Dark World by KilledByAPixel

[raw]
made by KilledByAPixel for LD25 (COMPO)
My game is a twist on the classic platforming formula from the enemies perspective. Basically I tried to create a crude copy of super mario bros where the player is forced into being the villain.

I also wanted to experiment with mixing normal mapping and shadows with pixel art. The platforming mechanics themselves are pretty rough but that isn't really the point. Also it will automatically save at points along the way and its a pretty short level though there are a few difficulty peaks.

Use WASD to control your character. Mouse aims the light. After you get the hat you can shoot by pressing left mouse. You can toggle fullscreen with alt-enter. XBox 360 controllers and snes style gamepads are also supported.

If you want to play around a little with the engine you can bring up the debug console with ~ or toggle edit mode with F4.

Textures made using GIMP.
Sound effects were are all done with SFXR.
Music was generated with wolfram tones and tweaked a bit.

I put up a link to a enhanced post-compo version with some bug fixes, visual tweaks, and overall improved gameplay for those who aren't judging or if you are struggling with some gameplay issues in the 48 hour version.

If you get a missing DLL message try updating DirectX.

Ratings

Coolness 64% 3
Overall 3.39 158
Audio 3.00 169
Fun 2.84 367
Graphics 3.85 87
Humor 2.07 524
Innovation 2.93 332
Mood 3.73 38
Theme 3.44 263

Feedback

Edocentrique
17. Dec 2012 · 15:11 UTC
Nice work
dvdking
17. Dec 2012 · 15:36 UTC
There's something wrong with controls. I can't aim light properly, and when i try to shoot, it shoots always at the same direction.
Also I haven't found shooting button on gamepad.

I really like graphics style. All those lights are awesome!
Gravity Games
17. Dec 2012 · 15:47 UTC
I really like this one. The graphics look absolutely amazing, and the feel of the game is really set up nicely. Its also really fun to play, but as you said, the platform physics are a little wonky. The sound effects are good, but the music just seems unfitting to me. All in all, its really good, but it needs more solid platforming, and more fitting music.
DST
17. Dec 2012 · 15:47 UTC
Beautiful game, love the graphics, and the "shine light on enemies to kill them" works well :) - It also works in wine, which makes me able to actually vote for it :)
sanderman
17. Dec 2012 · 15:53 UTC
Love the mood in this game. It feels so.. wrong.. somehow.. in a good way. :)

This is probably what would happen if Alan Wake and Mario ever got together. Unlike Alan Wake, this is actually fun.

The platforming controls indeed feel a bit clunky/slippery.
🎤 KilledByAPixel
17. Dec 2012 · 17:07 UTC
Thanks guys! I put up a post-compo version with more solid platforming, bug fixes and overall improved gameplay. I also fixed some of the textures that were too dark. During the comp I had to prioritize and didn't have much time for polish.

For those having any weird control issues try the console command "gamepadEnable 0"
HeroesGrave
17. Dec 2012 · 21:32 UTC
Couldn't run becuase of missing dll.
Worse
17. Dec 2012 · 21:38 UTC
Wow, that really was villainous. Very nice game.
Mava
17. Dec 2012 · 22:08 UTC
Very moody and funny too, though I felt bad when the little one blew up...oh well :)

Well done I loved it!
Pixelbear
17. Dec 2012 · 22:16 UTC
Damn, that was sweet! You hit the tone perfectly, and I really enjoyed playing through it. I played it with an Xbox 360 pad, and it worked perfectly. :D
mokujin
17. Dec 2012 · 22:23 UTC
Most interesting game i seen at this moment! GREAT!
filtoid
17. Dec 2012 · 22:30 UTC
Nice - fun game and it looks nice too :)
dvdking
17. Dec 2012 · 22:53 UTC
wow when everything works properly game is damn great! Where moody. I felt pity to creatures i killed.
dvdking
17. Dec 2012 · 22:55 UTC
*very moody
Smaxx
17. Dec 2012 · 23:38 UTC
I like the lighting, however the controls feel very sluggish and "gooey", it's hard to describe, just doesn't feel right.
🎤 KilledByAPixel
18. Dec 2012 · 00:07 UTC
I know exactly what you mean about the controls being a little sloppy, really it all just comes down to some tweaking. I think I have it feeling much better now with only minor changes.

If you get a missing dll message, that is usually because you need to update directx.
iiAtlas
18. Dec 2012 · 03:22 UTC
Really liked the art style, well done!
Mythalore
19. Dec 2012 · 11:45 UTC
Couldn't run, but the art from the screenshot looks cool!
illugion
21. Dec 2012 · 17:29 UTC
Great game ! I loved the light system and the sounds+music gave a really cool mood to it, i felt bad for killing those things D:
YopSolo
23. Dec 2012 · 00:35 UTC
wow !
naufr4g0
23. Dec 2012 · 01:09 UTC
Congrats! You had a solid game engine. About the game: I really like the mix between 3d graphics and pixel graphics. I didn't immediately realized how evil could be light. :)
Clodial
23. Dec 2012 · 02:26 UTC
This game really made me feel sort of bad for all the platformer games I've played and never looked back at all the grunts I've taken down.
Eniko
23. Dec 2012 · 06:57 UTC
Very cool idea, the speech is pretty disturbing at times. Unfortunately the controls are spongy which isn't a huge issue except the two times when you have to jump off of an enemy to get high enough to proceed. I liked the flashlight effect, very neat!
Pierrec
23. Dec 2012 · 08:13 UTC
My computer tells me there's a d3dx10-43.dll missing :/
ArkadyDracul
23. Dec 2012 · 11:44 UTC
It's a good idea, I am only sorry that you did not have time to develop until the end.. :( this entry remains one of the best
SonnyBone
23. Dec 2012 · 16:39 UTC
Everything here is really solid except for maybe the platforming controls. Great interpretation of the theme. The light/dark mechanic is really great, and the mood is very dark. Good work!
Jeremias
23. Dec 2012 · 18:19 UTC
Very interesting gameplay. As you probably did in your post-compo version, the controls (moving and jumping) didn't feel smooth. The graphics are lovely made, but need some polish, especially a main character walking animation is missing. In my opinion, the particle effects and some "realistic" effects don't fit with the pixel graphics. I think you should decide for one style. Was fun to play anyway.

I hope you keep working on this game, really :)