Your Life Is Currency by AdmiralSpaceKraken
A top down shooter where you can use your HP to upgrade yourself through mutations. The game lasts until you die, and has a functional score and leaderboard system (Leaderboards are local, not online). This is my second attempt at making a Ludum Dare game, and I would love any feedback you all have.
I used Unity to make the game, Visual Studio Code as my IDE, Marmoset Hexels 3 to make the art, and Beepbox to make the music.
| Link | https://gitlab.com/AdmiralSpaceKraken/ludum-dare-44 |
| Link | https://spacekrakenstudios.itch.io/your-life-is-currency |
| Original URL | https://ldjam.com/events/ludum-dare/44/your-life-is-currency |
Ratings
| Overall | 319th | 3.222⭐ | 20🧑⚖️ |
| Fun | 252th | 3.194⭐ | 20🧑⚖️ |
| Innovation | 366th | 2.778⭐ | 20🧑⚖️ |
| Theme | 161th | 3.556⭐ | 20🧑⚖️ |
| Graphics | 442th | 2.583⭐ | 20🧑⚖️ |
| Audio | 360th | 2.333⭐ | 20🧑⚖️ |
| Humor | 387th | 1.944⭐ | 20🧑⚖️ |
| Mood | 403th | 2.639⭐ | 20🧑⚖️ |
| Given | 24🗳️ | 4🗨️ |
The music did get tiresome after a while, though.
1. There's not really any feedback to the damage. I'd love to have a sound effect and maybe have the character flash upon taking damage. A health bar would also help the player actually notice that damage is being dealt.
2. The mutation upgrade after each round is a bit annoying because I have to use the mouse, which means I have to move my right hand away from the arrow keys. Then the round starts immediately, and I have to get my hand back quickly. Here you could either have a quick countdown before each round starts (a "3,2,1, GO!" type of thing) or have a hotkey to purchase upgrades. Q and E for example.
3. The music loop is a bit short. This may be a bit unfair, but there are so many of these 8-bit soundtracks in Ludum Dare that every time I hear it I shiver. I understand not everyone is a music composer (I'm terrible at it as well!), but at least try to make it a bit longer so it gets less repetitive.
Anyway, I really like your game. Sure, there are games with better graphical fidelity and all that, but what I really like is your game design and what parts you have focused on. I think that if you keep making video games you're going to make a bestseller some day! Good luck next Ludum Dare! :)