April 26th-29th 2013 :: Theme: Minimalism
Ludum Dare 26 — April 26-29th, 2013
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An adventure game, where you start with lots of equipment, and throw out a thing a level.
"R" to reset level
I submittes a "Slightly better version". It doesn't add anything new, so I think it can be in competition. Here is a complete change list: http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/2013/04/30/minimal-force-a-slightly-better-version/
I left the original version just in case
Downloads and Links
Ratings
![]() | Coolness | 100% |
#357 | Audio | 3.03 |
#434 | Humor | 2.41 |
#618 | Fun | 2.92 |
#651 | Mood | 2.78 |
#721 | Overall | 3.00 |
#855 | Innovation | 2.73 |
#937 | Theme | 3.12 |
#1080 | Graphics | 2.32 |
Comments
I really liked it! At first I have to say I thought it was just a normal platformer, but then I realized that it's actually a really nice physics puzzle game.
very good game, had a problem on where I can't go left but that it's a good idea
I like the creative aspect on the player's side. I definitely would not have gotten past some of those levels without the hints, though.
It's not bad. The graphics are servicable (certainly minimal) but convey the setting, the phsyics is so-so (consider using real inertia rather than simple side-to-side motion for player controls), but at least the avatar doesn't go flying off if he hits the corner of a block. This isn't the first time I've seen this concept (look up Tower of Heaven) but it fits the theme and works well with the adventure setting. The music was good, but that probably speaks to the quality of Abundant Music. Sound effects were less impressive, sfxr is good, but I ran into a problem that sounds like what is happening here: the silence at the end of the clip meant that the sound wasn't replaying every time. Thankfully that's an easy fix in audacity. Level design was lacking at times; some levels were plain frustrating (looking at you "can't go left") while others were comparatively easy (boss battle). Also I didn't see anywhere in game telling me that pressing "r" restarts the level. I found that out by pressing every button on my keyboard. :(
Not bad at all. Just some small things: When we reach the end of a level, pop up a "loading" message or something. It just freezes for about a second. IMO, for the controls, arrow keys + mouse is a bad idea since they're both on the same side of your keyboard. I suggest WASD instead. Other than that, good game.
I really liked the sound, the gameplay was well thought out and fun as well. As a prototype the simple block-style map works, but I'd really like to see this game made with nicer graphics.
Funny little adventure but the choices of control keys OMG. The music is fine.
Nice game, not the best of animations around, but still ok. Music was fitting, if a little short... Gameplay is good, I especially liked the way you can shoot an enemy full of arrows. I also like the game mechanics of giving away stuff "because I'm such a great knight, I can do it with a hand tied behind my back...!", thats cool. At first I didn't understand what it means to give away the left button... then I lol'ed !:)
Some nice puzzle ideas expressed here. I got stuck on a level where I felt I was using the correct method (using the shield so zombies would push me left) but it didn't work reliably. Those archers were very annoying too. :)
The puzzles are interesting. It takes a little long to load next screen.
Great concept and nice graphics. It feels complete and it's fun to play.
the movement makes this game very wonky to play. Nice work tough :)
My main problem with this game is that the writing, while not terrible, has a part of grammatical mistakes (for example, it should be spelled "Cyclops"). Just read more English and you'll get the hang of it. Also, the graphics felt a bit sloppy; for example, the walking animation continuing even when the knight is standing still. And a "shield" animation would have been nice. I understand you probably didn't have time for such details, but it might be something for future versions.
Apart from those nitpicks, however, the gameplay is great. The core concept is original, and you've come up with some great puzzles here. It's just challenging enough.
In short, graphics and writing are nothing special, but great idea, gameplay and humour.
SPOILERS
The endgame is a very good puzzle. I'm quite relieved that the Cyclops didn't regain health when my character died.
And the ending... well, that's by far the funniest thing I've seen in this compo so far, and I'd be surprised if I come across anything funnier.
It has a lot of potential, but seemed lacking in its execution.
I completed the game. There's something about this game that keeps me want to play to the end. The text works to create a story. Though I completed each level through what seemed more luck than skill, it was an enjoyable experience. I would have preferred to have more colours than brown though.
I just realised that I made some weird typoes in my comment while criticising your writing. "a part of grammatical mistakes"? Bad, Chris, very bad.
Nice game. Immersive story and challenging enemies. In my opinion to make a great platform game you need to invest a lot of time to polish the movement and I missed that on your game. Congratz anyway!
Cool game. Character movements are a little bit slow (not very reactive).
It's fun to shoot with the arc (but it's not very practical to switch keyboard to the mouse).
I was blocked in the dungeon because of the disabled button left... impossible to restart the map after a fail.
What a pity there is no visual feedback when using shield with down key. :)
- SEPHY (@sephyka)
This is the third iteration of this idea that I've seen these games and I have to say that some of your ideas are much more interesting than the other games I've seen. I especially like the loss of the left button. I like the music too and you've clearly put a lot of thought into the puzzles.
I think that hints are a really bad way to go in games. Especially if the hint is something that you actually are unlikely to find out on your own and need to know to complete the game.
For example on the level where you lose your left key it would be very useful to know that you can destroy arrows with your sword - you wouldn't just think to do it because in real life you wouldn't think to just swipe an arrow out of midair with a sword. It wouldn't work in real life so why should it work or be the obvious thing to do in a game? I discovered you could do it purely by accident, and it's not satisfying when you discover something by accident, I want to find it out by thinking! :)
However, the hint that you can destroy arrows with your sword comes in the level after, which tells me that you don't actually need it on the level where you lose your left key. But as I tried for about 20 minutes to complete the level without using my sword, I can safely say that without the sword your only hope is to run up as fast as you can, over and over again and hope that once you get to the top the zombie and the archer won't hit you back down.
I would suggest showing an NPC swiping an arrow out of the way, so you'd think to do the same yourself, or create an impossible situation where it's very clear that you're not going to get past the arrows without trying something else. Alternatively you could just tell the player you can hit arrows instead of hiding it in a hint box!
Also the boss was kind of tricky because there didn't seem to be anything I could do get the archer to aim at the boss - he seemed to just aim straight for me, no matter how close I managed to get to the boss, and when he did hit the boss it seemed to be random.
Oh I liked the shield too! I really had fun playing the game apart from when there didn't seem to be anything I could do apart from try the same thing over and over!
Thanks for playing our game! I left a reply to your comment if you'd like to see it.
Cheers!
Rob
Wow, I really liked the design of the levels. You managed to create a different game experience on every stage! congrats!
My comments while playing the original version:
- Interesting mechanics, but the controls are very uncomfortable
- The part where you can't move left was hard! I bounced and the enemy moved me to the right instead of left.
- I have a problem with my keyboard because it can't detect when I press 3 keys at the same time. The keyboard has some areas and only some combinations doesn't work. The level where I lost my armor is very difficult because I can't press Right+up+space bar ah the same time. This is very useful: http://www.microsoft.com/appliedsciences/content/projects/KeyboardGhostingDemo.aspx
- I like the hints being optional
- Clever puzzles!
- I beated the boss :D
- I liked the music
- I can see the minimalism on the theme.
This game is great. Loved the end.
I hope you place high on the rankings :)
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Despite some execution problems the idea is pretty interesting. Although I couldn't pass the level after I lose the shield. ;_;