Depth of Field by Gao Ming

[raw]
made by Gao Ming for Ludum Dare 57 (COMPO)

🖱️⬆️⬇️: Focus Distance

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Ratings

Overall 7th 4.206⭐ 116🧑‍⚖️
Fun 35th 3.825⭐ 116🧑‍⚖️
Innovation 5th 4.351⭐ 116🧑‍⚖️
Theme 7th 4.43⭐ 116🧑‍⚖️
Graphics 15th 4.355⭐ 116🧑‍⚖️
Audio 51th 3.79⭐ 114🧑‍⚖️
Humor 11th 4.093⭐ 115🧑‍⚖️
Mood 27th 4.108⭐ 113🧑‍⚖️
Given 9🗳️ 4🗨️

Feedback

Michael Parrish
07. Apr 2025 · 02:32 UTC
Wow - so my original idea for this game jam was something really similar to this, but I couldn't get the math to work in order to consistently determine if something was in focus or not. That being said, even if I had, it wouldn't have come out half this good or charming! This is really awesome, it controls amazingly, and looks fantastic too. Great entry!
Shiheuan
07. Apr 2025 · 07:54 UTC
Simple and beautiful. I love your game!
ThisIsSpy
07. Apr 2025 · 08:00 UTC
Simple but also charming and fun. The DOF mechanic is very unique (wish I had that kind of creativity) although trying to capture moving objects was a bit annoying
finntastico
08. Apr 2025 · 02:04 UTC
Super cool entry! Got really trippy in the end haha, love the humor. Somehow didn't really get how it worked but got it done anyway. Really well done!
Pandalk
08. Apr 2025 · 02:05 UTC
Very nice, I wasn't expecting that kind of game when I read the theme, the scenes are very cute and the progression in difficulty well balanced
WetBurritoSupreme
08. Apr 2025 · 02:31 UTC
What a sweet game! I love the scene and the story to go along with it adds so much! The sound effects with ambient and the dings and beeps are really well done too!
Radjax
08. Apr 2025 · 04:12 UTC
This is great, loved how you used depth as a theme and the effects were awesome. Super funny and cute, loved it!
LDJam user 0
08. Apr 2025 · 06:06 UTC
Lovely game!! A really nice touch was the way the ghosts face changed when you moved the DOF around even further. Incredibly cute and smart theme interpretation
Placeholders
08. Apr 2025 · 08:55 UTC
LOVE LOVE LOVE it! really an incredible job from the idea to the execution.
the art and UI are so appeiling, and very easy to understand.
each chapters was surprising and i like how used the mechanic in diffrent ways.

also, such a nice touch to make the menu as the tutorial and the credits as a nice interactive finale.
I was hooked! Really one of my fav entries!
great job!
ibandurist
08. Apr 2025 · 11:32 UTC
Such a cute game! Nice graphics, and an unusual idea.
Clare_Chan1738
08. Apr 2025 · 14:30 UTC
This was really cool! The perspective was so smooth as a mechanic and honestly felt really nice to play around with. The graphics were pretty too.
resty
08. Apr 2025 · 15:46 UTC
This is super nice to see. Every aspect is working well and even a cool story line included.
mgear
08. Apr 2025 · 16:15 UTC
Interesting idea and definitely captures™ the theme!
izzqz
08. Apr 2025 · 16:17 UTC
ui is neat! FIVE STARS!
enmarimo
08. Apr 2025 · 16:22 UTC
Love this game! A simple gameplay very well implemented. The idea is original, the art beautiful and the sound fits the game. Also the UI is very clean and perfectly integrated into the game.
NeverContent
08. Apr 2025 · 16:55 UTC
Cute!
KeithSwanger
08. Apr 2025 · 18:04 UTC
A short experience that is very well polished! Great job with all the dynamic animations!
DzejPi
08. Apr 2025 · 18:30 UTC
I remember seeing this game when scrolling through posts, so, I'm glad I found it. Incredibly adorable style, I am in love! Great effect and the UI. And so far, one of the most original take on the theme I've seen as well. I found the sound of focus a little annoying after a while, but that's no biggie. All in all, this is definitely in my personal top 5 so far, really incredibly well executed!
sebbernery
08. Apr 2025 · 19:02 UTC
Nice take on the theme, I saw one of your post this week end during a break and I liked the concept. Now I tried it and ... I also like the realisation ! Graphics are nice, sound effects do a great job to give feedback and mood.

It's a short experience, but a very cool one ! Congratulations !
AdamsMcCall
08. Apr 2025 · 20:17 UTC
Really fun and well polished, gg :)
Fernando Puig
08. Apr 2025 · 20:54 UTC
I love how you interpreted the theme. The style is cute and I really like how it gets trippy during the ghost scene. I found it engaging and kind of challenging sometimes too. Great game!
chelC
09. Apr 2025 · 01:45 UTC
Reaaaaally enjoyed this game! The concept was so fresh, and the different scenes were sooo cute and charming. The ghost level felt finnicky to me, I kept losing track of the ghosty but that's okay. What a delight! Thanks for making this :D
Adamwigs
09. Apr 2025 · 01:46 UTC
Love every moment of this game. Laughed at the ghost scene and the bee level reminded me of my partner trying to take close up pictures of bugs. 10/10 (5/5)!
chloew
09. Apr 2025 · 02:53 UTC
This is a great interpretation. Very polished and fresh !! I enjoyed it quite a bit. Wished there was more.
Koolruz
09. Apr 2025 · 03:06 UTC
Woah, this was incredibly charming and well polished - Great job!
SoaringMoon
09. Apr 2025 · 03:10 UTC
This was a very unique and successful implementation of this mechanic.
yangtuofeel
09. Apr 2025 · 03:22 UTC
soooooo cute,l love these images!!!! it's verrry fun!
Arthur Tang
09. Apr 2025 · 03:25 UTC
I love this game!!! The UI/UX becomes part of the game and it is soooo smooth! I feel like using a real camera when playing the game. I also love your unique answer to the theme Depth. Depth of field? Damn that is so smart.
Keeta
09. Apr 2025 · 03:28 UTC
Really charming game! A unique spin on the theme I haven't seen anywhere else.
Brain Delay
09. Apr 2025 · 03:36 UTC
This was so charming! I particularly loved that to start the game you had to focus on the title.
Ashe Liu
09. Apr 2025 · 04:16 UTC
Impressive art style and idea!I love how it provides a relaxing mood
LDJam user 236545
09. Apr 2025 · 04:29 UTC
So cute, so clever! First game I've given 5 stars across the board so far. The audio and UI animations were so juicy that it felt really good to play, despite being very simple. I actually laughed out loud when she turned into a ghost!

"Depth of field?" is a question I asked during my brainstorming phase but couldn't come up with a game concept, I'm so glad to see someone do it, and to do it so well!
LDJam user 245740
09. Apr 2025 · 04:30 UTC
That was so cute! Sorry that the poor woman had such a powerful bee allergy. I found it hard to track the little sucker, too. I did have a little bit of trouble seeing how fast the depth of field was changing, but this could be a skill issue. Great entry.
xorfe
09. Apr 2025 · 04:37 UTC
The graphics, atmosphere, and sound effects are perfect. The only problem is that it's a bit hard to understand the goal of the game. I think it's quite successful, well done.
braktheman
09. Apr 2025 · 04:50 UTC
I think this might be my favorite thing I've played so far in the jam! Really fun tight experience. Great use of theme, mood, the visuals, the humor, every aspect of it works for me.

Very good!
LDJam user 278146
09. Apr 2025 · 05:14 UTC
Cute and fun! I just wish there was more of it :)
Ammonit
09. Apr 2025 · 05:47 UTC
From the first seconds of gameplay, I get that this is exactly how a game for a 3-day contest should look, hitting the contest theme 100%!!! Just - wow! My respect!!! It lacked a full musical atmosphere - that would’ve made it even better.
Laine Lai
09. Apr 2025 · 05:57 UTC
GOAT

The only shortness is it's too short!!!!
Jcourt
09. Apr 2025 · 06:36 UTC
This is really cool! The actual gameplay is pretty basic, but with the brief little story, it stays very interesting for the length of the game. And, as everyone else has said, your interpretation of the theme is really unique.
Egor Iv
09. Apr 2025 · 06:42 UTC
good implementation of the theme and game
protzz
09. Apr 2025 · 08:36 UTC
Really relaxing music and graphics are really good!
Rinevard
09. Apr 2025 · 08:59 UTC
The gameplay, the sound effect, the graphics all combine so well. Great job!
realwangziyang
09. Apr 2025 · 09:46 UTC
The idea of "depth of field" is simple, direct and intuitive for this theme, but how to achieve the gameplay is really the hard part. This is definitely the best approach I've seen...
designernap
09. Apr 2025 · 10:16 UTC
This is WONDERFUL! So fun, cute, charming, hell of a mood, funny, compact... just great stuff all around. Top marks honestly, this is a great entry.
ln404
09. Apr 2025 · 13:02 UTC
Wow! It was so simple and beautiful! Such a cute game.
Akinat0
09. Apr 2025 · 13:20 UTC
Yo, cool interpretation of the theme!
hubol
09. Apr 2025 · 20:16 UTC
Excellent, adorable, and very simple!!!!!
sadvest
09. Apr 2025 · 21:24 UTC
The art is super cute and polished! The gameplay is really creative — it reminds me of the days when I used to play aim trainer games.
Norah
09. Apr 2025 · 23:27 UTC
So so cute and fun !! Congrats :clap:
Albinobat
10. Apr 2025 · 01:13 UTC
Amazing work! very cozy and cute, and the graphics fit perfectly. my only negative would be how when trying to focus on a moving subject, the beeping sound of it going in and out of focus was a bit harsh on my ears
Phasmantic
10. Apr 2025 · 16:47 UTC
I love the idea to play with the depth of focus of the camera! The scenes/levels are neat too. I was a bit shocked when she suddenly became a ghost. The graphics are amazing. This turned out very professional looking
Buni
10. Apr 2025 · 18:44 UTC
I am the worst cameraman ever - but the game is great :D
Neeck Kola
10. Apr 2025 · 20:44 UTC
Very stisfying, coll game and concept, very polished. Excelet work
Dywanix
10. Apr 2025 · 23:06 UTC
Very interesting concept and gameplay is very enjoyable!
Ruslana
11. Apr 2025 · 00:47 UTC
Wow, that's a very cute one! It's nice that you didn't go for longer gameplay and kept it small but with a nice little story. Very neat. There is nothing unnecessary in it. Idea and how you made it into gameplay is amazing.
caeonosphere
11. Apr 2025 · 05:09 UTC
Cute and short! Would have loved to have seen something else going on for the X axis, like exposure or something... but that's just my gamer brain talking. Not everything has to be a Soulslike! :D
gemcc
11. Apr 2025 · 13:28 UTC
Most unique take on the theme I've seen! Well made game as well!
LDJam user 409037
11. Apr 2025 · 14:26 UTC
One of the best games, I really liked it!
ugly_robot
11. Apr 2025 · 16:08 UTC
Haha this so so fun! Gorgeous, soft visuals, lovely character art, and a fun, succinct little 'story' too! Amazing entry
coatline
12. Apr 2025 · 00:11 UTC
What a full and wholesome experience! Definitely a wonderful use of the theme (I actually had thought about doing something similar). Not only that, but it was funny!
Borabee
13. Apr 2025 · 18:53 UTC
Very cool game! During my tem's brainstorming, we thought of doing something with Depth of Field, but couldn't figure out how to turn it into a fun game mechanic. I think you suceeded in doing so by coupling it simple controls, a charming story and very nice artwork! I could see this being expanded into more difficult puzzles and intricate stories as well!
wo_ri_gou_le
15. Apr 2025 · 08:28 UTC
Lovely little thing! Super cute
grid96
16. Apr 2025 · 18:26 UTC
Cool idea and great execution! Very clean and intuitive UI that doesn't need any explanations, love it!
Jona Scheidig
16. Apr 2025 · 19:23 UTC
Wow... this... is... SUCH A COOL ENTRY!
I love it! Its adorable!
I love it! Its adorable!
I love it! Its adorable!
I love it! Its adorable!
I love it! Its adorable!
I love it! Its adorable!
I love it! Its adorable!
I love it! Its adorable!
I love it! Its adorable!
I love it! Its adorable!
I love it! Its adorable!
I love it! Its adorable!










I love it... its adorable
Ryrumeli
16. Apr 2025 · 20:16 UTC
Frankly one of the best executed games in Ludum so far for me. It is extremely polished and intentional, it actually feels like the vertical slice of a finished game, like a demo I got somewhere. The idea of using DoF as a game mechanic was great, the reactions and little plot worked very well, and it was adorable to have the world react while the camera was in the right depth, and the noise and visual cues were on point. Definitely feels like a homerun if you ask me, this is creativity fully applied for a vision!
oeueGHa
17. Apr 2025 · 03:59 UTC
Good art style and sound design and i like gameplay realization.
knarf
19. Apr 2025 · 18:23 UTC
THIS GAME WAS SO CUTE ! What an awesome idea and realisation on every level. It's looking very soft and cute, perfect smart use of the theme, and ultra sweet storytelling along. I was almost scared at the ghost.
Very cool and interesting ideas and mechanics here, and everything is super polished. Very promising this has a lot of potential. Super good job, clearly one of the best I've played so far. It's really cute and satisfying I just wish there was some more.
dithom
23. Apr 2025 · 08:22 UTC
Very very high quality execution! Hoped for more levels. Great game!
LDJam user 73887
23. Apr 2025 · 22:25 UTC
Marvellous! Very creative idea yet so simpel idea and beautifully executed! Hats off, that's an easy five stars in all categories for me.
niterich
24. Apr 2025 · 17:40 UTC
This might be the best game I've played so far in this jam! Looks like we both used depth of field as our core mechanics, but I can safely say your game is way better than mine! The graphics are lovely, the gameplay is fun and engaging, and the sound design help tie it all together in a unique, cohesive experience! Great job!