LudumData

Tiny Warlock by bwalter

[raw]
made by bwalter for LD 39 (COMPO)

Fight and gain power to take on the big bosses as a tiny warlock in a world with big dangers!

Health and ammo are the same, changing the way you attack enemies. Pick up skulls to gain power, and increase your maximum power, as well as boosting yourself. be careful though, and watch the "Boss incoming" Counter! only so many enemies before the boss spawns!

Please include in your Review what you would like altered, added, removed, or changed in a full post-jam release :smile:

warlock6.gif warlock10.gif

Game Made in Gamemaker Studio 1.4 (steam version)

DEVLOG

NOTE: No patches during the jam will relate to gameplay in any way, only resolving gamebreaking and crash related bugs encountered during testing (i only had 12 hours to make this, many bugs were/are present on release)

v1.0 Uploaded

patch 0.1.0 fixed pause instead of restart bug by rebinding the restart key to enter.

patch 0.1.1 fixed some AI bugs resulting in crashes while player is dead.

patch 0.1.2 fixed bugs related to pause function spawning enemies out of bounds, crashes.

patch 0.1.3 fixed bugs related to AI causing more crashes while player is dead.

I'm also on Twooter!

Windows https://bwalter.itch.io/tiny-warlock
Source code https://www.dropbox.com/s/5kcph1blyv0diq3/LD39.gmz?dl=0
Original URL https://ldjam.com/events/ludum-dare/39/tiny-warlock

Ratings

Overall 357th 3.277⭐ 103🧑‍⚖️
Fun 377th 3.059⭐ 103🧑‍⚖️
Innovation 388th 2.96⭐ 103🧑‍⚖️
Theme 588th 2.83⭐ 102🧑‍⚖️
Graphics 47th 4.157⭐ 104🧑‍⚖️
Audio 222th 3.133⭐ 100🧑‍⚖️
Humor 349th 2.215⭐ 81🧑‍⚖️
Mood 224th 3.221⭐ 97🧑‍⚖️
Given 4🗳️ 4🗨️

Feedback

N4tticus
31. Jul 2017 · 03:20 UTC
This game is beautiful! Super cool that you made this in 48 hours! I do wish it was a little bit clearer what was happening on the screen, but once I figured it out it was lots of fun!
William Derksen
31. Jul 2017 · 03:22 UTC
The particle effects on the game are AMAZING However, it was a little difficult to understand what was going on at times. Also, it was hard to recognize what a boss was and how the skull system worked with getting stronger. Either way. This is a beautiful game. Looking forward to rating it highly
🎤 bwalter
31. Jul 2017 · 03:26 UTC
The boss would only spawn when the boss incoming count reaches 0 :)
acoto87
31. Jul 2017 · 05:05 UTC
It's awesome! The particle effect are great.
Dene
31. Jul 2017 · 17:41 UTC
I love the graphics and sound :) But it's really hard to find player character, just "WHAT THE HELL IS GOING HERE?" :D
Johnnyc1423
31. Jul 2017 · 17:45 UTC
Insanity. At the end space only pauses, doesn't restart. Great game!
Wispeh
31. Jul 2017 · 17:46 UTC
Get's a bit hectic once there's a few more enemies than usual on the screen. I found it initially hard to understand, but felt pretty fun once I got into it. It LOOKS AMAZING. I wish I could crank out decent art while programming like you've been able to ;D
Wesxdz
31. Jul 2017 · 17:54 UTC
The text moving around slightly was a great touch.
🎤 bwalter
31. Jul 2017 · 18:09 UTC
@johnnyc1423 thank you! i'll fix it at once! :D
chimadan
31. Jul 2017 · 18:49 UTC
so juicy
Deamonus
31. Jul 2017 · 18:55 UTC
I don't know whats happening, but i like it! This feels right on so many levels!
stevenjmiller
31. Jul 2017 · 19:01 UTC
Great game! I love the art and audio as well as how chaotic it gets. I got a few crashes when falling off the edge, but other than that, this is really great!
🎤 bwalter
31. Jul 2017 · 19:16 UTC
@stevenjmiller if you could upload those crash reports i'll fix them! i thought i worked out all the bugs.
aaforcebox
31. Jul 2017 · 19:24 UTC
I like the idea and the graphics, but I'm not really sure of what's going on. "Am I dying? I thinking I'm killing some guys, yeah." Humm.
FloBar
31. Jul 2017 · 19:51 UTC
I like the pase of the game and the visual effects. But I'm not sure what's going on lol. Well done anyway.
jakylgamer
31. Jul 2017 · 19:54 UTC
not a 100% sure what i was doing but you got explosions!!
nice visual effects and graphics tho minimal, they are nice :)
jakylgamer
31. Jul 2017 · 19:54 UTC
somehow double posted, site might have bugged
pvtroswold
31. Jul 2017 · 21:01 UTC
I like it, I'm pretty sure I probably died a whole lot but I like it.
Heather Flowers
31. Jul 2017 · 23:19 UTC
A very cute game!! It was hard to tell at times what was going on, but I loved your color scheme and the way all the different effects looked. I'm pretty sure I died, like, every few seconds though :B
spliter
31. Jul 2017 · 23:26 UTC
It's a bit too clusterfucky for me. It looks very nice, and the intro effect was really cool, but throughout 90% of the game I had no idea what was going on.
theoddpotion
31. Jul 2017 · 23:31 UTC
Lovely little game. Lovely and difficult. =D
BAJARYMI
31. Jul 2017 · 23:39 UTC
Hard to tell what was going on, but I really liked the art
graebor
01. Aug 2017 · 03:22 UTC
Graphics/FX are nice but it's super hard to tell what's going on, I kinda had to just keep clicking and hope for the best.
kazik_210
01. Aug 2017 · 03:38 UTC
I really enjoyed playing your game, the sound and graphics was good, but its really hard to tell whats going on in the game
Jeremy Ryan
01. Aug 2017 · 04:36 UTC
Nice solid entry! Particle effects look nice, although it's difficult to tell what's going on most of the time. I mostly just spammed rockets and hoped the fireball dudes jumped off the edge.
elit3dgaming
01. Aug 2017 · 04:39 UTC
Beautiful looking game and fun
maxr00
01. Aug 2017 · 04:40 UTC
I really love the visuals
SeanW
01. Aug 2017 · 04:43 UTC
Great looking game! But I found it hard to tell whats happening. There was also music during the menu but now during the rest of the game.
CaptainDreamcast
01. Aug 2017 · 04:52 UTC
J U I C Y game!

Kinda escalated for me before the boss appeared. They killed and healed me so fast that I was stuck in an eternal loop of limbo.

Really enjoyed playing it though, it had very high quality.
matfernandestt
01. Aug 2017 · 06:34 UTC
Hard to tell what is happening, but somehow is fun. Amazing looking game! I think I beat the boss (?) The game just restarted after boss hp went down to 0. Anyway, great game!
sanjeev
01. Aug 2017 · 07:42 UTC
Really great looking game with an amazing feel. But I think I agree with the other comments in that it is quite difficult to tell what is going on. I often lost my character in the chaos, and found it difficult to see what I was fighting against. Otherwise really good job in just 48 hours!
ondrej.paska
01. Aug 2017 · 08:39 UTC
That's a pretty solid game! The art is really great. The controls felt responsive. I could not get to the boss, but I'm not very good at games :D good job!
🎤 bwalter
01. Aug 2017 · 15:09 UTC
@matfernandestt great job! yes, the after the boss dies, the game simply returns to creatures preparing for the next boss
SkullPixel
01. Aug 2017 · 16:23 UTC
The random generation of this game is really awesome, and I'd like to try a mechanic like it at some point. The game definitely has a neat idea, but it's a little difficult to control. Overall it's a great entry! Well done.
Sun-Wukong
01. Aug 2017 · 18:08 UTC
Hard to say anything about this game since I couldn't understand what happening on the screen.
Loktor
01. Aug 2017 · 18:12 UTC
** First Impression **: I really like the intro to the game, sets a great example for how to introduce your game :)

** Sound **: Generally really fitting sound effects :) but a bit more variation or background music would be nice if you continue to improve your game :)

** Graphics **: That's where your game really shines, really great to look at :) But as others said sometimes a lot is going on so that i visually don't even know anymore where to look^^

** Gameplay **: Really interesting concept of limited power so you have to plan your actions carefully

** Overall **: That was quite something that you managed to achieve here :) really nice result for the time frame :)
Pedrowzee
01. Aug 2017 · 19:00 UTC
Great visual effects and easy enough controls, but it gets too hectic too soon.
Iamsodarncool
01. Aug 2017 · 20:33 UTC
I agree with the other comments that dislike the screen shaking. I can see what you were trying to do with it, but I don't think it was executed successfully. I'm not sure what would improve it, but the shaking doesn't make me feel tense or excited, it just acts as a barrier to me understanding what's happening, which isn't fun.

I'd like to comment on the funness of the game itself but I couldn't get past the shaking and gave up after a couple of minutes.

It would also be nice if there was a fullscreen mode. The game being 20cm wide on my screen doesn't help with comprehending what's going on.

This is exclusively negative feedback and I know that sucks to receive. I'm sorry to deliver it but it's my honest opinion of the game. I hope you make a version with fullscreen and no shaking, because based on other comments the game is actually really fun and I'd like to play it. I just can't enjoy it in its current state.
🎤 bwalter
01. Aug 2017 · 20:36 UTC
(@iamsodarncool fullscreen is enabled. the standard shortcut is Alt+Enter.
ohmaigawd
01. Aug 2017 · 21:21 UTC
MMM the juice :)
The visual side of the game is amazing and overall the game feels quite polished. Well done!
The only thing that bothers me is that it is really hard to see what is going on when there are many enemies and your character is only like two pixels in size. And the Space to pause was really confusing for me - I kept pausing the game when I wanted to jump :D
TheOneThatNeverWas
01. Aug 2017 · 23:47 UTC
Very nice game! I really enjoyed the game feel. It is very polished and very fun to play. Congrats!
KRP
02. Aug 2017 · 03:01 UTC
Honestly, I think the visuals are whats making the game so good. In all honesty, I do feel like thegameplay was subpar and the audio was just ok. Nevertheless this game is still excellent due to the very tight graphics. Very excited to see what you could do in the full 48h rather than just 12!
🎤 bwalter
02. Aug 2017 · 03:05 UTC
@krp What improvements would you like to see to gameplay? i will probably update this game for full release post jam
tayopi
02. Aug 2017 · 03:26 UTC
Honestly, just of the same from what other people are saying. The particle effects are amazing, but it's hard to see what's going on. I like the small style, but I feel like the particles need to be toned down just a little. Reminds me of Risk of Rain. Very cool game.
dubsol
02. Aug 2017 · 03:39 UTC
i was very confused what was going on at the start but it became clear fast enough, the graphics and feel of the game are really great though! its also a really good idea for gameplay but it does get pretty insane as it goes on, other than that its pretty fun!
kleinzach
02. Aug 2017 · 03:59 UTC
As others are saying, yes this is a very juicy game, which is great, but why this sort of thing works in Vlambeer games is that their core loop is fun, simple, and easy to understand. I had absolutely no idea what was going on while playing your game. Sure numbers were going up and explosions were happening, but after getting demolished by a boss for a while, I was simply able to spam my right click it felt like. If you were to keep working on the game for a post-jam version, I would recommend working on the readability and moment to moment decision making in the game. Personally I would slow it down a bit and add more variety of enemy attacks to allow for more intelligent play. All that said, good sound and art. You definitely create a chaotic and explosive mood which is certainly strong.
PeachTreeOath
02. Aug 2017 · 04:30 UTC
Sorry you have to hear so many opinions on the graphics but I also agree the game gets hidden under all the juice. The aesthetic itself is very clean and distinct and controls are tight, wish I could see those shine more.
Solah
02. Aug 2017 · 10:26 UTC
I think that the screen is often barely readable, maybe the camera is too shaky and the shoots too big. I also think that the boss takes too much time to appear. Anymway, the game is good with some great sound design and graphics. The gameplay is also very good. Well done!
Mr.Houdini
02. Aug 2017 · 11:23 UTC
So much energy in this gameplay! Dynamism, explosions, camera shake, everything! Are you a fan of Vlambeer work? This part was amazing! I didn't feel like I understood everything that happened there, but I had fun for sure. The music is so great. Good luck!
hecticgrape
02. Aug 2017 · 13:30 UTC
really liked the graphics and audio, really refined and it definitely looks and feels great. gameplay was chaotic and engaging, and the feedback through camera shakes and animations feels great. (having space to pause seemed a little weird, and I kept pressing it to jump at the start)
🎤 bwalter
02. Aug 2017 · 15:10 UTC
@mr-houdini i've actually never played a vlambeer game, but i have listened to a talk by JW from the team
Crabman
02. Aug 2017 · 15:54 UTC
Same fore me, very Vlambeer feel to it. And I didn't mind the camera shakes. Very energetic gameplay, I liked it!
Anudin
02. Aug 2017 · 17:06 UTC
The game feels really cool in the beginning however I'm not sure if I encountered a bug? I got to a point where so many explosions and enemies are on screen that I could literally see nothing! Explosion everywhere - no orientation at all.
pitpony
02. Aug 2017 · 17:46 UTC
Lovely graphics and I like that the action takes place in a small amount of the screen. I think you should tone down the particle effects a little as it quickly becomes confusing.

Well done.
Meta-link
02. Aug 2017 · 21:15 UTC
Impressive work ! Good job :)
dgollahon
03. Aug 2017 · 05:42 UTC
Beautiful graphics / overall design. I liked the little tiny sprites and the particle effects. Really hard to tell what's going on though. Overall though, very nice!
Pixelbukkake
03. Aug 2017 · 08:56 UTC
Liked it but i feel like the enemies are a bit small. Graphics are nice and the screenshake would make vlambeer proud! ;)
Archimagus
03. Aug 2017 · 16:44 UTC
Neat game, there isn't a whole lot to say that hasn't been said already. My biggest issue is that it's hard to see whats going on. The player blends into the background a lot especially when there a lot of explosions. I kept falling off the edge because I couldn't see how close I was and the enemy dude would run at sit right at the very edge.
bldr
03. Aug 2017 · 19:18 UTC
love the graphics, but it is totally unplayable
coomzy
03. Aug 2017 · 21:46 UTC
Enjoyed it earlier on but it just became too hectic visually and audibly
D-Studios
04. Aug 2017 · 00:07 UTC
I don't like this game. The game world is way too small and the screen is pretty much literally covered with white stuff all the time, and I couldn't even see my own character. Despite this flaw, one concept that I did like about the game is that it was creative in that health and ammo are the same. In conclusion, I didn't like this game because the art is too visually hectic, but I did like the innovation behind the concept of the game.

P.S. I strongly suggest you to opt out of the humor category as this game doesn't seem like it was intended to be funny.
PixelSplash
04. Aug 2017 · 01:53 UTC
Love the particles!!! it`s difficult to know what is going on haha
VarelseGames
04. Aug 2017 · 02:15 UTC
It feels really satisfying to play, thought it can be pretty hard to see what's going on with the particle effects vs the size of the enemies/character.
Ludic Studios
04. Aug 2017 · 09:46 UTC
very nice for a game maded in 48h. the art style are great, and the effects too. but I did not understand
the game very well. too much explosions and cant see the enemies.
Ferran Benavente
04. Aug 2017 · 18:14 UTC
I love the graphics and particles you made and I'm impressed that you made all this by your own with just 2 days :O Congratulations!

Sometime I couldn't really understand what was going on in the screen and I see a lot of people is having the same issue. I would suggest to lower a bit the screenshake (my brain got so shaked xD) and maybe make a zoom in betwen the two you are using (I felt one was to far away to understand the game and the other too close to imagine what was going on outside the camera area).

Apart from that, congratulations on your game, the game feel and the art are very well achived!
jahndis
05. Aug 2017 · 04:24 UTC
If I could find myself in all of the carnage, I think I would have enjoyed it a bit more. I pretty much had no idea where I was what I was doing most of the time :D Nice aesthetic though!
jusw85
05. Aug 2017 · 07:43 UTC
The pixel art was amazing!

But gameplay wise, the camera shake and smoke effects made it hard to understand what was going on sometimes. I just kept shooting stuff, eventually got to the boss and lost. Not sure why, since I kept respawning before the boss everytime I died.
Jupiter_Hadley
05. Aug 2017 · 14:33 UTC
Neat graphics, chaotic game! I included it in my Ludum Dare 39 compilation video series, if you’d like to take a look :) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tnbJWl_w0c
Ethan Kennerly
05. Aug 2017 · 17:56 UTC
When I clicked to launch sinusoidal fireballs and ran to pickup skulls I felt excited! If you continue to develop this, when I didn't see the edge of the map and walked off I felt uncertain.
🎤 bwalter
05. Aug 2017 · 23:12 UTC
Thanks @jupiter-hadley ! you rock!
Hadik
07. Aug 2017 · 17:43 UTC
Nice particle effects and simple graphics :)

- \+ Paritcle effects
- \+ Simple but nice looking graphics

- \- Game is impossible hard
yuigoto
21. Aug 2017 · 09:12 UTC
Dude, this is pretty simple, but it's really nice and quite chaotic! :P The particle effects look great, all the effects, the chaos that happens with enemies, even though it's low-res, it's quite intense and quite full of action there, and challenging too, of course! ;)

Everything blends so well, and it's so nicely wrapped up that it feels really good to play!

Good job there! Congrats and Good Luck! ;)