Alright everyone! I've been streaming people's games for almost a week now and I wanted to share the games I thought best exemplified each category. I'm trying to show some real ### Hidden Jems though some you may have heard of before. :)

Overall Best Game

ShootEm? By @merrol

Which is a completely regular unremarkable SINGLE PLAYER game that absolutely won't net you +1 true friend. :) I also made some fanart for it because I loved it so much!

You can play it here: https://ldjam.com/events/ludum-dare/41/shootem

SERIOUSLY I CAN'T RECCOMMEND IT ENOUGH.

Fun Category Pick

Dark Soil By @zguerrero & @pietro-ferrantelli

This was a very tough category to pick for, so I tried to think about the games that drew me back in for a second go after streaming, and those which offered the most variety and wonder. Dark Soil definitely provided those things, with an addictive leveling system and a difficulty curve controlled by the player themselves so it only ramps up the challenge when you're ready for it. If you want to dedicate the next hour to an LD Jem this is the game for you!

Play it here: https://ldjam.com/events/ludum-dare/41/dark-soil

Innovation Category Pick

Definition of a Gheust By @zephyrraine @sam-machell & @sand-gardeners

I was really struggling over whether to give this one the Mood or Innovation category win, because it's exemplary in both. This game combines the experiences of playing a videogame with the experience of watching a movie, with two simultaneous situations that ended up giving me goosebumps from the eerie juxtaposition. Definitely an experience.

Play it here: https://ldjam.com/events/ludum-dare/41/definition-of-a-ghuest

Theme Category Pick

Honest Dan's Trout By @honest-dan

As engaging as it is frustrating! This entry takes the cake for two TRULY incompatible genres, because one is literally constantly screwing over your progress in the other haha. The unholy love-child of Tetris and Breakout where you're challenge is to get a Trout, which means dissolving 4 lines of tetris simultaneously with the 4-square piece... Good luck!

Play it here: https://ldjam.com/events/ludum-dare/41/honest-dans-trout

Graphics Category Pick

Portaboy By @enchaec @lumpy & @puke7

Truly beautiful as well as being very very fun to play. Strong WarioWare feels here in a game that constantly keeps you on your toes, though I found myself often so entranced by the incredible pixel art that I would get distracted and lose haha. Captures the feeling of 80's arcade games wrapped in modern polish.

Play it here: https://ldjam.com/events/ludum-dare/41/portaboy

Audio Category Pick

Elite Beat Zombygons By @archimagus @dangerousfat @dacri & @johnryanaudio

A shooting game you play to the rhythm the most polished, intense, exciting soundtrack I've seen yet in the Jam. In fact, they plan to release the soundtrack by popular request for free download later this week so check that out if you want. The gameplay, which rewards you for multitasking, accentuates the wicked metal and techno mix of heart-pounding music. A must-play.

Play it here: https://ldjam.com/events/ludum-dare/41/elite-beat-zombygons

Humor Category Win

Jeff from Accounting By @almax @hi-im-greg & @dale-smith

I'm sure you guys have seen/heard of this one before, but I honestly couldn't pick any other haha. With enough dry humor to be a Valve game, it's also very well polished. 10/10 would get killed by a chair again.

Play it here: https://ldjam.com/events/ludum-dare/41/jeff-from-accounting

Mood Category Pick

The Place By @krp

I'm not usually a fan of horror games, but this one combines it with engaging action, thoughtful puzzles and a dark world I wanted to know more about. Doesn't rely on jump scares but isn't above using them. ;P If you want some quiet, eldrich horror in your life this game is for you. Music is also on-point.

Play it here: https://ldjam.com/events/ludum-dare/41/my-game