LudumData

Sunset Monster by dregamr

[raw]
made by dregamr for LD33 (JAM)
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Important note
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If the web page scrolls up or down while pressing the arrow keys, press the fullscreen button.
This issue is present by using chrome or safari web browsers. With firefox seems to work properly.
Anyway, in fullscreen mode works properly with any browser.
Sorry for the inconvenience.
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End of note
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A classic space shooter style game...but with a new point of view.

The game is available at Game Jolt to play in browsers and download.
http://gamejolt.com/games/sunset-monster/88418

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Controls:
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-Arrows to move.
-"p" to pause and resume game.
-Spacebar to anything else.

Two game modes, easy and hard.

Only one level, but it is THE LEVEL. ;)

Read all texts to get the ultimate experience playing the game, and complete the level to understand why "YOU ARE THE MONSTER". Sorry for the inconvenience and thanks for playing!

ONE LAST THING!!
-If you see the credits after the battle, it is because you've won!!

CHANGES***V1.1.0
-Due to the feedback, baby mode has been modified, so now it's easier to complete the level in this "easy" mode. Those who want a more challenging mode can play on "monster mode".
-I hope those people who couldn't complete the game before to retry and complete it now. The best part is at the end. Sorry for the inconvenience, and have a nice time playing my game. Thank you.
Web-GameJolt http://gamejolt.com/games/sunset-monster/88418
Windows https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B81fiyPr1meGeUptdG4xMTFqUE0
OS/X https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B81fiyPr1meGNU42NEE4aWlIYTQ
Linux https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B81fiyPr1meGR0ZodXFITmJyYTg
Web standalone https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B81fiyPr1meGdDdDTE5iSTQ3M1U
Original URL https://ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-33/?action=preview&uid=57743

Ratings

Coolness 73% 3
Overall(Jam) 3.43 344
Audio(Jam) 3.47 226
Fun(Jam) 3.41 279
Graphics(Jam) 3.65 395
Humor(Jam) 2.53 675
Innovation(Jam) 2.75 727
Mood(Jam) 3.24 447
Theme(Jam) 3.20 711

Feedback

Demy
24. Aug 2015 路 20:34 UTC
I have no idea how to kill the monster a baby. Graphics are minimalistic and cool.
baykush_figtree
25. Aug 2015 路 00:48 UTC
I like the minimalism of it but I can't defeat the ship even in babymode :(
馃帳 dregamr
25. Aug 2015 路 12:17 UTC
If you see the credits after the battle, it is because you've won!! ;)
The final objective is not to destroy the "monster ship"!! That's the surprise...
mantis
25. Aug 2015 路 16:28 UTC
Holy shit, this is HARD! :D
馃帳 dregamr
25. Aug 2015 路 22:40 UTC
I'm really sorry guys, the problem is that for me is very easy in baby mode (I complete it without being hurt), so I may have made it more difficult to others than expected, and I'm sorry for that little issue.
Use the corners to evade... The trick is to study the sequence, you know, evade and shoot. The first part and the second are more difficult, but after the second it becomes more interesting.
darklightteam
25. Aug 2015 路 22:40 UTC
Wow, a shmup fan out there! nice job, I love it :)
Ninja Garage
25. Aug 2015 路 22:47 UTC
Cool, fun game!
Rocketship
26. Aug 2015 路 10:37 UTC
Like the simplicity of the graphics and as a shmup this is pretty good. However I think the ship should be a bit quicker because at times it's practically impossible to avoid getting hit.
Dizzly
26. Aug 2015 路 11:26 UTC
Baby monster it s too hard I guess. I like the minimalistic style and I am already seeing this game in the store Good job!
Reisen
26. Aug 2015 路 11:36 UTC
Good shmup, bullet patterns are straightforward.

Most of this game's issue comes from the laser.
-. It has no cue
-. It obstructs bullets.
cyrixd
26. Aug 2015 路 12:21 UTC
I enjoyed a lot of the bullet patterns, but as others have said, the near instant firing of the laser feels very unfair and makes it frustrating to progress. Other than that the game is quite solid, I wish I could get further!
squarepug
26. Aug 2015 路 12:36 UTC
I really like this, the intro dialogue is cool and adds depth to it, I found the gameplay quite tough too. Nice use of the theme.
derr
28. Aug 2015 路 14:18 UTC
This is super hard. I couldn't beat it but the graphics were very nice.
r8berto
28. Aug 2015 路 22:51 UTC
Cool story, and nice graphics but... why is the background orange??
馃帳 dregamr
28. Aug 2015 路 23:08 UTC
The background is orange cause of the sunset and cause of the "Sunset Games Corporation" logo, but yes, I know that the color may have more contrast than expected, sorry about that.
PowerSpark
28. Aug 2015 路 23:11 UTC
It was pretty tough but I finished.
I couldn't understand the ending because once it did the "thing", the credits queued.
dcolgan
28. Aug 2015 路 23:12 UTC
The game play is decent, nothing groundbreaking. Pretty simple idea. It is a bit unclear how things are supposed to work and what is going on. The hard mode is definitely hard and the enemy attacks are innovative. It was decent.
Grahhhhh
28. Aug 2015 路 23:14 UTC
Oh God, everyone in here that says they can't beat this are really missing out. Gotta find your bullet hell instincts, avoid the middle and take it slow, because Damn, this is the funniest game I've seen yet! Spectacular work, keep it up!
yuigoto
28. Aug 2015 路 23:59 UTC
Oh, nice twist there! :)

The minimalistic style is really charming, I'd love to see a full game using this style of graphics! Reminded me of those old mini-games, Game & Watch style. :P

Nice work on the audio there too, really, it really completes the mood, both sound FX and soundtrack.

Controls also work great, I've played the web version and it plays really nice! :D

Great work overall, really! :D

P.s.: Try to increase the side on the Ludum Dare frame to 460 by 660, this way the game frame won't scroll! :P
andreiichim
29. Aug 2015 路 00:10 UTC
Lovely game.
Nomys_Tempar
29. Aug 2015 路 12:02 UTC
Pretty good game, a bit hard for me, but the twist is cool.
OnionBlaze
29. Aug 2015 路 12:48 UTC
Ah, I'm bad at this ahaha. I like that thing in the ending. Good job! :D
synchingfeeling
30. Aug 2015 路 15:32 UTC
Love a bullet hell shooter, the ending was brilliant, the graphics minimalist and engaging. Even did it on monster mode!
Gaga
30. Aug 2015 路 15:39 UTC
Glad you added baby mode :)
Geckoo1337
30. Aug 2015 路 15:43 UTC
Cool bullet patterns - nice project. maybe a little bit hard for those who aren't experimented. Neat aesthetic ++
Literal Games
30. Aug 2015 路 16:03 UTC
Graphics were great, and the build up of your attacks is really cool! Kind of wanted to play the bit with smaller enemies first, maybe have a whole level building to the boss?
SojaBird
30. Aug 2015 路 16:15 UTC
Cool and simplistic design!
Good music even though it's a bit too loud.

It's pretty hard but that's cool for a game like this.
After first transformation I died :c
NickMakesGames
30. Aug 2015 路 16:40 UTC
a functional side-scrolling shooter, but nothing terribly unique or out of the ordinary here. You could definitely expand on this and introduce your own new mechanics, but in its current state I don't really find this game to be terribly worthwhile.
Resonious
30. Aug 2015 路 17:31 UTC
It has been pointed out before - the laser is impossible to see coming unless you've already been hit by it and know when in the pattern it happens.

The ending was good though.
panda
30. Aug 2015 路 18:44 UTC
Great graphics and sound effects, awesome shooter! I don't know how to see the "big beam" coming, though, and that kills me. Then I have to start all over again? Perhaps include checkpoints in the game?
jofra
30. Aug 2015 路 19:48 UTC
Very cool simple mechanic with a pretty cool story!
GJ!
ViKing Games
30. Aug 2015 路 19:50 UTC
Cool bullet patterns, but I would've liked if the lase didn't kill you in one hit. As has been said before, you have to have been hit by it to know when it's coming (at least in the second form).
Benjamin
30. Aug 2015 路 20:25 UTC
Nice idea ! The only problem was the fact than the black ray hide bullets trajectories so you cant anticipate your moves.
馃帳 dregamr
30. Aug 2015 路 20:29 UTC
First of all, thanks for all your comments.

-Before the big laser, the camera shakes vertically, so you can know that it's comming and scape from there. The shake is about 0.5 seconds, because in other case is very easy to scape. Sorry if that's frustrating for some of you.
-The other thing is that the laser doesn't kill you in one hit, unless you play in "monster" mode. "Monster" mode is the hard mode. In "baby" mode(easy), the big laser doesn't kill you in one hit at all!!!!

:)
Insality
30. Aug 2015 路 20:44 UTC
wow! i looove this so much
I love this type of games and you created this one perfectly
completed both difc ;) so easy
my games like your by difficulty, u can try)
Audio and graphic style are amazing! great job.
Xanjos
30. Aug 2015 路 22:00 UTC
Ended up playing the game on Baby mode so I could progress through the story faster but it was worth it for the little twist in the end plus I like the rather clean and simple art style.
valid4life
31. Aug 2015 路 04:59 UTC
The audio was good and the graphics looked nice!
Razoric
31. Aug 2015 路 14:06 UTC
Cool game! Tough!
glimaleite
31. Aug 2015 路 14:21 UTC
Fun game. I couldn't complete it though, so I didnt get to see how you set up the theme. Babymode is still too hard for people not used to play shmups so much. I liked the aesthetics of the game, good job! You should probably make the cues a little bit more evident (I had no idea when the laser would go off). Great job!!
Goutye
31. Aug 2015 路 14:30 UTC
Nice shoot'em up. The problem with this kind of game when you are developing one is to add an easy mode which is really easy mode. In fact, I suppose that you are the best at your game because of the number of try. However, even the baby mode stays a bit too complicated for a first run. Maybe fewer bubbles would have been better than a longer life.
In spite of that, I really enjoyed this game because I am a fan of this kind of game (shoot'em up), especially the retro arcade one! Really nice work, the monster difficulty is actually really monstrous! Nice ending with the side change!
Larzan
31. Aug 2015 路 14:59 UTC
Great idea, well implemented, like the music, very polished! (Don't know how to win, impossible ;) )
Drunkteam
31. Aug 2015 路 15:40 UTC
THe idea is cool but I would to control the shots. The music is suitable but It's too loud.
TicZo
31. Aug 2015 路 15:48 UTC
Just amazing that's it.
veoviscool12
31. Aug 2015 路 16:24 UTC
Love the minimalist style and the bullet hell spin. :) Story was good too. Ship could be a tad faster for avoiding stuff, though. Overall, good job!
Ivan Volkov
31. Aug 2015 路 16:49 UTC
WHY IS IT SO HARD? Am I supposed to attack him for a 5 minutes to win? That was really long, even on the easy mode.
But looks pretty and music is cool!
馃帳 dregamr
31. Aug 2015 路 17:55 UTC
Wow!! Thanks a lot for all your comments!!
I'm sad for those who couldn't complete the game!
It's very difficult to design an easy mode for all players, and a very very easy mode is boring... I think you all can beat the monster if you make another try. Just shoot to the cabin, and before the big laser is comming the camera shakes vertically, so run when that happens!!

And seriously, I'm very grateful for all of your comments, I hope to have the time to play all of your games as well. :)
HappyHour
01. Sep 2015 路 04:47 UTC
I'm getting a very dreamcast-y vibe from the visuals and I really dig it. Fun little shmup entry. :)
bodsey
01. Sep 2015 路 16:37 UTC
This is actually a great entry. Really interesting take on the Shmup, minimalist but effective art. I was a bit disappointed by the ending I must say. I think it could have been stronger than that (I don't know how of course ^^ )
mubox
01. Sep 2015 路 17:45 UTC
Very hard, but very interesting. :D
Have a very nice audio. ^^
stupidmindlessf
01. Sep 2015 路 18:53 UTC
Awesome experience. Great style both art and audio - challenging but good gameplay
puppetmaster
01. Sep 2015 路 20:01 UTC
Super minimalistic art. The background music and sound effects are also very cool. Could be the start or the end off an arcade shooter. :-) Very cool game you have made!
Oxygamer
01. Sep 2015 路 20:39 UTC
Wow. I was catched by this game. It's like horror arcade. You have to make a full game like this !
GreaseMonkey
01. Sep 2015 路 22:34 UTC
Didn't quite crack the end.

Main complaint is that the first wave is a bit too long and tends to drag. Other than that, pretty solid effort.

Graphics while minimalistic work *really* well.

Music's actually pretty good even if it's not really my style. Suggestion to improve would be to make it longer before it loops.
bigbuggames
02. Sep 2015 路 00:46 UTC
Very nice! Loved the final! Graphics are simple, but it doesn't need more than that, very fun, fits perfectly the theme in my opinion and very high innovation too. All thanks to the twist at the end! GJ!
crucknuk
02. Sep 2015 路 16:27 UTC
waow a bullet-hell with good patterns, good graphics and good sounds. I liked it!
p.s: your hardmode rock ;)
jackrugile
03. Sep 2015 路 05:16 UTC
I'm a sucker for space shooters, great game!
wavegunner232
03. Sep 2015 路 17:55 UTC
lots of fun old school feel epic music. 4.9/5 just not the most innovative game
WizzardMaker
03. Sep 2015 路 18:19 UTC
The game is hard, but fun.
Infernal
03. Sep 2015 路 21:14 UTC
solid shmup, very nice indeed. I am just not clear about the ending story bit.
crafteverywhere
04. Sep 2015 路 03:37 UTC
The art style is very cool.
Infokub Arcade
04. Sep 2015 路 08:02 UTC
I didnt really understood the game.
First time i was pretty close to kill the monster, and everything has changed when i died.
So for a second try i suicide myself at the first step and i got a GameOver.

I dont know, it's weird.
dcolgan
05. Sep 2015 路 02:55 UTC
Okay, I had to come back to this game. It was the first I played and I did not think much of it. After playing some others though and seeing what they accomplished, this looks way better to me now. Overall, it is the best I have seen yet.
馃帳 dregamr
05. Sep 2015 路 16:19 UTC
Thanks, @dcolgan, and thanks a lot to all of you who played Sunset Monster. I don't know enough english words to thank you all the comments.
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the game. Thanks again!.
hcosta
14. Sep 2015 路 14:13 UTC
It remembers me old Touhou classics. Good work :)
humanatee_studios
14. Sep 2015 路 17:42 UTC
That was great, great graphic and music!
CodeNMore
14. Sep 2015 路 18:37 UTC
Amazing minimalism that just makes this feel new!