Unhitched Isles by MickM
Note - V1.1 updated post Compo to include online high score system by request - WHEN JUDGING PLEASE DO NOT CONSIDER THE ONLINE HIGH SCORE SYSTEM
Island 1 can be challenging until you get the hang of it so give the second island a try if you want some more variety :)
The game! ##
A wise man once asked if we should be concerned about overpopulation tipping an island over. Turns out he was right! Try and undertake the building tasks given to you without sinking or tipping the island. If you tip it too much you will lose your buildings!

Modes: Normal (Timed tasks) and Zen (Tasks given but free to ignore them and free build) Hardcore (and Hardcore Zen) - As above but losing ANY building will end the game.
3 Islands to choose from!
https://youtu.be/kK37xR6TCC0
Controls:
A/D or arrow keys to pan the camera. Mousewheel to zoom in/out Number keys can (should!) be used for building hotkeys. Escape brings up the in game pause menu.
Trailer
Great news! Someone has made an unofficial live action fan trailer.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cesSRfXqS1Q
Tech details:
Made in Unity. Graphics: Blender, Gimp Audio: Audacity and phone microphone around the house (hint: the seagull SFX isnt a bird and the ocean isnt water)

| Link | https://github.com/MickWPM/LD49 |
| Link | https://mickm.itch.io/unhitched |
| Link | https://mickm.itch.io/unhitched |
| Original URL | https://ldjam.com/events/ludum-dare/49/unhitched-isles |
Ratings
| Overall | 120th | 3.811⭐ | 55🧑⚖️ |
| Fun | 156th | 3.67⭐ | 55🧑⚖️ |
| Innovation | 68th | 3.981⭐ | 55🧑⚖️ |
| Theme | 24th | 4.349⭐ | 55🧑⚖️ |
| Graphics | 314th | 3.33⭐ | 55🧑⚖️ |
| Audio | 232th | 3.261⭐ | 46🧑⚖️ |
| Humor | 188th | 3⭐ | 52🧑⚖️ |
| Mood | 158th | 3.51⭐ | 51🧑⚖️ |
| Given | 28🗳️ | 35🗨️ |
The fact that you aren't constrained to what you can build per task allows for a surprising amount of strategies. The islands are also well designed and makes each island feel like a puzzle. Surprisingly enough, I found the first island to be the hardest one to play, since it's so open ended.
The ambience in general is well done and very calming. I wish that after the game is over, the waves kept flowing so you could bask in your creation.
The idea was very creative and fit the theme well.
Overall, an excellent game.
I wonder if I can get it reactivated...
Thanks for the comments :)
Thanks all for the comments. I accidentally opted out of audio but thats fixed now, would love if you could throw a mark there too :)
(Thanks again LB for picking that up!!!)
Great game.
I think that the game itself is super interesting and fun to play. It really got me strategically planning ahead while placing my buildings. Really enjoyed it!
Oh and the 'trailer' gave me a good laugh aswell :D
The only think I would improve is the font - was kinda hard to read. But no biggie!

Was really expecting the volcano to blow up and destroy all my stuff.
The game is fun, and really enjoyed the dialogs. Great job 😀
@fakefirefly I know you are keen to get your high scores up for everyone to marvel at ;)
Sincere thanks to everyone else that played/rated. Would love if you came back to get your score on the high score list (dont want the newcomers to steal the top spots eh? ;)
@ratogodoy @devparty @slimmerburger @parafactual @bluemaus @lb01 @the-jahn @iluvatar @recessive @dobryn @swen @dzejpi @blackquiltro @theviraldragon @fabernull @barrier @r3l0ad1 @dekajoo @fupi @kalevrk @trexxak @zachary-shah @aderpychickenstudios @thatmanrobin
EDIT - Scoring bug where only starter atoll scores would be submitted is now fixed!
First note, the html file is huge (dimension-wise) and I had to scroll over to find the game window. It does fit on my laptop screen, but I suggest using an auto-resizing html template (I think I sent a couple to you already)
The instructions are kind of small, the font choice is hard to read, and it's especially hard to read on the background. It's important to not sacrifice functionality for style
The layout is also making things difficult, with some visual elements overlapping each other
After playing about ten times, I think I've got the hang of it? It's not very clear what the lose/win conditions are, but I got more of each type of building on the island than the task wanted. I was sort of expecting the game to progress further, but it only gives me the option to quit to the menu.
I like the concept, but it's a bit hard to figure out with trial and error. Mostly I think the game could benefit from some UI and feedback enhancements. When selecting pieices, the name could show up by the cursor with the number of how many have been built, and how many are needed. Maybe video/audio cues when the goal for each building type is reached, and when the goal overall has been reached. As time is running out, maybe a visual/audio cue that it's coming up, and a different (more urgent) cue for when it's coming out and you haven't complete the tasks?
Good interpretation of the theme though.
Interesting idea about the cursor text too. Not one I considered but definitely would allow for faster paced gameplay.
Sorry to hear you didnt get the hang of it. The conditions are continue placing the buildings as tasked for as long as possible (Tasks completed are high score). I didnt get a chance to play with the itch web template prior but will look into that in down time!
Thanks again for the review :)
In which I succeeded, but I didn't enter my name haha :C
@reronin ha cheers for playing it! Bugger about not entering your name... maybe its a sign to go back and beat it by even more ;)
(and thanks for using my highscore service :wink:)
I've only tried the Zen mode so far, but I like the touch that each building lost has to be replaced in order to progress.
The amount of fishing huts I replaced I'm glad they had no cost in placing them (I like to think the occupants were out fishing so they weren't home when their house washed away)
If you’d like to rewatch the playthrough, you can find it here:
https://www.twitch.tv/videos/1173717245?t=2h30m22s
Good luck on your ratings, see you next LD! :D
💜 Elysia Griffin AKA Button Feedback Lady
https://www.twitch.tv/elysiagriffin
Thank you for requesting this gameplay!
https://youtu.be/__YwCxZw4ug
To answer your question, there isn't a specific end, just when it gets to a point you can't get anything else down in the time limit. Zen doesn't have a time limit so it just goes until you retire :)
Thanks very much for coming back to add in the twitch link with time stamp as well, incredibly helpful!