Simple graphics and UI (but very effective), awesome idea and implementation of the theme, and a great control scheme.
I really like the preview of moves that the game will perform for you; reminds me of tetris with the upcoming blocks. It makes it strategic and hectic, trying to figure out where to place yourself before the timer runs out.
Simple graphics that work well and a fun hacking mechanic. Played two or three rounds before I re-read the instructions and realized I could use the scroll wheel instead of the Up and Down buttons; that made it much easier.
The introduction of mechanics was definitely something I wish I had more time to do. Originally planned for ten levels but could only manage 5 by the deadline. Thanks for the feedback!
Thanks!
Your suggestion about differentiating the blocks is totally fair; I’d thought about making them subtly different but it was intentional to make them the same, wanted to add a layer of difficulty.
Graphics and presentation are great (love the pixel art and animations), controls are top notch and responsive, and the mechanic around random spells with random MP costs is clever and done well.
Can’t really think of any improvements other than maybe make the dash have a longer cooldown so it’s not spammed?
The mechanics were introduced perfectly, the character is adorable, and the controls work well (the gravity button feels especially good and responsive).
I’d even venture to say that the explanations of the control objects aren’t necessary, they’re pretty intuitive.
Music is frenetic, graphics look awesome, and the presentation and with the AI is fun.
Addictive gameplay loop just like the source material. Really like how upgrades are tied to the experience bar but you’re not sure what it’ll be until you get it.
The only thing I’d suggest is try to work out the contrast/colouring of the enemy cursors, cookies, and the player’s cursor. Sometimes my cursor got lost in the fray when there was a bunch going on.
The jumping/physics feel really good, the animation is nice and fluid, graphics are simple but fit well, and the checkpoints are very much appreciated.
I like the self-harm mechanic that takes away health if you use the wrong keys but not sure it’s used to the fullest; all it seems to do is restart you from the checkpoint. Maybe if you lost all your health from pressing the wrong keys, you’d start back from the beginning (or previous checkpoint) instead of the current checkpoint?
Other thing I noticed is that the collision areas on the corners of the platforms are angled so you end up sliding down them if you’re stuck there. I can appreciate the intentional difficulty of that but it’s unfair if the keys change while you’re on the corner and you can’t move until it’s done swapping.
Gameplay is lacking (a walking simulator) but that’s totally understandable given that I believe this was meant to be a story-based experience. I really like the mechanic of having to learn what Bob needs to bring based on previous runs and how the story and narration change based on that.
Only suggestion I have (assuming that the intention is to have the player try multiple times) is make the restart process much quicker either by making Bob walk faster so it’s easier to test out the new items you’ve chosen or add some checkpoint system so you don’t have to start from the beginning again at Bob’s house.
Great storytelling experience!
P.S. The bobbing of the camera is a nice touch as you watch Bob bob along the sidewalk.
So polished with well thought out puzzle sections that are sometimes difficult but mostly fair.
Controls/movement were a bit finicky for me (especially on corners) and not sure why the right mouse button was chosen over the left. Checkpoint system also might have gone a long way towards making the difficulty a little more manageable.
Awesome interpretation of the theme, the graphics and models are outstanding, and the gameplay is pretty fun!
I really like the mechanic of CTRL giving you health but also increasing the “damage” bar of it since even you should be out of control; nice tradeoff and adds some simple resource management.
Do wish that you could attack and move at the same time. The dash/dodge is great but being able to move and attack I believe would make it easier (although that may have been your intention; it does make it start to feel out of control).
Art style is lovely, the music is laid back and kind of soothing, and the gameplay reminds me very much of 2048; just as satisfying to merge buildings together and see a clean area again. Much more stressful than 2048 though (which is great here given the theme).
Love the idea too; very unique! Overall a really awesome game!
Fits the theme perfectly, graphics and art style are great, music is so chill, sound effects are bang on, and the gameplay is fun!
The anti-key-spamming mechanic where wrong keys are tied to your lives is very clever; it rewards proper typing and play without feeling too stressful by being tied to a timer.
I can usually type pretty well without looking at the keyboard but this made me realize I can only do that when I’m typing full words…
Perfect game!
P.S. I stayed on the start screen for way too long just listening to the music and tapping keys. Very satisfying.
I wanted to include a better explanation of the mechanics (by way of just a little more explanation in the instructions) but I also wanted the player to try things and figure it out on their own. I was also focused on getting a playable build uploaded so it go pushed down the to-do list and then ran out of time…
Fantastic execution. There’s a fair number of other games in the jam changing controls but I think the way you did it was unique and way more fun, not to mention humorous.
The simple graphics and level design brought the voice over/control problems front and centre, which are the main reasons to play.
More than once I was looking frantically between the keyboard and the screen to see which keys would make the character move again.
Very very well done!
EDIT: Forgot to mention that the music track fits the game perfectly!
