To "Izmejojo" and "joechristo1" regarding the controls. Backwards movement was an intended feature, but I became a bit fond of the "strafing slides" I could pull off during testing, so ended up just having a brake instead. Just my whim, sorry!
Rather than the down key being used for middle lane, left and right should move the car across the road rather than jumping from lane to lane. A button for each lane is unnatural.
Also consider starting the game much slower but increasing the speed (and therefore difficulty) over time.
A good first effort, best of luck with future projects!
Kvasir, thanks for the comment mate.
Regarding Mouse button, due in part to my inexperience with Flash, using Space instead was a quick workaround to the ball being immediately released at the start of the game due to a "lingering click" (if you will) of selecting the level. In other words the program will still detect the click of selecting the level and set the ball on its merry way.
Regarding your second point, the lack of powerups was a level design choice made with respect of having the "exploding blocks" in the levels. The blocks add a puzzle style to the game, getting them early on will net you a higher score, or even be necessary to be able to complete the level within the alloted time/strike limit. Powerups, particularly ones such as lasers and multi-ball, will make these types of gameplay much harder to balance.
Third... I'm rubbish at Graphic design!
So delighted this is rating over a 3, first AS3 project and second flash project, but I don't like banging on about how I'm new to Flash games in the Game Description. UTTER JOY!
Cheers Jamesie. I understand that the bosses are really tough on the lowest level, but at the same time if you're fully powered up they can be very easy, so I aimed for a middle ground.
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