LudumData

Evergen by Chimera

[raw]
made by Chimera for LD24 (COMPO)
The web version works properly in both Chrome and Firefox. Should work in any WebGL compatible browser.


Evergen is an evolving tower defense game.

The object of the game is to build and evolve your network of energy as large as possible before the time runs out or you are overwhelmed by enemies. To start, click on the flickering energy node to expand your network, this costs 25 energy points. The game will generate a portion of the network that's powered by that energy node (which will now look like a glowing orb).

The white enemies are attracted to these energy nodes and will immediately move towards them. If an energy node runs out of health points (indicated by the orb shrinking) it and the entire portion of the network that it powers will disappear forever.

To protect these nodes, click on a hardpoint (a dark circle) which are spawned in various places along the network. This will create a defense turret (costing 5 energy points) which will target enemies and shoot them down. Turrets can also be relocated to another empty hardpoint, useful when a portion of the network is about to go down, you can save the turrets by moving them.

You can press "Space" to reset the game, and you can "Right Click" and drag to pan the camera around.

Windows http://www.solidfiles.com/d/33a8e34ece/
Web http://ld24.zzl.org/
Source http://www.solidfiles.com/d/68adb54b16/
Original URL https://ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-24/?action=preview&uid=16474

Ratings

Coolness 46% 618
Overall 3.22 233
Fun 2.86 330
Graphics 3.41 190
Innovation 3.90 29
Mood 3.20 119
Theme 3.10 294

Feedback

mdkess
27. Aug 2012 路 04:21 UTC
Nifty! Sound would be a nice addition, but in any case, I really enjoy the experimental gameplay. It's a neat experience, figuring out your world. I like that this game doesn't try to stick to a pre-defined motif, that takes a lot of talent to pull off.

You could do better with communicating the controls and energy input/outputs, but after a bit of playing around it was easy enough to figure out. Good work!
TwilightFlandre
27. Aug 2012 路 04:25 UTC
Love the gameplay mechanic! Reminds me of Pixeljunk Eden but in a tower defense setting. By far the most innovative game I've played in the comp so far. The game would of benefited massively from some ambient music and perhaps different tower/enemy types.
馃帳 Chimera
27. Aug 2012 路 05:22 UTC
Thanks so much! I'm still playing with it and improving things. And yes, audio would have been nice but I haven't had time. I will still try to add some later.
pjchardt
27. Aug 2012 路 06:13 UTC
Great mechanic! Really liked the visuals, how the paths grew out from the nodes. Nice usage of the theme. For some reason the whole thing reminded me of networks of the brain.
panzermancer
27. Aug 2012 路 06:26 UTC
An interesting concept, if not a bit simple. It would have been cooler if there was a bit more micro-managing, in my opinion.
panzermancer
27. Aug 2012 路 06:29 UTC
It also could have used a zoom-out option, and a bit more variety (then again, I only played for so long, so if there is something I missed than I apologize).
馃帳 Chimera
27. Aug 2012 路 06:31 UTC
I really wanted to add some more interesting things yes. I got in on the competition about 6 hours late, then I overslept by 3 hours the second time I laid down to rest. I could have fit a lot more into the game had I not lost so much time, including audio. So instead I put in a cheap scoring system and a basic enemy spawner with a spawn rate that increases over time. But, with the end of the competition, I now have plenty of time add everything I wanted to.
madpew
27. Aug 2012 路 07:35 UTC
Sadly missing audio. Visuals are nice, the scrolling seems a little strange. I died without a reason (having plenty of nodes still alive) but I enjoyed me way. Well done.
yetanother
27. Aug 2012 路 16:34 UTC
Concept and realization are good! It's addictive!
kddekadenz
28. Aug 2012 路 11:34 UTC
ERROR: WebGL is Required to run this application.
馃帳 Chimera
28. Aug 2012 路 14:52 UTC
Were you running it on a WebGL compatible browser? (Like Chrome or Firefox) In that case, it's a Game Maker bug that have no control over, but that's why there is a windows version.
SaintHeiser
28. Aug 2012 路 15:55 UTC
Very good idea, man. Gameplay looks amazing=)
馃帳 Chimera
28. Aug 2012 路 17:42 UTC
The comments are encouraging! Yay! :D
Accidental Rebel
29. Aug 2012 路 16:56 UTC
A really great idea! Although lacking in depth, you've still managed to execute the basics perfectly. The uncertainty of branching out is, I believe, what made the game interesting. Keep this up and you can, finally, make the genre evolve into something new. :D
gnx
29. Aug 2012 路 22:03 UTC
Really like the graphics. Tech engine seems also pretty solid for a compo entry.

Hard to say anything about gameplay as it is TD and then on the other hand not.
matthias_zarzecki
01. Sep 2012 路 07:14 UTC
Love the evolving "tree", that part is wonderful :)
thetyk1337
01. Sep 2012 路 17:51 UTC
I think the game gave me a nice feel and vibe with the graphics, theme and setting. I think the gameplay was cool and experimental and new, but alas, not that fun overall- it got a bit old quick. Maybe it's just me, but I didn't really get into the game. No audio, too, but I like the vibe of it and it's themes and graphical style. I think you did great on that part, but the gameplay itself was pretty meh. Again, that may have just been me not getting that into it personally. Better than my entry, though, and you still did a pretty good job.