The Last Light by Neon Glass

[raw]
made by Neon Glass for Ludum Dare 49 (JAM)

LogoWide.png

Description

A first person puzzle platformer about echolocation in an unstable environment.

Instructions

  • Collect all fires on the level to proceed to the next one.
  • Use echolocation to search for a way when you don't see one!

Controls

  • WASD: Move around.
  • LMB/E: ​Use echolocation.
  • Space: Jump.
  • ​P/Esc: Pause.
  • R: Restart level.

Patch Notes

  • 1.1 LD Bugfix Edition & 1.2 Groundless Echo:
    https://neon-glass.itch.io/the-last-light/devlog/302445/updates-12-ld-bugfix-edition-and-more
  • 1.3 Ear Safety:
    https://neon-glass.itch.io/the-last-light/devlog/303389/update-3-ear-safety

Credits

Neon Glass Team:
@dragonayzer
@yerkwell

Music by Aleks SHAGI

LD49 Echolocation 5 Optimised.gif

Ratings

Overall 847th 3.455⭐ 24🧑‍⚖️
Fun 1056th 3.136⭐ 24🧑‍⚖️
Innovation 224th 3.818⭐ 24🧑‍⚖️
Theme 545th 3.75⭐ 24🧑‍⚖️
Graphics 932th 3.409⭐ 24🧑‍⚖️
Audio 170th 3.925⭐ 22🧑‍⚖️
Humor 1208th 1.967⭐ 17🧑‍⚖️
Mood 533th 3.6⭐ 22🧑‍⚖️
Given 13🗳️ 10🗨️

Feedback

Maxthedoom
05. Oct 2021 · 03:11 UTC
I really liked the mechanic, although at first I thought it was bugged, that I wasn't supposed to be seeing the white tiles at the start of the game. I thought at first that having the invisible tiles become invisible again would be nice and atmospheric, but I prefer the mechanic that damages tiles as you echolocate.
Sadly I did get softlocked at the "Every time I try to see, a star falls down" level, when I jumped into the last flame.
ping78
05. Oct 2021 · 08:39 UTC
Nice music, love the shaders. Levels got a bit annoying after the flame count got in to double digits. The trail player leaves behind was a nice touch.
BluishGreenPro
05. Oct 2021 · 15:38 UTC
Definitely had trouble keeping the level layout in my mind while playing some of the later levels. It's a really neat concept, I'd love to see some iterations on it to potentially help create some associative memory of the layout, like my suggestion for a geometric plane beneath the player instead of a void, perhaps combined with something to distinguish your facing-direction (N / E / S / W)
Castoor
06. Oct 2021 · 06:10 UTC
I love the atmosphere, the music is really relaxing and nice shader effect ahah ! Well played !
PickyDogFish
06. Oct 2021 · 06:34 UTC
Maybe i was missing something, but i fell through the half transparent blocks a couple times. I think they broke because of echolocation (neat mechanic), but they were still visible...

Also, i think it takes a bit too long to actually get into the game, i kinda got bored of plain platforming before it got to a bit harder levels.

Other than that, good job!
tetrapteryx
06. Oct 2021 · 13:40 UTC
I love the atmosphere and level transitions! The later levels have some really cool concepts. I would have liked the mechanics to be introduced at a faster pace, since it gets much more interesting once echolocation starts affecting the integrity of the platforms. I felt like it lingered a bit too long on straightforward platforming, and that hides the best parts of the game.
LDJam user 156819
09. Oct 2021 · 23:32 UTC
I loved your take on the theme! Very fresh-feeling mechanics, too, generally quite an enjoyable experience. The main criticism I'd have for the game is that jumping to invisible tiles could use something like a wider FoV or other form of enhancing the player's frame of reference, to be able to tell how far we're jumping (especially since there is no inertia to keep you going when you let go of [W] in the air). Also, the music and SFX could _definitely_ use some normalising, and the white tiles would look much better if they were a bit dimmer and had visible shading.
MiltonNH25
10. Oct 2021 · 01:40 UTC
Good job with the game. The echolocation mechanic was a very cool idea especially with the tiles that fall once you use it. The music was also very nice. I did start finding it difficult to orient myself in some of the later levels when the map starts completely blank since the flames were the only real landmark to follow. This combined with the falling tiles that you can't see the progress on after you use your echolocation makes it very difficult to navigate some levels. I feel like always being able to see the color of the falling tiles would have made some of the levels more enjoyable. Also sometime when jumping onto tiles you will stick to the side of them. Overall though, it was a neat concept and it was a fun experience to play.
AlexYam
10. Oct 2021 · 04:03 UTC
Love the level design and echo effect. I
ChillerTyp
10. Oct 2021 · 16:52 UTC
What are those flames? Getting closer to them fills my heart...
bramreth
10. Oct 2021 · 17:04 UTC
the audio work is really fab, great job
CZ46
11. Oct 2021 · 00:32 UTC
Good concept but a bit confusing, maybe a better explanation of the main mechanic at the start of the game would be helpful. Excited to see where this game goes in the future. :D
pdotjpg
11. Oct 2021 · 16:25 UTC
One of the most interesting entries I've played. Loooove the atmosphere - tasteful visuals and gorgeous music. Level end sounds are crazy loud, though - if not for that, audio would get top marks.

The gameplay is simple but interesting. The levels did get frustrating when you started having to collect like 20 flames, and I agree with whoever mentioned that you should get into the meat of the game quicker, maybe cut some of the early straightforward platforming levels.

But overall a really unique and moody game. Good job!
bentglasstube
11. Oct 2021 · 18:14 UTC
The game was really fun, although I found 4-2 a little unforgiving. The music was just incredible with setting the mood and the story was pretty interesting.
Dragonayzer
12. Oct 2021 · 23:16 UTC
First of all, everyone, thanks for playing! We're really happy you liked the game!

@maxthedoom We've finally fixed the softlock issue today - so if you'd like to give the game another go - you're welcome!

@pickydogfish We did fix that as well! Now they fly away on the blocks' death to avoid the confusion.

@outfrost @pdotjpg The loud level ending issue was solved today as well - hope it didn't detract from everything else too much, though!

Finally, thanks to everyone for leaving the reviews! So far we're inspired to at the very least polish the game, and are thinking about pushing it into a full game afterwards!
Ismael Rodriguez
13. Oct 2021 · 01:26 UTC
Very cool. I feel like it takes a little too long before "unstable" shows itself. It does feel 'generic' as a platformer, but I love the simplicity and how easy the platforming is, I'm on vacation using a laptop trackpad, and I was able to play fine. The bigger levels are kind of a chore, I think I prefer shorter more specific levels. I like the visuals, all the effects, the game has a good mood. Good job overall.