'll also find that FUZE4 houses it's own map creator, and image creation tool. Complete with libraries full of pre-rendered visuals that can be molded, and combined to create original in-game features. All divided by genre, type, and creator. Something that will come in handy when you want to create your own original assets for your own original games or programs. To spice things up the developer has also included a settings option which includes sound, and theme changes. Gifting the coder various themes tied to retro gaming experiences or even computer themed designs that take in account the looks of the keyboard as well as the menu colors. It's a neat little addition to something that could be very useful to someone who can make the most of the tools at hand.
As far as menu navigation, and keyboard use is concerned it is made with ease of access in mind. It is all about convenience, and incorporates ways within the coding editor to get, and apply assets from the other menus into the coding sequences. Mostly through single button presses, or onscreen keyboard key presses that can be pressed using the the face buttons plus the guiding of the left thumbstick. The portability of the Nintendo Switch is also a positive thing in that you can code on the go.
The Verdict ...
As user friendly as FUZE4 aims to be it cannot, by itself, simplify coding and explain it well enough to an average user with no prior coding know how to make them into a proper coder. It does feature easily accessible menus, and features for those who know how to utilize such things, but putting the tools to use is something best done with a college student who is studying coding. Coding is not a simple thing. It's why you have to go to college to be able to have a career in programming. I am not that kind of guy, and I think it may have been a huge disservice to the developer in seeking me to review this program, because I'm obviously not fit to understand it, or properly apply it to my own creative visions. That being said, from what I've seen it is a proper set of tools for those who at least understand the basics of coding. I feel it would definitely be useful to a college student who is studying coding, and could very well help them advance in their studies moving forward. For the average Joe, however, it's not going to be that useful.
FUZE4, as it is, is the 4th iteration of a coding program that uses a set of basic coding tools that can help you create most types of indie style video games including that of the 3D sort. Everything from Metroidvanias to classic RPGs, and even arcade shooters included. It features an eight menu selection of fully functional tools, help references with basic information, sharing and save options as well as already created resources that can be used in program creation. You'll find a coding editor with an onscreen keyboard for typing up the coded command lines, and adding in pre-stocked images and assets to create your own programs or games. The "Help" menu which acts as an introductory tutorial to this mainstay feature will give you a brief breakdown of what coding is as well as what is available in FUZE4. The "Help" menu is also where you'll read about the inner workings of the available tool menu content. Aside from the coding editor you'll find pre-made programs, and assets that can be viewed, and used in the editor for better comprehension as well as creative application. Assets such as images, and map tiles can be applied easily by copying and pasting content via the media button. You'll gain access to the code of pre-made programs which are broken down by genre, and see for yourself the inner workings of the code while you test run the program between each line of code. A sort of educational hands-on look at what can be done.
Through the set of editor tools you'll be able to name your programs, save them, catalog them, and share them with friends if you so desire. You can even try out your friend's programs through the "Friend" menu. Aside from that you'll also find that FUZE4 houses it's own map creator, and image creation tool. Complete with libraries full of pre-rendered visuals that can be molded, and combined to create original in-game features. All divided by genre, type, and creator. Something that will come in handy when you want to create your own original assets for your own original games or programs. To spice things up the developer has also included a settings option which includes sound, and theme changes. Gifting the coder various themes tied to retro gaming experiences or even computer themed designs that take in account the looks of the keyboard as well as the menu colors. It's a neat little addition to something that could be very useful to someone who can make the most of the tools at hand.
As far as menu navigation, and keyboard use is concerned it is made with ease of access in mind. It is all about convenience, and incorporates ways within the coding editor to get, and apply assets from the other menus into the coding sequences. Mostly through single button presses, or onscreen keyboard key presses that can be pressed using the the face buttons plus the guiding of the left thumbstick. The portability of the Nintendo Switch is also a positive thing in that you can code on the go.
The Verdict ...
As user friendly as FUZE4 aims to be it cannot, by itself, simplify coding and explain it well enough to an average user with no prior coding know how to make them into a proper coder. It does feature easily accessible menus, and features for those who know how to utilize such things, but putting the tools to use is something best done with a college student who is studying coding. Coding is not a simple thing. It's why you have to go to college to be able to have a career in programming. I am not that kind of guy, and I think it may have been a huge disservice to the developer in seeking me to review this program, because I'm obviously not fit to understand it, or properly apply it to my own creative visions. That being said, from what I've seen it is a proper set of tools for those who at least understand the basics of coding. I feel it would definitely be useful to a college student who is studying coding, and could very well help them advance in their studies moving forward. For the average Joe, however, it's not going to be that useful.
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