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Apnea
Apnea
By julienlussiez
View on ldjam.com
| Category | Rank | Score | Count |
|
|---|
| Overall | 34 | 4.00 | 44 | |
| Fun | 128 | 3.40 | 44 | |
| Innovation | 8 | 4.32 | 44 | |
| Theme | 4 | 4.45 | 44 | |
| Graphics | 54 | 4.02 | 44 | |
| Audio | 26 | 3.96 | 42 | |
| Mood | 20 | 4.17 | 42 | |
Comments
Awesome job. The 1 bit art style and soundtrack really give it a great vibe. I tried my hardest holding my real breath but could only get as far as the 40m goal. But this is an excellent exercise in minimalist game design. I love it.
If I could give any suggestions, it would be cool to have some assets in the water as you get lower, maybe like a whale going by or something. As it stands, it could be good to have a portrait orientation on the aspect ratio. This would be great as a mobile game / simple mindfulness app. Really great work.
kawair
2025-04-07 17:52
WDF?!!! This idea is awesome!!!!! Although the rules are simple, the combination between diving and holding breath make me fresh! I love it so much! Maybe the goal is a little bit hard for me?(lol)
If you want to hear any suggestions, I will say maybe you can adjust the difficulty and add something like fish or jellyfish etc. It can make the frames not that boring and take players into the scenes better!!!
I like your GAME!!!
svenerik
2025-04-07 17:54
Very awesome concept and such a nice mood to it, like an art installation~ Marveluos work on it!
Wow! Splendid atmosphere! The game loses its purpose by not holding your breath, this way making the players do it willingly. I didn’t think it was possible to enforce that so effectively! That’s fascinating! You really created a totally unique concept. My only real critique is that the rewards from the dive goals could be more interesting. A coin is such a common video game reward, it doesn’t quite match the creativity of everything else. But aside from that, it’s splendid. Well done!
2025-04-07 22:36
What an incredible concept! I love the interplay between physical and videogame. Did you have any inspiration for this?
Got to 60m and I THINK I could do 70 but didn't want to pass out! Nice minimalistic game!
kawair
2025-04-08 09:00
@notnasiul I can get to 2000m in my previous life!!!(lol
@kawair You were certainly a non-smoker :D
Love the minimalist style and real life control :P very unique way to play a game. Great job. Even tho simple, it feels like a completed game. Would love to see your additions adding scenery.
This was really, truly impressive. The masterful control over the mood of the whole experience made something very mechanically simple into a really captivating game. I only made it to 60m, but I get the feeling the intention wasn't that every player would make it to the end, and rather that it would be a more effective way to see how far they could go. I know you've mentioned wanting additional ambience, and while I don't think it would detract from the experience, going down into something more isolating was really interesting. My full playthrough is linked below (though less chatty than normal given the content)!
https://youtu.be/3ymgPid3YdM
krummja
2025-04-08 20:02
Oh my this is wonderful
hurp
2025-04-08 20:06
This was fun and looks really clean, passed out at around 20m.
Quite a fascinating entry. Unfortunately my microphone filter settings didn't pick up my deep breaths, but I made it past the 70 meters stage. I could probably go further, but it would likely result in a massive headache, so for my own health I chose not to.
Certainly top points for innovation... it's such an interesting idea to rely on the player actually holding their breath. I kinda wish the game was more than just a "hold breath for x seconds simulator". It would be cool if you actually had to explore while underwater.
Here's my recording:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IChpx1DXfsc
I really like the concept and the mood is unmatched.
The minimalism paid off.
Fantastic job.
PS I only made it through 40m maybe I need some training
shirac
2025-04-08 20:23
Hey ! I really love the concept of your game. I'm agree with an other commentary who said that diving in this minimalist environnement is a special experience. For me the game don't need other extra adding... graphism and soundscape made me close my eyes and enjoy the moment. Thank you :)
paul1379
2025-04-08 20:29
Capture d'écran 2025-04-08 222821.png Very relaxing game, I managed to go to 100m (I've already done freediving before), the sound that changes according to the depth is also a very good idea
acarr
2025-04-08 20:31
A nice and simple concept that's driven in such a unique way. I feel like the minimalist aesthetics are enough, as it just leaves the player with themselves & their own thoughts while they hold their breath. Wouldn't be bad to try adding more visual/audio/narrative elements like you described, though!
I made it to 100! A nice meditative experience. Great job with the audio, I did a couple rounds with my eyes closed and it was very obvious when I was half way and when I was about to be at the top. 100m takes around 2:10 or so? I think for those that weren't able to hold their breathe as long, having an emergency oxygen canister with a countdown would have been nicer than instantly booting you to the top. Nice experience though!
wles
2025-04-09 01:21
Great idea, executed well! Wouldn't *quite* call it "relaxing" but I enjoyed trying it out.
kinart
2025-04-09 04:26
What a smart idea. I was trying my hardest, but I don't think I have a very good lung capacity after all. I was so close to the 50 mark, but had to breathe just before surfacing. Great job.
xpoho
2025-04-09 11:17
My record - 60 m. I thought that i stop at 40 m, but i did it to 60 somehow. Awesome me!
Anyway, your game is great! It's first time i see the game which REALLY connect to reality without these Google Eyes, Kinect etc. Ok, I know another type of the games that actualy tell you what to do... But nvm ^_^
You are awesome, please, continue gamemaking. You will become great gamedesigner i believe!
It so minimalisick and cozy, only two color and it so cool, like the interactive component, that creates a challenge by itself, go on)
I've gone through all the stages with hyperventilation method i saw from diver who set a world record for holding his breath Screenshot_8.png
alec
2025-04-12 13:39
This is one of the games that will stick with me because it ends up being more then the sum of its parts. The mechanics and visuals are simple, but the it makes you _actually_ do something in the real world is just amazing! I also really appreciated how the audio changes as you dive.
well done!
I've been a bit sick this week, so only went down to 40m, but it was kind of a (ahem) breathtaking experience. There's not much happening, but seeing the infinite darkness on screen as you descend and run out of oxygen in real life was surreal. The way the piano fades into bubbles, and then fades back in as you find relief at the top is perfect.
Feels like a relatively unexplored art: games that require some kind of good faith interaction on the user's end. A lot of Wii games were like this (sure you could waggle the remote, but you'd be missing out on whatever experience the developers intended).
Can't say there's anything I found lacking with the game, it's kind of a standout experience this jam.
joscco
2025-04-15 20:59
Wow, this is such a minimal yet incredibly creative idea — I absolutely love it! Bringing the actual player into the challenge is brilliant — that’s real artistry. Easiest 5 stars I've given for innovation. And I’m also in love with the minimal art style!
lereveur
2025-04-18 11:48
First, this is a not-even-thinking five stars for Innovation. Then, I like the minimalistic but effective and neat approach of the art style. And finally, I'm a little surprised of which level I reached, giving that I smoke since around 30 years now… :open_mouth: :sweat_smile: LD#57 Apnea - julienlussiez - 2025-04-18_13-37.png Well, all I have to say is: very good job!
I got to 50m with panic mode setting off as I went back, which feels like an accomplishment for me. I think what works extremely well for this minimalistic experience is the combination of using 2-color palette (in particular with black color surrounding us as we dive deeper), and the audio. The audio, changing as we go deeper, incredibly adds to the mood, and it drives the whole experience a lot.
You asked in a post if this would work with different graphics. IMHO it would, assuming the palette stays in the darkish, serious area. For now I think the minimal 1-bit approach works better, for two reasons:
- it moves the focus to audio, which drives the atmosphere (or, in essence, lack of thereof) - the black background color as we dive deeper adds to the sense of isolation and depth
I enjoyed the entry quite a lot, congrats.
I'm jealous of not having had this idea... I love the atmosphere and the minimalism... on the other hand, as you note in your text, I find that there are some rewards missing for patient players... some smooth animations, some reflections, some breaks in the atmosphere... a form of narration... everything is there, there is more to do...
A good game in its simplicity. The piano music is beautiful and the detail of the music fading away as it submerges is the special flavor of your game.
Just the courage and ability to make a game alone deserves my total admiration.
Congratulations!
Ah man, I'm weak! I used to be able to hold my breath for a long time! Maybe it's just today that it's like that, I was only able to reach 40m goal :D awesome, simple, really cool idea. I love the stylish graphics and choise on colors!
alvaron
2025-04-24 18:56
A viewer on stream posted your link, for which I thank him. I got to play your game. It was fun and crossed the boundary of game and real world in a original way, conveying the theme in a unique way.
Thanks for the experience!