RED Thread by NickZangus

[raw]
made by NickZangus for LD30 (COMPO)
An Ancient Chinese proverb says that "An invisible red thread connects those destined
to stay together. The thread can be tightened or tangle, but will never be broken".
Two lovers... two hearts... two worlds... ...connected by a strong link
But in real life, if this link is put to the test, it can break...
Don't let distance or adverse circumstances (even a lava lake!) dissolve this link...
Keep it ALIVE!

*NOTE*
Except the resolution of critical bugs that affect gameplay, I will not posting new versions until the end of Ludum Dare voting stage (15 Sep 2014). Follow the game on Game Jolt for future updates!
________
CONTROLS
Right/Left Arrows - Move Right/Left
Up Arrow - Jump
Down Arrow - Switch Character
A/Z - Shorten/Elongate Thread
__________
POST-COMPO
I will add:
-More levels
-Soundtrack
-Less slippery floors
-Less slick surfaces
-Less icy platforms :-)
-Screen-shake!
-More in-air control
...other suggestions? Let me know!
_______
TWITTER Do you like RED thread? Do you want to know about future updates? Follow me on Twitter! https://twitter.com/NickZangus
_____
EMAIL NickZangus@gmail.com

Ratings

Coolness 100% 1
Overall 3.84 71
Audio 2.81 482
Fun 3.65 124
Graphics 4.23 45
Humor 3.02 199
Innovation 3.80 133
Mood 3.61 124
Theme 3.87 109

Feedback

thedashdude
25. Aug 2014 · 01:27 UTC
Really fun, but it felt like ice physics.
anssipe
25. Aug 2014 · 01:32 UTC
Wow... Awesome entry! even its unity...
panurge
25. Aug 2014 · 03:35 UTC
Wow, first game played this Ludum Dare and it's a corker! Beautiful concept, elegantly executed. I loved Balancitos so knew I would enjoy this. Great stuff!
BloodJohn
25. Aug 2014 · 09:28 UTC
Awesome parallax. Good puzzle.
Ossi
25. Aug 2014 · 09:31 UTC
Amazing game! The sliding of the characters took a while to get accustomed to. I'd prefer more stopping control for this kind of platforming style, though.
Kedume Bits
25. Aug 2014 · 09:33 UTC
I love this game. Nice concept and graphics, and nice perspective change when moving from side by side. I hate the inertia of the lovers.
rex64
25. Aug 2014 · 09:48 UTC
Extremely well done!
falcon11445
25. Aug 2014 · 12:08 UTC
It sometimes felt like you were on ice
jsspiegel
25. Aug 2014 · 12:09 UTC
Very interesting mechanic, love the use of theme. Graphics are fantastic, and the 2D/3D effect is amazing :) Only criticism, like the other commenters, is too much sliding
mrbungle
25. Aug 2014 · 12:10 UTC
I'm in love with your graphics! Great concept, neat little game.
Slooowpoke
25. Aug 2014 · 12:10 UTC
Sliding was a pain in the arse. I like the idea and the game is very polished. The sliding was my only real complaint and maybe the SFX were a bit loud. Apart from that its really well made! I don't have much at fault with it.
royvanrijn
25. Aug 2014 · 12:18 UTC
What a lovely game! Very nice graphics, good balance, nice levels... With a bit of touch-adjustment it would be perfect as iOS/Android casual game, I can totally see it working on mobile devices, the style looks production ready.
Colapsydo
25. Aug 2014 · 12:22 UTC
Fun mechanic, the physic of the link is creating nice dynamic.
I had some troubles with the friction on ground, and the edge limit to jump, but this are details.
As always: Love wins, Lava burns.
hoyt hoy
25. Aug 2014 · 12:24 UTC
I really liked!
This form to use 3D with fixed camera to simulate a 2D with perspective was amazing! Graphics simple and charismatic ^^
But the the controls is difficult and everything look made of ice!
sapermysz
25. Aug 2014 · 12:26 UTC
Very nice conncept
xrm0
25. Aug 2014 · 14:23 UTC
Very nice game!. Only thing to complain is that the sliding in the floor is not very nice.
Lokiman
25. Aug 2014 · 16:18 UTC
This game fits the theme perfectly. I love the "3D" camera. But the floor is very slippery :D :D :D
Wertle
25. Aug 2014 · 19:57 UTC
I love the concept and wish I'd gotten to do more levels with the string lengthing/shortening. I got stuck on the level with the lava balls because the tuning on the jump and movement is such that it's very easy to overcorrect on the ground but undercorrect when in air, so those precision jumps are killer. Definitely something that can be tuned, though. I also had a little simulation sickness with the rotating of the camera, even though it was a neat visual effect. Nice work.
creative630
26. Aug 2014 · 01:52 UTC
An awesome submission. Plays well and looks even better!
rnlf
26. Aug 2014 · 09:20 UTC
Finally a Unity game that with a correctly labelled Web entry and that has unique style and doesn't look like crap. Well done!

The game was really fun but a bit hard to control sometimes, especially the jumps. Also A/Z doesn't really work well on non English keyboard layouts.

But I really enjoyed it!
Lars Faust
26. Aug 2014 · 13:05 UTC
I love the camera work here, the tilting and movement of it.
It is also one of the few platformers i am seeing here that does not consist of the old upside-down double world gimmick.

The controls couldve felt a bit tighter, but the physics of the bond worked really well. Very good entry.
ponywolf
26. Aug 2014 · 15:33 UTC
Wow! That' a lot of work for a Compo entry. Tighten up the physics and you have a real winner here...
hexagore
26. Aug 2014 · 15:34 UTC
This is beautiful, very nice
Floko
26. Aug 2014 · 15:42 UTC
Neat! I like the graphics , and It's hilarious because it seems like they don't care when the other one dies. They just make a face like "meh, whatever..." xD

The controls are a bit rough and slippery, but it was pretty fun overall . Nice job :)
Hoopsnake Games
26. Aug 2014 · 15:49 UTC
Nice interesting gameplay, very nice art style. Well done!
mess110
26. Aug 2014 · 15:51 UTC
cool game
Donar
26. Aug 2014 · 16:07 UTC
I really like the thing you did with the perspective. I think the controls feel a bit weird but still a nice game.
SaintHeiser
26. Aug 2014 · 17:09 UTC
Visuals looking good. Like how world rotating.
Can't beat level with falling fireballs from top. Because of non-responsable controls.
Fortyseven
26. Aug 2014 · 17:19 UTC
Terrific idea, and looks great! If the controls for platforming were a bit more forgiving, this would easily be among the top ten here.
primaerfunktion
26. Aug 2014 · 17:57 UTC
Really smart mechanic and sweet presentation. Really great work!
PixlWalkr
26. Aug 2014 · 18:42 UTC
Good game, enjoyed playing it :)
Otrora
26. Aug 2014 · 21:14 UTC
We are always crossing lava pits for them
parahunter
26. Aug 2014 · 22:37 UTC
Very pretty game! That small tilt of the camera when you switch characters is a nice touch. In the level with the many high platforms going up and down the controls felt a bit too imprecise and the jumping sound good a bit annoying. Otherwise really good job.
Lissar
26. Aug 2014 · 23:47 UTC
Super cute game! It felt really polished.
bushmango
27. Aug 2014 · 02:35 UTC
Really cute! Nice use of graphics. Controls could be a bit tighter.
DrPrettyPatty
27. Aug 2014 · 05:20 UTC
Amazing work man, the only criticism I have is that the controls were pretty loose. The graphics, concept and design were phenominal! I really enjoyed the little touches like the physics blocks when you die and the slight change in perspective when you move horizontally as well.
KevinZuhn
27. Aug 2014 · 12:07 UTC
The final level was a bit of a struggle, and I kept misusing the 'shorten' button and getting stuck. But by slapping my keyboard a few times I discovered that pressing Z would lengthen the string again. I don't think you said that anywhere in the game, and I guess it wasn't necessary to do for most of the levels. I like the aesthetic and the parallax effect.
pLaw
27. Aug 2014 · 15:56 UTC
Nice art style. Well executed! Controls are a bit fiddly on QWERTZ-Keyboards ;)
Pinqu
27. Aug 2014 · 18:36 UTC
Very nice :) Great concept and good looking final product.
SnoutUp
27. Aug 2014 · 21:38 UTC
I like this very very much.
nikki93
28. Aug 2014 · 01:52 UTC
Loved the graphics and idea. But I couldn't get A/Z to work on my keyboard. :(
dickpoelen
28. Aug 2014 · 09:33 UTC
The controls can be a bit finnicky, but other than that: great game!
havana24
28. Aug 2014 · 09:38 UTC
Well made! I love the way you switch between characters graphically! :)
pythong
28. Aug 2014 · 10:13 UTC
cute little game, love the 3dview effect
rogueNoodle
28. Aug 2014 · 11:04 UTC
Love the look of this entry - cute character designs and the perspective shift as you move across the level and switch characters is a subtle and perfect effect. The controls were a little touchy, leading to a few frustrating deaths, but the level designs were effective. It seemed like the levels should restart after death, so that platform placement is the same each time you make an attempt. It was most noticeable on the level with the six vertically rising platforms - after some deaths, I'd have to wait a bit for the first platform to be usable.

Awesome entry overall - looking forward to seeing a post-compo version if it comes about :)
Vinyl Pixels
28. Aug 2014 · 11:37 UTC
Another great entry! Awesome, loved the graphics and the mood.
MerlijnVH
28. Aug 2014 · 19:46 UTC
Great entry! I love the visual style, especially the camera effect when you switch characters. The characters are super cute, too. The gameplay works well, a bit tricky at times but original and fun.
Boberro
28. Aug 2014 · 22:37 UTC
Very solid, very self-contained. Great entry.
Unfortunately I had a bug that doesn't let me finish the game - sometimes thread does not change it's length unless you switch characters.
Cash
29. Aug 2014 · 20:31 UTC
Pretty good,good job doing something awesome in only 2 days
Jupiter_Hadley
30. Aug 2014 · 00:06 UTC
Super well done. Very nice graphics, and smooth gameplay. I included it in part 11 of my Ludum Dare 30 compilation video series :) http://youtu.be/1LqxxVg5Vuk
Two Scoop Games
30. Aug 2014 · 00:34 UTC
I really like the swifting of the levels perspective as you move from side to side. Fun simple and clean graphics. Interesting concept, first time I have seen this!
doomista
30. Aug 2014 · 11:48 UTC
Too much sliding, web version has very badly placed spawn points, it keeps killing the characters, awesome graphics and concept
badlydrawnrod
30. Aug 2014 · 13:47 UTC
This is a great, original, well-executed game with an excellent core mechanic. The slight 3D look of it only adds to the overall feel.

I felt the sounds were a little generic (bfxr?) and the absolutely cute graphics are crying out for an equally cute soundtrack.

Overall - great game.
Menesetsu
30. Aug 2014 · 15:19 UTC
Very good game! I've curse everything while trying to pass the the level with upcoming lava, very hardcore :)
lorniebear
31. Aug 2014 · 12:42 UTC
I really like it! Especially the look on her face when he dies!
AmmoreChicks
31. Aug 2014 · 12:59 UTC
Very nice game. Congrats!
Hyoga-3D
31. Aug 2014 · 23:21 UTC
Very well polished, good entry.
Allchimik
01. Sep 2014 · 09:53 UTC
The downloadable version of the game crashes at the end of each level. But the game is really great.
🎤 NickZangus
01. Sep 2014 · 11:06 UTC
@Allchimik Bug resolved... Thanks for reporting it!
xandy
01. Sep 2014 · 14:48 UTC
amazing take on the theme and fantastic gameplay!
ramoncb
01. Sep 2014 · 22:09 UTC
the game has a really 'tied' gameplay! (sorry the bad joke! xD)

really nice! good job!
tbam
03. Sep 2014 · 19:53 UTC
Great game, only complaint is the friction
Erkberg
03. Sep 2014 · 21:57 UTC
Nice mechanic, lovely visuals, good job!
egos
04. Sep 2014 · 01:35 UTC
love art style i try to win every time with rope control but .... not
GFM
04. Sep 2014 · 02:28 UTC
The camera movement is really interesting. I don't think I've seen that before! :)

The game is also fun. I liked how the thread constraint the movement. It allowed some interesting gameplay. :)
syauqy
04. Sep 2014 · 07:42 UTC
awesome, like this!! :D
Simon
04. Sep 2014 · 10:17 UTC
Very cool game to play and looking good too. I like the way you interpreted the theme, this is exactly what I feel is behind this theme. The jump control is a bit weird but overall this is really a great entry, good job!
Naytron
04. Sep 2014 · 13:11 UTC
How did you achieve the anaglyph effect? The whole thing looks fantastic and super polished. Difficulty was just right for the length of the game. Great concept and execution.
Snicklodocus
04. Sep 2014 · 21:58 UTC
Great art style and cool mechanics. The camera was very unique and set a good mood. On level 2, the characters kept sticking to walls which I thought was a bug, but looking back I had just shortened the thread by accident, before I knew that was possible! Overall, I enjoyed it!
ButtonMasherBros
05. Sep 2014 · 15:57 UTC
Pssst! You are in todays episode of Ludum Dare to Believe! Check it out at - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXaZCdM5i9o
sputnik
05. Sep 2014 · 20:28 UTC
Very nice! Really good entry!
ChuiGum
05. Sep 2014 · 23:31 UTC
Love the graphics! Innovation 5 stars! Awesome game, well done!!
RevoluGame
06. Sep 2014 · 08:23 UTC
Really nice ! Good job
vividhelix
07. Sep 2014 · 07:05 UTC
Great idea and awesome execution - maybe a bit more friction on the ground to prevent sliding...
SteveSalmond
07. Sep 2014 · 09:54 UTC
I think the core gameplay hook here is my favourite of all the LD entries I've played (100+ now). Really well done Nick!
Snoother
07. Sep 2014 · 12:28 UTC
Really good gameplay mechanic with some well-thought out level design.
Steven Colling
07. Sep 2014 · 15:16 UTC
This 3D background effect is really nice! Others already talked about my basic complaints like the physics, but anyway good job!
Jedi
08. Sep 2014 · 06:33 UTC
This is awesome! Love the minimal style with the tiny bits of flair.

There's a little bug that occasionally keeps me from moving one character left or right, despite how many times I switch characters. I wish it had music, too.

Other than that, it was really fun! Well done!
kristoffer zetterberg
09. Sep 2014 · 19:00 UTC
pros:
+ graphics!
+ those visual effects!!
+ super sweet!
+ design and concept!!

cons:
- tiring, stereotypical gender representations
- too hard for me!
- slippery controls

great work overall!
gillenew
10. Sep 2014 · 01:36 UTC
Very well done and nice style too :)
local minimum
11. Sep 2014 · 18:16 UTC
Great graphics, fantastic structure for a puzzle platformer and really fun and smooth playing. That said, one thing felt like a real pity and shadowed the experience. You set out with a nice symmetrical love scenario. My problem is the gender biases and the heteronormativity. Especially in the first couple of levels the female character lack agency, especially on level two when she is put in a pit. For all or most levels you start out as the blue guy. None of this is really inherent in your symmetrical premise. Rather it is completely unnecessary. Don't get me wrong. This was a really good game, and I rated it high in general.

My three step suggestion program:

1. Randomize which character gets placed in which position.
2. For each character, instead randomize independently if it is blue or pink. Which would give a 25% B-B 25% P-P and 50% B-P/P-B outcome.
3. Randomize all character decorations not only color independent of the other decorations. Specifically, have the eye-lashes equally probable on blue as on pink.
simplesmiler
12. Sep 2014 · 14:04 UTC
Awesome!