LudumData

Machine Learning by tylerstraub

[raw]
made by tylerstraub for Ludum Dare 51 (COMPO)

"If at first you don't succeed, just give it another 10 seconds" -Unknown

Machine Learning is an action platformer where each life only lasts 10 seconds. Navigate challenging obstacles, unlock new upgrades, and build on each run in an effort to make it to the final goal.

screenshot1.png

Controls

Use the arrow keys to move. Press 'Z' to close dialog box. Everything else will be explained in game!

Gameplay

Explore the world to find upgrades that unlock new areas that were previously unreachable.

jump_upgrade.gif

Be careful of enemies lurking throughout - they are all strong enough to take you down in just 1 hit!

engine.gif

Download Instructions

Extract all the contents of the .zip file then launch the MachineLearning.exe file. If you are a Ludum Dare purist, the original version is still uploaded as 1.0.0, but newer versions present here and on the itch.io page provide various updates that improve gameplay.

Development

Written entirely in C++ and SDL2 using a custom-made engine (as well as the cute_sound library). Sounds created in Bfxr and sprites drawn in Aseprite.

Updates - VERSION 1.0.1: Tweaked walljump section to make it more forgiving - VERSION 1.0.2: Changed checkpoint so that it resets timer every time you touch it, further tweaked platforming to be a little easier

Link https://tylerstraub.itch.io/machine-learning
Link https://github.com/tylerastraub/LD51
Original URL https://ldjam.com/events/ludum-dare/51/machine-learning

Ratings

Overall 91th 3.783⭐ 25🧑‍⚖️
Fun 72th 3.818⭐ 24🧑‍⚖️
Innovation 299th 3.159⭐ 24🧑‍⚖️
Theme 167th 3.761⭐ 25🧑‍⚖️
Graphics 97th 3.913⭐ 25🧑‍⚖️
Audio 202th 3.295⭐ 24🧑‍⚖️
Mood 157th 3.478⭐ 25🧑‍⚖️
Given 14🗳️ 25🗨️

Feedback

pianoman373
03. Oct 2022 · 04:28 UTC
I really like the creative use of backtracking through the level after gaining an upgrade to reach new areas. The puzzles were clever and left me wanting more levels. The platforming did get a bit frustrating at times, and the area right after getting the boots felt nearly impossible. Great game nonetheless!
🎤 tylerstraub
03. Oct 2022 · 20:20 UTC
@pianoman373 thanks for the feedback. i was worried about that section being too difficult but didn't have much time to test. the latest download tweaked that area to make it a little more forgiving
PhoenixofForce
03. Oct 2022 · 22:36 UTC
After the first death i was like "i want to speedrun it". But that changed quicly when i got the boots and had to get back :D It was very fun tho. Wished that the time reset when you got a checkpoint.
MistaGiggles
04. Oct 2022 · 09:22 UTC
Great game with a brilliantly executed concept.

Pixel art and sound are great, and the level/puzzle design was engaging. The time element really puts the pressure on!
D34TH0FTIT4N5
04. Oct 2022 · 17:44 UTC
god damn that was very tough, amazing game, great controls and great viuals, good job!
kory
04. Oct 2022 · 18:59 UTC
I agree with others that I wish there was a way to reset the timer manually, but getting back from the boots upgrade was a fun time! I also enjoyed the death sound effect.
Vykri
04. Oct 2022 · 19:19 UTC
Nice mini metroidvania. Like others, I didn't like having to wait to die knowing that I wouldn't make it to the next checkpoint. I think it would make more sense for the checkpoints to reset your timer. Other than that, I enjoyed getting all the upgrades and making my way to the end. Well done.
🎤 tylerstraub
04. Oct 2022 · 19:52 UTC
@phoenixofforce @mistagiggles @d34th0ftit4n5 @kory @vykri Thanks everyone for the feedback. That was definitely a gameplay decision I was not sure which direction to go, as I wasn't sure if resetting the timer at each checkpoint strayed from the theme too much. In hindsight, it would've been a much nicer QOL improvement.
Climbing Dolphin
05. Oct 2022 · 07:28 UTC
I'm always surprised when i see a metroidvania in a short jam. This one works well! Some jumps are a bit hard, but the checkpoints are at the best positions so you can repeat the jumps agains and again. Good job!
CodSalmon
05. Oct 2022 · 07:33 UTC
Very solid little Metroidvania! Great use of the theme. The 10 second timer really added some tension when getting from A->B. As others have said, I think it would have been nice if the timers reset after hitting a checkpoint, but it's not a huge pain point that I occasionally had to stand around for a few seconds. I felt like the level design was very elegant, as well. Nothing revolutionary from a gameplay perspective here, but it's impressive that you were able to pull together such a tight and well-paced experience in such a short time.
PBG
05. Oct 2022 · 12:46 UTC
I really enjoyed this! Reminds me of the mobile game "Robot Wants Kitty," where each level is a mini-metroidvania - you start from scratch power-wise every time. I would love to see more levels in that same vein - you need to powerup every time.

Core-gameplay-wise, the only suggestion I would make is that touching a checkpoint sets your timer to 10 seconds - I think this would speed up gameplay but still put the pressure on when you are exploring.

Cool game! I love it when someone successfully makes a metroidvania for LD. Really enjoyed this.
José Bonilla
06. Oct 2022 · 03:21 UTC
Nice concept, I think it's a fun game with potential for expansion. I finished it, I liked the level design (how you have to backtrack to get what you need). Congrats for submitting to compo!
lustdante
06. Oct 2022 · 03:57 UTC
Metroidvanian game design vibe was massive. Very well polished entry!!
🎤 tylerstraub
06. Oct 2022 · 04:24 UTC
@jose-bonilla @lustdante @climbing-dolphin Thank you all for the comments!

@codsalmon @kory @phoenixofforce Since people seem to be enjoying this game and there have been a few requests, I have uploaded version 1.0.2 which introduces the timer resetting every time you touch a checkpoint. Hopefully this improves quality of life a bit. Thought I would ping you all again in case you wanted to try again with the new changes!
apLavaridge
06. Oct 2022 · 05:00 UTC
Great concept, really annoyed I didn't come up with something similar, reckon there's a lot of potential for this to become a full game! Simple concept but nicely executed.
Fattori
06. Oct 2022 · 07:46 UTC
loved, a kind of similar concept than the one I was part of, but a different take nonetheless great work!
jk5000
07. Oct 2022 · 08:25 UTC
This a fun and pretty well made compo game. The jumping do not always works and same with the wall jump. The level design was also a bit confusing, but it was not too bad. The visuals is good, and I like the games atmosphere. Overall is this a good compo game.
Tommo
07. Oct 2022 · 13:04 UTC
Fun to play, though I found the wall jump tricky at times. Enjoyed the way you brought the theme in too. Well done!
RilleP
07. Oct 2022 · 13:16 UTC
Good and interesting level design, but a bit short, and some sound effects were really cool.
aDeCon
07. Oct 2022 · 13:17 UTC
Veeeery had to playing... But I am very inspired by my own game engine :)
Pixelydian
07. Oct 2022 · 18:43 UTC
Well I'm not usually a fan of "up" to jump (I prefer space bar), I'm excusing it because I really like your game :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye: The little robot is so cute, and I like the art in general. Level layout/design is good - I like the little bit of backtracking back to the obviously unreachable point in the beginning. Little Metroidvania! I had a lot of deaths after I got the boots, but I'd say that means you have a good difficulty curve. By that point I just needed to get good :laughing:. Well done!
Serxiolas
07. Oct 2022 · 21:03 UTC
Nice on! fun to play, nice visuals cohesive sound!

In platforms try to avoid touching the ceiling with the head while jumping because it is fustrating for the gamer, also missed some "coyote time" there.

A notable entry!
🎤 tylerstraub
07. Oct 2022 · 22:48 UTC
@serxiolas Thank you, there actually is coyote time of 4 ticks I believe (so like 67ms). Not sure what the "standard" is and if what I did wasn't lenient enough. I appreciate the feedback for the ceiling touching though!
Talops
11. Oct 2022 · 18:53 UTC
As someone who has already [made a metroidvania](https://ldjam.com/events/ludum-dare/41/danmakoid-bullet-hell-metroidvania) for a previous compo, I know how much of an undertaking it is and am always explosively hyped up whenever I see one here, and this one doesn't disappoint! Even made with a custom engine on top of that, impressive!

The art is really good, the platforming is very challenging yet feels great and responsive for how simple it is. Maybe the gravity is just a tad too strong? I loved the unusually discrete mechanical foreshadowing, and how more enemies started spawning after picking up the spike-walk upgrade, opening up for some tricky jumps. That is some very smart re-use of your level design!

It seems like, just like me, you didn't have enough time to make music. Kind of a curse with scope-heavy genres isn't it? :sweat_smile:

Really liked it, congrats on the wonderful submission!
UkuleleFury
14. Oct 2022 · 21:21 UTC
:D Very fun game! The mechanics and controls were great. The upgrades were all very satisfying. The 10-second pacing and level-design felt really really nice. I love the pixels, and simple sounds. This was a lot of fun!