LudumData

Impulse by Docjekyll

[raw]
made by Docjekyll for LD35 (COMPO)
Impulse is a simple, atmospheric game. The mechanics are simple--just "shift" the shapes around until they are all in their appropriate location.

Use WASD and/or arrows to move. Spacebar can also swap between shapes, but you probably won't need that.

Background:
---------------
Part of the intent here was to create a very accessible game--so simple my 3-year-old daughter could enjoy it. I hope that older, more skilled players can also enjoy a relaxing game experience.

I also added a timer for players who are looking to challenge themselves.

Tech Info:
---------------
Phaser (HTML5/WebGL/JS engine)
Lodash (JS library; barely used)
FL Studio 12 (for music creation)
GIMP (for visual assets)

Levels/grids are procedurally generated.
Web http://cjdevsite.com/games/ld35/
Itch https://docjekyll.itch.io/impulse
Source https://github.com/jhnsnc/LD35
Original URL https://ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-35/?action=preview&uid=41650

Ratings

Coolness 60% 3
Overall 3.23 454
Audio 3.90 39
Fun 2.85 655
Graphics 3.03 456
Innovation 2.77 679
Mood 3.36 190
Theme 3.07 649

Feedback

szahn
18. Apr 2016 · 03:47 UTC
Fun game, not very challenging though.
sirtetris
18. Apr 2016 · 04:05 UTC
Thanks for the atmospheric 171.6 seconds. :)
Really liked the music and the way the shapes 'blinked' to indicate their position/movement.
On screen text and menus could've received a bit more love.
Pent
18. Apr 2016 · 05:10 UTC
266.3 seconds!
I thought it was more complicated at first where shapes could block pathways, maybe for a v.2?
Roan Contreras
18. Apr 2016 · 05:23 UTC
Finished in 177.7 seconds due to too much masking of the arrow buttons... That was really fun. That music made me kept on going by the way. Good work :D
monkeybit29
18. Apr 2016 · 20:54 UTC
the flashing shapes kept throwing me off, definitely an easy game. Really relaxing audio
Llucile
19. Apr 2016 · 19:04 UTC
I really like the mood of the game. The graphisms are neat, the music is sweet, and the idea is nice. But it is not really challenging and thus not really really fun.
I thought about some improvements that could have made this game great (it is already a nice work !), like giving the player the number of optimal moves he can do to achieve the goal, or turning the full shapes into obstacles so that the player has to move them in the right order for example.
garygreen
19. Apr 2016 · 20:01 UTC
I enjoyed the music and the visual effects you used with the shapes. I'd have liked more of a challenge, but I get & like your idea of making it accessible too.
zwrawr
20. Apr 2016 · 00:17 UTC
Really like the concept , seem to be a little bit of glitching in the audio (probably just the web player).
tjxx
20. Apr 2016 · 01:31 UTC
A lot of fun was had playing this game! It was fairly easy, but the mechanics were good and the background music really got me immersed into the game.
FatKarate
20. Apr 2016 · 02:36 UTC
Not too hard but well crafted none the less
Wahooney
20. Apr 2016 · 05:23 UTC
The music is cool. While the game is functional and strangely moreish, it wasn't challenging enough to keep me going past the second level.
xclementx
20. Apr 2016 · 11:01 UTC
Good game :)
Arvydas
20. Apr 2016 · 14:44 UTC
i think that this game would be A LOT more challenging and fun just if the shapes cannot pass eachother, because in the way this game is at the current state you don't even have the need to swap shapes, audio is good, graphics are ok.
guoboism
20. Apr 2016 · 14:59 UTC
Nice music. The game is not very challenging...
Gromek999
20. Apr 2016 · 16:23 UTC
cool concept
RoboRob
20. Apr 2016 · 16:23 UTC
Nice relaxing music. The game is quite fun.
APantaloni
20. Apr 2016 · 16:36 UTC
The music and the minimalist look are great; the pulsing animations are a nice touch. It's not challenging unless (unless you try to beat a certain time I guess), but it's relaxing. Well done!
TeamScripta
20. Apr 2016 · 16:40 UTC
Nicely polished game! I liked the shapes animation, the music and the atmosphere. I think it is great for young kids, so you coded to your audience well!
Udell Games
20. Apr 2016 · 17:11 UTC
I didn't find the maze gameplay particularly new or exciting, but I did really enjoy the amount of polish in it. The background music worked well, and didn't feel grating or repetitive. I'm not sold on this fitting the theme of "shapeshifter" though.
ShadowTemplar
20. Apr 2016 · 18:31 UTC
The idea is very interesting, but it does not translate into a fun game for a wider audience as it is too easy.
I can definitely appreciate the idea of match shape into hole type game for kids.
Audio was good and relaxing and i like the blinking shapes.
mightymarcus
20. Apr 2016 · 18:42 UTC
284.1 seconds. I played it to the end just because of the phantasic music. :)

Gameplay itself seems a little boring. But I'm sure you could add some more mechanics and it could be a good game. The Graphics are minimalistic but nice too.
BitDare
20. Apr 2016 · 21:57 UTC
Wow I made it to 218.5 seconds and it was very fun. The music was great and the visuals went nicely with it. The shape shifting kind of felt distant as it was needed and I did not use it. Maybe if the shapes collided so you had to move them. But it was overall great.
BrianSChung
21. Apr 2016 · 00:01 UTC
Great vibe.
fin_nolimit
21. Apr 2016 · 00:42 UTC
Very cool maze game! My daughter was super impressed and had fun going through the mazes. Excellent job!
LandoSystems
21. Apr 2016 · 01:41 UTC
Great game, super simple but chill and straightforward. I enjoyed this more than I expected to, nice work!
luquio
21. Apr 2016 · 02:52 UTC
267secs, im a loser! the idea works and the music is relaxing! cheers
MightyToastStudio
21. Apr 2016 · 06:58 UTC
I love this game, but is very easy and needs more work on levels. Anyway great experience and nice music.
wavertron
21. Apr 2016 · 11:48 UTC
Yeah its a little easy but as you said it was aimed for someone as young as 3 to play. I guess for older audiences some sort of skill element could be added. Perhaps just simply awarding an 1 to 5 stars rating based on how fast the puzzle is solved would help to give that reward feedback? Nice game overall though.
docteurSid
21. Apr 2016 · 12:22 UTC
Nice visual effects and music, the game is functional.
Danilo Bezerra
21. Apr 2016 · 12:58 UTC
Good game! Need more challenge.
I've made 265.5 seconds.
SHLFStudios
21. Apr 2016 · 17:37 UTC
nice music. someone else commented and I agree that if you prevented shapes from moving through each other, it would create a need to switch between shapes.
Arskiainen
21. Apr 2016 · 18:09 UTC
The music is kickass for this. Very technozen feel. I would hope for more challenging levels.
ragnta
21. Apr 2016 · 18:33 UTC
Fun game, but I missed the barriers :(
Odyssey
21. Apr 2016 · 18:35 UTC
Great job!
jonnopon3000
21. Apr 2016 · 19:17 UTC
I found that not being able to hold the directional movement keys made the gameplay a little laborious, but I had fun and stayed to the end regardless.
ragnta
21. Apr 2016 · 19:23 UTC
Fun game, but I missed the barriers :(
maartene
21. Apr 2016 · 19:57 UTC
The first game I completed. Although it's not very challenging and indeed you don't really need to change shape, I did have fun.

Also it looks (the neon graphics and effects work very well) and sounds very well. And I might just steal your maze generation code... :)

Note: one way to make it more challenging/strategic could be to make it that you can't move with the wrong shape type over another shape. So you would need to look at the sequence in which you move the various shapes, to prevent blocking yourself in.

BTW, my first 5-star audio game.
syst3m_ERROR
21. Apr 2016 · 20:22 UTC
It was fun to kill time on but wasn't all that challenging, It would have been cool to see procedurally generated levels, and a mechanic where you can't pass over objects you already have in place. Additionally, it felt to me less like you were shapeshifting, and more like you were switching between characters. The atmosphere was awesome
TeamScripta
21. Apr 2016 · 21:47 UTC
OMG IT IS SO GOOD GG
sepharoth213
21. Apr 2016 · 22:36 UTC
Nice tunes :)
kleinzach
21. Apr 2016 · 22:54 UTC
I like the mood and graphics quite a lot. The whole thing seemed light on mechanics though, and it never really evolved. Perhaps there should be a reason to switch shapes or to do them in a particular order.
endel
21. Apr 2016 · 23:35 UTC
Pretty cool, but it lacks some challenge. It can be obvious after a while. I liked the atmosphere and graphics.
IvanFon
22. Apr 2016 · 01:22 UTC
Incredible amount of polish! The graphics are great, the music really sets the mood, and the core gameplay works very well. I'm still blown away by how polished it is! A post-compo version would be great.
LoneStranger
22. Apr 2016 · 21:26 UTC
My first impression was that it was difficult to locate the shape vs the target without a couple seconds delay. It became easier as I went on and eventually I sort of zoned out somewhat while playing. It still might be a good idea to change the shape or target indicators so that they can be differentiated more quickly. Perhaps the target's 'hay over here' display is slower, or a different shade lighter or darker of the color.

Anyway, I enjoyed the game I thought it looked very well polished visually. Music is great, and has a sense of progression. Good work!
Larzan
23. Apr 2016 · 15:40 UTC
Beautiful gfx + audio, well done. Not very challenging, but you could add some additional difficulty by making it impossible for the solid shapes to pass through each other. That way you can create some riddles where you have to move them in a certain pattern.
euske
24. Apr 2016 · 05:07 UTC
Soothing music and overall atmosphere, but the game is pretty repetitive. But I can understand your intention to make it playable for little kids. Good job.
Freank
26. Apr 2016 · 08:46 UTC
Hi, nice game ! We're realizing a video with several games of the Ludum Dare #35.
Can you add your game on indiexpo.net ? (it's free)
So we can include also your game in the video ;)
p.s. write #LDJAM in the game's description
Pietro Ferrantelli
03. May 2016 · 09:19 UTC
What a clever and moody compo entry ! The concept was really interesting and well executed and the game itself was engaging and really fun ro play. VFX and Audio really make the atmoshere spot on. Nice job on all categories.
Chaoslab
05. May 2016 · 01:56 UTC
Nice entry. Fun Puzzler with enjoyable the music.
Rise and Shine Games
05. May 2016 · 02:14 UTC
I felt like the mechanics are a little bit wanting. Mismatched shapes block each other or something would have been interesting.
jordgubben
05. May 2016 · 07:17 UTC
Everyone has, at some point in his or her life, been someone's 3 year old daughter.
Jupiter_Hadley
06. May 2016 · 22:24 UTC
Very simple, but I like it! I included it in my video compilation series of Ludum Dare games, if you’d like to check them out :) https://youtu.be/bGsPoPIYpCs