Mutant Ocean by boaheck-artgent
Welcome to the Mutant Ocean research programme,
you have been selected as an Operator for the Automated Diver unit. 50,000 years ago humanity seeded the oceans of Almenic IV to research mutations in non earth oceanic environments. Now it is time to take samples of the mutated life forms and retrieve the three Autonomous P.E.A.R.L monitors which contain a mineral and nutient dense physical record of the oceans.
To control the Automated Diver:
Use WASD Arrow Keys or the Left Analog Stick to move Press Space or the Right Action Button to swing the sample net Press Shift or the Bottom Action Button to Dash
Objectives:
Your role as an operator will be terminated should you fail to reach the profit target for a dive. Your role will be apsred should you succeed in collecting the P.E.A.R.L monitor for the area.
Collect samples of fish, rarer fish will spawn lower, scans indicate abnormal biologies with the deepest dwelling fish absorbing environmental metals and integrating them into their biology.
You have a limited number of sample jars but may purchase some more in the Overview Screen.
Collect samples of seaweed and coral, these are less valuable but do not have limited storage
By collecting the pearl for an area you will be able to progress to the next dive site, each dive is deeper and spawns rarer and more dangerous fish.
Credits
Made for Ludum Dare 57 with the theme of "Depths" in 72 hours.
Game designed and programmed by Hyphinett Background Music by Hyphinett
Art by Tetraminose
SFX & Additional Music by Kaitlyn "IDKAY" Cooper
| itch io | https://hyphinett.itch.io/mutant-ocean |
| Original URL | https://ldjam.com/events/ludum-dare/57/mutant-ocean |
Ratings
| Overall | 224th | 3.816⭐ | 21🧑⚖️ |
| Fun | 129th | 3.868⭐ | 21🧑⚖️ |
| Innovation | 321th | 3.447⭐ | 21🧑⚖️ |
| Theme | 321th | 3.868⭐ | 21🧑⚖️ |
| Graphics | 204th | 4.132⭐ | 21🧑⚖️ |
| Audio | 105th | 3.974⭐ | 21🧑⚖️ |
| Humor | 462th | 2.733⭐ | 17🧑⚖️ |
| Mood | 516th | 3.444⭐ | 20🧑⚖️ |
| Given | 18🗳️ | 12🗨️ |
- Going down might need a better sense of depth, with maybe the light getting darker as we go down
- Not losing the run when running out of oxygen feels a bit counter intuitive
- Same for ending the run when going up, even if we are a few screens down already
Still, no bugs to report, and pretty fun overall !
I have to say that it's kind of strange seeing the character rotating its body while keeping its head fixed. Also, I am not pretty sure that the fail condition of not gaining enough money during one round can be a good idea. It may come from games like LETHAL COMPANY, but doesn't works well with such a jam-game.
I had a bit of initial confusion since diving mechanics and a bar going down usually means oxygen is running out and you have to go back to the surface. The "end run" mechanic of going up did have a bit large hitbox too because I accidentally triggered it a few times. Which would not have been too bad if I wasn't playing on controller and the menu interactions only worked with mouse.
I'd also would have liked stronger visual feedback on the connection between getting hurt and loosing time as well as the game clearly telling you with sound and visually when you've reached the required target.
It could have been cool if getting hit also damaged your haul a bit, because right now, as soon as you did hit the required $$$ it didn't matter too much taking hits.
Here's me playing and commenting a bit while doing so:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8se5uGPH3mo
Great stuff!!