There are a bunch of game jam games where you see the effort put in, but there's something missing. Either the controls are a little wonky, the graphics aren't quite there, or the game design was poorly thought out. Then you come across a game like Blackbird and see all the elements working together to make a great game. This one has all the pieces and polish. So far, the best that I have played.

Wow. This game feels like an indie darling rather than a jam game. The movement, animation, sound, and game-play are nothing short of incredible! And on top of that the game is surprisingly long as well!

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I have been following this game's progress from day 1 on twitter, so I already knew that it will be an especial game. I could clearly see that your game design skills are on an amazing level, but I got surprised nevertheless.

Theme:

Limbo-like storytelling was a great idea to fit the theme. A lot of content, questions, mysteries hidden beneath very simple design. And you know what? You nailed it. I even felt more into story and characters than while playing Limbo, so that means something.

Visuals:

You've added a lot of love into this I can tell. Making minimalistic games that actually work well aren't that easy. Your game really needs to be smooth, consistant and in the same time tell story with the environment. Animations are definitely smooth and wonderfully blended, world is interactable (reaction particles etc), color pallete is really well suiting and you can definitely feel the climate of the game on every step. 

The only thing that I would point out, is that bomb's look doesn't represent it's actual size. It might seem like a small detail, but in games that require a lot of precision to beat, it's really important to make gameplay clear. 

Innovation:

There are of course many similar games in case of storytelling, gameplay etc. But in this case I would say your game is definitely innovative in it's overall look. The experience I had was very unique.

SFX:

Oh dear, definitely best game I've seen on this jam in terms of not only music, but all the things you did with transitioning, timing and playing with other settings. You really made a great use of music in your story-telling. (I would be grateful if you could send me scores from your game, would love to listen to them in a free time). 

Sounds are also beautifully made and fitted. The ONLY one I had problem with was tweeting of our bird. It felt a bit too sampled (might be just me tho).

Gameplay:

Very well done. Movement is fluent, responsive and easy to get used to. Maybe the only thing I could add would be about bombs, but that's what I've mentioned earlier, apart from that: perfect.

Game Design:

What can I say. Hard to make it better. You did great job at leading the player (this little fisho-creature that flows from one flower to another & other white elements), using environment to show danger (those hands). And many many more...

Just congratulations, as you've created art ;)

Wow. Gorgous art, amazing, smooth animation, wonderful sound design. The jumping and gliding mechanic felt really fun to play around with, and the level design was perfectly suited to the few mechanics on display. I don't think I've ever been able to compliment a Game Jam game on its pacing before, but you managed that perfectly too!

I'm not sure if there's anything bad I can say about this game. I guess I got a little lost towards the end, but I never reached a point where I was completely stuck. 

I would be astonished if this wasn't among the top ranked games for this jam, if not first place.

I loved this, the way it all comes together is so beautiful and smooth. There was a great mixture of peacefulness and terror wrapped in a rags to riches story.

The music, animation, art, is truly impressive

Damn it's very cool! It reminds me Gris a lot.

This game really kept me in tension through the end!

Music is very cool, animations and the whole thing is so polished, I like it very much!

Currently my game of the year. Could say so many positive things but you guys know every little detail that you got right. Just more please.. and take my money next time.

That reminded me so much of Celeste in a GREAT way!!! I love the main character, they're sooo cute. You could've literally just released this as a paid game right now and I would've bought it.

a true masterpiece.

Wow wow wow! Night In the Woods meets Celeste meets Journey! The movement is so lovely and fun, the level design flows so well and the sound is perfect! Such a stunning game on all accounts!

Holy cow, what was that. This game is a masterpiece.

The gameplay is quite simple and straightforward, but works really in a smooth difficulty curve over the levels. 

But what really sets this game apart is the emotional reponse you manage to make the player feel with so little : some sound effects, musics, color switches, screenshakes, trails and simple circular particules. Using these simple tools, on the length of 5min of gameplay, you make us feel feel awe, discovery, friendship, stress and climax.;. This is breathtaking and what video games should be about. 

These emotions are triggered by all the love you put is setting up so many of "memorable moments", like the intro sequence, the opening of the flowers, the discovery of the dragon friend, the mines and the enemies and the final climax.  The detail and attention makes every interaction in the game pleaset.

Playing your game reminded me why I want to make games myself <3

During this gamejam I set myself the goal to try to create such a "moment" using simple tools.

I really hope you will try my game and let me know what you thought of it :)

Cheers and CONGRATS !

This game is too good for the jam! it's really professional! incredible job! amazing art and music, the mechanics are perfect.

definitely added to my collection and I'm waiting to see more! if that game was in steam I would absolutely buy it!

Holy shit. This is an actual masterpiece for a game jam. With better graphics and more levels it could be on steam easily.

Owen and Ellen... I don't know what to say. Such a beautiful adventure. That ending, and the music with it was inspiring. 
Thanks for taking part in the jam and creating this little gem.

This game reminds me of Rain World, another beautiful game. 

I've been waiting to play this game since I saw it on Twitter. everything in this game is beautiful,

the music, the graphics, the feel. really good job.

Fantastic!  I left a comment on the main game page, but everyone here put it way better than I did. :D

I literally was breathtaking after playing this game, the game it's self meets the theme so good because without any words, simple graphics and simple gameplay it can be so immersive, scary and beatiful at the same time.

I've never experienced something even close to playing your game in any gamejam and even with some other full games. The sound design is amazing, the movement feels great, the art is beautiful, the music is impressive and the atmosphere is stunning. This is truly a masterpiece for a gamejam. The theme is implemented in every aspect of the game, the sound, gameplay, graphics and the fact that the only piece of text in the entire game is just the title, even for the itch page, the simplicity makes this game more than many others could only imagine to be. Congrats on making an amazing game!

wow....I was left speechless... this game, is a game that should be on Steam, like wow, sorry let me gather my thoughts, this was an amazing game! from the very smart level designs to the beautiful artwork, and oh man the music... 5 stars, those weird giant freaky big monsters really were frightening. i gave this game 5 stars, and I'm sure this game will either be ranked #1 and will be featured on BTP YouTube channel, great job, i beat the game, my time was 21 minutes, it was a fantastic journey, thank you for making this. oh and I follow you on Twitter, and i saw your progression, i knew this had to be one of the first games i played for this Jam.