The Root by Gao Ming

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

It is safe to stay here,

with your family and friends.

But you decided to leave.

You chose to go deeper.

soak-water.gif

break-stone-for-water.gif

grow_white.gif

Ratings

Overall 47th 4.104⭐ 26🧑‍⚖️
Fun 216th 3.708⭐ 26🧑‍⚖️
Innovation 58th 4.125⭐ 26🧑‍⚖️
Theme 9th 4.5⭐ 26🧑‍⚖️
Graphics 86th 4.167⭐ 26🧑‍⚖️
Audio 199th 3.609⭐ 25🧑‍⚖️
Mood 118th 3.864⭐ 24🧑‍⚖️
Given 29🗳️ 13🗨️

Feedback

The1
26. Apr 2021 · 09:31 UTC
That grow trail effect :33 Its satisfying and overall it fits the theme pretty well. Good job!
Elllelel
26. Apr 2021 · 14:14 UTC
Growing effect is very nice. Visually pleasing game but maybe a little short on gameplay otherwise. Great game!
Welverin
26. Apr 2021 · 19:04 UTC
I like the astetics, the side-root effect is very cool.
And while it is simple I enjoyed it.
Very nice compo
JKazuk
27. Apr 2021 · 03:39 UTC
HAD to follow when I saw one of your posts. Love the aesthetic.
Foursay
27. Apr 2021 · 09:47 UTC
this game reminds me of a game that I have seen in CIGJ, 2018, where you act as a tree root and use the trail to represent your life trial. The root of this game nevertheless could do the same thing and the audio and art style of this game is really fancy! Especailly incredible for a compo game. Congrats!
WetBurritoSupreme
27. Apr 2021 · 16:28 UTC
I'm glad I followed when I saw a post, this game turned out incredible. The visuals and the pacing were well done, and the mechanics were simple. The mechanics were a little obscure, but that can add simplicity. Great entry!
Bea
28. Apr 2021 · 03:11 UTC
I saw your blog post about this early on and was intrigued! Really nice light sound design kept me hooked in. Love your simple artwork and color pallet. One of my favorite entries so far.
HyperTheory
28. Apr 2021 · 11:54 UTC
The concept is simple and creative. Well done!
onnofal
28. Apr 2021 · 19:20 UTC
I noticed in some of it's early stage on the main page and it immediately did attract my attention. I enjoyed the original curved path, but not missing it now when playing the final submitted entry. I like to find meaningful and well polished games like this here, such stand out.
adamr
28. Apr 2021 · 20:52 UTC
Certainly an interesting take on the 'root' take on deeper and deeper, I enjoy the fact that there is a mechanic to destroy the rocks as you pass through them with the supplementary roots, which I've not seen in the other root exploration games that I have seen as of yet.
gogu
29. Apr 2021 · 05:01 UTC
I desire to have the more challange about breaking rocks and finding water. But I also felt relax with the comfortable graph and sound. A cool zen game, thank you.
Webox
30. Apr 2021 · 01:50 UTC
Hey!! I also made game about roots! tho really different than this one. I really liked how you managed the branching, looks really smooth. Great game! :D
bereg
30. Apr 2021 · 18:15 UTC
Every "root-themed" game on this LD has its own charm and distinctive features. In yours, I like the minimalistic approach to graphics and UI. Nothing distracts the player from the growth. It's so soothing and relaxing, and so satisfying to watch! Great game!
Harmadillo
30. Apr 2021 · 19:07 UTC
Nice game. Loved the theme/mood. The audio really made the game for me.
Vederant
30. Apr 2021 · 19:40 UTC
A very nice, calm game. The steering felt a tad clunky, but that might've been the intention. Overally a very cool experience and all of the elements work really well together.
infinitycore
01. May 2021 · 09:40 UTC
a bit easy, otherwise I've never played anything like it. If you can run out of water, you might want to have some sort of non-intrusive yet clear way of showing the player how much longer they can grow.
BoClow
03. May 2021 · 07:12 UTC
Really solid root game. Especially loved how you could get water from the rocks by cracking them open(the sound was spot on). Felt satisfying to play. Art was pretty and there was nothing unnecessary. I also liked the fact that there was this sort of story you told with the blobs of water and rock formation.
NoNumbersGames
15. May 2021 · 13:47 UTC
Interesting take on the root genre with rock breaking - feels very satisfying.

Nice art style, noised textures and good sounds create a deep atmosphere. Water sound getting louder as you go deeper adds a nice touch.