Dichotomy by StudioCherno
A puzzle game by Studio Cherno for LD51. Your goal each level is to make it to the flag. You have 10 seconds to execute any kind of maneuver you want in the sandbox before your performance is played in the real world. Being the real world though, it's full of danger, so you'll have to tread lightly.
Dichotomy was made in Hazel, our own game engine. You can learn more about Hazel by going to hazelengine.com or checking out Cherno's YouTube channel.
https://youtu.be/wFUmjjnAT_s
Tips
- Take it slow - you don't have to complete the level in one go. As long as you stop on a safe tile, you'll be able to continue in the sandbox
- You can use your reveal ability (spacebar) twice per sandbox to get a peek into real-world tiles
Controls
- WASD or arrow keys to move
- Space to use reveal ability
- F to use slow motion ability
Changelog
We've fixed some bugs and added a launcher with graphics settings post-launch
1.0.0.2 - Added help menu with instructions - Added launcher with graphics settings - Added current level UI text - Fixed previous levels not being unloaded (performance issue) - Fixed bridge colliders - Fixed bridge and axe rotation bug - Fixed camera sometimes not being in correct place
1.0.0.1 - Fixed pressure plates not working (game-breaking bug) - Misc additional fixes
1.0.0.0 - Initial release
| Link | https://studiocherno.itch.io/dichotomy |
| Original URL | https://ldjam.com/events/ludum-dare/51/dichotomy |
Ratings
| Overall | 531th | 3.568⭐ | 68🧑⚖️ |
| Fun | 586th | 3.379⭐ | 68🧑⚖️ |
| Innovation | 286th | 3.667⭐ | 68🧑⚖️ |
| Theme | 378th | 3.871⭐ | 68🧑⚖️ |
| Graphics | 288th | 4.053⭐ | 68🧑⚖️ |
| Audio | 248th | 3.706⭐ | 65🧑⚖️ |
| Humor | 857th | 2.316⭐ | 59🧑⚖️ |
| Mood | 450th | 3.586⭐ | 66🧑⚖️ |
| Given | 25🗳️ | 127🗨️ |
There's a little bug if you press space when you're in control of your cube by the way, no biggie though, doesn't break gameplay I don't think
Great Work! :)
The aesthetic, both from a visual and audio design perspective is nice. Very endearing, warm, welcoming. Pleasant to look at.
A cool and well executed idea for a puzzle game. IMO, it is worth exploring further outside the context of the jam to how far you can take and expand on the idea.
My only "critical" feedback is that it would be nice if the player was able fast forward/speed up the pathing playback.
Great work.
```
Faulting application name: Dichotomy.exe, version: 1.0.0.1, time stamp: 0x633b6ced
Faulting module name: Dichotomy.exe, version: 1.0.0.1, time stamp: 0x633b6ced
Exception code: 0xc0000005
Fault offset: 0x000000000027ecaa
Faulting process id: 0xff0
Faulting application start time: 0x01d8d7c59c50f822
Faulting application path: C:\Users\George\Downloads\Dichotomy\Dichotomy.exe
Faulting module path: C:\Users\George\Downloads\Dichotomy\Dichotomy.exe
Report Id: e398eb3c-411e-4bd9-8bb8-8f7412caf83b
Faulting package full name:
Faulting package-relative application ID:
```
The only error in HAZEL logs:
```
[10:50:48] [error] HAZEL: Could not load SoundBank! (waited for 100ms)
```
Having some controls listed in the game and some in the description is quite confusing, it should be one or the other or full controls listed in both.
The game is based on trial and error quite a lot. Controlling the swinging knifes (slow mo) during jumping through the levels is ok but other mechanics could serve a similiar purpose while not being based on reaction time (pressing Slow Mo Button too soon or too late and the cube dies).
A UI display for when an ability is ready would be very handy.
Other than that, the visuals and audio are cool and fit well together.
I had no bugs other than distorted bridge models.
Edit: Even with the slow-mo ability I quit again. Not enough patience.
The sound design and music are great.
I also liked the simple art :)
I know it's the theme and you made a great work but I think 10 seconds is a bit too long :D.
Also it deserves a bit more information in order to understand the way the game should be played ! It took some times to figure it out :laughing:
GOOD JOB !
CONS: Music style too vague/sad for the cartoony/jazzy style, controls get time to get used, swinging axe too fast.
I can give you more info on my pc if you think it can help
Unfortunately, the framerate fell as I went through the game; and it was getting unplayable about 6(?) levels into the lava stages.
I feel like there could be an interesting concept here but the gameplay mostly consists of guessing and waiting, there's just too much waiting I feel like, and otherwise it's just a pretty simple maze.
I also ran into a bug on one of the lava levels I think where the ground in the real version was only coming up in a checkerboard so I couldn't move from the start.
While I like the visual style I think it could benefit a lot from tile variations, even just randomly rotating them, It's a shame you spend most of the time staring at a blank blue grid instead of the actual tiles
-Tim
The swinging blade traps were my bane :laughing:
I think that you should have left the original submission available for download, though.
I fell in love with this game because the gameplay and winning rules are very intuitive, goal-oriented, and, above all, fun.
The only downside I felt with this game was that the controls were sometimes confusing due to the angle of the camera.
There was also a bug(?) wherein if I entered my moves too quickly, the cube would attempt to move into a square before it had finished spawning, which would kill me. This certainly didn't help with the impression the game first gave me of being a little tedious.
Great job !
edit
works after driver update
*I faced the error *The procedure entry point vkGetDeviceBufferMemoryRequirements could not be located in the dynamic link library* after the launcher; a driver update also worked for me.*
Now for the game: I really liked the puzzle game mechanic, especially because it allowed for a relaxed playthrough (which I personally enjoy). The calm audio also added to the relaxing mood. I would've liked the possibility to finish the 10 seconds in sandbox early though;
The controls took me some time to get used to because of the 45-degree rotation relative to the keyboard (rotating the keyboard helped).
Visually, I found it just so charming. The sketchy outlines look lovely and I liked the details such as the tiny animated bridge :). A different background would have enhanced the mood even more.
Btw. Cherno, I like your videos, you're a great teacher ;)