Signal search by notime4games

[raw]
made by notime4games for Ludum Dare 59 (COMPO)

Small chill adventure game where you try to communicate using your radio.

Controls arrow keys and z,x

You can play it in web browser here https://notime4games.itch.io/signal-search Screenshot 2026-04-20 040415.png

Ratings

Overall 153th 3.45⭐ 22🧑‍⚖️
Fun 125th 3.425⭐ 22🧑‍⚖️
Innovation 16th 4.075⭐ 22🧑‍⚖️
Theme 7th 4.475⭐ 22🧑‍⚖️
Graphics 137th 3.525⭐ 22🧑‍⚖️
Audio 116th 3.4⭐ 22🧑‍⚖️
Humor 66th 3.158⭐ 21🧑‍⚖️
Mood 162th 3.4⭐ 22🧑‍⚖️
Given 13🗳️ 3🗨️

Feedback

LDJam user 2042
Apr 20th · 13:15 UTC
I didn't realize at first that you have to tune in enough that the game recognizes it and then wait for the little pie chart to fill in. I was so confused at first because I was tuning to where I could read the text, but not enough for the pie chart to appear, so I thought that was all there was to see. But with the bottom guys, if you tune in properly there's extra text and you can press Z, and get the radio upgrade!

Your tune-in mechanic is a genuinely great idea. I think it's my favourite use of the theme I've seen yet. It feels like something they might put in an Animal Crossing game or something in that genre; perhaps not as the whole idea of the game, but just like for one or two quests. I've never seen anything like it. It's really nice.

Too bad there isn't more!
Baturinsky
Apr 20th · 20:29 UTC
Pretty good implementation, and fits the theme well.
"Fiddle the knop until you get it right" mechanics is a bit used and predictable, though. Could use a bit more of twist/depth.
Frib
Apr 20th · 20:29 UTC
That was pretty fun! When I could finally communicate with the strangers, I was interested to see what they had to say. Then when one of the strangers said they miss their family, I felt sad for a brief moment. I don't know what I expected but it wasn't that, lol

Good job :D
Frogman
Apr 20th · 20:44 UTC
Managed to reach the end of what's currently in here!

Honestly, I really liked it! This was such a cool gimmick, especially when you added the horizontal signal manipulation! There were also definitely hints of a further story here, I wish you had more time to complete it... Although I can't imagine having to match signals every single time you want to talk to a different person is very convenient for the occupants :) But even for what's here, the main mechanic felt very good & polished, and I liked the art and sounds! I did get a bit lost at the beginning, but after just talking to everyone I managed to progress. Overall, pretty cool concept!
OddballDave
Apr 20th · 20:55 UTC
The concept for this is awesome. I don't think I've seen anything like it before, and it was very intuitive to use. And I actually wished there was more when I'd done everything so that's good. I so want to get that little guy back to his family. Good stuff :8ball:
henk
Apr 21st · 20:24 UTC
Good idea and a solid implementation. Two things:
- I move faster diagonally for some reason. This isn't too weird on its own but the effect remains even when walking against a wall (so for example starting in the top left of the map, if I hold right and down I move faster than if I only hold down)
- The modal interface for interacting with the radio doesn't seem ideal. Maybe wasd could have been used for movement so that the arrows always control the radio?
Mithka
May 02nd · 14:49 UTC
Very fitting of the theme and unique idea by literally moving characters
Mersaries
May 03rd · 10:27 UTC
Cool characters and graphics. The setting and gameplay are also interesting.
I would change the music a little bit, because after a while it starts to put a lot of pressure on my head.
Flightless
May 07th · 17:42 UTC
Wow, very creative with the gameplay of decoding. Really unique and interesting.
![Skärmbild 2026-05-07 194139.png](///raw/985/d/z/732d9.png)
Euler Moises
May 07th · 22:53 UTC
A very good idea and the implementation is excellent. A great mechanic to explore. I thought the radio upgrade was really cool. I thought I wouldn't be able to understand the pink characters. Luckily, I won't go to sleep with that question unanswered.

The music is very chiptune. It reminds me of the first NES games.

Congratulations!
pkenney
May 08th · 14:27 UTC
Short but sweet - got to the end! Nice job with the music and the distortion effect. Art was also good. Of course there could have been a little more scope to explore further, but I thought you did a good job tying up what scope you did hit into an appropriate bite-size experience that I enjoyed. Nice!
OadT
May 08th · 16:56 UTC
Cool idea! Wished there were a few more dialog after my radio was updated, but loved the music. Nice work!
Zozieee
May 08th · 18:32 UTC
So cute and great for the theme!
LDJam user 257640
May 11th · 22:49 UTC
I love this concept and I wish the game was longer. It made talking with NPCs really satisfying when you needed to tune radios to them