13 replies to this topic

[Blake]

A Figurative End

Download: Here

Description: Exploration platformer that combines visuals and audio with a (hopefully) touching story to attempt to create an immersive mood.

Info: As the theme for the jam is tranquility, I focused on graphics, mood, audio and story in this game, as opposed to gameplay. Some people may not like the lack of gameplay, but this is what I personally think the theme is calling us to do.

PLEASE NOTE: It is essential that you read the text shown to you in-game. If you do not, the story will be meaningless and you will not know what to do.

Edited by Blake, 01 May 2012 - 07:41 AM.

[ND4SPD]

Gameplay was very slow, but it was very tranquil! The calm colours, the natural setting, hand written notes and slow pace all fit the theme.

[Daddio]

I'm liking it so far! The tranquil music, muted colors, rain and falling leaves. I like the interaction with the water slowing you down as well..

Stuff that pops into my head.

- Updated character sprite
- A little parallax effect on the tree background and foreground would be sweet

Really coming along - keep up the great work.


Stop slacking! Get to work and add more story! You can't start a story and then leave people hanging.

Why are you still reading this? You have work to do!

[ZeplashStudios]

Elegant, soothing, wow really love it, was a bit too short, maybe a bit to easy, and there's still debug buttons, maybe a button to speed up reading? uhm, i agree a parallax effect would give a "depth" to emotion. if you work on this a bit more, i can see quite a challenge to bring to the other competitors.

Graphics was really nice
Sounds was great
Effects was soothing
Gameplay a bit short
Bleh, well you may feel like a sir!

-ZeplashStudios

[orange08]

Gameplay was very slow, but it was very tranquil! The calm colours, the natural setting, hand written notes and slow pace all fit the theme.

Agreed.
Good game, is there any chance of you continuing working on it?

[Ampersand]

The mood and visuals in this game are fantastic. I would try to give you things to improve on the game, but even as short as it is, I don't think there's anything you can do to add to it. The abrupt, somewhat heartfelt, entirely "d'aww" ending is just perfect. All I can say is that I'm glad I took the time to download this, because it honestly made my day.

[IKSB]

...Interesting.

Graphically you created a nice mood with the rain and the leaves. Giving attention in such detail to things such as the way the leaves hit the water and gently float to the bottom creates a nice atmosphere.

Which in turn makes the main character that much more jarring to looking. I don't have a problem with a "representative" character, but his shape, animation, and movement make him seem really.... derpy. Like the way he awkwardly swings his arms and legs to walk and how he just sort of herp-a-derp hops when you make him jump. Make him smoother! I found myself trying to NOT look at him.


Nice ambient sounds for the forest. But the music could use some work: for an art game like this, the piano music that was repeatedly played was a little to cheesy too fit with the somber mood of the rest of the game. And what is with the Rippingtons jazz in the intro? That music has no place in a game this tranquil. Music that is more atmospheric would be more appropriate. And then I would really focus on the ambient sounds: make a small bird fly around the area with the nest, letting you hear its wings flap and as it chirps around. Have a some plants on the water with a frog nearby that croaks quietly. Small details like this will make the game that much more compelling.


Give the game a little bit more of an ending. I don't mean extend the story - I'm not telling you to break your game - but at least have the screen fade to black or to something. But just cutting off the game is very jarring, once again. The game starts with cheesy fusion jazz (BAM! Slap to the face!) you see the beautiful landscape, and then see white Gumbee bouncing along the terrain (POW! Kick to the shins!) and then the game ends with no notice (KAPOW! Knee to the face!).


This game has no gameplay and a vague story, labeling it without a doubt as an art game. When you create an art game, the small details like music choice, graphics, and atmosphere are EXPONENTIALLY IMPORTANT. They are the entire game, in a way. You've done a great job... but I feel like it's on the brink of being that much better. The only reason people take games like Flower seriously is because of the wonderful atmosphere they created for the whole game. With an art game, that sort of flawless presentation is essential.

Edited by IKSB, 03 May 2012 - 01:43 AM.

[Blake]

Thank you all for the comments. It is good to know that there is at least a small percentage of people out there that will appreciate this game for what it is. Having said that, in game development you don't really want to target a small audience, so what I have learnt is that regardless of what other qualities a game has, the majority of people will not do without gameplay. So if I am to go further with this, I will have to introduce some form of gameplay. My initial thought was to add a puzzle to each room that somehow also symbolises the concept/item within that room, but I haven't actually come up with anything specific. I would appreciate alternative ideas from you.

In reply to your comments:

1) The character sprite didn't really stand out as bad to me, but I can't animate for the life of me, so it is understandable, and for that reason I doubt I could improve it even if I wanted to.
2) A button to speed up reading of the notes would ruin the mood in my opinion.
3) In my experience with choosing music, I've found it near impossible to please everyone, as music taste is so incredibly varied among people. Personally, I think my choice of music this time is the right one.
4) The 'rippingtons jazz' in the beginning is my little trademark intro that I use in all my games and isn't meant to be a part of the game itself.
5) I will change the ending slightly to make it a little less abrupt and I'll also lose the whole 'achievement unlocked' idea because it seems to be interpreted badly, even though there is meaning behind it.

[Ampersand]

Oh, don't change the ending I enjoyed it.

[Blake]

Oh, don't change the ending I enjoyed it.

Hmm... so many mixed opinions... I don't know what to do!

[Desert Dog]

I see I didn't comment on this topic. I wrote a review (short paragraph) for it for the JAM, though, I recall.

Anyway, great job on this, the visuals were really impressive!

[Scarecrowman]

This is so great. You inspire me much. Good game. :D

[Blake]

Hey, thanks guys! For anyone that's interested, I'm working on a remake of 'Deity', my ludum dare entry, at the moment in studio, which I am hoping to put on kongregate, and then if I can find the time afterwards I hope to do the same with this

[theweirdn8]

That was a pretty nice game. The music and gfx was simply amazing. Also, I really like the way the game was simple and yet gorgeous in style and story.