Grotto Down by xtacobaco

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

Grotto Down is an endless runner, heavily inspired by DownWell. In Grotto Down you play as Jerry, a hard at work miner. Jerry uses his trusty pickaxe to get around as his body is not what it used to be.

pick.png

Control schema: Point and click! - Jerry will follow your directions (Hopefully :P)

Grotto Down was made using Game Maker: Studio 2, Pyxel edit, Audacity and tons of caffeine.

Ratings

Overall 109th 3.952⭐ 23🧑‍⚖️
Fun 89th 3.952⭐ 23🧑‍⚖️
Innovation 231th 3.619⭐ 23🧑‍⚖️
Theme 19th 4.405⭐ 23🧑‍⚖️
Graphics 113th 4.071⭐ 23🧑‍⚖️
Audio 227th 3.55⭐ 22🧑‍⚖️
Humor 185th 3.263⭐ 21🧑‍⚖️
Mood 284th 3.524⭐ 23🧑‍⚖️
Given 14🗳️ 14🗨️

Feedback

RomeRomey
26. Apr 2021 · 13:29 UTC
great job on this! i loved the grappling hook mechanic, the art style was great too. i think the controls could have been tightened up by just a bit (maybe having a targeting reticle or something so it's clear where you'll end up) and i think the music could have been a bit more engaging. overall though fantastic work here!
Mystrix
26. Apr 2021 · 14:16 UTC
Awesome Game! the grappling hook mechanic is amazing and the color palette same with the art I love it. I would love to see this game become something in further future!
bw_devel
26. Apr 2021 · 15:20 UTC
Things I liked:
- This is how to gamejam! A nice simple game mechanic polished well
- good music and sound
- love the graphical theme
- fun play mechanic
- glad that you keep a high score; so many who try similar implementations didn't do this

Improvements:
- I really can't think of any improvements other than maybe a 'best run ghost' that a player can chase to try and beat their own time and progress.

Bugs:
- didn't find any
Kevin S
26. Apr 2021 · 15:20 UTC
I really like your game! I think it has promise even though we both know that 48 hours isn't enough time to make a game :cry:

The thing I like the most is the minimalistic approach to the controls.

If you are going to continue to develop the game I would say keep the grappling hook mechanic but also add to it in some way as you progress... maybe limit your ability to use it at the start or make it able to blow up walls later... something like that.

Keep up the good work!
Vasco Freitas
26. Apr 2021 · 15:24 UTC
Very cool, I loved the graphics and the new take on Downwell. However I thought it was a bit too easy, since you gain health by killing enemies.
rakart
26. Apr 2021 · 15:25 UTC
That death sound :').

Really well executed and the mechanic really works. The "eye" ennemy is quite a nice idea to counter balance the obvious "slide along the walls" strategy, everytime I saw him while sliding that's where the game really shines and become a way more dynamic.

My only frustration would be the balance between such an agressive and dynamic mechanic (the hook) and how overall the game plays, it feels a little too calm sometimes. Now that I think of it, it is quite a difficult thing to balance without become plainly frustrating.

But overall it is a really solid game, I enjoyed it a lot. Congrats on your entry !
Plazyqwerty
26. Apr 2021 · 15:28 UTC
Great game! I love the retro style and the easy controls! :)
reheated
26. Apr 2021 · 16:05 UTC
The core mechanic of this game is fun. The graphics are pleasing and consistent. The look, sound and physics of the grappling hook make it very satisfying to use. Once I understood how to regain lives, I could play indefinitely without losing. I think it should either have an ending, or get harder over time so that eventually it is too hard for anyone.
Punchy98
26. Apr 2021 · 17:41 UTC
Veri guud geme I feel like spidermun I r8 5/7 apple
TentacleMax
27. Apr 2021 · 20:42 UTC
Damn addictive game. Nice job!
grena
28. Apr 2021 · 00:29 UTC
That's the kind of games from jam I like. Very polished and simple but working mechanics. The controls and game feel are precise, art is well balanced (and really well animated!) The music is simple but soft enough to chill while going deep.

"Flying monsters" is a really nice addition, could have been more special enemies to add more challenge, but as an overall, very good entry!

![Capture d’écran (34).png](///raw/037/1/z/41079.png)
Solah
28. Apr 2021 · 05:53 UTC
Really good game, your graphics are great and I love your main mechanic. I just found your game a bit too easy, I guess 3 lifes would have been enough I wonder if increasing the speed would spice the experience.

Really good job!
creepyface
28. Apr 2021 · 08:34 UTC
Really cool game! I like the idea and the controls are so smooth and simple
campostella
28. Apr 2021 · 09:46 UTC
Cool! This is very new to have a miner acts like an hero, flying swiftly in the cave. And I noticed if I click my mouse relentlessly our Jerry could literally hover and easy to dodge any dangers, so maybe there could be a cooldown gauge for shooting the Batman's grapple gun [no!:)]. The game is complete and nicely done,good job!
randomhuman
30. Apr 2021 · 13:43 UTC
Pretty cool, I like it! Colour scheme is very readable and looks great, and although you say it is inspired by downwell the way you control the character makes it quite a different experience.