Judge feedback

Judge feedback is anonymous and shown in a random order.

• With Hooves of Fire is a beautiful ASCII game with momentum and stealth mechanics. The game is complete and no bugs were encountered during play. The controls are simple and easy to learn, the movement UI is excellent, and the game pushes the boundaries of what can be done with ASCII graphics. The momentum physics, and the feel and pacing of combat felt truly original; other games feature similar mechanics but With Hooves of Fire executes this flawlessly. The game is turn-based and procedurally generated, but lacks any character progression or levels and is quite short compared to a traditional roguelike.
• Easily one of my favorite entries in this jam, even though I never got past 87%. But the thrill of the ride, with a band of enemy riders on my back, is unforgettable. The only critical feedback I have is that the bottom menu covers map in a way that lets enemies see me before I notice them, essentially making movement downwards rather undesirable.
• Great use of a limited palette. Distinct meaningful colors, no more than needed, nothing wasted. Movement hints strike the perfect balance between readability and obtrusiveness. The sound design is excellent overall, but the hoof beats in particular do a lot to establish a gameplay rhythm. This rhythm, along with the momentum mechanics, combine to give gameplay a tangible feeling of fluidity and speed that doesn't seem like it should be possible in a turn based game. A remarkable achievement, and the most fun I've had playing any entry.