You definitely nailed the theme and how stir-crazy quarantine makes everyone feel!
Story wise, I didn't feel like there was quite enough here to qualify as narrative driven (though the story on the starting page is definitely a good start). I kind of wanted to know why the main character was going outside during the pandemic even though the objective of the game is to survive the pandemic. Is he running low on recourses? Is he trying to find the cure? Is he just that stir-crazy? A few dialog boxes or icons could definitely take care of that!
Gameplay wise, the graphics are very cute and the motion is smooth! However, I felt the game lacked the incentive to play again. I feel like this could be fixed with a score feature (time survived? items collected? a check list of items you have to collect to win?). I also found it strange that the police and virus did the same thing. What if instead of instantly ending the game like the virus does, the police forced the main character to go back to the house and stay locked in for a certian amount of time, while the meters keep going down?
The game could deffs use some sound design. Upbeat music and sounds for collecting the items. Maybe some siren sounds from the police :D
Finally, I was a little confused as to why the character was wearing a mask inside his house but took it off as soon as he went outside. I feel like it would be the opposite? Unless... is that why the police are chasing him? xD
Good job making a game that tackles the pandemic subject matter! Hopefully this feedback helps! :)
-Sasha
Viewing post in LockedIn jam comments
Thank you very much for your well-argumented comment, Sasha! I agree with everything you've said. :)
I saw this game jam just a few days ago and just wanted to get the idea that I got out. :) The game was done in less than 24h. :) and we had more ideas than what we were able to implement in the time.
Yeah, the virus and police do the same thing - for now. :) So the idea is, that when a virus gets you, you lose your mask and then the viruses and the police become faster too (the police chasing you for not wearing a mask and the virus is faster, because you are more vulnerable without it). You have to get back to your house, to get a new mask, to protect yourself again. :)
Also, yes, the character has to go outside to get resources.
I also did not completely forget about the sound - there was just not enough time to do that. I actually started working on something, but it's not game-ready yet. :)
Hopefully some time in the future, there would be a LockedIn 2.0, with more implemented features that would make you wanna play again. :D The lack of ideas is definitely not a problem. :) We just need to find time to go back to the game and implement additional stuff.
Did you figure out how to get into the other room and what's the point of it? ;)
Thank you again for your comment!
Mateja