LudumData

Monster+Connect! by saguaro

[raw]
made by saguaro for LD30 (JAM)
A collision between the monster and human dimensions impacts everyone involved. When Jane's heart begins to fade, she learns she must find her human soulmate to mend it before her heart stops completely. The concept is a dual-window dating sim/adventure game in an 80's style where the player controls both characters.

Script and graphics by me, music by Li'l Magic. Made with Ren'Py and sheer force of will. A short game, but hopefully long enough to demonstrate the concept (and see a few fun monsters).

Update: Compo version no longer available, links go to post-compo
Windows https://saguarofoo.itch.io/monsterconnect
OS/X https://saguarofoo.itch.io/monsterconnect
Linux https://saguarofoo.itch.io/monsterconnect
Original URL https://ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-30/?action=preview&uid=14557

Ratings

Coolness 84% 2
Overall(Jam) 3.70 97
Audio(Jam) 3.45 196
Fun(Jam) 3.43 168
Graphics(Jam) 3.62 275
Humor(Jam) 3.79 43
Innovation(Jam) 3.79 63
Mood(Jam) 3.61 137
Theme(Jam) 4.07 24

Feedback

firstbass
26. Aug 2014 路 01:37 UTC
I believe your links are not working properly.
creative630
26. Aug 2014 路 02:07 UTC
Yeah, links broken. Looks like a cool game - would be keen to play it!
馃帳 saguaro
26. Aug 2014 路 02:10 UTC
Apologies everyone, I pasted the wrong link. The correct ones are up now.
firstbass
26. Aug 2014 路 02:33 UTC
I'm a sucker for visual novels, I really enjoyed this, although there seem to be a few bugs, the story is pretty nice and the game actually got me to chuckle. Love the effort put into this.
ShivaFang
26. Aug 2014 路 02:34 UTC
Links work now;
I liked it. Only weirdness is after you've 'lost' you keep anything you've done in the previous playthough.
billknye
26. Aug 2014 路 02:37 UTC
Interesting use of the theme, I think the plot could have been a bit more subtle, would have been more interesting go follow the story further between the collided dimensions. Also liked the art style.
bobrocks
26. Aug 2014 路 02:44 UTC
This was a cool little game, thanks for sharing! A couple little oddities, but not bad overall!
disease
26. Aug 2014 路 02:51 UTC
Awesome art. Everything reminded me of Wonderboy in Monsterland, which is always a good thing!
pixelspirit
26. Aug 2014 路 02:57 UTC
That was really cute, especially when they meet. what a nice couple! And the meeting w/ the bouncer made me laugh. Good job!
Chikun Dev Team
26. Aug 2014 路 03:19 UTC
Damn good.
I failed twice darnit. Ended up succeding.
The way you connected worlds is great, graphics fit very well, the mood was set by your use of the health.
I liked it alot.
- Bradley
OnlySlightly
26. Aug 2014 路 03:54 UTC
Awesome concept and execution. The aesthetic is awesome. I loved bouncing back between the two desperately trying to get them together
Shmarah
26. Aug 2014 路 04:00 UTC
I'm partial to visual novels/dating games, but no, really, I actually LOVE this game. My kind of humor, too. Splendid! Wish the health didn't go down so fast, though; I'm not that good at this if you can't tell! :-)
phaser
26. Aug 2014 路 04:16 UTC
I like the idea of controlling two characters at once. The story is kinda weak, I think you must continue developing this but pay big attention to gameplay (it needs to be more fun) and making the story more elaborated. I did like the idea of monster and human world colliding but it needs just a better argument. Good work!
KuGrou
26. Aug 2014 路 04:21 UTC
Cool setup and good writing. It would be nice to be able to explore more of the opposite dimension with each character.
GrooveMan
26. Aug 2014 路 22:10 UTC
Oh man this is some serious Ren'Py mastery - I definitely respect the behind-the-scenes working you'd have to do to make this work.

I am all for queer relationships and I'm all for monster people, so those are definitely boxes checked.

Also:
YOOOOO when the drum beat kicked in I've not had that kind of feeling since Porpentine's 'All I Want Is For All Of My Friends To Become Insanely Powerful'. Great job~
sorle
26. Aug 2014 路 22:48 UTC
wow thats amazing.
i love the mood and your kind of humor. Lukas Arts style :D
greate and unexpected way to use the theme. Thats why i love LD.
i really enjoyed your game!
LTPATS
27. Aug 2014 路 02:01 UTC
This was cool, I enjoyed it! I wasn't a huge fan of the time limit at first, but I understand that it goes along with the story. I liked being able to control each person and meet them up, this could definitely be expanded on to make something a bit more complex if you kept working on this. Overall, great job!
Robot Souls Games
27. Aug 2014 路 02:57 UTC
Very good. I like how you have a time limit. It adds desperation to the game.
Morusque
27. Aug 2014 路 22:32 UTC
Beautiful game.
Piscythe
29. Aug 2014 路 04:09 UTC
Not shown: the vast majority of the human and monster populations that died long before finding their soulmates, at least if the difficulty of this game was any indication. The story and graphics were good, but it was disconcerting having to restart three times because I didn't do everything just right. I understand the desperation aspect, but I think the time limit was too strict.
Franklins Ghost
30. Aug 2014 路 10:19 UTC
Great idea, pulled off really well. Obviously I liked the way you used the theme.
Traumendes_Madchen
30. Aug 2014 路 18:54 UTC
Interesting premise, too bad it's so short, I wanted more !
I guess I'm gonna forget my sorrow playing the new demo for The Censor then XD (I was waiting for it).
vividhelix
02. Sep 2014 路 03:28 UTC
This was really sweet. Took a few tries to get to the end, but it felt really rewarding. Almost like a mini "Gone Home" with aliens :) Great job!
SupSuper
03. Sep 2014 路 04:16 UTC
Really cool concept, would love to see it expanded.
dook
04. Sep 2014 路 21:05 UTC
Hehe that was really cute. The idea with two screens and characters trying to find each other worked well. It could definitely work as a longer game :)
DrCicero
06. Sep 2014 路 13:02 UTC
It feels strange that the human doesn't really have to anything, in fact going to the fortune teller made her loose too much heart for the final move.
Then, on my second attempt i rushed with the monster through the gate and only moved once with the human.

But i like two (simultaneous) players on a visual novel, cool idea!