Ray of Hope by Sceef

[raw]
made by Sceef for Ludum Dare 59 (JAM)

1080.png Restore power to the towers so we can send a rescue signal.

You're our only hope!

Build Screenshot 2026.04.21 - 02.03.43.00.png Build Screenshot 2026.04.21 - 02.04.27.80.png Build Screenshot 2026.04.21 - 02.04.53.90.png

Ratings

Overall 434th 3.563⭐ 26🧑‍⚖️
Fun 721th 2.82⭐ 27🧑‍⚖️
Innovation 787th 2.583⭐ 26🧑‍⚖️
Theme 362th 3.86⭐ 27🧑‍⚖️
Graphics 187th 4.2⭐ 27🧑‍⚖️
Audio 224th 3.75⭐ 26🧑‍⚖️
Mood 269th 3.904⭐ 28🧑‍⚖️
Given 24🗳️ 28🗨️

Feedback

Ydindamin
Apr 22nd · 04:31 UTC
The environment was moody (in a good way), and the idea of reconnecting these giant signal towers is compelling. Unfortunately I solved the puzzle accidentally by hitting two random buttons. The music video at the end felt a little forced, but it's clear that it's something you enjoy. Again, the environment was very well done, and you should do more with that talent in the future!
BeastPanda
Apr 22nd · 04:54 UTC
The environment you created in the time we had is really impressive. The mood, fog, and lighting all work together well and create a strong atmosphere.

That said, it didn’t feel like there was much gameplay beyond walking around and some very light interactions. The three-button puzzle in particular wasn’t very clear. I ended up just pressing buttons until it opened, rather than feeling like I understood or intentionally solved it.
kontest53
Apr 22nd · 06:15 UTC
a short but complete game with a clear message, the cinematic at the end felt like a reward)
Hibiki
Apr 22nd · 07:00 UTC
AMAZING CINEMATIC ART PIECE, AMAZING WORK, GREAT JOB!!! The story is abstract but artistic, music, environment, and render make the mood to a brand high level.
🎤 Sceef
Apr 22nd · 07:10 UTC
Thx <3 @ydindamin @beastpanda @kontest53 @hibiki
Rocotos
Apr 22nd · 07:47 UTC
Nice atmosphere, not a lot of gameplay though - but in the end you fell rather satisfied.
Thanks!
🎤 Sceef
Apr 22nd · 08:38 UTC
@rocotos Unfortunately, I spent 50% of my time fighting the Unity engine, which was breaking the lighting and the project... The fact that I got any results at all is a miracle...
Soul Grinder
Apr 22nd · 09:12 UTC
Really cool atmospheric puzzle and the good use of lighting and fog too, nice work!
LDJam user 427605
Apr 22nd · 09:47 UTC
From the very beginning, ignoring the battery and turning on the first antenna, I wandered into the forest and got lost.

Then I couldn't jump to the second antenna for a long time.
And then I couldn't figure out why the gate to the third antenna wouldn't open, hahaha.
There's some subtle philosophical thought in the game; I wish it were a little longer and offered more "find it and bring it where it's needed" puzzles.

Thanks, great game!
ManTou
Apr 22nd · 10:07 UTC
The environment art is nice, and the music is good too. One issue I had was that some interactive objects in the scene were not very obvious. I spent quite a while before I realized the Plane was something I could interact with.
WENXIN
Apr 22nd · 14:58 UTC
It's a very good game, very interesting, and the atmosphere is well crafted
🎤 Sceef
Apr 22nd · 15:02 UTC
Thx <3 @soul-grinder @yarcha @mantou @wenxin
zimennik
Apr 23rd · 08:29 UTC
I really liked the pixelization and the atmosphere. The "god rays" also look very cool.

The default ProBuilder textures are immediately noticeable, but they kind of fit the "laboratory" theme.

The music is deep and atmospheric. It fits the overall design really well. The only downside is that it restarts from the beginning if you minimize the window.

I was a bit disappointed that going to the right tower wasn't necessary.

The final cutscene, unexpectedly, added depth to the story, which I was really pleased about. However, I can't say the music choice for it was perfect.

Overall - a really good entry. Short, atmospheric, visually pleasing. And even with a story.
HotCoffee
Apr 23rd · 11:27 UTC
Great atmosphere! Would be nice to add more puzzles to diversify the gameplay, but generally I enjoyed it :)
fabelay
Apr 23rd · 14:21 UTC
The fog and god rays do a lot of heavy lifting here, the atmosphere is easily the strongest part. I also bounced off the button puzzle and ended up brute-forcing it. Mad respect for shipping this despite the Unity troubles you mentioned!
bobanko
Apr 23rd · 14:30 UTC
это была топ-1 игра из чата чемпионов лд, в которую я хотел поиграть, к сожалению, не сложилось с веб-билдом. так что только могу высоко оценить графику и Mood 👍
(даже гопники-инвалиды ее не переплюнули по вайбу)
jk5000
Apr 24th · 06:12 UTC
A super simple and pretty fun little game. A sound effects would have been great. But overall a okay jam game.
LesDremlet
Apr 24th · 06:43 UTC
That final cutscene is awesome, really liked the camera moves and the angles you picked, good job!
LesDremlet
Apr 24th · 06:43 UTC
That final cutscene is awesome, really liked the camera moves and the angles you picked, good job!
zhangzhimu
Apr 24th · 11:42 UTC
The scene is large enough for players to explore at their own pace. The guidance is also very strong. There will always be signal towers indicating the direction, which is also in line with the theme. The music also fits the atmosphere and I think it's a game that has been carefully crafted.
🎤 Sceef
Apr 24th · 12:48 UTC
thx <3 @zimennik @hotcoffee @fabelay @bobanko @jk5000 @lesdremlet @zhangzhimu
aruseus
Apr 24th · 15:15 UTC
The gameplay feels a bit uninspired. The level is big and looks very cool. Just having a 3D environment like this at all is impressive for a jam, but in the end you just walk from one spot to the next to press E.

You don't necessarily need to have complex mechanics, but as it is right now, the whole level lacks some substance. It all just feels a bit empty, and needs something else.
Sobigdrasil
Apr 25th · 14:09 UTC
That was a pretty cool experience! small task , everything is absolutely clear (except the game screen that is refusing to work properly xd)
cinematic is a Kojumba lvl!
Kenoshka
Apr 26th · 10:54 UTC
camera work and level design is good despite small amount of it, but cannot say that the whole game has impressed me, though the last cutscene was funny due to soundtrack choice
hoarime
Apr 26th · 15:07 UTC
good work with the lighting and the atmosphere! i liked that effect when the ray seeps through trees and the scenes overall look clean and polished, also the pixelation filter adds to it

but i think you should add sounds to the game, because now there is only music that slightly doesnt fit the mood for me tbh. its too dynamic, some ambient would work better i think. i also have noticed that the battery icon doesnt fit the style, its like too cartoonish? the level design is not bad, but the gameplay now is like "go to point A from point B -> go back to point B -> repeat". i liked visually how the towers connected with each other though, thats a nice effect

due to the shortness of the game, the final cutscene felt like too epic and "unearned" or idk how do describe it. it was a reward, but reward for what? the game lacks the emotional buildup. i understand that you had only 72 hours, but thats what i think. the work with the camera is excellent though

anyways, its just my view of the game, it may be subjective, and im sorry if my feedback is too rude or something, im just trying to be honest

keep making games! you already know how to make the atmosphere, i believe, you are on your way of creating something good!
🎤 Sceef
Apr 26th · 15:21 UTC
thanx <3 @aruseus @sobigdrasil <-тьмок @kenoshka
🎤 Sceef
Apr 26th · 15:25 UTC
@hoarime I spent most of the development time struggling with the engine, so I didn't even finish a quarter of what I had planned. The three towers were supposed to have their own building and surroundings, with three puzzles and three batteries for each tower. The game was supposed to have dark moments and jump scares, as well as radio conversations, which were supposed to add context. Ultimately, we'd be trying to save people, but it would be too late and we were negotiating with the station's AI.
I'm glad I managed to create the game's atmosphere, as I usually make 2D games in Construct 3, and I rarely use Unity.
hoarime
Apr 26th · 17:14 UTC
@sceef ну бывает. в любом случае за то время, которое было уделено игре, отличный результат
Ryrumeli
Apr 28th · 01:45 UTC
Definitely loved the mood and the aesthetic, with the limited rendering. The ending cutscene alone was impressive, I didn't expect that at all after beating the game. I even did a second speed run mode to make sure I didn't take too long in my first attempt.


I get completely having unity woes, I am the chief about complaining about them, but even then I do feel your idea for the game was pretty cool, and definitely I can see your vision there. Wouldn't have guessed you're specialized in 2D by looking at this, everything flows very well and the movement seems quite well tuned.


Oh and sweet pick for the ending song. Such an underrated series!
LDJam user 424943
May 08th · 23:08 UTC
Atmospheric!