Hidden Signals by soundgnome
Look and listen to isolate the signals from the noise.

| Link | https://soundgnome.itch.io/hidden-signals |
| Link | https://gitlab.com/soundgnome/ludum-dare-59 |
| Original URL | https://ldjam.com/events/ludum-dare/59/hidden-signals |
Ratings
| Overall | 133th | 3.525⭐ | 22🧑⚖️ |
| Fun | 168th | 3.225⭐ | 22🧑⚖️ |
| Innovation | 35th | 3.9⭐ | 22🧑⚖️ |
| Theme | 44th | 4.225⭐ | 22🧑⚖️ |
| Graphics | 202th | 3.175⭐ | 22🧑⚖️ |
| Audio | 116th | 3.4⭐ | 22🧑⚖️ |
| Mood | 157th | 3.425⭐ | 22🧑⚖️ |
| Given | 22🗳️ | 15🗨️ |
I will say - this game in particular was in pretty desperate need of a SFX slider - I know the dissonance is part of the game but it was super rough on my ears that I had to turn down my computer volume by about 50% haha.
Good job!
Good job :slight_smile:
Initially it's a bit difficult to know if anything is happening, some feedback on movement even when far away would be good, I think. And when controlling multiple shapes it might be good to have an indicator which is selected.
At first, I was confused. The white noise was overwhelming, I pressed WASD and all and didn't notice anything happening. I made my computer sound lower and concentrated on the game again. This time the noise didn't feel TOO overwhelming and I started feeling hypnotized, looking at the gray static. And just as I was entering a meditative state, suddenly my vision started clearing!
It seems the music was becoming more and more melodic as static faded slowly. But I have to admit I was relying mostly on that visual cue.
I liked the progression from level to level. Other symbols, the labyrinth; the mechanic with the differently coloured walls.
The hardest part was the beginning of every level. I have to say I was just pressing buttons for a while, imagining the symbol going down right or up left etc. And waiting patiently for it to appear. I was trying to rely on sound cues more but I didn't want to make it too loud because the static hurt my brain when I tried playing it louder.
It was very very enjoyable and something very beautiful you made here, thank you for the game, I had fun! It was relaxing, meditative, pretty and - other than the very start of the levels - easy to understand :)
While the white noise visuals are obviously a part of it, I found it difficult to stare at it trying to see if anything happens, so, like others have pointed out, some better auditory or visual feedback would be nice to locate your shape better, for example being able to send a circular radar-type signal around that slowly fades out, or a pulsating spatial sound sourced from the shape.
I enjoyed it, great entry!
Congratulations! :tv: