LudumData

Dike Defender by Raptarr8

[raw]
made by Raptarr8 for Ludum Dare 50 (COMPO)

image<em>2022-04-03</em>201723.png

A short, yet challenging "slash-em-up" loosely based on the story of "The Hero of Haarlem" in Hans Brinker, or The Silver Skates​​​, where you must delay the collapse of a dike long enough for everyone in the town beneath it to avoid being flooded. But beware! A swarm of angry storm spirits is trying to stop you! Use your mouse to swing your sword, and hold down left click to charge up a devastating slash capable of slaying even the toughest spirits.

image<em>2022-04-03</em>201052.png

Font used: 8 BIT WONDER by Joiro Hatagaya | http://luc.devroye.org/fonts-30742.html

Palette used: SLSO8 by Luis Miguel Maldonado | https://lospec.com/palette-list/slso8

Special thanks to everyone who watched my streams and gave feedback, including: - Exee Olive - Phunguy06 - Snivymaster1337 - HopelessPurity - Bilete1828 - Mighty

Link https://raptarr8.itch.io/dike-defender
Link https://github.com/Raptarr8/LD50-Game.gmx
Original URL https://ldjam.com/events/ludum-dare/50/dike-defender

Ratings

Overall 431th 3.237⭐ 21🧑‍⚖️
Fun 373th 3.2⭐ 22🧑‍⚖️
Innovation 268th 3.395⭐ 21🧑‍⚖️
Theme 323th 3.625⭐ 22🧑‍⚖️
Graphics 161th 3.825⭐ 22🧑‍⚖️
Audio 405th 2.816⭐ 21🧑‍⚖️
Humor 319th 2.722⭐ 20🧑‍⚖️
Mood 359th 3.132⭐ 21🧑‍⚖️
Given 20🗳️ 15🗨️

Feedback

LDJam user 0
04. Apr 2022 · 02:02 UTC
I can't believe that the Among Us mode didn't make the cut :c
🎤 Raptarr8
04. Apr 2022 · 02:07 UTC
Amogus Mode will live on in our hearts ;~;

![image_2022-04-03_210657.png](///raw/024/44/z/4a267.png)
cerno-b
04. Apr 2022 · 11:44 UTC
Funny idea, I enjoyed the graphics, which attracted me to the game in the first place.

Some points of constructive criticism:

For a small screen game it would make sense to lock the mouse into your window if your engine allows that, especially since moving outside the image will stop any arm motion.

The player's hitbox felt a little too large so sometimes I couldn't get a clear indication of when I would be hit and when I was safe.

I couldn't figure out the charge attack, for me there was no difference between simply clicking and holding the mouse.

All in all I think it's a cute game with good pixel art based on a funny idea.
MasterOfCheese
05. Apr 2022 · 06:08 UTC
0/5 no amogus mode.

Jk haha the art is great, the color palette really pulls it all together, I enjoyed the spinning parts as I they were challenging and took me a couple times to get. Also really nice variation of enemies, they all feel pretty unique. The only thing I would've liked is to be able to go fullscreen.
.
Quite Good
15. Apr 2022 · 21:40 UTC
Nice game! The aesthetic is very charming, and swinging that sword all about is pretty fun.
DrumGadget_433
15. Apr 2022 · 21:50 UTC
I really enjoyed your pixel art! The palette you used was a nice choice.

What I liked most about this interesting combat mechanic was the use of the circle enemy patterns that required a sweeping movement. I think there is a lot of potential for other interesting enemy patterns too! Neat idea.

I agree with some others that the charge attack wasn't quite intuitive. Was charging it just an increase in damage? I think I expected it to swing for me> Maybe some further instruction is all it needs.

Overall, a cute game with innovative ideas!!
PhyscoKillerMonkey
15. Apr 2022 · 22:46 UTC
Took a bit of getting used to the combat, that charge attack is a bit strange. Cool little game though, the pixel art works really well, movement feels solid and you've got an end screen to show how well you did. Good work!
Steve7411
15. Apr 2022 · 23:25 UTC
This is a really good compo entry. The primary mechanic is simple and immediately obvious to the player. The charge mechanic did require reading the instructions to understand. I really like the sound and color palette.
sacredbacon
15. Apr 2022 · 23:39 UTC
I like the art style, and the combat mechanic is fun as well especially with the different enemy patterns. Great job!
tgiant
16. Apr 2022 · 13:06 UTC
I loved the pixel art and the gameplay was also good.
AXLplosion
16. Apr 2022 · 19:47 UTC
It's challening, but also simple and fun. Being able to move felt a bit redundant as it was so restricted anyway, but I liked the mechanics. I especially enjoyed the circular enemy waves, soooo satisfying to slash through :D
knexator
18. Apr 2022 · 18:03 UTC
Nice game! I liked the enemy variety and the colour palette. The slash attack is fun to do but seems that it would always be worse than simply moving the mouse to the end position? idk I might be using it incorrectly
Frogsicle
18. Apr 2022 · 18:18 UTC
Very nice game, gotta love the 'motivational' messages at the end
Team Watt
18. Apr 2022 · 20:42 UTC
The color palette really accentuated the mood of this game. Defeating the 2nd tier baddies was unintuitive, but once I grasped the concept I saved a handful of more people.
Birdwards
18. Apr 2022 · 21:17 UTC
This is cool! I love the idea on keeping one hand on the crack at all times, and having to defend that hand, but I think the instructions should make it clear that enemies touching your hand will hurt you the same as if they touched your body (I kinda thought of the hand as a "background element", so it took me a while to figure that out). I also agree that the slash attack could use some explanation - I'm guessing that holding the mouse longer makes the slash last longer?