Cat Games by alzhu1

[raw]
made by alzhu1 for Ludum Dare 54 (JAM)

Play as a cat, you have limited jumps (i.e. spacebar presses) to beat levels. The theme application here is that you have a "limited space"bar press limit; very dumb pun but I ran out of ideas and didn't finish something larger in time. The idea is kind of interesting though.

Controls: WASD/Arrow keys to move, Space to jump

Tileset: https://pixelfrog-assets.itch.io/pixel-adventure-1

Cat: https://elthen.itch.io/2d-pixel-art-cat-sprites

BGM: https://jdsherbert.itch.io/ambiences-music-pack

SFX: https://coloralpha.itch.io/50-menu-interface-sfx

Font: https://www.dafont.com/pixellari.font

Source code: https://github.com/alzhu1/LD54

Ratings

Overall 1036th 2.947⭐ 21🧑‍⚖️
Fun 958th 2.895⭐ 21🧑‍⚖️
Innovation 1046th 2.579⭐ 21🧑‍⚖️
Theme 639th 3.526⭐ 21🧑‍⚖️
Humor 800th 2.389⭐ 20🧑‍⚖️
Mood 908th 3⭐ 21🧑‍⚖️
Given 14🗳️ 18🗨️

Feedback

Gonzo13
03. Oct 2023 · 07:34 UTC
@alzhu1 Small cute game. Nice!
Qaolin
04. Oct 2023 · 15:50 UTC
Really cool cat animations, i dont think cats would like to have limited jumps :D transitions between levels look smooth :) as for gameplay its proper i guess
LDJam user 248799
04. Oct 2023 · 15:57 UTC
It lacks more advanced puzzles, but well done ! It's your first jam ?
XRy
04. Oct 2023 · 16:02 UTC
I thought it was nice that there was always a little wiggle room, you're always given more jumps that you actually need in each level, which made it relaxing. The art, music, and sfx were implemented very well! And including the UI with instructions is great! I'd say the only small downside is that for me, the game was not very exciting or interesting to play, but creating an accessible and playable game is a great feat in and of itself! The game feel is great and the limited jump mechanic doesn't outstay it's welcome either. Overall, great job!
LDJam user 261037
04. Oct 2023 · 16:08 UTC
Cleaver take on the theme. Wish I could give the game a rating. Had a little trouble at first because I was trying to press arrow and space at the same time, which apparently is not allowed.
yndajas
05. Oct 2023 · 03:48 UTC
Nice pun on the theme 😅 and actually a pretty cool concept for a platformer. Nothing particularly hard - I wonder if it needs to have a few "how do I do that in N jumps" levels, whereas currently it's more like you have a bank of mistakes that you can make. But regardless, nice idea, nice animation, and a fun little ride!
yndajas
05. Oct 2023 · 03:50 UTC
@kobato-games simultaneous arrow keys and space work for me 🤔
LDJam user 206001
05. Oct 2023 · 04:02 UTC
I really liked it, short but fun. The theme really was an inappropriate pun lol, but very fun to play. I wish I could vote here, but I can't
Nanamaki
05. Oct 2023 · 06:25 UTC
Oh we come up with the similar idea to constrain use of Space Bar in a platformer lol. I love the precise and cute animation!(especially when the cat stop he start to lick his hair!) It is quite classic and a bit easy stage design though. I hope to see some situation where player must manage there jump well to right run out of them when reach the end.
Anatol Dumitras
05. Oct 2023 · 10:41 UTC
Ayyy that's unironically a pretty fun play on words with the theme and the game is solid. Overall, a great entry ヾ⁠(⁠・⁠ω⁠・⁠*⁠)⁠ノ
EqualEnergy
05. Oct 2023 · 11:13 UTC
It's a pretty short and doesn't really fit the theme too well, but it's audio and concept make up for it!
pauljs
05. Oct 2023 · 13:30 UTC
I had a similar idea for a joke interpretation of the theme. I think if you wanted to be a bit more clear, you should have said "you run out of "space"bar jump" or emphasis more on that it's the spacebar that is limited!
Kris3
05. Oct 2023 · 14:48 UTC
Liked the art and cute sound effects. Didn't get why the music was so mysterious.
Peter Niles
05. Oct 2023 · 21:10 UTC
The pixel cat was very cute, and it's an interesting twist on the theme!
Ismael Rodriguez
06. Oct 2023 · 22:05 UTC
I thought someone would use this take on the theme *(this is the 2nd game I found with limited space key-presses)*.

Mechanically it's well executed and very playable, but the level designs are kind of "bare-bones", and don't really offer a challenge or help the concept shine. I only failed once (on that "trick" level where you're not supposed to jump at all and just run down the stairs).

I think it would be better/more-interesting if we needed to be precise, and only had enough jumps to solve the level, and find ways to navigate without jumping, maybe with elevators, climbable walls, or a pickup that adds jumps. *(I see you just ran out of time)*

Anyway, good job on a fun little game!
CardboardMoon
07. Oct 2023 · 01:20 UTC
Honestly, pretty nice save on an unfortunate set of circumstances you found yourself in! It's complete, and that says a lot about your determination. Good job getting it done and playable!
moonlightbomber
07. Oct 2023 · 07:19 UTC
Since it's neither a Compo nor a Jam game, I gave your game a 4 onn itch.io.
Wouter52
07. Oct 2023 · 10:02 UTC
Cool little game! I like the limited jump mechanic. Maybe the levels could have been a bit more "puzzly", so that you have to think about a route beforehand :-)

Congratz on your first LD entry btw!
LDJam user 374168
07. Oct 2023 · 19:28 UTC
Well, I am dumb and accidentally opted-out of ratings initially, lol. Re-enabled the ratings (hopefully?), so feel free to rate! I do appreciate all the feedback here so far, as well!
oller125
07. Oct 2023 · 19:29 UTC
I did like the limited jump mechanic/pun. It would have been nice to be able to restart levels in the middle of playing, but that might have been due to running out of time.
LDJam user 268300
07. Oct 2023 · 19:43 UTC
I actually think you had quite a good concept here - a limited number of jumps opens up some fun puzzle-platformer levels. I think the game missed the mark on two things: the platforming felt a bit clunky (very floaty jump), and the levels didn't have much of a puzzle aspect, it was rather just get from A to B.

That said, well done on finishing the jam! With a bit more polish and execution this would have been a great entry :)
Kerdelos
07. Oct 2023 · 19:56 UTC
Interesting mechanic although I found it a bit too easy. I often ended the level with a lot a spare jumps. Maybe having some kind of puzzle mechanic in addition to the platforming bit would add a bit of challenge ?

There's however a nice atmosphere to the game, good job :)
Martin183
07. Oct 2023 · 19:57 UTC
Nice start, could be more challenging thogh!
Jollymah
07. Oct 2023 · 20:04 UTC
I think this game has potential with the idea of a limited number of space bar uses! At the moment the game is short and not really fun, but with new complex levels it could be interesting. Good job!
M-1
07. Oct 2023 · 20:07 UTC
That's unfair: the endgame happens after landing the last jump, not when trying to jump again with no jumps left as I would expect. I want my money back! :grin: Also the hitbox was a bit hard to estimate in the beginning. Seriously though, I don't have any other complaints.

Overall this game is pretty polished. I really enjoyed playing it and would welcome more levels, perhaps with some "danger" and/or moving platforms etc.

I like the twist on the topic *limited space**bar*** - must admit I also considered going this path. Also finishing the landing after being fully on the platform was a nice touch.
Cute sprites/animation btw (by elthen, non-LD54).
aevek
07. Oct 2023 · 20:11 UTC
Fun interpretation of the theme! I found the platforming a little floaty, but then again that feels appropriate for a cat. I think it could be cool if each time the levels loop around the number of jumps you have to complete it decreases. I definitely had spare jumps, and it could be cool to design levels around advanced routes that let them be completed with minimal jumping. Also really enjoyed the general vibe with the ambient music and cute art. Great work!
fabula_rasa
07. Oct 2023 · 21:23 UTC
Short and sweet. The theme interpretation is unique! Very nice.

The platforming elements are easy (as shown by very-bad-at-platformers me finishing it on the first try :wink:). The puzzles of the levels are quite easy as well. Maybe there could be more of a challenge there.

The cat is super cute and animations on him are well done. A pleasure to watch him jump around.
Soul Grinder
08. Oct 2023 · 11:10 UTC
Nice idea for the theme and I like the choice assets you used too. Only things I would add really is a timer, more levels and a screen at the end to say you've completed it and how long it took you. Fun idea for a game, nice work!
AlexTengu
09. Oct 2023 · 01:12 UTC
Well made and basically finished game. Unfortunately, not in "Compo" category. Such game might have been so cool in Compo. Would mention three imperfections: 1. no story or win/lose grounds 2. small amount of levels (and they are simple) 3. unobvious "last jump" mechanics.
Magnanix
09. Oct 2023 · 11:24 UTC
Ah you got me with that trick level, conditioning me to jump immediately like a cat is want to do XD. Nice little platformer - might have benefitted from tighter jump limits and a few multipath levels to give a tiny bit of challenge. However, in combination with the cute art style used and the calming ambience - this was rather comfortable to play :).
Good job!
LDJam user 206001
11. Oct 2023 · 04:13 UTC
I ended up coming back here again by chance and saw that I commented but hadn't managed to vote. But now it has appeared to me, now I can vote. I don't know why this happens sometimes.
A.Bond
12. Oct 2023 · 05:45 UTC
I do like the **limited space**bar pun.

It reminded me the time when the theme was "two control buttons" (or "two buttons control", I don't remember exactly). Back then we made a game that used literally two control buttons (the left control and the right control). Unfortunately, we found out that some keyboard layouts don't have second control buttons and had to change key bindings for sake of better accesibility.