hostile cosmos by unfavorable_enhancer

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

Play in browser

Note : HTML5 version is an post-jam version of the game with several bug-fixes and small balance/visual adjustments. If you want to try original jam version instead, download standalone versions below in "Downloads" section.

Description

A horror-like experience, where you try to navigate an asteroid field with only your sonar available as a way of vision. Balance-wise its kinda unfinished, but it has a lot of cool mechanics to take a look.

Team

  • unfavorable_enhancer - Idea, Project Lead, Main Code, Visual Design, SFX Design
  • Sovus - Enemy AI and Music findings
  • CNS - Map design, Energy system code and Game Balance (sorry didn't had time to put his account here)
  • debslow - Ending art

Other credits can be found in CREDITS.txt in standalone game files

Screenshot

cool_screenshot2.png

Ratings

Overall 188th 3.904⭐ 28🧑‍⚖️
Fun 428th 3.365⭐ 28🧑‍⚖️
Innovation 197th 3.76⭐ 27🧑‍⚖️
Theme 179th 4.135⭐ 28🧑‍⚖️
Graphics 310th 3.962⭐ 28🧑‍⚖️
Mood 257th 3.923⭐ 28🧑‍⚖️
Given 30🗳️ 26🗨️

Feedback

Awwwz
Apr 21st · 08:04 UTC
like the simple yet clear liner interface!
Prismapunch
Apr 22nd · 21:36 UTC
Was a really cool control panel experience, gives you the feel of being in control of the ship and not being aware of what's around you, very cool idea, executed beautifully.
LDJam user 407703
Apr 25th · 18:12 UTC
Really great idea! I could also see this working really well in a submarine setting. The interface is well done, it really feels like you are controlling a ship.

I dont have much feedback, since everything works surprisingly well for how complex it seems. The only moment of confusion I had was in the main menu, where I initially thought “Start” and “Mission” were two separate buttons XD

Great job on the project!
kotovnav
Apr 25th · 18:19 UTC
Good graphics and quite a dark atmosphere, I liked it!
![Снимок экрана 2026-04-25 211709.png](///raw/604/53/z/72b5d.png)
Sirplop
Apr 25th · 18:51 UTC
Good stuff! Had some trouble touching the end signal once I reached it, since your ship's velocity is hard to judge, but other than that enjoyable.
exofrenon
Apr 25th · 18:59 UTC
![Untitled.jpg](///raw/746/91/z/72b6b.jpg)

A very strong LD entry guys and an excellent implementation of the "Signal" theme.

The aesthetics were spot on and the UI was incredible. It took me a while to figure out all these UI elements meant, but once I did I really started enjoying it.

I also enjoyed the mechanics. They reminded me the power allocation of Starfield. It has just the right amount of depth appopriate for a jam game, it is more complicated than you initially think, but not complicated enough so that you can not figure out everything on your own after playing it a couple of times. The repairing, the throttling / managing inertia, the scanning, they all fit together nicely. That said, I never used the weapons (or found out how to use them), since they didn't look necessary.

Overall I had a blast with it, congrats!
Theg
Apr 25th · 19:02 UTC
loved this one. strong presentation, only took a second to get used to. ui felt very nice to use. ran away from some gunfire in my direction and didn't encounter any trouble after that. good job!
Archaeognathus
Apr 25th · 19:08 UTC
Amazing, you made the game I always dreamed of for a Jam, just way better. Dealing with the enemies is a bit confusing, but I love the interface and all the different settings :O
GreatPasta
Apr 25th · 21:15 UTC
too many mechanics are thrown at the player at once. it is necessary to gradually add them one at a time. I didn't understand how to turn or if it was even possible.
PetraSoup7
Apr 26th · 02:18 UTC
The game is nicely put together. I like the vibe. It feels a little empty, though. But if you polish it up, it'll be awesome.
alexey_bobrovskiy
Apr 26th · 07:55 UTC
It's a good game, I like that we have similar ideas. You just added keyboard controls but left out mouse controls, while we have the opposite: mouse controls but no keyboard.
Kenoshka
Apr 26th · 11:21 UTC
very cool and exciting game. visuals and ui are really great, gameplay is kinda hard (i thing i didnt kill anyone with my ray so i just dodged everything) bit still very catchy.
🎤 unfavorable_enhancer
Apr 26th · 15:39 UTC
Thank you all very much for such a positive feedback!

An updated post-jam version of the game with several bug-fixes and some balance adjustments is now avaiable in itch.io :
https://unfavorable-enhancer.itch.io/hostile-cosmos
(changelog can be found in standalone game "CHANGELOG.txt")

*Original version is still avaiable here in "Downloads" section for fair review.*

Also game cover art was updated to look a little fancier.

Have a nice day!
🎤 unfavorable_enhancer
Apr 26th · 15:39 UTC
adam-gould
Apr 27th · 21:16 UTC
That was a really nice experience! It was a little confusing at first as you do get bombarded with a lot of info, but it doesn't take long to figure it out. I love the post-processing.
BruceZoom
Apr 27th · 21:21 UTC
The update version seems to have no UI at all and there is only a space ship in the upper right corner that left no thing to do with it expect moving around with keyboard.
Wuppos
May 01st · 15:31 UTC
I made it :D

![Schermopname (48).png](///raw/1ab/a3/z/72ff5.png)

At first I was very confused. I had no idea what any of the UI meant, or how I could know where to go, or how the ship controls worked. But slowly but surely I started to figure out each thing I saw on the screen, which was the most fun for me I think. I do think it helped that I played some other space games, so that I kind of intuitively knew how the ship controls worked :)

I think you did quite a lot with a little here, especially with the graphics. The art itself is very basic, but with all the post-processing you anyway managed to make a very atmospheric game. Of course the sounds and music also helped with this. Really well done!

I enjoyed this a lot! Great little game :D
TheSmellofOxygen
May 02nd · 19:39 UTC
Very moody, desolate presentation. I loved the UI, though it took a little fiddling to figure out what everything did. Part of the charm. Figuring out how to aim the sonar/weapons took the longest, I'm embarrassed to say.
Pretty claustrophobic.

I think teaching the player which line means orientation and which is signal direction, and how to rotate the weapon/sonar might be a good introductory addition.
zevwax
May 03rd · 06:09 UTC
The graphics are great!
woona
May 04th · 12:20 UTC
I got there in 6 minutes! Great gane, I really liked the way ship systems function to always keep tension high while I actually felt in control of the ship and the situation in general.

The CRT shader makes the game hard to look at for long, especially coupled with the fact that you need to pay attention to obstacles that may appear any moment. So I would tone down the effects, or experiment with other effects that aren't so harsh.
zhangzhimu
May 05th · 07:38 UTC
I really like this concept! The Ul interface of the game is very well-designed. Some complex parameters have been set, although it takes some time to understand and explore them, one can still sense the dedication of the developers. The combat system could be further refined with more detailed feedback, but given the short time frame, being able to create such a complete work is already amazing.