Blossoming Cosmos by ryusui

[raw]
made by ryusui for Ludum Dare 45 (JAM)

In the beginning, the universe was null and void, and then there was you...

Create the universe, one bloom at a time. Use your power to summon forth beautiful blossoms and fill the vast emptiness with color. Be warned that your power is limited: you may not plant two blooms too close to each other, nor can you plant any but your first in the void itself. Your power builds over time, and planting blossoms consumes that power, so plant wisely!

Beware: fiery sparks of all-consuming entropy will spawn from the void and attempt to tear through your precious blossoms. Even without their interference, your blossoms do not last forever: they will wither and die eventually. Plant anew, and fill the universe with beauty!

Mouse controls supported. Left click to plant flowers.

UPDATED 10/17/2019: The Post-Jam version is now available! This version includes several visual, audio, and quality-of-life improvements: the power bar charges faster, the SFX have all been replaced to better fit the mood of the game, and there are now better indicators for when you can't place flowers (as well as an indicator for when you can). A title splash with basic instructions has also been added.

Please rate the game based on the original Jam version!

love<em>2019-10-06</em>21-09-44.png

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Ratings

Overall 792th 3.2⭐ 22🧑‍⚖️
Fun 743th 3.05⭐ 22🧑‍⚖️
Innovation 518th 3.225⭐ 22🧑‍⚖️
Theme 137th 3.975⭐ 22🧑‍⚖️
Graphics 662th 3.35⭐ 22🧑‍⚖️
Audio 642th 2.6⭐ 22🧑‍⚖️
Mood 462th 3.45⭐ 22🧑‍⚖️
Given 18🗳️ 29🗨️

Feedback

NiKaDra
07. Oct 2019 · 20:35 UTC
This game manages to be a fun blend of finding out the best strategy to expand your domain with flowers and avoid entropy sparks, while also being very serene and charming with the cute color-chaning flower graphics. There was a certain stress involved as you see a spark of entropy en-route to destroy a large amount of your flowers, but also a sense of calmness in watching the borders of your blossoming land grow ever larger, slowly replacing the void behind it, and finally some accomplishment when everything is filled out.

The nice graphics of the rotating flowers are highlighted by the ever-changing colors, and the game becomes pretty trippy and beautiful at the same time with the different colors phasing in and out everywhere. The game's audio is fitting, and it works great without music, as it really adds to the serenity of the scene. The cute quiet sound effect for placing the flower stands nicely in contrast to the loud crunch of the sparks tearing them up. I found that specifically this sound effect was a bit loud, and it would have been nice if it was just a bit lower in volume, although that might just be me.

In general, it was a nice experience with a clear goal and ending, cool graphics, neat audio, and it certainly fits the theme. It felt kind of like taking care of a little garden in the middle of a void, although it still had an element of challenge to it! Great work!
BradleyAshley
13. Oct 2019 · 07:17 UTC
What a relaxing game! I think you should let the player create more flowers more quickly! I tensed up the first time the flowers were about to be hit but the way they just lightly agitate and wiggle is actually nice. I like that you followed the theme so well too.
ThePirateNun
17. Oct 2019 · 21:40 UTC
This is a very cool game! The concept is very interesting, and fits the theme very well. I think it would be nice if the gameplay was sped up to make the flow of play a bit quicker, but I thought the simple visuals were nice as well. The jam version certainlky could use some more audio, but it sounds like you're already on it! Great Job!
🎤 ryusui
17. Oct 2019 · 23:01 UTC
I definitely listened to the "faster gameplay" requests. The Post-Jam version doubles the rate you gain energy.
Swynfel
18. Oct 2019 · 02:15 UTC
Very nice relaxing game!

The game-play was simple, but well executed. They were a lot of small details that made the game feel polished, like the rotating flowers, the color variations. Even the cursor.

I actually didn't feel like the game was too slow (and I played the jam version). I was surprised that the game finished so early -- I wanted to keep placing my flowers to replace every last pixel of void with rainbows! -- which is a good sign that I was really enjoying myself. It's just unfortunate the game was so short, but I don't really know how you could have expanded it.

(PS : You might want to add a link to LÖVE's website just above the "downloads" section. I'm not sure everyone is familiar with the game engine : https://love2d.org/#download )
sigod
18. Oct 2019 · 06:33 UTC
I've managed to place flower on top of another flower by clicking on it when the flower was damaged by red thingy.

I like the concept of the game. Nicely done.

Also, I found it really funny that the archive is named as Blossoming Windows :D
Bungalow
18. Oct 2019 · 10:05 UTC
Nice concept, cute graphics and really relaxing! Awesome job!
fabula_rasa
18. Oct 2019 · 10:23 UTC
Very relaxing, almost meditative. Some delicate background music would greatly enhance the atmosphere.
kaeveris
19. Oct 2019 · 08:09 UTC
I liked the game, it's relaxing and fun, love the color changing flowers. Would be nice to have some music in the background
Sprotex
19. Oct 2019 · 19:18 UTC
I think you could expand this game into an idle game. :laughing:

The archive to download is 3 MB, what? That is new record for me to see here on LDJAMs.

I also think that you could give it more music and speed up the gameplay, and also maybe more levels or something to make the game longer in a meaningful way...?

Great stuff. :slight_smile:
itsdanidre
20. Oct 2019 · 00:31 UTC
OOOhhhh

![Capture3y.JPG](///raw/0fb/8/z/29b9d.jpg)
adhesion
24. Oct 2019 · 03:05 UTC
Cool little experience! I like the concept and the graphics, while basic, fit the vibe quite well. Was a little unintuitive at first, but looks like you've already addressed that in the post-jam version which is great. Some chill music would help a lot here. Nice work!
karlipoppins
24. Oct 2019 · 04:03 UTC
Very cool entry, I really love how you used the theme! This is also the first time that I'm seeing someone take the concept of missile command in reverse (basically you place the bases strategically so that they don't get hit by the projectiles going in a straight line), super ingenious! Loved the simple graphics and the palette of colors that you used. I did find the spark sound a bit too loud compared to the flower placement sound but it's very minor compared to the overall entry. I think this could make an awesome little mobile game, you could even have different types of flowers that have different properties, etc. Great work!

![Capture.PNG](///raw/b56/z/29d04.png)
mahalis
26. Oct 2019 · 16:41 UTC
This is really pleasant! It's sort of meditative, and it feels well-balanced - my flowers did get taken out occasionally but the entropy things moved slowly and predictably enough that it didn't feel punishing. Nice work!