Foon → Ludum Dare Explorer → Users → Eero Tuovinen
| Year | LD | Theme | Game | Division | Rank | Co | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 30 | Connected Worlds | Caravan of Worlds | compo | 22 |
A solid puzzle kernel, very satifying for a competition entry. Merely adding more planets as the only axis of elaboration would be too thin for sustained interest, and the concept has legs for more variety, but these are not competition concerns.
Very good for a competition entry. The basic gameplay is solid, and worthy of longer development; I especially appreciated the different passengers and their special rules, it is a fit idea. The theming is flavourful. The only superficial issue is that the quick pace of the game would favour making the passenger destinations clearer; with the graphical little planets and the solid-color arrows, and the short time you have to deal with the bombs and whatnot, the player is easily confused by something that could be simple. It would likely be worthwhile to put time-sensitive life and death issues like the bomb clearly on the screen, so the player instantly knows where to go to avoid dying.
To improve upon the concept further, seek a balance between the frenetic action of the space boost and time-limited customers, and the tactical aspects of customer picking and route planning; the game should alternate between moments of leisurely deliberation and bursts of action. For added depth, consider a strategic dimension where new planets (and types of customers) are added gradually and the bus itself is upgraded.
It's not a game, but rather a short story that discourses upon its story through the format of a sort of choose your own adventure solo rpg rules text. Best example of its kind (yes, rpg scenesters write these on occasion) that I've seen; not only is the minimalistic format well thought out, but the quality of the writing supports the core idea (which is itself simple, classic speculative fiction) well.
In a way this is the best piece I've yet uncovered in this competition (just starting to scratch the surface), because it's closer to publishing quality by far than any but the simplest of games could be; from another perspective it's merely sidestepping the competition altogether, not being a game in any way except in its format, and not even a video game. Another way to look at it is that it's a very small and compact thing, yet what little is there is done well. A valid choice in a competition that pushes you to balance ambition with extremely limited resources and time.
Nice mood. More of a digital, interactive poem or novel than a game per se. Very complete for a time-pressure situation.
Very good. A solid kernel of a dexterity puzzle game. The idea works, and is ripe for elaboration. The implementation is very good for a competition quickie: attention has been brought to the correct parts, and the product is more whole than can rightfully be expected under these constraints.
No playtesting yet. I might set up something in the near future, depending on the schedules and inclinations in the local circles.
And yes, I am historically more of a tabletop game designer, although working on digital projects at some point is also an ambition. Perhaps once I finish my current writing project. I certainly discarded the possibility of writing code for Ludum Dare right off the bat, I'm far too rusty to have gotten anywhere with that in two days :D