TetraTopple by Criobite

Build your tetromino tower as tall as you can without toppling it over!
Programming, design, music & SFX by Criobite.
This was my first attempt at making a proper physics-based 2D game! I've experimented a long time ago with similar concepts, but it was fun to finally make something real. Since this is an HTML5 game written in TypeScript, I ended up trying 3 different physics engines...
Matter.js — Easy implementation, but inaccurate/glitchy behavior (not the desired kind of "unstable"). Maybe I was doing something wrong, but blocks were tumbling VERY strangely, and the pile would often "explode" when bumped into.
p2.js — Relatively simple implementation, but boxes never stop moving when stacked. Constantly sliding out from underneath each other, making it impossible to build towers.
Planck.js (winner) — TypeScript rewrite of Box2D, very solid. Sparse documentation, but sufficient.
Definitely learned a lot with this jam, and I'm looking forward to seeing what comes of it!

| itch.io | https://criobite.itch.io/tetratopple |
| Newgrounds | https://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/817382 |
| Original URL | https://ldjam.com/events/ludum-dare/49/tetratopple |
Ratings
| Overall | 185th | 3.976⭐ | 23🧑⚖️ |
| Fun | 201th | 3.929⭐ | 23🧑⚖️ |
| Innovation | 924th | 3.143⭐ | 23🧑⚖️ |
| Theme | 102th | 4.286⭐ | 23🧑⚖️ |
| Graphics | 756th | 3.595⭐ | 23🧑⚖️ |
| Audio | 29th | 4.3⭐ | 22🧑⚖️ |
| Mood | 177th | 4⭐ | 23🧑⚖️ |
| Given | 24🗳️ | 11🗨️ |
However later in the game it became a bit frustrating to throw away ten bricks to get the one you need. Maybe if the purpose is relaxed building the player could freely choose what kind of brick he/she wants to take?
Also, maybe a toggle for click-to-confirm? I found myself accidentally skipping blocks I wanted, a 2-click option would have helped.
Do you compose music on the side? I'd like to listen to what you can write when you have more time!
(And hi from another TypeScript coder!)
There is basically one best strategy - just put one piece above the other, so no too great depth here; but still, when you make a wrong move and everything just topples is very satisfying and not frustrating, and when the tower "freezes" after a certain height, it just feels great.
Nice and relaxing game, good job!
And in that respect I feel like you accomplished everything you set out to do. Love the music, the colors and game design choices that just make for a relaxing experience. Building the blocks up and watching them fall down without any consequences feels very meditative. Could definitely see myself coming back to play this just to chill and zone out. Thank you for making this :)
Thanks for the feedback! I'm happy you enjoyed the experience—I was aiming to make something relaxing yet somewhat challenging, so I'm glad that worked out.
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@alan123
Thank you! If I end up taking the game farther, I'd like to explore other goals or game modes to spice things up.
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@weekend-warrior
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it! I definitely agree that's a bit frustrating sometimes. Choosing blocks could be a decent solution if I end up spliting the game into game modes/difficulties.
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@greenxenith
Nice—thank you! The hard-mode idea sounds fun. I've also accidentally deleted blocks, so I'll probably test some methods of avoiding that.
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@cromo
Hi! Glad you liked the game. I definitely like the idea of looking around and seeing more of the tower. Also, yeah I produce music from time to time! Most of my publicly released work have been game soundtracks, which I've recently put on Spotify, iTunes, etc. (under the same name, "Criobite"). Got another collection of tracks, "Game Jams, Vol. 2", coming out next week! I also intend to release some non-soundtrack stuff before long. :smiley: