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A jam submission

[sleep debt]View game page

Explore a dream world to pay off the debt to your sleep paralysis demon.
Submitted by wr41thx (@wr41thx), Just JDep — 6 hours, 57 minutes before the deadline
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[sleep debt]'s itch.io page

Results

CriteriaRankScore*Raw Score
THEME#113.8063.806
JUICE#213.8063.806
OVERALL#213.7223.722
FUN#283.4443.444
PRESENTATION#563.5003.500

Ranked from 36 ratings. Score is adjusted from raw score by the median number of ratings per game in the jam.

Did you use any third-party assets or skeleton code?
Text Animator, All in 1 sprite shader, CC0 music. some generic sound effects (sonic bumper). Everything else was made in the jam. Songs not credited via the radio: "Spooky Dungeon" By You're Perfect Studio, "Mysterious Sewer" by Smark, and "The Days Roll On" by Chance de la Soul!

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Comments

Viewing comments 20 to 1 of 31 · Previous page · First page
Submitted(+1)

What I liked:

  • The art and effects for the platforming sections was really nice
  • It has a lot of character
  • The platforming was clean and responsive
  • I like the idea of a game that has both driving and platforming as a main mechanic
  • The driving mechanics were juicy

What I think could be improved:

  • I wasn't a huge fan of the driving sections even though I do like the idea of it
    • I thought the camera was too zoomed in, which made me have a really hard time finding my way around. I ended up just driving with the map open because that felt easier to find stuff
    • The driving seemed like it was more of a fancy level map to get between platforming stages with, but I thought it was a little tedious
  • I like the idea of needing to use the bouncy things to solve platforming puzzles a lot, but I didn't really feel like there was much figuring out to do with the level design

Overall great submission!

Developer

Thank you for the feedback!  The car controls were a first for us and definitely need tweaking.  Merging two types of character controllers and having everything run in a single scene posed some unique problems and we probably over scoped a bit for a game jam, haha.  Was going for a bit of trippy yume nikki style of game, but with more collectables than the effects found in that game (plus only so much time to make content...which a game themed like this needs quite a bit of).  I had plans to add things like a double jump unlock and car improvements, but those had to be scrapped due to time constraints.  Again, thank you for playing and taking the time to provide some great constructive feedback!  

Submitted

What I liked:

  • The art and effects for the platforming sections was really nice
  • It has a lot of character
  • The platforming was clean and responsive
  • I like the idea of a game that has both driving and platforming as a main mechanic
  • The driving mechanics were juicy

What I think could be improved:

  • I wasn't a huge fan of the driving sections even though I do like the idea of it
    • I thought the camera was too zoomed in, which made me have a really hard time finding my way around. I ended up just driving with the map open because that felt easier to find stuff
    • The driving seemed like it was more of a fancy level map to get between platforming stages with, but I thought it was a little tedious
  • I like the idea of needing to use the bouncy things to solve platforming puzzles a lot, but I didn't really feel like there was much figuring out to do with the level design

Overall great submission!

Submitted

Nice colors and sounds!

Developer

Thank you!  We had a lot of fun with this!

Submitted (1 edit) (+1)

Very unique and charming game! Didn't expect an open world exploration game when I loaded up the game. Really ambitions, especially with the two types of gameplay. I enjoyed finding new random things, many of them game me a good chuckle. You can tell you cleary had lots of fun making this. Amazin!

Developer

Thank you!  JDEV and I originally planned this to be a mini game collection.  You started in a hub area, and entered doors to dream worlds (Yume Nikki style).  You completed mini games to earn Z's to wake up.  JDEV wanted to make a mini game about out of control driving, and we had planned for a tooth related platformer, a public nudity stealth game, and an endless runner where you are being chased by something you can't seem to outrun (all dream stuff).  However the driving was fun, so I got the idea of exploring an overworld in the car and visiting "dungeons" that were platforming sections.  I drew out a very very rough sketch of the map, but JDEV really went to town filling it with fun set pieces.  

Submitted(+1)

Such a fun game with a really impressive scope! Driving feels pretty good & responsive. Running into things feels really rewarding. The camera shake when you pick up coins is great. I wish there was more platforming! The character design/animation is cool too!

Developer

Thank you!  The driving is a bit loosey goosey, but the original plan for the car mini game was "out of control driving" - so it was originally meant to be that way.  By the time we started thinking about tightening up the car controls, we were both kinda used to it and got low on time.  Glad you enjoyed it!  

Submitted(+1)

The sound effects are just perfect. Good job!

Developer(+1)

Thanks!  Most sounds were made in bfxr or recorded and edited with audacity.   The sonic bumpers are ...sonic bumpers...it had to be sonic bumpers...at least i drew them from scratch haha.  The trees are a heavily modified bounce sound from link to the past.  If you do donuts in the car long enough, you get a special easter egg sound from a certain animated show that was heavily bit crushed. 

Submitted(+1)

Lovely game, even after paying of my debt i continued to explore and finding the little secrets hidden all over. I love the wacky humor present in this small dream world. The sound effects were really fitting and sold the idea of exploring a weird and wacky dream world.

Developer

Thank you for playing!  Did you check your time for the debt clearing / all completion in the wake up room?  Im always curious to see what peoples times were.  :D  

Submitted

I actually didn't know there was a wake up room xD . I just kept exploring and drifting after paying it of :p

Developer

Yup! Click the "Visit Hub" button at anytime to check progress.  If your debt is paid of *it turns all rainbowy*, the hub has a door that appears with a bedroom that updates based on chests and coins collected.  

Submitted(+1)

This is by far the juiciest game I've tried out thus far! And sleep debt is something I can really relate to. I like the mix of platforming and driving. The driving was a bit hard to get the hang of but I think I got it eventually.

Developer

Thank you for playing!  I can definitely relate as well!  :D

Submitted(+2)

Game is fun, satisfying to collect coins.  it was weird to get used to the controls at first but when it clicked I had fun driving fast.

the colorful art and insane post processing made it hard to understand what is going on at a glance, the button to disable the post processing helped a lot. 

good game! well done.

Developer

Thank you for playing!  I've noticed a lot of modern games offer options to turn off post processing.  Since we only had a single layer, it was easy to implement this feature in a short time - and your feedback makes me glad I took that time!  :)

Submitted(+2)

Good game with fun driving and unique design elements. Platforming sections were a nice change of pace. Car controls could use some refinement but overall it's a great submission. Keep up the good work!

Developer

Thank you so much for playing!  We are glad you enjoyed it! 

Submitted(+2)

Seems neat but the driving sections are incredibly jittery for me. Not sure if it's a performance issue or what's going on

Developer

Sorry to hear that!  Let me know if the downloadable version I sent you solves the problem.  Could be a WebGL thing.  Thank you for playing! :)

Submitted

The downloadable version was MUCH better for me

I really liked how you two basically did two different games but integrated them really nicely. There's a lot of charm here and the effects have a really nice juice to them without being over the top. The one thing I'd change is the direction the car reverses. When you're turning while reversing you have the car turning in the opposite direction compared to how reversing a car works in real life, which is really unintuitive

Submitted(+2)

It's been polished very well and with so much fun.I really enjoyed the game.But I finally gave up to wake up.It's just too annoying for me to check where I missed coins :D

Developer

Haha, yeah the reason why I implemented two timers was for people who might not want to go the hard core completionist route.  Clearing the debt usually means visiting all the dungeons and seeing most of the major content in the game.  However there are small easter eggs that unlock in your bedroom to reward you for finding more coins and chests!  Thank you for playing!  

Submitted(+2)

Fantastic game. So much stuff to drive over and places to explore.

I Played for quite a while, and managed to pay the debt but could not find the last two chests. The remaining coins were probably at the teeth place or maybe behind the big catsby, which I couldn't get past. Had lots of fun though.


The feeding missions were a little difficult, especially with the car controls, but I found that you can ram the objects very hard, and they will bounce off the walls and eventually go in the target.

Overall this is a very well-made and visually appealing game. Good job!

Developer (1 edit) (+1)

Thank you for playing!!  All dungeons have 2 chests except the tooth dungeon.  Was it the ball of yarn you had to bounce on that gave you trouble?  It is kind of a tricky jump, you want to aim for the center and let yourself bounce on it a few times to get height.  

The Greater Catsby himself doesn't have a hit box (but he does have puurrrrsonality and is quite the talker).   

Ramming the objects in the feeding missions is the best general strategy, they cannot get out of the area so you don't have to stress too much.  

The game was designed to be chill and taken at your own pace with lots of funny little set pieces, jokes, and "lore".   Im glad you appreciated that!

 (until you realize there are 2 speed run timers....I'd die a happy man if someone speedran this game for GDQ!).   

Developer(+1)

Thank you for playing. Yeah I designed the feeding games to let the player bounce the heads all over the place to account for the driving controls. They also will not bounce out of the boundaries.

Submitted(+2)

Really fun to drive around! Love the details like trails on cats and some physics. Keep it up!

Developer

Thanks!  Make sure you check out the hub in the game that tracks your progress (upper right button).  there is a speed run timer too.  I keep worrying people might miss that whole aspect of the game (i didnt update the UI properly and it's too late to patch til voting is done, lol)

Submitted(+2)

I really enjoyed this game. Awesome submission and in only a week! I was following the updates you posted in the discord and was excited to play it!

The visuals are really cool and every action felt impactful (JUICE) as well as fitting the theme with the debt.

I think the driving could use a little bit of tweaks, it is fun but was sometimes a bit frustrating.

blending platforming and a driving game is a cool concept, once again an awesome entry!

Developer

Thank you so much!  We burnt a lot of late night hours putting this together and had a lot of fun making it.  Im glad people have been enjoying it!  We both agree the car physics could use some tweaking...also I need to emphasize the hub button a bit more so people know to go there to track progress.

Submitted(+2)

What can I say, what an absolute joy of a game. I cannot believe how much you managed to pack in there. Its legitimately so fun navigating the map to so many different locations. Everything you interact with just oozes flair and character. The platforming sections were a nice break from the driving. 

Everything about the design is just so unique, I love how much originality is here and it feels fantastic. I would love to see you flesh this out further, I think considering how much originality you've already packed in, something like this could really go places.

My only real critique is the driving. While it was often a lot of fun to go skidding like crazy in loops, it got a little wild at times which led to constant backing up and pulling forward.

All in all, incredible entry, I'm floored at such a unique and fun game.

Developer

Thank you so much!  JDEV and I both agree the car controls are a bit loose / squirrely, which we'd love to refine with more time.  Have you tried doing donuts for around 5-10 seconds?  There is an easter egg if you are a fan of a particular show about a bird and a racoon.  ;)

Submitted(+2)

Awesome game. Car was fun and, though I always have trouble driving in games, it was fun to skid around! A fun idea - I think the teeth level was my favorite (you went full-on dream-mode there). Always awkward having two genres in one game but I think you did a great job here. 

Developer

Thank you!  The teeth dungeon was one of my first ideas when we were talking about dreams, and ironically the last dungeon developed lol.

(+2)

This game is super fun to play and has a lot of flair to it. The style is unique and interesting, and the gameplay had me playing for hours. The car was a little hard to control, though I believe this was intentional. Will definitely play again!

Developer(+1)

Thank you!  JDEV did the car controls and it was a first time for both of us doing that style of gameplay.  We agree they were a bit loose, and might tighten them up in a patch after the voting is done.  :)

Developer(+1)

Glad you enjoyed it! The original idea was for the car to be a standalone mini-game which would follow the theme of out of control driving, which is a common dream people have. However, we liked the mechanic a lot and decided to make it the overworld. So it was originally intentional but I wish I had the foresight to refine it more once we "switched gears" (pun intended). 

Submitted(+3)

This has got really great style and lots of visual polish! The game works smoothly overall, but I don't think it would have hurt to give a bit more direction at the start. Overall great work!

Developer

Thank you for playing!  Yeah, the beginning and the ending were added at the very end so we didn't have quite as much time to polish them up.  I'd love to add more emphasis to the "VISIT HUB" button to remind people that is where you check up on your progress.  Thank you for our feedback! 

Submitted(+3)

Really cool game ! Twisted & funny
Love the visuals style it's very colorfull and weird in the right way.
Don't have much to say in terms of feedbacks. the concept works good, it plays well & the implementation is very neat.

Great job !

Developer

Thank you!  Glad you enjoyed it!  

Viewing comments 20 to 1 of 31 · Previous page · First page