pebkac 2024-04-15 17:53
Looks great, but plays ... less than great.
Foon → Ludum Dare Explorer → LD55 → Canoe Summoner: I Rose To The Top Despite Having a Garbage Skill
By sicosiber
| Category | Rank | Score | Count | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 569 | 3.57 | 42 | |
| Fun | 520 | 3.51 | 42 | |
| Innovation | 276 | 3.72 | 42 | |
| Theme | 401 | 3.91 | 42 | |
| Graphics | 514 | 3.81 | 32 | |
| Audio | 475 | 3.39 | 41 | |
| Humor | 44 | 4.26 | 43 | |
| Mood | 701 | 3.44 | 40 |
Looks great, but plays ... less than great.
@pebkac gotcha, any specific feedback?
@sicosiber Not really, I mean you painted yourself in a corner with the canoe summoning. It fits the theme in the same way 'summoning a bullet from this magazine and making it travel through this barrel' would fit the theme tbf, and making the boats hit something is the antithesis of fun (fir me at least). It's a pun, not a game.
Sorry to sound harsh here, but I really cant with this one...
Fun original combat mechanic! I played until I unlocked the super jump and parkoured over the cliff outside of the map and couldn't get back - but that's my bad.
Overall I enjoyed it, though it would have been extra cool if there was a more specific objective to complete.
@pebkac got it! Knew this one wouldn't be for everyone when I was making it, so no hard feelings! Lots of people aren't into the weirdness that is physics based combat, and most people who aren't up to their neck in mediocre anime aren't going to make the connection to the summoning thing, but yeah, appreciate the feedback! :)
@colourarc glad you had fun! I had such huge plans for the objectives and bosses, but the weird physics combat and environment took so long to make that I just ran out of time, had a blast just making it though, and although its my first Ludum Dare, I've had such a blast making the game and playing everyone else's!
Hahaha, what a concept. I'll have to boot up my Windows VM to try it.
Well, it's a canoe.... why not xD looks nice and I like the marching sound of all the enemies. A mission would have been great. Bought everything in the end and found an exploit xD
It's amazing that it's actually a first view game, I hope you'll expand on it and keep making this game, I'm having a bit of 3d sickness and it's already 2am in my time zone so I need to go to bed, you're the last game I'm touring today and it's a great way to wrap up the day!
Wow lol what a creative idea! summon canoes to hunt is really funny!
Bom jogo
Hey buddy, I'm up and now chowing down while playing your game. Seriously tough, trying not to die laughing and getting food down the wrong pipe. Your game is fantastic, with the perfect level of challenge and great sound effects – it's incredibly polished. Looks like our team has a lot to learn from you. Hats off, my friend.
Like the idea, and would love to see it fleshed out with more dev time! Speaking as an audio person, the summoning sound was a big jarring and loud compared to other sfx and the music.
This game's blog post the other night caught my eye and cracked me up (and at the end of a very long day, it was awesome to end the night with a laugh, so thanks for that!)
I loved the silly intro (really great job setting the stage for what's clearly supposed to be a silly game). The voice acting in the intro was audible, clear, volume level was great, and it fit the tone really well).
Even after playing this for an hour, I still think the premise is hilarious.
=== Art ===
First off, the summoning art looks amazing. The sigil looks great, the synthesizer sound is a really excellent fit, and the hand wiggle while casting is a perfect balance of "wow that looks cool" and "lol wow that looks silly".
And if you're going to have a single mechanic be central to a prototype (or even a full game) you need it to be solid, feel satisfying, and not get annoying after repeating it 100s of times. Again, really great job with the summoning effects, really enjoyable.
As I left the tutorial area / shop, I had a legit (and unexpected) moment of awe in the forest. The level design and the models and leaves and small plants all look really really great. Really nice style, and I'd totally play an entire game with trees like this. Nice music too.
I loved the change in bg music as a sound cue that danger was nearby or approaching.
=== Gameplay ===
After I realized that punching canoes at the goblins was way more effective than just dropping a canoe on a goblin, I realized what the core gameplay loop would be, and set off grinding for money and powerups.
It took me a while to cautiously explore deeper and deeper into the forest (and further away from the potion seller, safety, and heals). When I realized I'd reached the edge of the level, I grinded a bit in the meadow there, then slowly made my way back to the potion seller.
I made it all the way back to the potion seller when something was happening in real life so I pressed Escape to pause the game. When I came back, I was a little disappointed to realize Escape had taken me back to the main menu (not a pause menu) and all my moneys were lost! Only real negative experience with the game, and wasn't too bad.
I rinse, wash, repeated, and finally got the super jump. Really fun + satisfying reward for players who stick with it longer, kept me playing and the jump was big enough to feel like it was worth the grind. I really enjoyed it!
=== Upward Spiral ===
After a few upgrades in move speed and power, it was awesome to realize I wasn't just buying more damage, but that the power was affecting the the physics of punching the canoe! Clever, silly, and really really fun.
I was almost ready to put the game down, then I thought "Hunh, I wonder if there's a limit?"
Fast forward a bit, and I could punch canoes into the sky.
Fast forward more, and eventually I'd purchased so many power upgrades that I had to stop playing: because my canoes moved so fast, they clipped through walls and immediately disappeared.
Overall this was a hilarious initial post, made good on the promise and was a very silly game, and I had a really great time playing it. After working 3 days almost non stop on my first game jam, this was the perfect way to wind down, chill out, and have a lot of laughs before I go back to work Tuesday.
Thanks for this.
Canoe battle mage - that's hilarious :) Summoning sound feels good. Also that's some enourmous amount of modeling work, great job!
I really liked this game! You guys are great!
Funny game! I enjoyed getting the timing down to punch the canoe twice and really send it flying.
Had some stupid fun and laughs with this one, really novel concept and with a bit of refinement it could make for a fun longer experience!
Took a bit too long to actually get the upgrades going, but its a very funny concept. Accitentally launched myself to space by stepping onto a spinning canoe though xD Buisness idea... maybe selling them brings more money than punching them at goblins ;)
Title fully encapsulates the last two seasons of anime title, Loved the graphics and gameplay aswell super funny!
Plays a little bit wonky, but really cool fit for the theme.
It can be a bit hard to get good at, but I really like the originality and how funny the core mechanic is, and it is also a good way to interpret the theme. The palette and art are also really pleasant. So overall a nice entry. Well done!
Great fun little project! I loved the physics based combat, heck of an accomplishment!
This was definitely unexpected! I appreciated the voice over in the tutorial. Very nice.
Some minor suggestions to enhance the feedback loop: some sound indication with the player gets hit (rather than just getting knocked back). Have the goblins make noise, so you know they are creeping up behind you!
Also, an idea for an additional mechanic: I couldn't tell, but it didn't seem like holding the summoning button longer had any effect. Maybe that makes a stronger canoe? That way there is a risk/reward for summoning longer in one spot.
By the way, did you make all the assets yourself?
Funny game. Loved the hollow wooden bonk sound of the canoe hitting goblins. Would have loved to hear an equally silly reaction sound from the defeated goblins. Like maybe something similar to the roblox ooof.
I doubt the graphics were actually made during the jam. If you've used asset store graphics, remember to opt-out of the graphics category when submitting the game. This will ensure fair game jam for everybody
Nice skill based mechanic. :smile: Love the UE setup, really stand out from other games all the grass, trees, lighting.
Not sure if there is an exit. I would love to fight a boss with a canoe. Or practice destroying some flying targets.
Here is my attempt:
https://youtu.be/eTm9ptniShg
@hugimugi7 ahh thanks for the message, got it updated! First time jammer!
nice game, really fun mechanics but needs alot more variety, the audio was a bit whack and the UI needs some work, but ioverally the game was very enjoyable, id like to see more variety added to this game post jam!
too easy, passed on the touch pad of the laptop :)
Great fun! Amazingly well polished for a first time Jam, the grass, trees and UI all look great! I loved the goofy take on the theme and the silly concept. Absolutely Ace! All round, great work!
ROFL loved the concept! Very silly game! I did notice that the gobbos are constantly spawning. I was wondering if there is cap to the amount at a time? And if the grass ever de-renders at any distance. Could slow the game down if not.
Either way, loved the boat-doken against the ragdoll goblins. Funny entry XD
Omg I absolutely love and adore wacky games like these! I think the sensitivity was a bit too high for my liking but I like the gameplay and I think it has good potential to be expanded upon!