ACCIDENTAL EXISTENTIAL by slovnoslomo

[raw]
made by slovnoslomo for LD 41 (COMPO)

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→ PLAY IN BROWSER / SOUND IS REQUIRED !

Three short stories (or a single story) on the edges of incompatible game genres.

The game is about existential problems and the ways people handle it.

Life, love, responsibility, crises ​​— the existence is tough (but also kinda fun)​​.

Controls — Mouse, A+D

The game is short narrative experience so don't rush through and give it a thought.

I really tried to make the game not just fun to play, but fun to speculate about, so please share your impressions and views in the comments :)

Postmortem:

→ Part 1 - Brainstorm and Dramatic cutoff

→ Part 2 - Art and Mind shift

Ratings

Overall 69th 3.906⭐ 167🧑‍⚖️
Fun 352th 3.267⭐ 165🧑‍⚖️
Innovation 95th 3.858⭐ 167🧑‍⚖️
Theme 166th 3.945⭐ 167🧑‍⚖️
Graphics 115th 3.851⭐ 166🧑‍⚖️
Audio 8th 4.307⭐ 165🧑‍⚖️
Humor 122th 3.395⭐ 154🧑‍⚖️
Mood 8th 4.284⭐ 166🧑‍⚖️
Given 26🗳️ 9🗨️

Feedback

ccglp
23. Apr 2018 · 16:26 UTC
Ooooookey.... SO...
First of all, music is SO well put with the visuals.

First story is a walk simulator's parody? As you only walk and hear deep thoughts on these games?

Second is about growing up and realizing world is shit?

Third is about how easy is to evade yourself from reality?

That was just deeeeeep man.
Andreadbx
23. Apr 2018 · 16:27 UTC
Nice game BUT too short :D, when it was "Social Drama BUT for 3 years old kids" i tought you gonna show me some YouTube video lol, anyway, very nice and original entry!
schsam
23. Apr 2018 · 16:36 UTC
I really enjoyed your game! I really liked how distinct the aesthetic was of the three different scenarios. In my view they go in a sequence. He has a crisis, does a bunch of drugs, ends up being messed up in a room and leaving. Also, of course the existential thoughts came along with walking on a treadmill! As in real life.
Jacoder23
23. Apr 2018 · 16:44 UTC
Short but so bitter... first and second got to me hard. It has incredible audio and great mood, and the concept itself is very creative.
Levimoe
23. Apr 2018 · 16:51 UTC
Mate that's some really good stuff! I don't mind the length of the game at all because each individual ones is so well completed and stroke me hard with the clear intentions!
TIMOTHEUS-25
23. Apr 2018 · 17:43 UTC
super good - I loved the progression (and downfall) of the social drama bit - very well thought out
Raindrinker
23. Apr 2018 · 19:56 UTC
Soooooo elegant. Sooo smart. Almost Stanley Parable level of style and comedy here. The music ties everything together so dang well. This is the stuff game jams are about and I could never do. Such good metacomentary. Kudos.
Blight Radiance
23. Apr 2018 · 21:58 UTC
Great sound design. Good visuals.
Interesting and meaningful stories.
All of this is supported with very creative use of the theme.
Brilliant!
gdort
24. Apr 2018 · 06:21 UTC
So beautiful! The first story only counts as a sport if you consider how you played with my heart.
Reign
24. Apr 2018 · 06:34 UTC
The audio sounded really professional. The game was short, but I enjoyed it!
mountaindog
24. Apr 2018 · 06:34 UTC
that was wild. great audiovisual experience, felt very integrated. fantastic atmosphere. it's a little creepy, a little funny, a little profound - extremely various mix without anything feeling left out or tacked on. the second part with the baby seemed a little lightweight and though I felt I didn't have many meaningful choices to make it didn't significantly detract at all from the experience. wouldn't kick this game out of bed for eating crackers - well done!
Thy Duck
24. Apr 2018 · 06:36 UTC
This was absolutely fantastic. Great job!
RamiaD
24. Apr 2018 · 06:42 UTC
I TOTALLY LOVED THIS
LarrySeinfeld
24. Apr 2018 · 06:44 UTC
Omg, too short, but in a good way! I wanted to see your interpretation on more genre blends because I was legit engrossed. The sounds of the heartbeat and running while thoughts of life popped on the screen, the glitch effect as you hit rock bottom, the ironic simplicity of the escape room and the deeper message that lies within. Slick visuals, cool music, dark humour. Great job!
Christopher Robinson
24. Apr 2018 · 06:45 UTC
What did I just experience
Hannah19
24. Apr 2018 · 06:46 UTC
This is really cool! The art style of the second part was amazing, such a cool concept and the way it got weirder and wobblier was really well done.
Keppu
24. Apr 2018 · 07:22 UTC
This game makes you think deep. Good stuff. :thinking: It's not "fun" or "humorous" so that excludes some rating categories.

Graphics are fitting and effects are nice. Good amount of variety with the game play. Second level was my favourite. I feel it received most attention by the dev.

Music is somewhat disorienting adding to the uneasy feeling. This is a heavy game emotionally. Don't know what else to say. It didn't feel like a game. More like an experience.
🎤 slovnoslomo
24. Apr 2018 · 10:22 UTC
Thank you so much for your feedback! Especially for the revealed impressions from @ccglp @schsam @Raindrinker @mountaindog @LarrySeinfeld @Keppu

I wasn't sure but you guys got it right and in different ways and this is just amazing.

This inspired me to make a [post with some quotes](https://ldjam.com/events/ludum-dare/41/accidental-existential/$92844) :)
SandBloom
24. Apr 2018 · 10:28 UTC
Impressive way to convey an experience. Really smooth and all (music, gameplay, art, sound design) ties really well together. As some other have said. A little short but seeing it's a ludumdare game it's totally acceptable. Really cool.
mattpattie2
24. Apr 2018 · 10:28 UTC
Yep, that was deep
Music is really good. room escape was challenging ;)
Thankyou for making it
Kalavecy
24. Apr 2018 · 10:28 UTC
I loved everything in this game.
The graphics, the music, the story. Everything fits perfectly.
But it is too short... wait.. life is too right ?
Ryan Michaels
24. Apr 2018 · 10:29 UTC
This was enjoyed by me.
Lucnatber
24. Apr 2018 · 10:30 UTC
Great job man. I was like wtf, liked it a lot. Still wtf.
ramon15749
24. Apr 2018 · 10:33 UTC
The love the graphics! Especially for the second part (game?). The audio really does help to get me to the mood (of existential crisis) as well. it would be nice if the last part has longer ending animation or something since now I do not really register the message (if any, existential crisis amirite?). But, overall, interesting concept nonetheless!
bobismijnnaam
24. Apr 2018 · 10:33 UTC
I liked the sybmolism in this game! Especially the second story was very accurate. I thought they were all really dark, though. Hope the author is doing well mentally! Overall, short and to the point, with nice aesthetics, graphics and sound!
woergbi
24. Apr 2018 · 10:34 UTC
I didn't expect three short stories to actually make me think about life. Great idea, great experience!
Hanra
24. Apr 2018 · 10:35 UTC
Definitely something to reflect on, the second game made me lol... I might be a bad person.
Ghost20000
24. Apr 2018 · 10:36 UTC
That was insane.
mrerdalural
24. Apr 2018 · 10:40 UTC
Hahahaha this was very clever! I demand to see you make more stories!!! You got yourself a new stalker.
Kubenexion
24. Apr 2018 · 10:54 UTC
Bravo!
Nice genres mix and a good sense of humor!
Gaze Team
24. Apr 2018 · 11:18 UTC
Great experience ! The sound is top notch ! I just wish it was a little bit longer
Great work :)
Lazlo319
24. Apr 2018 · 11:27 UTC
Very interesting game, but so short! Regardless, the multiple gameplay styles and presentation are top notch. Nice work!
Toulou
24. Apr 2018 · 11:34 UTC
Whoa, I didn't expected this to be so uncomfortable and sad. It's very well done, the atmosphere in the minigames is very well done. I mean, congratulation, one of my favorites game so far !
Also, it looks like all the minigames are connected by the same story but I'm not sure. Boy there is a lot to think about this game.
Dumivid
24. Apr 2018 · 11:59 UTC
10/10. This game resonate perfectly with my state of mind. Very impressive.
blinry
24. Apr 2018 · 12:39 UTC
Hehe, neat! :P I enjoyed the music and sound effects. The story progression and the in-between screens feel well-timed. The game is short, but poignant, and just might be perfect as it is. Well done, I enjoyed this!

"I hope this sentence makes it into a 'best-of comments' post." --blinry
Tmvant
24. Apr 2018 · 12:59 UTC
Loved it! Fun to speculate about the meanings and to have three mini-existential debates. Very well polished game.

My ideas:
1. The absurdity and emptiness of the 'modern lifestyle'
2. The road of a self-destructive life
3. How easy it is to prioritize the short term wellbeing over responsibility over the long term.

It's short, which is both a shame and probably a good thing (it doesn't overload you with ideas), but very well made and I'd play a sequal in a heartbeat.
Silent Tower Games
24. Apr 2018 · 14:11 UTC
The sound design was top-notch! That's an interesting part of your game to prioritize in a game jam. It paid off very well.

You managed to take a very simple control scheme and make it work across three different game concepts, good design there!

The games themselves were great. They had a strong, effective atmosphere that you can't help but be sucked into. They also have a high chance of personally resonating with people, and they explore some rather dark themes.

I don't really understand the third game, and it seemed really short -- it was over in about 5 seconds for me. I think it's my fault for not really getting it. But it would've been cool to be able to interact with that game the way I did with the others, also.

Overall, this is an excellent game. Very good job! I hope to see more games from you :)
IronyGames
24. Apr 2018 · 16:46 UTC
Hahaha, what a polished game for such an alien concept! I liked it though. It's very Stanley Parable perhaps, in its own meta-criticism of genre tropes. If not a game, at the very least I'd love to see a series like this retelling all genre combinations of videogames.
Lewis Quaife
24. Apr 2018 · 19:17 UTC
More like a experience rather than a game, but so intriguing and fun I loved it. So polished for a #gamjam too, I think the audio made it!
Langotriel
24. Apr 2018 · 22:11 UTC
Very interesting experience. I feel this demonstrates a few different themes quite well and mechanics that could go well into larger games. Solid production!
SamuelSousa
25. Apr 2018 · 07:18 UTC
Had to play it again to try to run off course :)
Favorite section was definitely the 2nd with the art style and the final "puf" sound at the end.
Solid!
Shelvid
25. Apr 2018 · 14:52 UTC
This... this was an amazing experience. sound effects are absolutely minimalistic but satisfying and the whole thing is... oddly great. Well done!
Nash
25. Apr 2018 · 14:55 UTC
Well that was interesting and certainly different. I can greatly appreciate the polish that has gone into this game.
Archimagus
25. Apr 2018 · 17:10 UTC
That was.... odd. Not really in a bad way.

It wasn't exactly fun, but it was compelling.

The audio was really well done, especially the sound between games. It felt really good.

I really liked the graphics on the second level, that paper texture was really good, but there was one flower, under the line that I really wanted to get, maybe that's why I resorted to drugs and booze, and fell down into a pit of despair?

The room on the other hand was a bit too plain, I feel like I missed something, as I just picked up the key and left. I would have liked to know what was going on, but the game was over before I realized I solved it, or did I? Did I just escape the reality instead of confronting my childhood issues?
Blinkenlights
25. Apr 2018 · 18:04 UTC
That was really interesting, thank you for inventing that. I particularly liked the second scene XD (Don't do drugs, kids). You might be interested in my game, as it sort of has to do with an existential crisis, but in a very different way. In case you find you'd like to try it, here's a link to it: https://ldjam.com/events/ludum-dare/41/cruise-co
Rayne
25. Apr 2018 · 20:14 UTC
It's all magnificently put together.
I added this to favorites, I need to see more
Carvster
25. Apr 2018 · 20:16 UTC
Short but fun experience!
shubart
25. Apr 2018 · 20:20 UTC
interreting experience. Should be longer. Thank you for your submission
August1413
25. Apr 2018 · 20:22 UTC
Interesting game, got me thinking... Audio and graphics are great and make the storytelling so great. Last story was a bit dissapointing, since it was so short but maybe i dont get it yet... Damn now Ill be thinking about this for the next week. I guess you achieved your goal with me :smile: Cant wait to see what youll make next!!!
Please ratee my game too!!! Im below the 20 point threshold: https://ldjam.com/events/ludum-dare/41/trophy-defense
smbe19
25. Apr 2018 · 20:23 UTC
Interesting. A bit short and not much a "game", but interesting and nice looking/sounding.
25. Apr 2018 · 20:24 UTC
Very creative. The music was on point and I especially liked the second level for the art and symbolism. I had a hard time seeing the relation to the theme though.
silkworm_sweatshop
25. Apr 2018 · 22:09 UTC
More of an art piece than a game.. but wait, can't games be art??? Anyway, definitely the most unique entry I've seen so far and it's always refreshing to see something different.
gre
26. Apr 2018 · 07:41 UTC
the small lil" games idea is incredible. I wish you had more time to make more because this is very addictive!!
jsmars
26. Apr 2018 · 14:33 UTC
Very impressive sound design which fitted perfectly with the theme and game. Really nice work!
adsilcott
26. Apr 2018 · 14:44 UTC
You got really meta with this theme, and I love it! Short and sweet, great entry!
Greg Lord
26. Apr 2018 · 14:47 UTC
Smart and funny, love the dark humor throughout. Really great sound work, too -- unsettling, grabbing, and effective for the tone. Solid genre mash-ups as well! Excellent work!
Sam Machell
26. Apr 2018 · 15:10 UTC
lovely game! really nice to see some more experimental games that tackle topics like this! love the shifts in art style, really reflect the shifts in tone. nice work :)
R4ndomThunder
26. Apr 2018 · 15:58 UTC
I really like this game. You did not just choose two incompatible themes, but you went further! Good job!

If you want you can try my game on this link:
[Scarry](https://ldjam.com/events/ludum-dare/41/scarry)
Dovakla
26. Apr 2018 · 21:08 UTC
This is so great! The audio design works perfectly with the aesthetic of everything else going on and the different genre combinations are great. Amazing work, especially for a jam!
ghust1995
27. Apr 2018 · 00:47 UTC
Probably the best grade I have ever given to a LD game. Congrats, three amazing combinations of genres in such an amazing format. Very well done! Make more and more and more games like these. We need them
Samusoidal
27. Apr 2018 · 03:37 UTC
Wow... that was deep :smile:
The graphics were excellent and the narrative was well put. The music was a little harsh but maybe that's just me.
The themes of the narrative were so true to real life. This is a work of art.
Good job!
acoto87
27. Apr 2018 · 05:12 UTC
This was interesting. Good storytelling, graphics and sounds. Good job!
MariosManiatis
27. Apr 2018 · 18:37 UTC
Really nice work!
Dragojt
27. Apr 2018 · 20:19 UTC
Woow, how good. It's a simple story/stories but in combination with the music all works awesome. Very polished, also. Good job! :)
Fonseca
27. Apr 2018 · 20:57 UTC
Very interesting. Love the storytelling, the audio and art. Good job :)
Mau
27. Apr 2018 · 22:49 UTC
it's a well put together game, however now I feel 'reprogrammed'... maybe -_-
gamebuilder
27. Apr 2018 · 22:55 UTC
Ha! That was brilliant. You definitely earned yourself some 5's.
LandoSystems
28. Apr 2018 · 01:35 UTC
Wow... that second game turned dark. Nice work!
hypersnow
28. Apr 2018 · 03:06 UTC
A short, but interesting experience. Would like to see you dive deeper in these ideas!
saoi-games
28. Apr 2018 · 08:03 UTC
I’m not sure if you were able to see it, but I played your game on my stream at https://www.twitch.tv/saoigames tonight.

Such a simple little game, but the polish on it is top of the line. There were some mini games I didn't know what to do, but otherwise I liked the variety in the puzzles.

I do however wish that the game was longer. It reminded me of WarioWare where there were small little puzzles that needed to be solved quickly.
Ryan Bishop
29. Apr 2018 · 03:52 UTC
You know, it's works like this that further instill the fact that games are an art form and should be whatever you want them to be. The more i played, the more i felt like i was experiencing a piece of art. I felt many odd and conflicting emotions in each section that were greatly enhanced due to the amazing sound design. The game was also easy to pick up and play, and the simple art style worked in it's favor. A+ Game, you absolutely nailed the theme.
radow
29. Apr 2018 · 12:14 UTC
I like the social commentary - more games should have that. *Thumbsup*
Devastus
29. Apr 2018 · 12:18 UTC
Ha, the irony of the third one was a nice touch. Very well done!

It's got a polished presentation, sound design being the best of the bunch. To a game like this one it is also the most important one to get right, so kudos!
BauBau
29. Apr 2018 · 12:25 UTC
What an original and cool idea! Congrats! Everything is very well put together!
Linus
29. Apr 2018 · 12:38 UTC
What others have already said sums up my experience of this game, that games are the ultimate form of art. A game combines story telling with visuals, sounds and mood. You did an excellent job of using these elements to create a very unique, memorable and relatable experience connected to the theme in a really interesting and innovative way.

It took me a while to see the key next to the door on the third story but that only enhanced my experience because I felt more and more stressed because of the crying baby...

One of the best and most unique game I've played in this Ludum Dare. Very impressive :smiley:
Julink
29. Apr 2018 · 14:24 UTC
Really cool game! The mood and the music are really really good but the game is too short 😭
Beebo Studios
29. Apr 2018 · 20:07 UTC
This game should be nominated for the video game equivalent of short film awards.
D-Studios
29. Apr 2018 · 20:55 UTC
This game was pretty different and strange and it did remind me of a short film. I like how not much is said and it kind of leaves the player to think about the situations. The graphics and especially the audio of the game make the game feel moody. I did not mind the lack of much gameplay and I liked the fact that the game was trying to go beyond being fun and ask meaningful questions. I also thought the usage of theme was somewhat different from the other Ludum Dare games that I have played so far.
svdvorak
30. Apr 2018 · 06:56 UTC
Fascinating use of the theme and with great use of audio and visuals combined. It got pretty eerie to actually finish the second and third parts. Loved it!
Rodrigo Denúbila
01. May 2018 · 23:22 UTC
This is brilliant! You really made me think while I was playing this.

All levels are really great, but the third is so deep that I will sleep thinking in it for a long time.

Congratulations, you made art here!

Please, take a look at my game too: https://ldjam.com/events/ludum-dare/41/confessional
Jupiter_Hadley
02. May 2018 · 14:10 UTC
Really interesting game! I included it in my Ludum Dare 41 compilation video series, if you’d like to take a look. :) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Wurw5JuaZs
Razenpok
02. May 2018 · 23:04 UTC
Holy cow, I'm just blown away by this deepness.
Lotus
03. May 2018 · 15:53 UTC
You got my highest score!
Though short still, it is a very unique and deep game. I really appreciate your abilities to turn wonderful ideas into real.
The sounds are super awesome! The total atmosphere is soooooooo immersive.
And do you want to try my game? I'm not as great as you in any aspect, but my game does include some interesting ideas that you may appreciate.
https://ldjam.com/events/ludum-dare/41/on-thin-line
Richard N Silva
03. May 2018 · 17:00 UTC
This is one of my favourite entries so far!
tulipekoni
03. May 2018 · 17:24 UTC
Definitely the best audio in this jam so far!

Good job!
invader
03. May 2018 · 19:05 UTC
It's a nice approach to organize gameplay in a series of little games. Very moody sound and actual meaning behind the actions... Good job! :smile:
Kristian David
04. May 2018 · 01:11 UTC
Love the minimal graphics of this game. Although I didn't realized that the game's audio wasn't playing when I played the game, I still got hooked on the game. I love your idea of having 3 different games with 2 incompatible genres each. Overall great job on this game. One of my favorite games in this LD
MacDoom
04. May 2018 · 07:20 UTC
Impressive approach of the jams theme!
I really liked that you didn't settle with just one incompatible mix.
Giving some rating wouldn't hurt, don't you agree?

Come and try my game! https://ldjam.com/events/ludum-dare/41/tactical-hydra
Aaron Nemoyten
05. May 2018 · 06:51 UTC
I want to give the Sound rating six stars, or even eleven. Loved the music and sound effects!

I really like the faux-pretentious thing going on here. I'd love it as a more 'full' game, there's so much potential. It could be like Existential WarioWare.

edit: Upon further reading... is this seriously serious? Or is it tongue-in-cheek serious?
🎤 slovnoslomo
05. May 2018 · 10:36 UTC
@aaron-nemoyten

Thank you for response!

> is this seriously serious? Or is it tongue-in-cheek serious?

This is post-irony so it's kinda both :)

I don't want to force any canonical representation and I don't want to be mad at people that don't get some jokes/thoughts I see/put there — your experience and background is unique. I wrote a bit about it in the end of [**→ this part of postmortem**](https://ldjam.com/events/ludum-dare/41/accidental-existential/$94749).

I'd say the biggest creative achievment here (both for me and for the player) is exactly this feeling of duality you are talking about.
wizard sino
05. May 2018 · 20:28 UTC
UMMM... dark bro... dark.
cristiano.m.garcia
07. May 2018 · 00:49 UTC
Good job! Cool game!

I left my rating of your game, if you can leave your feedback in our game, Witch's Escape.

I hope you continue with the project.

https://ldjam.com/events/ludum-dare/41/witchs-escape
CalebLewis
07. May 2018 · 05:47 UTC
The mood of this game (games?) was really weird, but in a good way. I like it.
Hisfantor
07. May 2018 · 20:33 UTC
what a great game, felt kinda like a black mirror episode, really like the second 'level' and very good job on the sounds that made it so much more intense
Joror
12. May 2018 · 13:47 UTC
Nice storytelling! Great presentation - not many choices to be made though. But love the atmosphere.
tigerj
12. May 2018 · 15:15 UTC
Phenomenal unique experience. I really love a great game that is also expressing other concepts and pushing ideas. Games are Art and this is a perfect example of using a game to have people ask themselves other questions and create discussion among groups. Love the music and transitions as well as each mechanic.
https://www.twitch.tv/videos/260564114?t=01h33m34s
joe40001
15. May 2018 · 04:06 UTC
I streamed myself playing your game. You can watch the vod of it here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeVofreh9pA

(Starts at 4:52:00)
MichiPantera
15. May 2018 · 16:51 UTC
Very intelligent and artistic game!! Arises feelings of both disgust and afterthought. Well done !! It's surprising you accomplished all this alone. Nice aesthetics!