Play game
POWERLESS's itch.io pageRate this game
In order to rate this submission you must be logged into itch.io and have submitted your own entry. Anyone with an account can leave a comment.
How does your game represent "Power"?
POWERLESS represents power through experience and practice. The map is pitch black and full of hidden traps. Failure is guaranteed. But as the player explores (and fails) the map is gradually lit up. Making subsequent tries easier. Failure is encouraged.
This was my first Game Jam. And the first game I've ever made. I started learning to code two days before this Jam started. I was very nervous going in. But I learned while doing. And I failed many times along the way. This game is an homage to the attitude of embracing failure. Because failure is the greatest teacher.
Try
Fail
Try again
That is power.
Leave a comment
Log in with itch.io to leave a comment.
Comments
Great art style. Definitely a funny interpretation of power, but it gives me similar gameplay vibes to spelunky, where you learn all the various ways the world insta kills you and learn through death. Interesting to require death in order to progress, I'm sure there are truly dedicated players who want to win without dying. Really well done!
I love the lighting, ambience, and character design. The puzzle format is nice. I like how it opens more shortcuts the further you progress. The puzzles themselves remind me a bit of Little Big Planet. I really enjoy your take on the Power theme. The failure counter is a nice touch too. I did stick to the wall a couple times while falling down a shaft, but all I had to do to get unstuck was jump. Great work!
Thanks for all the feedback! I'll check out the collision on the falls and see if I can fix it. Thanks for bringing that to my attention.
Love the lighting and how you made a gameplay mechanic out of it! Really cool idea! Though I think the checkpoints aren't working - I light up what I thought was checkpoint but still respawned at start.
Thank you for the game, it is very beautiful, was nice to play <3
There is no actual checkpoint system. But you do open up shortcuts as you solve puzzles.
I wanted to have those larger torches for you to light up so you could permanently illuminate larger areas. But I totally understand how they could seem like they were supposed to be a checkpoint or something. That's very valuable feedback. Thank you!
This is an amazing game, especially for your first ever game and game jam. The number of traps is devious, I love it. The level design is great. I have no complaints.
Thank you so much! I'm glad you didn't find the number of traps un-bear-able.
Easily one of the most over looked games I've come across. The level design in this is great. I love the artwork of the explorer. This is amazing stuff for a first time solo effort, keep it up!!
*Fun side note, our game was going to be called Powerless until we saw you had already claimed it :)
Thank you so much! That genuinely means a lot.
Sorry for swiping the name. But to be fair, I think "Teddy, Breaker of Chains, Slayer of Shadows" is pretty evocative. I would be willing to trade names. Haha. I'll check your game out!
I Like This Mood... But my Character is Jump like Rabbit Unlike the mood, So Cute!
This game is really good. I have a lot of minor nit-picks, overall I'd say this game is a bit rough around the edges, but still fun and enjoyable. I also like the theme and the art style, the art style is really unique and charming. For your first game this is really well done! I wish my first game was this good.
Haha. Yeah I have a lot of minor nitpicks about my game too, trust me! I'm glad you liked it though. Thanks for the feedback.
What a great game. It's hard to believe that you just started coding a few days before the jam - I wish I had that kind of talent!
Hey everyone!
I have found a dumb little design mistake in the last puzzle that may stop folks from progressing to the end of the game. Which is a shame because it is the VERY END! I have already fixed this issue but I cannot update the game during the voting period, unfortunately. So in the meantime, I thought Id share how to overcome it here so that if you made it that far you can actually see the end of the game!
I guess I failed...
Time for me to try again...
I shouldnt have made those last minute changes at midnight. Haha. What can you do?
For this being your first game, it's extremely impressive! I was still trying to figure out how to make things move in my first week of coding. 😅
As others have said the atmosphere and progression mechanic really stand out!
A great entry, especially considering you just started learning to code and it's your first game, that's wild 0_0
You might enjoy our game as well! It can be a bit tough and players need to try again and again to master the levels :)
Thanks so much!
I'll definitely check out your game.
You've got the atmoshpere nailed down, pretty neat progression system
Super impressive as your first ever game! Pressing 'Try' to start really sets the tone from the get go
Great art and atmosphere for sure! What really makes this game for me is the creative take on progression; all one level and not resetting after death is a novel concept that works so well. It's got a little of that metroidvania DNA of unlocking shortcuts, but instead of a sprawling map, the game shows you everything at the start, you just gotta keep chugging along through it. I had a huge bonfire at that first pressure plate by the end cause I was so excited by the new discovery I'd just made, I forgot about the very first obstacle the game taught me :*)
Haha. I placed that there and still forgot it existed about 100 times during play testing. I was definitely inspired by metroidvania level design so I'm glad it came across. Thanks for playing!
Amazing work for the first ever game. Nailed it with the presentation.
Thanks!
what a cool take on the theme! i was afraid that there arent checkpoints but realized that the level design IS the check point system, really great job!
Thank you! I'm glad you liked the take on shortcuts and checkpoints.
I liked the game a lot, a bit punishing, but very well designed to open up new ways to get faster to where you left something pending. Loved the progress marking with the light!
Glad you liked it. Thanks! I may have over-dialed the number of hidden traps at the end there!
Amazing game! I love the light mechanic and you cant move if you are lighting up the room!
Thanks!
I love the concept. The fact that you light up with your death is a great twist on the puzzle/boshi genre. I think the controls could have been a little bit faster like in super meat boy as usually, dying isnt a problem if you feel you can go back to where you died rapidly. Great ambiance. Thanks!
Thanks for the feedback! I totally agree with your point about respawns. Ill go check out Diamon Drive!