LudumData

Sleep Well by bassarisse

[raw]
made by bassarisse for LD27 (JAM)
In this game, you're a neuron trying to send messages to the body while asleep to prevent apnea!

For every suspension of breathing, try to hit the brain connection at the top of the area as much as you can to reduce the apnea level to 0. If you take more than 10 seconds to do it, it will take that into account to build your result at the end.

Sadly, I didn't have time to thoroughly explain the concepts in game. Not everyone knows what apnea is, I guess.

UPDATE 07/09/2013:
I published an improved version of the game on GameJolt! Thanks everyone for the amazing feedback!
http://gamejolt.com/games/arcade/sleep-well/17449/
Windows http://bassarisse.com/download/239/
OS/X http://bassarisse.com/download/244/
Post-jam version http://gamejolt.com/games/arcade/sleep-well/17449/
Original URL https://ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-27/?action=preview&uid=25061

Ratings

Coolness 88% 2
Overall(Jam) 3.04 325
Audio(Jam) 3.22 161
Fun(Jam) 2.57 427
Graphics(Jam) 3.23 299
Humor(Jam) 2.35 309
Innovation(Jam) 3.47 100
Mood(Jam) 3.34 140
Theme(Jam) 3.23 231

Feedback

hbocao
27. Aug 2013 路 02:52 UTC
Interesting idea! I just think that the hero movement was too slow.
馃帳 bassarisse
27. Aug 2013 路 02:59 UTC
Yeah, there's a kind of gravity on the game. I thought about showing some tips on the game over screen (one of them being: "use your energy to move faster"), but it was to late.
tiagosr
27. Aug 2013 路 04:38 UTC
I thought the idea was interesting too, but I guess I got a bit lost up until the end of my first playthrough, and I couldn't quite catch what the mechanics were for the score. But I could feel the tension growing over the last stages. Nice game!
Deep Water Games
28. Aug 2013 路 00:51 UTC
Interesting idea, but I don't really get the point. Still, nice game.
Vile Smile
28. Aug 2013 路 00:56 UTC
The controls were terribly slow, but I really like the mood the game set. The graphics are also very good.
BenWhi
28. Aug 2013 路 00:56 UTC
I like the concept a lot, but I think it needed a little variation in there to keep people interested.
Broxxar
28. Aug 2013 路 02:21 UTC
Cool idea but the controls were a bit too hard to master.
Dracae
28. Aug 2013 路 02:38 UTC
Nice game! It would've been nice to have an ingame explanation of things. I went though the whole game confused, and got a horrible score that is way in the negatives! XD
pcmccull
28. Aug 2013 路 04:13 UTC
The first time through, I didn't have any idea what to do, so I just shot at the blue things. Then I read the instructions. Even knowing the goal, it was difficult to get under 10 seconds for the first level and almost impossible for the higher levels. I did play it through three times and finally got some positive scores the last time. The movement did seem slow until I figured out that I could shoot to move faster. It did make me want to keep trying until I beat the timer, so good game :)
Infernal
28. Aug 2013 路 04:17 UTC
could not control the character early enough in a round, losing seconds. the boost thing worked against me because it didn't always change direction fast enough and I'd end up boosting in the wrong direction.
kacperski1
28. Aug 2013 路 10:24 UTC
Nice game, but too hard for me :P
Joror
28. Aug 2013 路 20:35 UTC
Weird, but very nicely executed game look & sound. I had to look up apnea to refresh my knowledge a bit. :) Gameplaywise interesting, but wasn't quite sure what I was supposed to be doing.
ddionisio
28. Aug 2013 路 21:21 UTC
Pretty atmospheric, I love the mood in this game. Great audio, fits really well! The game got hard real quick and I wasn't sure if I'm doing well until I realized I got negative score in the end. :P
D-e-X
29. Aug 2013 路 03:07 UTC
Neat game, graphics are great.
lopiky1
29. Aug 2013 路 04:10 UTC
sweet
gmaker
29. Aug 2013 路 05:27 UTC
fantastic idea, interesting art!! great job!
Steve Cochrane
29. Aug 2013 路 05:39 UTC
Nice work, and educational! I didn't mind the slow movement. It feels a little like soccer/football.
kibertoad
29. Aug 2013 路 05:46 UTC
the attack thing felt satisfying. had no problem with controls. but it's a bit hard to figure if I am doing good in this game and what is the end goal. and who the hell are the blue guys. evil neurons?
breathing effect was really nicely done.
Hypnohustla
29. Aug 2013 路 08:39 UTC
Weird little game. Loved the sound world you created. The gameplay got boring a bit fast though, no enemy variety and with the slowness of the movement. Interesting concept though, I know a few people who suffer from apnea.
[-BipolarDesign+]
29. Aug 2013 路 16:18 UTC
Wow very original idea, didn't think to use space to speed myself upward faster until the last level, haha. I liked this one a lot!
Kohijin
30. Aug 2013 路 00:44 UTC
Really liked the overall atmosphere and the original setting.
Red Mike
30. Aug 2013 路 10:32 UTC
Very interesting! A bit slow-paced at times, but fun nonetheless. I love the graphics.
tripleVisionGames
31. Aug 2013 路 08:57 UTC
The mood of this is great and I think it's a good use of the theme. Really good idea.
Antidote
31. Aug 2013 路 16:32 UTC
Interesting idea, I've never played with a neuron before!
timtipgames
31. Aug 2013 路 16:38 UTC
I love the idea and setting. But I think the controlls could be improved. I'll not forget the Hero-Neuron for a while ;)
Empyrealhell
08. Sep 2013 路 19:35 UTC
After a few attempts it started to click. It's pretty entertaining once you get the hang of it.
BlackBulletIV
08. Sep 2013 路 21:34 UTC
The graphics and audio are nice. Creates a good mood. Gameplay wasn't particularly fun; I think the movement was a bit too slow and clunky.
nicotr014
09. Sep 2013 路 06:21 UTC
Nice! I like the sluggish movement and the enemy behaviors. Neat little game
X-0r
09. Sep 2013 路 22:50 UTC
The hero moves soooo slooooow =/ I tried everything to be faster, shooting energy "downwards" to use the recoil, getting hit by evil guys from below to launch myself up...
The breathing SFX is really relieving though, I caught myself holding my breath during a level once. Good job!
ghRibacki
12. Sep 2013 路 00:41 UTC
Cool concepts! I found the blue neurons a little confusing (couldn't kill them..?) and the control was kind of hard.
Good work! =)