August 24th-27th 2012 :: Theme: Evolution
A tower climbing action game.
Initially, I had a bare-bones description here that deferred to the readme, but now that I have the time I will write a bit about the game. The game's "gimmick" (and the connection to the theme) is that the control scheme gets significantly more complex as you get further and players have to adapt to the new controls. This gimmick doesn't really show itself until maybe stage 8 or 10 or so, and the stages are rather difficult due to hastily done level design, so for most people it will just seem like a generic platformer that has nothing to do with the theme. And even for players who got to the later stages, the connection to the theme probably wouldn't have been obvious without this explanation. So I expect low marks for "Theme", but I had fun making the game.
About the two download links: I noticed a stupid bug right after the submission deadline passed, so I fixed it. The bug was easy to fix but fairly serious (the "infinite" lives on some difficulty settings were not actually infinite) so I think it's okay to rate the late version. However, the original version that was submitted before the deadline is still available by clicking the "on-time" link just in case.
Downloads and Links
Ratings
 | Coolness | 67% |
| #25 | Fun(Jam) | 3.62 |
| #40 | Overall(Jam) | 3.58 |
| #109 | Graphics(Jam) | 3.36 |
| #128 | Innovation(Jam) | 2.88 |
| #165 | Humor(Jam) | 1.95 |
| #165 | Mood(Jam) | 2.52 |
| #167 | Theme(Jam) | 2.48 |
| #228 | Audio(Jam) | 1.00 |
Comments
I really liked this! I got stuck because I couldn't pull of wall jumping and dashing in sequence very well - the keys aren't position great for that :( Found it a little annoying having to manually grab the chains.
I really really liked this game... up until the level where you get the slash ability, which has a jump I have determined is impossible. Pity, I was really getting into it...
This was pretty good. Fairly difficult, and jumping from chains seemed a bit sticky. I only got to the level where there's a monster shooting across the room at the top and you need to climb the ceiling chains while dodging his attacks, because I ragequit. The graphics were above average, and the controls (barring the chain jumping) were pretty solid. As for the concept, I didn't really get far enough to experience it, but it's a cool idea.
Yup, I stopped playing at the impossible jump just after the slash. A pity, because I was really enjoying it. Would have liked some sound too.
even on super easy mode, it's pretty hard! the lack of air control on the jump felt annoying at first, but it did make for a slightly different experience than standard platformers. i couldn't get far enough to see all the abilities unfortunately, but those i did see seemed interesting.
For people getting stuck on a jump in the slashing stage: do you mean the last jump in the stage, where there is a bat blocking the chain you need to hang on? You have to slash mid-jump to kill the bat. I think the jump actually is impossible if you don't realize you can slash in midair. Actually, every skill except for "jump" and "backflip" can be used in midair, and a lot of levels require this.
The levels are very interesting, especially the concept. Starting from the start of the level after dying is a little frustrating though, especially since the movement is very slow and you have to go through all those obstacles. Still it wasa nice challenge.
This game has really nice-feeling mechanics, and it felt good to figure out combinations of moves you can do to achieve different things. I don't like that they are awkwardly spread across the 9 keys, though (even though, trivially, this was part of the fun in trying to do crazy combinations of moves). Would have been nice to have key combinations involving the arrow keys, instead. For example slash, downward stab, guard, and uppercut could easily have been key, key+down+air, key+down+ground, and key+up. Same with the various jumps.
I thought it was cool how even though you start over from the beginning on death, you can use your new abilities to get back faster.
Its hard but very fun! Nice work man, i like those black things on the roof!
The game lagged so much I didn't want to continue, unfortunately. Didn't hear any audio, but the graphics were great. I keep seeing all these games with powerups and abilities rather than actual evolution... sort of a pity. Engine was pretty solid, but the ability to slow down while jumping is a must.
This is surprinsigly addictive and challenging! Oh...AND clever!Oh...and hard!
Nice controls, minus once you get to the wall jumping thing. I couldn't get after that as the keys are all jumbled together there and it cramps up your hand. :) i found everything else to be nice and very challengingly timed. I liked skipping that one room by jumping over those three guys with the jaws! :D
Enemy graphics were awesome, game reminds me a lot of donkey kong. Needs sound effects badly, though.
Great graphical style but man, so brutal. A nicer difficulty curve (and of course sound) would help a lot here.
Also I think the bug ("impossible jump") related to ladder-jumping might that the jump doesn't work if you're holding down the up arrow? I bet people might be doing that inadvertently. Specifically accounting for that case in the input handling would probably help.
If the jump doesn't work when you're holding an arrow key, that's probably an issue with your keyboard. Lots of keyboards have trouble registering multiple keypresses at the same time. Unfortunately I ran out of time to add key configuration options, but I tried to get around it by designing the skills so you just have to tap the keys instead of holding them down.
Well yes, the game is arguably difficult, I love it! Finally a game with some challenge. And it has good gfx and controls too. You did very well this LD, sir!
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There was a jump I absolutely could not make on the level where you get the slashing ability. The one near the bat and the snake with the two ropes and the ledge. I'd been enjoying the game though, the controls were mostly really nice (the ladders were a bit finicky but not offensively so). The difficulty was super satisfying too. It felt difficult, but whenever I died I felt like it was my fault rather than the game and that is usually good sign. Really nice work.