August 24th-27th 2012 :: Theme: Evolution
*** WEB VERSION NOW AVAILABLE ***
(suggest you try this version first)
*** IF YOU SKIP THE TUTORIAL *** (aww, I spent some time on that... :d )
Controls are:-
Number keys 1-3 = Set tadpole group behaviour.
Click = Send Alpha tadpole to mouse location.
Basic jist of the game is that you have no shortage of numbers, but no defence or means of attack against 3 baddies washed into the same rockpool as you. :(
You'll have to be prepared to allow some to die so that new spawn may have the means to take on the baddies:-
1. A big fat Crab with a pointy thing.
2. A big fat Ray with lightning zaps.
3. A big fat Jellyfish with poison.
Each baddie ability is effective against the other baddies.
Poison has to be ingested. (i.e., more to be eaten, ohnoes!)
Lightning can be fired, but only in Attack mode.
Spikes are used in close range, but only in Attack mode.
Done in LWJGL so reasonably recent Java runtime (1.6+) needed.
Downloads and Links
Ratings
![]() | Coolness | 91% |
#83 | Audio | 3.38 |
#176 | Graphics | 3.46 |
#179 | Mood | 3.03 |
#205 | Innovation | 3.22 |
#239 | Theme | 3.24 |
#255 | Humor | 2.42 |
#316 | Overall | 3.07 |
#438 | Fun | 2.67 |
Comments
I haven't tested this on a Linux setup, but I imagine you just type:
java -jar AlienRockPool.jar
(same for Windows and OSX if you use the JAR version)
Thanks berkano! Aha, clicked your name and realised I'd just played yours! Really good, and you implemented the competition theme really well. Very ambitious as well.
I left it on attack and won. I'd have liked to see more player skill required but the concept is pretty good.
I think the tutorial should be mandatory, or at least show the 123 keys on the buttons. It tooke me a second to get that. Otherwise AWESOME fun game!
Thanks guys!
Andrew: Haha, yep, I mentioned that on Post Mortem, alas I hit the deadline before fixing it. I could probably spend another 48hrs tweaking the hitpoints/values etc.!
tigerj: Thanks. Yep, I meant to put little numbers on the icons. A lot of people will just hit space and go straight in. D: (and to think I wrote all that lovely text...) :d
It's a nice concept, I like the fact that it is a bit more open and emergent. It runs very smoothly, looks good and sounds great (the audio is much better than most of the entries that I've played so far). It's just a bit too easy and there are a few technical issues here and there but those are understandable. I read your post mortem and I can relate - I had a similar problem - writing way too much code for basic functionality that should've been done before the competition.
Your concept behind this it quite unique and interesting. It was an enjoyable experience.
I had fun, even though my playing was flipping between 1/2/3 and watching the different behaviors more than anything else. Things going offscreen was sort of a problem for me though, and finishing the first (only) level, I have no idea if there was anything afterward?
I had a hard time figuring out what was going on (I *did* read the tutorial) and it didn't help that things kept moving offscreen. Despite that, this still feels like a good quality game & it's a really nice idea. Good work!
It took a while to work out how to kill the bosses, but once I had the zapping power (not sure how I got it) they were mobbed by the other tadpoles. The graphics and audio are better than most, and movement is fluid. The group behaviour is a nice touch. Only downside is that the bosses and the alpha tadpole can disappear off screen, at least make an arrow to say where off screen they are.
It took me awhile to get it, but once I did, was enjoyable. :)
Good job!
Nice concepts, and i enjoyed the humor and art style. I found it a bit easy as i could just hold down shoot but overall nice work!
Unusual game, i really like graphics and music(especially music), And though i won the game, i still do not understand how to play. And yes, i forgot to read tutorial...
Thanks guys. :) In line with the rules, I've fixed a bug which meant the lightning and spike tallies were reversed, the crab was giving the ray points and vice versa. I've updated the MacOSX versions and JAR. Please let me know if anything's broken!
Was ok...
Didn't make much sense...
Was fun?
Meh...
Music creeped me out though...
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Had to delete the Youtube video, it was all corrupted. :(