Test Beneath the Surface by Lancelot Gao

[raw]
made by Lancelot Gao for LD29 (COMPO)
### GAME CONTROL
Move: A/D
Jump: Space

### INTRO
In this game I tried to implement a weird game experience: you'll play a single-player game, but it feels like there are other players playing together with you - like a multi-player game.

There are 6 playable characters in this game. Every character has his own attributes(moving speed, jump height...) and attack style. You'll control 1 of them and try to defeat the others. The fun part is: all of the characters are controlled by yourself - both the player and the enemies. Can you win the fight? Can you discover the truth behind it?

### ABOUT THE THEME & STORY

If you've completed the game, but cannot understand the logic or story behind the cut-scenes. It's not your fault. I failed to tell the story beneath the surface of game very well. Below is the detail description about the story/logic behind the scene.

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This game is inspired by dissociative identity disorder. It tried to show the "fight" inside the brain of a patient with split personalities.

The 1st scene is a talk between you and doctor - before discharging from hospital, you need to complete a test to prove that there is only 1 personality in your body.

On the surface, it's a simple conversation test. But beneath the surface, you are also doing another brutal test at the same time in your brain ...

You need to control 1 character(personality) to kill the others. If he is killed, a new character will be spawned -- in the real world, that means you have changed to another personality...

You need to show that there is only 1 personality in your body during the test. So the ultimate goal of game inside is killing the others without any death - after that, you will be discharged in the real world.

Ratings

Coolness 62% 3
Overall 3.86 83
Audio 3.12 329
Fun 3.57 160
Graphics 4.26 57
Humor 3.10 207
Innovation 3.97 76
Mood 3.50 196
Theme 3.38 450

Feedback

TheGameFather
28. Apr 2014 · 04:41 UTC
The game has very nice graphics and effects, which is my favourate. The controls are feels good, simple and yet challenging, though the the actions of the characters can be more solid, as it's an action game, sort of. However, I still can't get the idea behind the game after playing for 3 times... Maybe more explicit would be better :)
NTR
28. Apr 2014 · 06:49 UTC
Interesting concept.
okkolobr
28. Apr 2014 · 16:30 UTC
Nicely done. Hard to play but really worth it. Congrats !
Tuism
28. Apr 2014 · 16:31 UTC
Wow! I love many things about this, great graphics, a twisty tale (I like the simplicity and the strength of it but obviously a little tenuous), interesting concept... It's all SUPER impressive for a 48 hour game!

The only thing that bugged me was the constant knocking. Is it supposed to be footsteps, or someone (you?) banging your head? I thought another window was open with another sound going, but it wasn't. What is it??
CupcakeMedia
28. Apr 2014 · 16:44 UTC
Interesting concept and for the time it took to create it is very solid. In the context of LD it's a pretty good game, and overall, the concept carries the slightly dodgy mechanics. With more polish this could become a REALLY interesting game.
Celt
28. Apr 2014 · 16:56 UTC
This is really good on a technical level...
littleball
28. Apr 2014 · 17:02 UTC
Well done, fun to play.
DragonXVI
28. Apr 2014 · 17:59 UTC
1:18! Gorgeous presentation, interesting take on the theme too. Gets pretty difficult but never felt unfair.
REIN1
28. Apr 2014 · 18:35 UTC
Cool again!
Zathalos
29. Apr 2014 · 00:57 UTC
FINALLY! It took me like 20 times to finally get 1 personality. Took me 50 seconds with the mage. Very interesting gameplay and concept. I liked it a lot. The only gripe I have is the lack of music and the weird ticks. Awesome job though.
sugarbyte
29. Apr 2014 · 02:07 UTC
Cute graphics, gameplay is very fun! As you note, you don't see much connection to the theme/story.
asotelo94
29. Apr 2014 · 02:52 UTC
I would like to be the one controlling the hits. Liked the enemy movement mechanic. Awesome job!
TsFreddie
29. Apr 2014 · 03:15 UTC
果断路过帮顶啊!
TsFreddie
29. Apr 2014 · 03:20 UTC
Okay, I got garbled here. Interesting game, saw it on weibo so come and vote. XD
TyrusPeace
29. Apr 2014 · 03:27 UTC
I like the gameplay concept; it seemed as though my movements affected all enemies somehow, but I couldn't figure out exactly how for every enemy type. Perhaps introducing them more gradually would help, but it's understandable that there's only one stage in this :).

Nice work, and a cool graphical style. Impressive work for 48 hours!
Wuhao
29. Apr 2014 · 04:03 UTC
well done again
muramasa
29. Apr 2014 · 04:33 UTC
Not entirely my cup of tea, because I get frustrated by self-controlled attacks. But, you got me.

--SPOILER?--
I didn't realized that I was controlling the other characters at the same time.

I really like the concept. Those pesky characters still manage to beat my main personality, and I've tried it like 20 times. DARN! But I love the aesthetic, which I find pretty fitting, I don't know why. It's a surreal game.
DarkMeatGames
29. Apr 2014 · 20:52 UTC
Really really nice work. Very clever concept/mechanics, and well executed. It's interesting, when you take attack away from the player, it becomes all about positioning. Really cool stuff, keep it up!
samooJAM
29. Apr 2014 · 21:55 UTC
I tried to understand the game but I didn't. A bit confusing but fun anyways. I love your art style.
rylgh
30. Apr 2014 · 08:04 UTC
very interesting game! i actually thought there was AI for a bit, very cool how you had them respond differently to give that effect
MunkeeBacon
30. Apr 2014 · 23:38 UTC
Wow! Very nice playing and looking game, well done!
pandamicro
01. May 2014 · 10:17 UTC
Well done ! I like the visual effects ! May it will be even better if we can control attacks and be able to shay away from attacks. But I didn't understand the relationship with the theme
Striwx
10. May 2014 · 12:23 UTC
Love the idea !
loxo
19. May 2014 · 16:19 UTC
Interesting, unique and mind bending concept. Great use of the theme. I like the graphics and audio too. Overall awesome!