Castlevania/Metroid inspired cyberpunk game Thread

So, I've been working on a game the past months or so. I registered here cause I'm ready for criticism and don't know too many places for indie games, so I'm trying to branch out. Anyway, I recently decided to get back into gamedev and am working on an a little action game inspired game-wise by Castlevania, Zillion, Metroid, and stuff like that. The story and levels will eventually be inspired by Blade Runner, Cowboy Bebop, and things of that nature. Everything is pretty basic and just redrawn sprites from other games at the moment just as placeholders (I'm not artist just a hobbyist programmer). Below are some screenshots and also a link to some more if you're interested. They're all just me messing around in my debug level. Any criticism or feedback is super welcome as it's just me working on it for fun right now.

Nothackers.com

I'd be lying if I said there isn't a niche market for sidescrolling cyberpunk games. I'm certainly the type of person who would play one

Not being a programmer, I can't give you any technical feedback, but based on what you've provided, I don't know that even programmers will be able to offer you much. Sure, screenshots are helpful, but most of what you have posted are examples of the UI and sprites more than a technical demonstration. It might do you some good to create a short video and/or talk more about how you've constructed your engine. Also, because you mentioned that you don't consider yourself an artist, I'm not sure whether you are looking for feedback regarding the aesthetics. At face value, I can tell you that what little you have provided certainly possesses the bones of what looks like an early 1990s DOS game, but it may be in your best interest to get someone on board to do the artwork. In many cases, it seems that graphics can make or break people's initial experience with a game.

That being said, it's important to consider what it is you'd like to do with this game. If you plan to commercialize it in any way, you'll have to cook up something really special. Platforming, at least in my observation, seems to have a sort of cult following. There are less people excited about them now then say fifteen years ago. However, those that still play them are head-over-heels for platformers. If you'd like to reach that audience, you've got to dazzle them in a very unique way. Your game has to provide something that no other game has.

Thanks, SpookGoblin. I've been workin' on the first level the past couple days. I hope it can dazzle in time.

A lil more art.

I added some more levels and background items. Today I was sent a snippet of some music for the game and joined Twitter finally.