Summoning Circuits by DarkWolf

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

screenshot.png

A short puzzle game. Complete the summoning circles using circuits. Light up all the runes in order to finish the puzzle.

There are three levels. Once you beat a level it will take you to the next one. Click on lines to connect or disconnect that segment of the circuit. Have fun! Hints are in my comment if you need them.

I think the puzzles I did make were good, even though I didn't get in as much content as I wanted. All of the art and code was done myself. The design was a collaboration between myself and my dad.

Ratings

Overall 770th 3.413⭐ 25🧑‍⚖️
Fun 638th 3.391⭐ 25🧑‍⚖️
Innovation 97th 3.978⭐ 25🧑‍⚖️
Theme 734th 3.478⭐ 25🧑‍⚖️
Graphics 779th 3.435⭐ 25🧑‍⚖️
Humor 1029th 2.025⭐ 22🧑‍⚖️
Mood 1067th 2.929⭐ 23🧑‍⚖️
Given 13🗳️ 25🗨️

Feedback

LDJam user 184264
16. Apr 2024 · 02:27 UTC
## === Puzzle Hints === ##
### Level 2 ###
Timing matters, splitting is possible.
### Level 3 ###
Split earlier than you think.

If anyone knows how to do markdown for spoiler tags please let me know.
Merrow
16. Apr 2024 · 06:16 UTC
Nice idea, liked the pixel art style and solution of summon procedure. Needed a view tries to understand it though but beautiful work!
MorePixels
16. Apr 2024 · 06:19 UTC
Was pretty cool! Was quite confused at first but became fun trying to figure out which things paths to take to complete the levels!
LDJam user 236055
16. Apr 2024 · 06:23 UTC
Cool idea and nice puzzles! The art style is nice and simple, I like the contrast of the activated blue circuits against the rest of the game. I think it could be extended to add more levels and make a really fun and challenging game. At first I did not understand that you can click the paths to turn them on, would be good to have a hint/tutorial explaining it.
Ronn Fever
16. Apr 2024 · 06:25 UTC
Great little puzzle game -- made my really think and the last one was kind of tricky! I avoid using the hints ;)
Leiv Erik
16. Apr 2024 · 06:27 UTC
Good puzzle game! nicely designed levels! i enjoyed it!

Good job!
CatZP
16. Apr 2024 · 06:27 UTC
Great game! Finished all 3 levels quickly and eager for more plzzz XD
TomKnocker44
16. Apr 2024 · 06:27 UTC
Cool take on the theme! I did find it a bit difficult to tell the circuit and non circuit paths apart at first.
Gulcar
16. Apr 2024 · 06:32 UTC
Nice game! Wish you had time for more levels. Also adding some sound effects and a song would be great.
auxC
16. Apr 2024 · 06:32 UTC
Level 3 was harddd! Fun puzzles and the game feels very sharp and concise, great job with that.
LDJam user 184264
16. Apr 2024 · 06:42 UTC
@universeflow I did mention that you click the paths in the game description, but I wish I'd had time for an in game tutorial. Also, thanks for noticing how the blue pops. I figured a good way to show magic or something otherworldly would be to use neon color in an otherwise old school LCD look. Sounds like it worked!
LDJam user 236055
16. Apr 2024 · 06:49 UTC
@darkwolf Yes, you did mention it, but it was not fully clear to me. Maybe changing it to something like "Complete the summoning circles by clicking on the paths to make circuits." would make it more clear :) Just a suggestion.

In-game tutorial would of course be best, but there's often not enough time for it during a jam, that's understandable of course.

And yes, the neon magic vs old school LCD effect worked really well! Good job on that!
subzerofusion
16. Apr 2024 · 17:01 UTC
a little bit of an in game tutorial would've been good, but i got there in the end
sometimes, the relevant corner wouldn't light up when clicked, which threw me off for a bit
Franminaverry
17. Apr 2024 · 08:00 UTC
Fun to play, it would make an awesome minigame for a bigger project!
braktheman
21. Apr 2024 · 02:11 UTC
I would play more levels of this! I thought the puzzles were cleverly designed and I like that timing is such a critical part of it. The simple and minimalistic design works for it. Great little game and I hope you expand on it down the road!
Coda Highland
21. Apr 2024 · 16:41 UTC
This is really charming! You absolutely nailed the aesthetic you were going for. I agree with @franminaverry that this would make a fantastic minigame puzzle to include in a bigger game.
AJ Atkinson
22. Apr 2024 · 14:22 UTC
Interesting idea for sure!

I always appreciate people that choose to tackle a puzzle game in a short timeline. It's hard to come up with levels that elicit a satisfying eureka moment. Obviously this is quick short, but given the constraints of the jam I think you did a great job!
I would be interested in seeing the idea expanded into a full game with a couple additional mechanics to play with.

(Maybe having the instructions just list the runes in the order you need to activate them would be clearer)
Ansible
22. Apr 2024 · 15:59 UTC
Really nice puzzle game, satisfying and great look/style. Can see it being able to ramp up in complexity with more levels based off these mechanics!
PieRo_PBeS_studio
22. Apr 2024 · 20:31 UTC
Like your art and all the retro stuff. It would be cool if there was feedback when you click on pieces or when you press the button to start the ritual.
Euler Moises
02. May 2024 · 04:02 UTC
Very interesting. Your game has enormous potential to become something MUCH BIGGER.

Congratulations for the game.