LudumData

Ancestral by deformhead

[raw]
made by deformhead for Ludum Dare 55 (JAM)

Follow the strange journey of your ancestor and summon him to help you in this mystical quest...

preview.png

Welcome ! Ancestral (Ludum Dare 55 Theme: Summoning - JAM - SOLO) is built in Vanilla JavaScript/WebGL with the 3rd Game Engine I am developping.

Overview :

  • The experience is better if you play with a Gamepad (analog controls make the moves more precise !)
  • I couldn't add sounds due to technical and timing issues... (imagine voices that whisper when you summon your ancestor)

Gamepad :

  • Use the Left Stick to move
  • Use the A button to jump
  • Use the Right Triggers (RT/RB) or X or B buttons to summon your ancestor

Keyboard :

  • Use the WASD/ZQSD or Arrow Left/Right keys to move
  • Use the Space Bar or W/Z or Arrow Up keys to jump
  • Use the E or Enter keys to summon your ancestor

This was my 6th Game Jam, so I hope you'll like this game. Thank you for your support.

Follow the strange journey of your ancestor and summon him to help you in this mystical quest...

Link https://deformhead.itch.io/ludum-dare-55-ancestral
Original URL https://ldjam.com/events/ludum-dare/55/ancestral

Ratings

Overall 698th 3.471⭐ 37🧑‍⚖️
Fun 478th 3.557⭐ 37🧑‍⚖️
Innovation 797th 3.129⭐ 37🧑‍⚖️
Theme 1201th 2.114⭐ 37🧑‍⚖️
Graphics 937th 3.086⭐ 37🧑‍⚖️
Mood 910th 3.212⭐ 35🧑‍⚖️
Given 22🗳️ 46🗨️

Feedback

Pakoo
16. Apr 2024 · 18:35 UTC
This game was super fun! I hope this becomes a full game someday!
TheMaskedMan
16. Apr 2024 · 18:47 UTC
Strong guacamelee vibes ^.^
🎤 deformhead
16. Apr 2024 · 20:33 UTC
@pakoo @themaskedman Thank you for your comments! <3

FIXED: I just fixed an issue with my renderer scaling, if you encountered a strange resolution (big black framing with ugly pixelization), feel free to play it again! :)

I'll test your games during the week!
GettingRekt
17. Apr 2024 · 14:28 UTC
Nice little game. I quite enjoyed the atmosphere and the learning curve. Did get stuck under the map without dying on the screen with the two bridges. The movement was a bit too quick for me but overall great job!
Stevie257
17. Apr 2024 · 14:31 UTC
Interesting concept! The ancestral swapping mechanic is a cool idea. I'm actually a pretty big fan of the art style, it almost reminds me of older DS games in a way. The controls are a little stiff and it can be kind of difficult to tell where you have to go to beat the stage at times, but other than that its a solid platforming entry overall.
Also the engine being fully custom is sick :)
ZekySky
17. Apr 2024 · 14:32 UTC
This game is truly unique, and I love how the shift in perspective affects gameplay. Honestly, it's a great game. Congratulations!
LDJam user 268934
17. Apr 2024 · 14:32 UTC
Nice movement and cool switch effect. Wish you made cayote jump i 'm not a platformer person.
Francois Dervaux
17. Apr 2024 · 14:33 UTC
I don't really see the connection with the theme, but the game works well. It reminds me a little of certain passages in guacamelee. The concept could be developed a little further, with other implications between world changes, for example. But I had a cool time playing it.
Bry
17. Apr 2024 · 14:34 UTC
Pretty fun platformer with an interesting mechanic. There is an element of short-memory required which I thought was fun even though I'm terrible at it. I think there is an issue with the game running fast on high refresh rates. It seemed very fast on my 165hz display. Might need some deltaTime scaling implemented in there.
Momotiktik
17. Apr 2024 · 14:36 UTC
It's a nice short platformer game! I liked the "rage quit" aspects hahah, and I liked the VVVVV type of graphic design. I wish there was a death counter and sometimes the edges of platforms are not obvious, nevertheless I was able to finish all levels (nice design!) :D
betovf
17. Apr 2024 · 14:43 UTC
Very original mechanics. With some audio effects and/or music it would improve a lot. I like the immediate re-spawing when falling down. Quite challenging but kinda difficult for me :laughing:
ariyassa
17. Apr 2024 · 15:42 UTC
What a neat concept! I love the color changes when you hit E. I didn't have a gamepad at the time so I struggled a bit, but I can see this turning into a cool game! This might be the sound designer in me, but I definitely can see audio adding a whole new dimension to the vibe. Like, you could do some neat filtering effects every time you summon your ancestor or something :D
Emiliabea
17. Apr 2024 · 16:41 UTC
The first time I summoned the ancestor I was so pleasantly surprised, the transition and color palette change were really cool, and I like how each play mode complimented the other. I'm bad at games but I was very determined to beat this one because I thought it was a cool concept. When I stopped trying to use "E" and switched to the enter button I did a lot better, but I think that's just my typing habits helping me lol. Overall, I thought this was really cool and innovative. I agree with some comments about how audio would probably add more to it, but as a solo dev I completely get not prioritizing that, because it shows you put a lot of effort into the level design, art direction, and gameplay. Maybe after the jam it would be a nice addition :^)
XanaGear
18. Apr 2024 · 20:04 UTC
Was able to finish with a keyboard, challenging and very snappy and fun...very impressive that this is on your own game engine.

I've played 29 games so far and this is my favorite I think!

Would love to see this as a full release with more polish (keep the art style, it's brilliant)
🎤 deformhead
19. Apr 2024 · 14:55 UTC
@bry Thanks, my sister and my brother-in-law just encountered the same bug!

FIXED: Now physics won't feel like playing with Flash! :joy:

For everyone else, if you encountered the issue, I'm deeply sorry! :pray: (@pakoo @themaskedman @gettingrekt @stevie257 @zekysky @senso @francois-dervaux @momotiktik @betovf @ariyassa @emiliabea @xanagear)
XanaGear
19. Apr 2024 · 15:04 UTC
@deformhead Just played through it again with it fixed, I thought it was running fast but just thought it was intentional hahaha

Even better now!
LDJam user 355344
19. Apr 2024 · 16:34 UTC
Fun game, but I don't think it correlates with the theme. The visuals are cool. There's something about it
luamct
19. Apr 2024 · 16:40 UTC
Very cool! The aesthic is great, the transition to the ancestral vision is super nice and the controls are super snappy. Although I love the idea, on the last screen I was a bit annoyed that I had to memorize the platforms ahead of time, otherwise I would die if I tried to peak the other platform. I think a peak button would have solved this beautifully.

Anyways, awesome work!
SStyles93
19. Apr 2024 · 16:43 UTC
Good job on your game, not easy to rely on home made engines for a jam. I like the puzzle and mechanics even though I don't really get the link with the theme (maybe summon day/night?)

Anyway, the game is cool and well balanced!

Good luck developing your game engine :)
🎤 deformhead
19. Apr 2024 · 16:49 UTC
@anifan-gelati @sstyles93 The lack of audio didn't help me with the theme, but I meant to make the player feel the presence of his/her ancestor during his/her journey and summoning him (switching with him between the present/orange and the past/blue).
Echo Team
19. Apr 2024 · 17:06 UTC
I remember an old LD theme where this would have fit perfectly. But I forgot which one it was...

Anyways, I like the feel of it :slight_smile:
20akshay00
19. Apr 2024 · 18:15 UTC
Fun concept and although initially I thought the art style was a bit rough, it is strangely fitting. No doubt that some audio would've made it better, but still pretty impressive that you got this running with your own engine. However, I also wasn't able to make the connection to the theme.
OgelGames
21. Apr 2024 · 07:08 UTC
Cool looking game, I really like the art style; close up it looks very rough and messy, but somehow it looks really good as a whole. It's a pity the sounds didn't make the cut, they would have added a lot to the experience.
Flane
21. Apr 2024 · 07:45 UTC
Nice but a bit short and the game lack of audio. The graphics and the differences between the two worlds are nice.
gord10ahmet
21. Apr 2024 · 08:04 UTC
Fun game. I liked its art style, as well.

My DualSense didn't work with this game, but playing with keyboard was still enjoyable. The Itch name of "ld48" was a bit confusing.

Good job!
LDJam user 301295
21. Apr 2024 · 08:35 UTC
Short, to the point, fun.
I like the mood conveyed by the art style and the summoning mechanic works as a fun interaction.
Sound effects would of course have been lovely, even simple sounds benefit greatly to the mood and feel.
Nonetheless, great entry!
LDJam user 371030
21. Apr 2024 · 09:31 UTC
A fun little game. Pretty neat and polished/fitting art actually. Transition is quite nice and the mechanic works very well. I'd wish it was a bit longer. I think a tune would've been a perfect addition to the mood.
Nazorus
21. Apr 2024 · 09:46 UTC
Cool game, love the color palette. The ancestor/time travel mechanic is neat and reminds me of games like Prince of Persia Warrior Within, the transition looks and feels very satisfying. After a while the game starts to feel a bit like a memory game, which could be interesting when mixed with platforming.

Kudos to you for writing your own engine and doing the jam solo, that's no easy feat! It's a good entry overall.
ToC
21. Apr 2024 · 10:11 UTC
Solid little game. The character controls well and the core gameplay is solid. Would have played more if the game was longer.
Aviv Levy
21. Apr 2024 · 10:24 UTC
Cool and short! Loved the art. Definitely missing some music and sfx but I liked it!
busisen
21. Apr 2024 · 10:26 UTC
What a lovely little game. We actually explored a similar idea before settling on the one we did. You nailed the execution and the artstyle fit it well. Would've loved to see the introduction of some more mechanics, but understand the limitation of the jam. Would be interesting to see you develop this further! Great entry!
yellow
21. Apr 2024 · 10:57 UTC
Although it is short, the gameplay has been fully displayed! I can also use it to create a lot of levels haha! Well done!
maxplusplus
21. Apr 2024 · 11:43 UTC
Neat game! I really like the aesthetic, even if the graphics are on the simpler side -- I also would have liked a coyote jump, but otherwise the movement is super smooth, so nice job!
D34TH0FTIT4N5
21. Apr 2024 · 15:08 UTC
really fun game with good controls and great art, i just wish there was some coyote time but thats a very minor issue, it didnt take away from my enjoyment of the game, phenomenal entry
Gonzo13
21. Apr 2024 · 15:19 UTC
So smart game mechanic! Interesting game. Great job!
ping78
21. Apr 2024 · 23:29 UTC
Cool game. Nice art style. Well done.