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Death is just the beginning... for those left behind's itch.io pageResults
| Criteria | Rank | Score* | Raw Score |
| Story | #9 | 4.282 | 4.282 |
| Theme | #16 | 4.295 | 4.295 |
| Music | #36 | 3.962 | 3.962 |
| Aesthetics | #107 | 4.000 | 4.000 |
| Mechanics | #229 | 3.308 | 3.308 |
| Sound | #237 | 3.051 | 3.051 |
| Fun | #439 | 2.782 | 2.782 |
Ranked from 78 ratings. Score is adjusted from raw score by the median number of ratings per game in the jam.
How many people worked on this game total?
1
Did you use any existing assets? If so, list them below.
Music from opengameart.org and HR Utilities (made by me)
Link to your source?
https://github.com/NancyJames/deathisjustthebeginning
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Comments
Thanks for making this and sharing something so personal with the community.
The transition from dark to light was beautiful. Maybe the movement could have been a little faster character movement. A different design could have been preferred as a character. It was nice to change the music when the atmosphere changed.
Originally it was supposed to be a person, not an abstract ball but compromises had to be made. Maybe one day I'll release a remastered version with all the features that didn't make the cut!
Really good use of narrative to drive the mechanics. The hands could be pretty hard to see, though maybe that was intentional. One thing I struggled with was the jumping, like I couldn't jump to the side without already moving in that direction. I'm not suggesting free movement in the air, but it might help to have a few frames of buffer, so if you try to press jump and move at the same time, it will read as a sideways jump even if the sideways button comes in a frame or two late. That said, really good entry and use of the theme.
It might not be my place to assume, but I think she would've been proud to see what you've made!
Great job! =)
Not too bad, not my cup of tea but i still played it and have been fair with the rating.
Most important thing tho is you are one of the ones who have submitted a working game. welldone.
only just noticed the hands slow you down by reading the comment below lol. oops
Great job on completing the jam. I would suggest making the hands that slow you down at the start easier to see/read. Maybe even a bit smaller too. The second batch just did an all stop applying so much gravity I couldn't get anywhere. Maybe each zone only adding so much at a time? I dig the vibe and the artsy direction to this.
Congrats on completing the jam. I'm sorry to hear about your loss. At first I didn't like the controls in the first level but put in perspective I think it does a good job of conveying what you wanted.
Great music with the art really felt immersed into the game.
First, sorry about your loss.
Great game, theme, and presentation. The controls are hard in depression, but I guess that is kinda the point. I think you nailed the theme too! Awesome job!
Phew that was harsh, all the grievness, I didn't expect to play a game like this when I saw the game jam theme. 5/5 story.
Now my tears are dry let's talk about the game, the first level is very slow, also, you can get somewhat stuck if in contact with the hands and jump, the slow debuff pile on each other. I personally would decrease gravity a bit because at this velocity, is difficult to estimate where you'll land in the platform part.
Great work!
This is such an incredible work of art... you capture these emotions so purely so raw... I'm having tears in my eyes.. Your usage of colour and music was perfect... I wish you only the very best and I hope you can find comfort in those beautiful memories you have... <3
Enjoyed the game, a bit difficult with the jumps. but nice experience.
I still haven't finished it but I really liked it. Until now it feels like you're teasing the theme of the jam but not giving it to us at first, but it's a very smart delivery. I loved the metaphore of energy, depression, thoughts and food, and the uphill struggle of life put into a ball platformer.
I'm glad you like it, sorry you don't think it delivers on the theme. The idea is that its about the process of grieving and trying to get on with life after a loved one has died.
Sorry, I didn't express myself correctly, I didn't mean that it doesn't deliver on the theme, I just couldn't finish my playthrough yet and still wanted to post a comment. I think it's a VERY smart deliver on the theme!!! (literally had given 5 stars for the creativity on the theme)
I see! If you can't make it through and want to see how it ends, there's a video!
A very touching game with a lot of meaning behind it. I don't mind the difficulty at al in this game since I think it is a part of the mood of the game. I think the ui could use some love, it took me a while to notice that the 2 bars where health/stamina (mental state).
Haha, UI is definitely not my forte. I did consider making the health and energy bars bigger but my one play tester said they were fine. Should have gone with my gut, especially as the game is smaller in the browser
I'm very conflicted in my comment here, but honesty goes a long way and I wouldn't want to withhold either of the 2 parts from you.
First and foremost, I think it's very commendable what you've done here. Essentially devoting your efforts to your late sister. The emotional attachment is noticeable as the story really comes through. I can see that there is a lot of you, your person, your life and your love in the game. Thank you for sharing your emotions, I can't imagine it'd have been easy.
Then regarding the game I have got to say that it was very, very frustrating for me! I could not get past a single group of black hands without touching them, not once! And after I finally reached the second level.. I couldn't get past a single jump without falling down, not once!
Now as with most games, it's hard to tell whether I'm doing something wrong, whether this is intentional or if it is not. But I could not see myself push through another 3 stories having to fall all the way back down every time because I'm simply bad at the game.. And I'm sorry for that, because in a way I'm very sure that it deserves a full run through.
Your submission as well as your bravery in terms of putting yourself and your emotions on display like you've done are, as I already said, commendable. Thank you for your submission!
In the first level, not being able to avoid the hands is intentional, all they do is slow you down temporarily (there was going to be a helping hand from a friend but that didn't make the cut). In the second level, the jumps should all be very doable - I'm terrible at platform games so I figured if I could do it, other people would too. Balancing is hard! The only thing I can think is if you didn't have any energy, you wouldn't be able to jump. I tried to make sure there were enough energy and health power ups on the first level to fill you up (and the energy powerups respawn just in case) My intention was that you would have to repeat at least 1 level because its not supposed to be entirely linear but each time you "fail" you come back further in so its not like starting from scratch.
Making a game that's more metaphor than fun was always going to be a risk. There is a video if you want to see how the rest of it plays out. FWIW, there are no jumps on the 3rd level , very few traps on the 4th and no dangers on the 5th.
Thank you for your feedback.
Thank you for your reply! I have watched the video and you do make it seem a bit easier than it felt like for me! (although 75% of the video is level 1/2, so technically I did.. you know, complete 75%?).
Even more so than in my own run through I realize that it is not about the game, it's all about the memory and the story. I do sincerely hope that it has helped you in your process. It's a beautiful reflection of your emotions.
All the best to you Ryan, thanks for sharing.
Very deep & meaningful , i felt like every action i took in the game mirrors a real life situation of someone going through grief , very well done .
Brilliant, I love the theme.
What an original way to work with this theme and what a way to create a 2d side scroller. The mechanics work fine but get frustrating when it is really slow. I do love the storytelling you are doing here though and it is a very nice way to play with something that is so heavy. I am fortunate enough not to have lived through depression so far although I think I have been on the edge before. My compliments to you!
When I was playing through the game. I found myself frustrated at some parts and wanting to give up. And I felt like that really mirrored the message of the game. And it really made me reflect on my own life and the people that I've lost. I thought this was really well done.