Root & Rope by Alexascher

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

Deep in a dark cave, far from the eyes of ordinary people, a gnome has grown hungry. He knows there’s food below, but the path is full of dangers. Luckily, the gnome is skilled with a rope.

Новый проект (27).png

Новый проект (26).png

* Controls: *

⬅️➡️ - Move

Space - Jump / Attach rope / Deattach rope

⬆️⬇️ - Climb up and down the rope

* Team: * - Balakchin Victor - code - Mosin Alexander - gamedesign - Scherbakov Alexander - art

* Music: * Kevin MacLeod - Anguish

Ratings

Overall 74th 4.111⭐ 20🧑‍⚖️
Fun 105th 3.944⭐ 20🧑‍⚖️
Innovation 254th 3.556⭐ 20🧑‍⚖️
Theme 454th 3.667⭐ 20🧑‍⚖️
Graphics 157th 4.222⭐ 20🧑‍⚖️
Mood 406th 3.611⭐ 20🧑‍⚖️
Given 2🗳️ 6🗨️

Feedback

Senkoso
08. Apr 2025 · 18:58 UTC
really intertaining!
vangrail
08. Apr 2025 · 19:02 UTC
Amazing concept for a game! Very clever use with the rope mechanics. A good amount of levels though the later ones are a bit too unforgiving if you die. Well done!!
LDJam user 411255
08. Apr 2025 · 19:04 UTC
really cool gameplay gimmick! room 7 took me ages to figure out, but was so satisfying once I did. I really love physics puzzle games like this, would love to see more!!!
pro4
08. Apr 2025 · 19:06 UTC
Loved the graphical style and the control of the gnome + rope. My favorite level was 7. Not a big fan of the super tight swing jump on level 8. Wasn't able to beat that one :(

Overall, cool game and fun to play.
DaniilM
08. Apr 2025 · 19:06 UTC
The game about a hungry gnome searching for the food under the cave is something I didn'tknow I needed, but it's definetely a treasure, which I was lucky enough to find. Great concept and art
TopperVideoGames
08. Apr 2025 · 19:07 UTC
This is very well done! The puzzle solving is unique and easy to understand, it is clear what to do to beat each level. Minor critiques would be the last level being mostly waiting halts the pacing the rest of the game had. Sometimes the button being the space to jump and place ropes made some spots tricky.
Everything is put together to an excellent degree. I wanted to play more levels, great job!
matid90
08. Apr 2025 · 19:08 UTC
I liked this game's movement and rope mechanics a lot. I felt like the game was too short, and you should take that as a compliment
SmallTalkInc
08. Apr 2025 · 19:09 UTC
Gorgeous art, and I love the sound effects. We also really wanted to do the "effort" noises for our game, but really couldn't crack it, and you did! Very nice. Also love the font, and the way it is animated, that really gives it its own feel. I do think it may be a little hard to read at times, but it's not rocket science, you can get around relatively easy but it does become harder as you progress, in a very natural way. Very cool rope trick too, and the animation for that also is pretty neat :D Very lovely game, well done!
xWilQ
08. Apr 2025 · 19:17 UTC
I really enjoyed the game! The simple mechanics work perfectly, and the art and overall feel are absolutely top-notch. Really, really great job! I’d love to play a longer version with more levels!
Stronf
08. Apr 2025 · 19:19 UTC
simple concept very well executed. The instructions and gameplay is clear. I want more levels!
I was stuck on level 7, and then when understood the solution, was pleasantly surprised even more.
sayomgwtf
08. Apr 2025 · 19:23 UTC
I really enjoyed it even though level 7 kicked my butt, haha! I liked the puzzle dynamic of the design, it felt intuitive, and even so, you guys added some really quick keys explanation in the first level which I loved (tutorials are often really hard for me to design, so I appreciate the simplicity and effectiveness of this one)

Level design was great, I do feel difficulty spiked suddenly on 7, as 8 did not feel nearly as complicated with the spikes as 7 did. I would have probably swaped those two levels sort of to keep difficulty level a bit more gradual. Either way, it was fun - voted and liked it! Nom nom!

Loved the art as well, loved 'em spooky bats in the background too ♥
Tugaryn
09. Apr 2025 · 16:46 UTC
Unfortunately I didn't understand how to pass level 6 or 7, but overall everything is great I like the style,
The only thing I don't understand is how the mechanics of unhooking from the rope works, sometimes it happens by accident. Nice!
Dzugaru
09. Apr 2025 · 19:51 UTC
@tugaryn Thanks! You can unhook from rope either by pressing spacebar while in the air (jumping or hanging from the rope) or by holding down arrow.
Pythorogus
10. Apr 2025 · 18:15 UTC
Really loved the rope mechanics, reminds me spelunky. 7 first levels are really great, 8th was a bit too hard but I did it ! Nice game lot of fun =)
T C
11. Apr 2025 · 02:40 UTC
Your art style is distinct and I'm always happy to see the games you make. Loved the atmosphere and I think you did quite a good job on the rope physics. A bit less waiting for platforms and a bit more variety of challenge would have been nice, but a great submission nonetheless!
Eugenik
14. Apr 2025 · 11:32 UTC
Nice concept and graphics, makes a lot fun
Danyclockworker
15. Apr 2025 · 18:38 UTC
Short but sweet, great job! Feels inspired by Braid.
Braeden
15. Apr 2025 · 22:14 UTC
Love the visuals! Concept is really cool too!
My one piece of feedback is to make the rope attach/unattach buttons different than the jump button, a couple times I went to jump I took the rope with me LOL :sweat_smile: