LudumData

Grapple to Glory by jddoesdev

[raw]
made by jddoesdev for Ludum Dare 57 (JAM)

Have you ever thought to yourself, "Self, you know I like to rage at games and Jump King makes me rage a lot. Well, self, what if Jump King was upside down?"

No? That's just me? Oh well... anyway, the theme was depths and you're in a magic cave trying to grapple down an unforgiving path that wants to blow you

back to the beginning of the map.

Can you meander from grappling spot to grappling spot while trying not to fall into the wind that somehow exists coming from the bottom of a cave? Can you find the treasure that this mysterious wind is protecting?

Probably not. This is a game jam and I barely finished. Don't get your hopes up too high.

Anyway, SPACE is action/grapple, move with A and D, boost while swinging with A and D. If you fall too far, you get sent back, so don't fall.

Good luck!

POST-SUBMISSION BUGFIX: Fixed issue where walking away from sign did not close popup.

Itch.io http://jddoesdev.itch.io/grapple-to-glory
Original URL https://ldjam.com/events/ludum-dare/57/grapple-to-glory

Ratings

Overall 645th 3.25⭐ 28🧑‍⚖️
Fun 667th 3.019⭐ 28🧑‍⚖️
Innovation 568th 3.058⭐ 28🧑‍⚖️
Theme 473th 3.635⭐ 28🧑‍⚖️
Humor 622th 2.26⭐ 27🧑‍⚖️
Mood 740th 2.98⭐ 27🧑‍⚖️
Given 24🗳️ 39🗨️

Feedback

gifarre
08. Apr 2025 · 13:38 UTC
Fun concept, I actually like swinging mechanics and want to build a game in godot using one so good inspiration.
Movement does feel a bit stiff though, and if I can make 1 suggestion, maybe make the fall at the end longer so we can go back to the start and try alternate routes after finishing.
based.on.life
08. Apr 2025 · 15:08 UTC
Love the swinging mechanics, walking is a bit slow but you get used to it. Good game!
jester1454
08. Apr 2025 · 15:25 UTC
nice little platformer. i like that if i fall too high the wind will lift me up instead of killing the character, it breaks the rules of the game a lot. i liked it overall but i wish the player movement was faster. and the tutorial window didn't close for me :(
🎤 jddoesdev
08. Apr 2025 · 17:35 UTC
Thank you for the feedback so far! I have fixed the bug where the tutorial popup doesn't close, but I won't be making any changes to the actual gameplay in the spirit of the jam.
clymm
09. Apr 2025 · 00:29 UTC
Cool game idea! Love swinging around like Tarzan. I got to the very bottom first try, but then got stuck unfortunately as it didn't push me to the top so couldn't reach the sign which was just above me slightly. But refreshed page and all good. Fun experience well done!
fungus mundus
09. Apr 2025 · 00:37 UTC
Fun game!

I got stuck (perpetually 'falling up') after I let go with the rope going straight down. (I wanted to see if the wooden platform directly under one of the grappling spots was within range)
platonenko
09. Apr 2025 · 00:38 UTC
good hit on topic! nice gameplay and exciting gameplay! here we are just a little sounds)
Jordanfb
09. Apr 2025 · 00:39 UTC
Interesting! It kinda felt like the wind was arbitrary and basically just a slower reset than what would happen if you had fall damage and a respawn... I couldn't tell when it would kick in or not, so felt like I was getting annoyed at it rather than at my lack of skill. I did made it to the bottom, but I didn't really feel like I learned much. The grappling was fun though
Jake G
09. Apr 2025 · 02:44 UTC
Spot-on with the Depths theme. I'm a sucker for pixel art and it's very endearing. As you described, it's rage inducing (but low key hilarious) when you get that close to the bottom then blasted up. You also did a good job preventing people from cheesing it (i.e. you have to be grounded to move). It was smart to highlight the grappling anchors. Solid submission, you should be proud.
jnur
09. Apr 2025 · 16:50 UTC
A fun way to make a small game out of the swinging mechanic. I agree with the others that the walking speed could be quite a bit faster. Another, maybe smaller thing, would be that the highlighting of the "targeted" hook could be more apparent - maybe some kind of targeting icon? As it is, I found it a bit hard sometimes to know when a hook is in range.
LDJam user 221097
09. Apr 2025 · 16:55 UTC
Simple but neat, and right on theme! I like the elegance of the wind mechanic that brings you back up if you fall too high, much nicer than a game over and a respawn.
Kveg
10. Apr 2025 · 03:07 UTC
Sprite guy very fun. Nice map. Challenging game. I love a grappling hook and also strangely I dig flying back up to the top when im falling too far. Nice work!
Soul Grinder
10. Apr 2025 · 10:49 UTC
Cool sprite animation and good to see a grappling hook game, and I liked the being swept up by wind when you die too. I preferred cursor keys movement but was still a fun platformer, nice work!
Adam Martin
12. Apr 2025 · 03:28 UTC
The boost was a bit hard to figured out, but loved the overall idea!
Miku
12. Apr 2025 · 06:06 UTC
I was about to give up when I decided to go the other way, and ended up being victorious instead! It's a fun little game with what's there so far - I think one thing that could help is making the movement feel a bit less stiff over time. I really do like swinging from an arc, if there's a bit more satisfaction in that, it might be more of a draw to get players to go through the more difficult section.

I know the point of the game is to not just jump down far and the wind takes you, but my instinct with the arc swinging is that you can also lower yourself with the rope. It might make it a little bit more satisfying / gives the player some control in how they swing down and to navigate and give you additional challenge vectors (such as the rope gets cut if you go too far). Just some food for thought!
noagard
12. Apr 2025 · 11:07 UTC
Nice game! Love the character animation :) but maybe if add sounds effect it will be more fun to play!
ScoobySnacks
12. Apr 2025 · 12:00 UTC
i kinda like how you get blown up instead of just die when you fall
Ronalchue
13. Apr 2025 · 13:46 UTC
In any game it's nice to fly, jump and so on. This game is no exception, good mechanics, there is room for development. I would like the ability to cling on the fly to spiderman a little) Great job!
Doraemon
14. Apr 2025 · 04:25 UTC
Great game, and the swing mechanic is awesome!
HexStart
18. Apr 2025 · 21:44 UTC
I know it'd make the game in the current form much easier, but I'd loove to be able to grapple while in the air - I think that would feel pretty good. It was unexpected and sort of impressive, that instead of reloading the level you're actually pushed up and always end up on top, even if you took a different path.