Cosmic Strain by Grigorii

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

screen3.png We are the team of 5 first-time collaborators. We made this game from scratch (including all assets) in pure js+typescript! (we used minimal template from the past.) We crunched really hard to create a unique mix of strategy and action, but didn't quite get it in time, so sorry for all the bugs! The game is hard, but winnable, and we would really appreciate if you try to win! Thanks!

Ratings

Overall 757th 3.02⭐ 27🧑‍⚖️
Fun 754th 2.82⭐ 27🧑‍⚖️
Innovation 430th 3.26⭐ 27🧑‍⚖️
Theme 769th 2.82⭐ 27🧑‍⚖️
Graphics 606th 3.28⭐ 27🧑‍⚖️
Audio 332th 3.458⭐ 26🧑‍⚖️
Humor 553th 2.524⭐ 23🧑‍⚖️
Mood 655th 3.188⭐ 26🧑‍⚖️
Given 39🗳️ 39🗨️

Feedback

🎤 Grigorii
08. Apr 2025 · 00:54 UTC
Sorry for the preview, I upload this in last 6 minutes and don't check
spacecadet
08. Apr 2025 · 20:15 UTC
The visuals and sound design are really nice. They create a great atmosphere. However it I was not able to do much on the game so some kind of instructions would be helpful to enjoy it more.
Nuelijarma
08. Apr 2025 · 20:25 UTC
I'm not sure I understand how to win. With some trial and error I could understand that you can send people on other planets, and grab the funny bouncy asteroids. Bu after that? I don't know.
Still, great art, cool music, charming atmosphere.
ToKto
09. Apr 2025 · 14:39 UTC
it's a cool game, I liked the idea, but there was a problem with the general understanding of the meaning of the game as well as the mechanics, it would be nice if there was a tutorial
Game-mon
09. Apr 2025 · 14:41 UTC
Interesting game but a bit confusing, couldn't really figure out what to do. But i did enjoy the song and vibe!
Velis69
09. Apr 2025 · 14:44 UTC
I'm too dumb for this game but I'll give it a grade for art and sci-fi setting! Rate our game too comrade!
Patatje
10. Apr 2025 · 14:22 UTC
Interesting idea with the catapult to pull in asteroids! i can definitely see the potential with this game. it took me a while to figure out how the game worked. But with some more UI work this game could be even better!
LDJam user 336851
10. Apr 2025 · 19:52 UTC
This is a very impressive scope for a game jam! I especially like that the player can still do something instead of having to wait around (grabbing asteroids with the little hooks). I liked that you have to actually fling the guys to different planets to capture them. I just could not quite figure out how to use the bombs, I was able to buy them but not fire them. The art style is also very charming!
LDJam user 399564
10. Apr 2025 · 20:05 UTC
Nice idea but confusing in playing, good visual and sound!
LDJam user 408496
11. Apr 2025 · 19:03 UTC
I like games of this type, personally I had a relaxing time playing this game. Well done, fun game. It's hard to see strategy games in jams, glad that I've seen one! 🥹
LDJam user 383013
12. Apr 2025 · 14:05 UTC
This is hard...
EX3D0
13. Apr 2025 · 15:27 UTC
Interesting game and had pretty well polished graphics and audio.

Unfortunately it's incredibly unclear what the player is supposed to be doing. It's hard to tell what I should be doing or if I'm winning or losing, some clarity in the UI would make this game much better.
Borabee
14. Apr 2025 · 05:55 UTC
Although I don't see the theme too srongly on this one, and I had some difficulty understanding how to play at first, after I got the hang of the game, I had a lot of fun playing. I think you were indeed able to get that blend of strategy and action you talked about. I wasn't able to beat the game, but I had a lot of fun trying to plot the best course to expand my colonies before the planets were taken. I think you have some very innovative ideas, and also cool score on this game. It's impressive how much you've made given the technical constraints. If you plan on expanding it later, focus on making it more polished and teach the objectives and controls within the game and you have a very awesome and pretty inventive game in your hands.
Oddmes
14. Apr 2025 · 12:40 UTC
@borabee Oh, thank you very much for playing!
j_rara
15. Apr 2025 · 12:16 UTC
This is a good strategy game! I fiddled with different strategies for awhile and unfortunately never figured out how to get my new planets more points to spend. Not sure if there is a bug here, but I could only use the grab tool with my start planet. Also, the UI on planet is slightly confusing only because the numbers weren't clear to me and all the various tools were showing available even though clicking them wouldn't select it. Maybe changing the color to red/yellow if there's not enough resources would help.

Overall, nice job and keep up the good work!
Oddmes
16. Apr 2025 · 10:08 UTC
@j-rara Yes, 100% agreed on UI. We just couldn't do it in time - our gameplay loop only came together in the last two hours :sweat_smile:
Joror
24. Apr 2025 · 21:21 UTC
Cool lil physics game - was a bit hard to grasp all the controls and intents, but got through there. Music is nice and moody. Well done!