PIED PIPER by LDJam user 383212
If you forget any patterns, press "ESC" to open the menu.
Press "R" to die if you get stuck.
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For a better experience play the itch.io version!
The Pied Piper was thrown in the dungeon for his crimes in Hamlin. He must escape by summoning rats with his flute.
Game made in 48 hours for Ludum Dare Game Jam 55, theme - summoning.
All assets made by arColm
| Link | https://pokerdf.itch.io/pied-piper |
| Link | https://github.com/arColm/ldjam-55 |
| Original URL | https://ldjam.com/events/ludum-dare/55/pied-piper |
Ratings
| Overall | 3th | 4.5⭐ | 37🧑⚖️ |
| Fun | 7th | 4.371⭐ | 37🧑⚖️ |
| Innovation | 4th | 4.571⭐ | 37🧑⚖️ |
| Theme | 3th | 4.614⭐ | 37🧑⚖️ |
| Graphics | 25th | 4.314⭐ | 37🧑⚖️ |
| Audio | 18th | 4.114⭐ | 37🧑⚖️ |
| Humor | 93th | 3.375⭐ | 34🧑⚖️ |
| Mood | 17th | 4.191⭐ | 36🧑⚖️ |
| Given | 36🗳️ | 39🗨️ |
Really good use of the theme in a fun a creative way.
the design of the games art and music combined very well making for a great atmosphere.
Good job!

I don't think the `W` or `S` keys do anything (unless I missed something?), so it's a little confusing having them show up at the start; but I do understand that just showing `A`/`D` may have been more confusing :) Maybe fade out the W/S keys? Just a thought!
When I was messing around on my second playthrough, I managed to clip through the level, and restarting sent me back to the first room; not a big deal (as before, it was my second playthrough (I couldn't get enough of the rats(!))), but you may want to think about failsafes in the future, and *again* again this did not effect my enjoyment of this game!
I didn't hear the music until I turned up the volume near the end, but it fits well. Great puzzles (I got a few a-ha moments; those are always awesome) and well executed gameplay mechanics!
...and (SPOILER?) thanks for the laugh from "Gravity Rat"!
Also found speedrun strats:

The levels were exceptionally designed, and I loved the detail of seeing a peek of trees outside when you were nearing the end. That last level.... SO COOL. You really required ALL of the flute skills to make it to the end of this game. What a journey! I had a blast! Absolutely incredible work for 48h!!!

And I absolutely love your puzzle design—the difficulty is spot-on, challenging without being trapping. Your skills are the epitome of mastery, and it's genuinely enviable. Pal, you deserve high praise; I thoroughly enjoy your game and am eager to learn some valuable lessons from you.
Anyway, the concept is really good, and the difficulty is okay the rest of the time. One of the best games I see here, for sure!
I also thought this concept was very original and worked great for a puzzle game! The way you introduced each new mechanic step-by-step was done really well and not overwhelming. Then starting to combine them all made for some really challenging, but fair puzzles. Really well done!
Awesome entry!
https://youtu.be/Foe4js2jhJ0
And I'm the host for the ludum dare score chasers tournament this Ludum Dare. Wanted to ask if youre fine if I put some gameplay of the game in an intermission video. Last year for reference:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TM_eIvjBmIQ
Very nice idea, easy to understand hard to master :thumbsup:
Nice graphics, audio and gameplay. VERY well done!
I managed to get to the end, it was quite an adventure.
Innovative mechanics, and cool puzzle design!
