Upward! by tmpxyz
It's an experimental game combining deck-building with +-×÷
When you put a num-card in a cell, it will be activated and use the operator between adjacent cells to update the number in each cells.
Generating number matching the lock to unlock new floor, put matching number in cell with gold-sign to earn extra gold.
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Introduction 0. Win condtion: reach the 20th floor; Lose condtion: drop out of play OR run out of gold and hand-cards; 1. The cards at the bottom are your hand-cards (5 cards max), you can place hand-cards in play; 2. The cards at the top are shop-cards, it will remove the 2 cards at left each time you play a hand-card; 3. The symbol on cards could override the symbol in the play; 4. The green "refresh" button will refresh both hand-card and shop-cards; (Price:1 gold) 5. The red "X" button would let you destroy a hand-card (Price: 3 gold) 6. The location button will let you move your position to any place (Price: 5 gold) 7. The map will automatically move upward by one row after several refreshs, so don't stay in the bottom row for too long; 8. You can unlock the new floor by generating required number in ANY cell 9. Some cells have gold, you need to generate required number in THAT cell to get that;
Strategy guide:
- Collect gold in early floors; Place card in gold cell early then put other cards around that cell to pile up the number;
- Remove most of the early cards from your deck;
- Buy big cards, it's best to have multiply sign;
- Plan your path, don't waste gold on jumping to far cells;

| Youtube | https://tmpxyz.itch.io/upward |
| Youtube | https://tmpxyz.itch.io/upward |
| Original URL | https://ldjam.com/events/ludum-dare/45/upward |
Ratings
| Overall | 978th | 2.929⭐ | 23🧑⚖️ |
| Fun | 965th | 2.738⭐ | 23🧑⚖️ |
| Innovation | 402th | 3.405⭐ | 23🧑⚖️ |
| Theme | 1026th | 2.5⭐ | 23🧑⚖️ |
| Graphics | 1023th | 2.214⭐ | 23🧑⚖️ |
| Mood | 1038th | 2.35⭐ | 22🧑⚖️ |
| Given | 25🗳️ | 16🗨️ |
As far as feedback goes, I couldn't figure out how far along I was. A number for the total number of floors would be helpful! Additionally, I think the x5 card was WAY under-priced. It alone got me very far by itself!
Fun: On my first attempt, I had no idea what I was doing (the rules you posted here do explain it - but obtusely...!) After playing around until I thought I understood it, I restarted the game, and made a serious attempt... and made it to level 20. It was an excellent challenge. Now, here is the problem: the rules are ambiguous. I'm talking about the rule determining the order for applying arithmetical operators. At first I thought it was BIMDAS. Then I thought it that the vertical operations apply first, followed by the horizontal. Then I thought it was based on the order of my move. Now, I still don't know, but I managed to beat the game, basically by playing it safe whenever it mattered (i.e., making numbers by using only multiplies, or only additions - not mixing them). To feel truly fair and fun, this game would have to get rid of that ambiguity. That means making sure that whatever the rule is, it is simple, doesn't feel arbitrary, and is clearly explained early on. Also, I wish the rules for the game were explained in-game in an interactive tutorial.
Innovation: Yes, highly innovative!
Theme: Maybe - because you start with all blank cells? The theme isn't front-and-centre, but that's not a big deal.
Graphics: They do the job!
Mood: Relaxing, thanks to the ambient sounds.