The Descent for Knowledge by Stewmega

[raw]
made by Stewmega for Ludum Dare 48 (COMPO)

Controls: Shift - Jump Space - Attack Down Arrow Key - Crouch Crouch + Jump to drop through ledges

Description: You play a grave-robber who has heard rumors of an ancient library that sunk into the ground long ago, entombing the scribes and librarians within. You must delve into the ruins and recover what knowledge you can, and escape with your life, and your wits. To stand a chance you must find weapons, artifacts, and spells of eldritch power. But beware as you delve deeper and deeper into the depths that you do not delve deeper and deeper into madness.

Advice: * Avoid enemies until you find a suitable weapon. * Health potions restore your health to full. * Your character can wall-jump.

descent_ss1.png

Ratings

Overall 227th 3.737⭐ 21🧑‍⚖️
Fun 319th 3.526⭐ 21🧑‍⚖️
Innovation 399th 3.316⭐ 21🧑‍⚖️
Theme 372th 3.711⭐ 21🧑‍⚖️
Graphics 161th 3.95⭐ 22🧑‍⚖️
Audio 344th 3.333⭐ 20🧑‍⚖️
Mood 194th 3.676⭐ 19🧑‍⚖️
Given 45🗳️ 21🗨️

Feedback

rhoff95
26. Apr 2021 · 03:22 UTC
Would love to see a web build!
🎤 Stewmega
26. Apr 2021 · 03:30 UTC
Me too! I'd like to have been able to export to HTML5, but I purchased the license to export to Windows. Maybe if I participate in the next Jam I can justify the cost of the license. Thanks for taking a look!
ElSombrero
26. Apr 2021 · 03:42 UTC
try it
I love the graphic
LakshyaIsAGod
26. Apr 2021 · 04:04 UTC
Nice Game!Graphics are cool.Innovation at its best. I thought of this idea, but You exicuted this WAY more better than I could have. 10/10
gilborn
26. Apr 2021 · 12:01 UTC
Nice game, I liked the graphics and the different enemy types. The range of the dagger is very close, so going in infight is pretty hard..
After some time the background music got a little bit repetitive.
Very good was also the animations (Jumping, Wall slide etc).
Good game!
Ariorick
26. Apr 2021 · 12:12 UTC
@stewmega not sure what engine are you using, but there are plenty of free tools. For example im using Godot, it's all free and opensource, great engine for small 2d or 3d games! Much easier then Unity or Unreal but still really capable
Ariorick
26. Apr 2021 · 12:13 UTC
There are so many games with windows only builds, but i don't want to reboot into another system...
CubeX
26. Apr 2021 · 18:59 UTC
This was fun! I would've liked an invincibility period when you take damage thoug.
Pincushion
26. Apr 2021 · 19:18 UTC
This is a very good. The graphics and animations are nice. The controls felt good. I liked like that there were different ways to get to places, including at least one secret.

The music loop is really repetitive. Dying is so punishing since the player has to restart at the top. I would have liked respawn points.
Yorsh
26. Apr 2021 · 19:27 UTC
Impressive implementation of all type of movement mechanics, crouch, jumps, wall jumps...
I kind of struggled with the range of the attack tho.
🎤 Stewmega
26. Apr 2021 · 23:38 UTC
Thank you everyone. In addition to the fixes/changes I already had in mind, I'll try to implement your suggestions.

@gilborn, @yorsh: I'm thinking to either make the sword more accessible, or improve how the dagger feels/its range.

@ariorick I've heard of Godot, maybe I'll check it out. but I started with Gamemaker and enjoy it.

@cubex There's a short period where if you're struck by an enemy that specific enemy can't hit you again, but I probably should make the player completely invincible to all enemies when struck.

@pincushion I'll have to look into respawn points. As is, nothing can respawn/reset and it's basically a one-shot deal. It could be something simple, but I was literally implementing the boss mechanics in the final hour of the comp. In hindsight, I should have went for more polished mechanics and fewer stages.

I'll extend/replace the background music so it's not so repetitive. This was my first time making music, and the other songs I made sounded a bit jarring so they didn't make it in.

Thanks again to everyone who played so far and left feedback! I really appreciate it.
NoCymer
27. Apr 2021 · 00:59 UTC
Pretty nice game you got there, maybe a little sad that we are not introduced to to controls and we have to figure it out on our own anyway love the general esthetic of the game, well done!
🎤 Stewmega
27. Apr 2021 · 01:34 UTC
@nocymer yeah, I only thought to put in an explanation of the controls when I was submitting, so I had to add them in the description as an afterthought. Sorry!
2bitcrook
27. Apr 2021 · 03:43 UTC
Hey @stewmega it's me from lectvs's twitch chat! Great entry, loved seeing it on twitch I played it myself. Love the setting and enemies and that sweet spin jump like metroid. Like some others said, checkpoints would have been nice but it does make it a challenge getting a little further each time. I'd maybe say the sword could be the first powerup to make it a bit easier but maybe that'd be too easy? Either way great entry and look forward to seeing any future stuff you do :D.
Ambear
27. Apr 2021 · 10:31 UTC
Really exciting that this game is hard to be called retro-style game
Maybe just because of beginning and boss fight, or noSaves, or noRestartbutton hahaha
I like this game a lot
Thanks for your work!
🎤 Stewmega
27. Apr 2021 · 17:43 UTC
@2bitcrook thanks for the kind words! I've toyed with different placements for the dagger and I think I'll keep it where it is now. I run the risk of alienating players but I think it's worth it if they push on a bit.

If anyone hasn't checked out 2bitcrook's submission, Frog, it's worth firing up the NES emulator for! https://ldjam.com/events/ludum-dare/48/frog

@ambear I'm really glad you enjoyed it! Thanks so much for playing.

Version 1.1 is done and has checkpoints, a new ability and weapon, and expanded madness mechanics.
lectvs
27. Apr 2021 · 21:39 UTC
Really liked this one, as I'm a huge fan of metroidvanias. The combat was a little difficult to control, I found myself avoiding enemies more than fighting them because of that. Stumbling into that secret area was one of my favorite moments on stream yesterday. Great job on your first(?) LD jam! :smile:
LDJam user 235388
28. Apr 2021 · 04:12 UTC
I really enjoyed the enemy animations and level design. Love the concept but could do with a bit more polish on animation timing, audio mixing.
I really enjoyed fearfully running down the halls with no weapons until I managed to find one.
Controls/ movements are a little tough, so possibly some remapping could be useful.
🎤 Stewmega
02. May 2021 · 22:13 UTC
Updated to version 1.2 with more QOL features and new score screen!
How high of a score can you get? Upload your score if you finish!
kuviman
03. May 2021 · 15:23 UTC
Jumping from the walls, using the shuriken after the spear, and not seeing the final boss health were really frustrating for me, but the concept is nice
VixenMink
06. May 2021 · 04:52 UTC
Coudnt get this one to run but I like the concept so much!
JUSTCAMH
06. May 2021 · 14:01 UTC
Hey matey, thanks for submitting your game to stream, I really enjoyed it! I hope my feedback helps, if you'd like you can rewatch the vod here:

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/1012941526