Lightbender by dylanwolf

made by dylanwolf for LD32 (COMPO)

EDIT 4/21: Based on feedback, I've uploaded a separate version with some fixes to the jump mechanics (decreased player gravity, etc.)

You are a superhero with unconventional powers. A magical MacGuffin allows you to imbue light with various magical effects. Use your powers to fight the bad guys and make sure no innocent bystanders get hurt!

Development: Unity 5 (with image effects from Standard Assets), Ludum Dare Resources (https://bitbucket.org/dylanwolf/ludumdareresources)
Graphics: GIMP, Manaspace font by codeman38 (http://www.zone38.net/font/)
Sound & Music: PxTone, BFXR

Web	http://games.dylanwolf.com/ld32/
Web (Post-Jam Jump Fix)	http://games.dylanwolf.com/ld32.1/
Windows	http://games.dylanwolf.com/ld32/LD32-Windows-dylanwolf.zip
Music	https://soundcloud.com/dylanwolf/ludum-dare-32-main-theme
Source	https://bitbucket.org/dylanwolf/ludumdare32
Original URL	https://ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-32/?action=preview&uid=20078

Ratings

Coolness	46%	1436
Overall	2.93	770

Audio	2.38	679
Fun	2.52	933
Graphics	2.93	634
Humor	2.61	615
Innovation	2.89	695
Mood	2.73	714
Theme	3.44	470

Feedback

peejaygee

20. Apr 2015 · 02:44 UTC

Like the idea behind the game, the jump mechanics are a little wonky, but overall I liked it.

🎤 dylanwolf

20. Apr 2015 · 03:28 UTC

I tried implementing a fancier jumping system than anything I've done before (jump higher if you hold down/are moving full speed), and I don't think I tweaked all the numbers quite right.

recursor

20. Apr 2015 · 11:31 UTC

Burning and freezing criminals under a heat lamp. Definitely unconventional.

insane66

20. Apr 2015 · 12:41 UTC

I kept trying to hit up to jump, trained muscle habit. If you hold space down every 3rd jump I was getting a double jump. Art is very nice. A little challenging to see the hero in the non lit areas (maybe just my monitor).

🎤 dylanwolf

20. Apr 2015 · 14:24 UTC

I couldn't reproduce the double jump, but if it detected you're grounded incorrectly (you're near a ledge, etc.), you'd definitely see that happen.

🎤 dylanwolf

20. Apr 2015 · 16:22 UTC

recursor: I started with the mechanic. Admittedly, once I was well into theming I realized it's way darker than I initially intended.

abuzreq

21. Apr 2015 · 19:52 UTC

As other have mentioned the jumping was bad :(
other than that I really liked the idea
I was also thinking of a scientific explanation of "light bending " :P

grillaface

22. Apr 2015 · 03:41 UTC

Graphics are really nice but the physics are kinda whack. I'll check out the post jam version!

GaTechGrad

22. Apr 2015 · 22:13 UTC

Nice game! I liked the lighting and particle effects. Using light as a weapon reminded me of Alan Wake.

pvwradtke

23. Apr 2015 · 01:50 UTC

Cool concept, one way to further improve it is to interact with other possible lights, and perhaps put some conditions to activate the special powers. Other than that, nice entry!

TeamQuadratic

23. Apr 2015 · 02:29 UTC

Interesting idea. The jumping, unfortunately, did not feel very good. The sounds effects also were kind of painful to listen to. With some work though I could see this being a pretty good game!

internetpaulicy

23. Apr 2015 · 02:39 UTC

This is really innovative. It combines tower defence thinking with platforming in an interesting way. I like the stacking of multiple powers and its cool to see metal-slug-esque doods to rescue. I think the jumping just needs to be tweaked so that you fall around the same speed that you go up.

chikun Dev Team

24. Apr 2015 · 03:32 UTC

Nice job. Though the game isn't too difficult, I think a life system to avert the one-hit kill and perhaps more aggressive enemies may make this game more compelling.

The core mechanic is very good, though, and further experimentation with the powers, and their acquisition and use, could be enough to make a fully-fledged action game. Good job!

AnnaGavaldaKedavra

25. Apr 2015 · 13:52 UTC

good idea but changing power is quite frustrating, i 'd have liked to do it with the mouse wheel!

SledKnight

30. Apr 2015 · 01:59 UTC

Responsiveness is lacking, but interesting concept. Nice art.