This is a really engrossing experience. I think the strengths of this game are the use of the effects to really set a mood. You do a great job of placing the player in the eye of the proverbial storm. I think that this is a really unique interpretation of the jam theme.
The gameplay mechanics are good, using air as a limited resource for the player's survival. The flooded house is a great opportunity for confined horror and player exploration. Great choice of sprites, sound effects, and level design around the house.
The atmosphere is top-notch here. Wading through and then diving into water attempting (in futility) to stage a hurricane rescue was immersive, pun intended! There's definitely a lot of opportunities to flesh out this really promising idea even more.
Some constructive feedback if you continue to develop this game:
- Given that the mechanisms to retrieve the key aren't really 'puzzles' in the conventional sense, it may be better trying to find a way to work them into the design of the house.
- The mazelike design of the house works very well, but I'd probably avoid getting the player to go down a long corridor after the player has likely already died attempting to wander down another one that's scripted to be endless, as fun as the visual trick behind that one was.
- Were there multiple endings? I would have liked to have learned a little more about the monster and the relationship between the surreal television narration from the endgame phase.
I did a playthrough below:
Great job on this, and thanks for submitting. It's a really impressive piece of work.