The Beginning by Nuclear Napalm

made by Nuclear Napalm for LD30 (COMPO)

Minimalistic, challenging and mysterious 2D adventure of strange creature.
Complete the game to reveal the truth...

***PLAESE DO NOT RATE UNTIL YOU FINISH IT***
This game is really hard. If you can't complete it, check the walkthrough video to figure out what this game about.

***SIMPLIFIED VERSION***
Since a lot of people said that game is too difficult, I added the simplified version. Even my wife managed to complete it :)
I STRONGLY RECOMMEND you to try simplified version first!

***CONTROLS***
WASD or arrow keys - move character.
Other controls explained later in game.

***STAY IN TOUCH***
Follow me on Twitter: @NuclearNapalm

Thanks for your time!

Web	http://nuclearnapalm.com/2014/08/the-beginning-ld30/
Windows Original	http://nuclearnapalm.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Beginning_Win_by_NuclearNapalm.rar
Windows Simplified	http://nuclearnapalm.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Beginning_Win_Simple_by_NuclearNapalm.rar
Walkthrough video (spoilers!)	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsDNMcukSpg
Source	http://nuclearnapalm.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Beginning_source.rar
Original URL	https://ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-30/?action=preview&uid=38866

Ratings

Coolness	100%	1
Overall	3.27	496

Audio	2.63	607
Fun	2.99	617
Graphics	2.97	645
Humor	2.13	694
Innovation	2.86	773
Mood	3.31	292
Theme	2.78	848

Feedback

DragonMaster21

25. Aug 2014 · 04:54 UTC

Couldn't download. Gives me a page not found error.

ZoneOne2

25. Aug 2014 · 05:29 UTC

Yup, same here. Page not found error on the Windows download.

ploogle

25. Aug 2014 · 05:29 UTC

DragonMaster, try http:/nuclearnapalm.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Beginning_Win_by_NuclearNapalm.rar

🎤 Nuclear Napalm

25. Aug 2014 · 05:35 UTC

My bad. Link fixed!

ploogle

25. Aug 2014 · 05:39 UTC

Insanely hard! Reminds me of Thomas Was Alone and VVVVVV. Honestly man, keep working on this one. I had a blast with the first three levels but didn't have time to keep playing. :)

Super Hamster

25. Aug 2014 · 05:41 UTC

Norton didn't like one of the dlls.

Jupitron

25. Aug 2014 · 05:43 UTC

Nice overall mood, got lost though, in the red squeares level.

🎤 Nuclear Napalm

25. Aug 2014 · 05:48 UTC

ploogle, yeah it appeared much more hardcore than I expected :)

Jupitron, follow the hotspot

someone9999

25. Aug 2014 · 05:49 UTC

This is really fun, but difficult! Nice job. I rage quit on the stage where you needed to collect 2 food.

It would be nice if there were checkpoints in the levels.

🎤 Nuclear Napalm

25. Aug 2014 · 07:52 UTC

Hey guys!
Since this game appeared to a bit hardcore I added walkthrough video for those who can't complete the game - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsDNMcukSpg

🎤 Nuclear Napalm

25. Aug 2014 · 08:35 UTC

Also added web version for your convenience - http://nuclearnapalm.com/2014/08/the-beginning-ld30/

simileinchen

25. Aug 2014 · 10:17 UTC

Seems like good fun, still got stuck in the level with the red squares, could need some better orientation design. Maybe borders at least.

Nanofus

25. Aug 2014 · 10:45 UTC

A really fun game! Love the minimalistic design, however I would have added a bit more details to flesh out the large levels.

🎤 Nuclear Napalm

25. Aug 2014 · 11:13 UTC

Nanofus, thanks! Sure, it still requires a lot of polishing (visuals, physics), 2 days are not enough. But it playable at least :D

RegularSlinky

25. Aug 2014 · 11:55 UTC

Lots of mood in this for such a simple game. I couldn't work out the 3rd level though. I want to come back and try again later. Nice job.

🎤 Nuclear Napalm

25. Aug 2014 · 14:09 UTC

RegularSlinky, thanks for the kind words! Yeah, it seems that level 3 appears to be the most confusing, so I would recommend to check walkthrough video to save some time on it.

Empyrealhell

26. Aug 2014 · 05:11 UTC

For how long those levels are, going back to the start one one hit is pretty brutal. I was confused on level 3, so I tried a bunch of different stuff, and after watching the video, I just didn't have the patience to go through it that many times again.

Endurion

26. Aug 2014 · 07:13 UTC

Very nice, but really really tough.

The stages are way too long, either split them or add checkpoints.

MoArtis

26. Aug 2014 · 07:33 UTC

A nice entry but yeah the game is really challenging. :P [Spoiler]This kid will certainly be an hardcore gamer :)[/spoiler]

tommyboys0107

26. Aug 2014 · 07:52 UTC

It's difficult and challenging.

Time to play through a level is a little long.

ruerob

26. Aug 2014 · 09:08 UTC

Nice little game.I had to look in the video tutorial, because I was flying around in the level with the light and didn't know what to do. Maybe an explanation would help at this point. The rest was great and fun. Thank you.

Hippolyta

26. Aug 2014 · 15:37 UTC

A great game - had a lot of fun!

MyougaHiroshi

26. Aug 2014 · 15:37 UTC

Hardest game I've ever play, but still cool. Somehow I felt like playing a 18+ game, because of the character's movement xDDDD

kdunee

26. Aug 2014 · 15:39 UTC

Had to use a walkthrough for the part with red squares and light sphere (took a bit too many "bounces" in my opinion). Other than that it was a solid, challenging game.

Aglavra

26. Aug 2014 · 15:47 UTC

I played the simplified version till the end, and also tried the hardcore one. I liked the idea, although I guessed what this game is about when I reached third level.

okeedokeben

26. Aug 2014 · 16:10 UTC

Really cool concept, and the controls feel nice. If I had more patience, I might have stuck with the hardcore version. :)

mrexcessive

26. Aug 2014 · 17:05 UTC

Hi there. Interesting game, I like the passenger comments! nice pulse sounds too.

🎤 Nuclear Napalm

26. Aug 2014 · 18:54 UTC

Hippolyta, thanks!
MyougaHiroshi, haha, great!
kdunee, yeah, this level the most confusing, so I managed to add tutorial and reduce number of checkpoints in simplified version.
Aglavra, nice :)
mrexcessive, yeah, I belive that this commets really contribute to the story and the mood of the game.
Thank you all! I really appreciate it!

MyougaHiroshi

26. Aug 2014 · 19:05 UTC

Okay, I've played it more, and it makes more and more sense xDDDD

parahunter

26. Aug 2014 · 19:33 UTC

SPOILERS I liked the mechanics a lot. You really got a lot of mileage of out them. I can't see however how they have to do with growing inside your mother's womb. Could you explain?

tbamberg

26. Aug 2014 · 19:36 UTC

Neat. Played the simplified version, maybe I'll try the hardcore next :)

Tommislav

26. Aug 2014 · 20:35 UTC

I thought that I bounced off that white circle (the light). Very hard without any other preferences. When the "easy" version told me to follow the light I did not understand what the light was. Finally gave up and watched the video.
You set a really good mood, and agree with the commenter that this simplistic graphical style gives some Thomas Was Alone-vibes (which is good)

stasss

26. Aug 2014 · 23:06 UTC

Nice concept! Looks powerfull.

43iscoding

26. Aug 2014 · 23:07 UTC

Interesting game, yet pretty challenging (played hardcore version) Strong entry!

TinyMoonStudios

26. Aug 2014 · 23:45 UTC

Really quaint game with a nice concept if a bit hard in places.

IAmSpencer

27. Aug 2014 · 00:09 UTC

wow that was a very nice story, and the atmosphere was very lovely. The heartbeat was a nice touch to, very well done! :)

John Drury

27. Aug 2014 · 01:46 UTC

Love the minimalist style!

Geckoo1337

27. Aug 2014 · 05:02 UTC

Graphics are pleasant and mood atmospheric. Well done ++

Christian Scandariato

27. Aug 2014 · 05:31 UTC

Nice game! Gets pretty brutal near the middle.

AlucardX60

27. Aug 2014 · 06:53 UTC

Death, after death, after death I beat the hardcore version, somehow with my hair intact. Really loved the atmosphere here and the difficulty was a pleasant surprise because most LD games are either way to easy or stupidly hard. Only complaint was that level 3 had a really unclear goal without looking at a guide (which I didn't) but after guessing what the game's name meant I figured it out.

🎤 Nuclear Napalm

27. Aug 2014 · 07:23 UTC

AlucardX60, Wow! I really surprised that someone managed to beat hardcore version! Bravo!

Zolmeister

27. Aug 2014 · 07:35 UTC

Hard, but really good. Definitely impressive for only 48 hours.

Oxeren

27. Aug 2014 · 09:01 UTC

Interesting game, enjoyed it.

capsizedmoose

27. Aug 2014 · 11:40 UTC

nice one! a little hard but that's okay :D

yodamaster

27. Aug 2014 · 14:48 UTC

Lost in the red squares. Too much nothing happening there.

hexagore

27. Aug 2014 · 14:59 UTC

Love the difficulty, the graphics, the mood. It's cool. Not sure I like the icon you've got against the 'simplified version' on your webpage though :P

🎤 Nuclear Napalm

27. Aug 2014 · 16:12 UTC

@hezagore, haha, why so serious?(c)
Actually, my wife was a "difficulty check" for this version, so it's really version "for girls"))) Anyway, don't get it serious)

akymos

27. Aug 2014 · 16:49 UTC

Very nice game! Good job.

bazld

27. Aug 2014 · 17:16 UTC

Very enjoyable game to play, with interesting level design and ideas. I played the simplified version :)

nonetheless

27. Aug 2014 · 18:07 UTC

Dude it's hard. And totally amazing. One of my favorites. Incredible work!

mechabit

27. Aug 2014 · 21:11 UTC

I thought the game was about a sperm and egg but then the white circle ended up not being the egg. Who knew there were so many lasers and dangers inside the body?

crneumre

27. Aug 2014 · 22:57 UTC

Amazing work but the levels in the hardcore version are way too long for me to have enough patience to go back and fourth and die when i get the second food( :( )
I would recommend adding some kind of checkpoint for long levels like the fifth one.
Also in the fifth level where you get the pixel to the left ,there were times where i went too much to the left and got stuck in the wall resulting in that i couldn't move up so i died from the red rectangle which moves up and down.
But i will come back and try again.
Overall a fun and interesting experience well done!

awesomeusername

28. Aug 2014 · 02:17 UTC

Nice idea, nice interpretation of the theme. I played the simplified version and got to level 5 of the original version, and I was convinced I was a creature in some sort of lab. :P

Very well done.

tchem

28. Aug 2014 · 03:15 UTC

very interesting proposes... strange, unique and beautiful minimalism idea.... i loved it,,,, great work!!!

stephenhaney

28. Aug 2014 · 07:03 UTC

Wow - truly impressive. That's a lot of level design to cram into 48 hours! Great works, one of the best entries I've seen on here.

I don't even have any critiques. Yes, it's hard, but in the right way. There's a good feeling of accomplishment after finally clearing a tough stage.

CrefossusJam

28. Aug 2014 · 12:56 UTC

I thought the harder version was more fun because of the challenge of each individual obstacle, but didn't like that there were no checkpoints/the long levels.

The laser section was tedious because of the throw distance of the block. Instead just drop it? I liked the coloration change between picked up and dropped.

udo

28. Aug 2014 · 15:44 UTC

Played the web version, very tough. I have to admit that in the end I chickened out and used the walkthrough :/ Very nicely done!

ninjascript

28. Aug 2014 · 16:28 UTC

That was insanely tough. Well executed though!

AtomicVikings

28. Aug 2014 · 16:40 UTC

Amazing game, great ending! One of the best interpretations of the theme I have seen thus far! :)

nerd burglars

28. Aug 2014 · 17:12 UTC

Very original and very difficult. WIN! hardcore gaming fun!

MechanicMoon

28. Aug 2014 · 18:06 UTC

Thats simply amazing .. nice job dude! The sound really helps immerse you in the game

Pierrec

28. Aug 2014 · 19:32 UTC

How cute! I didn't see it coming. Good job! (I played the simplified version and it was hard enough for me :) )

fil00dl

28. Aug 2014 · 20:52 UTC

good length with many various situations

OFF

29. Aug 2014 · 06:32 UTC

Actually i see the end coming... in the video!
+1 to have finish yourself a really hard game(some people can't finish their own game! ;) )

The level design and mechanisme became more interesting (and so hard!) in the last levels/

Everything is well polished, design, movement, control, even the particles. As is said too hard for me, but a good game.

Hypnohustla

29. Aug 2014 · 06:53 UTC

Amazing game. Gameplay was very smooth. I had to switch to the simplified version to actually beat it. Glad I did, the story behind it all was very good. :)

Will Edwards

29. Aug 2014 · 11:15 UTC

+mood +graphics (yes, I really liked the minimalist style!)

There is nothing stronger than the bond between a woman and child ... except that between gamer and keyboard!

Damn difficult!

pikkpoiss

29. Aug 2014 · 16:06 UTC

Nice atmosphere and very interesting take on the theme. I also liked the gradual build-up of the player's abilities.

ReddogStone

29. Aug 2014 · 17:58 UTC

Wonderful game. Especially regarding the limited time. I really like thearcade elements and they're nicely intertwined with the story. Really beautiful.

ConflictiveLabs

29. Aug 2014 · 20:02 UTC

This was really difficult! I could only reach level 4. I really enjoyed the game though. Nice mood and puzzles were well designed.

5T4MP5

29. Aug 2014 · 23:16 UTC

It was interesting to play. Seems like there is a lot of room for development from your core mechanics. Blends exploration with tough, skill based gameplay really well.

pansapiens

30. Aug 2014 · 00:30 UTC

I really like the simple design of the corridors - just by throwing a few triangles protruding from the sides it becomes stylish and interesting.

Miziziziz

30. Aug 2014 · 03:01 UTC

I thought I was a bacteria floating in someone's gut...

AndyBrown

30. Aug 2014 · 05:59 UTC

That was a very enjoyable entry. Something about the way the light moves made it feel like the character bounced off it. I suppose it'd the lack of anything else around it to ground your location. The laser mechanics were fun and the final level was pretty intense!

Reverend Speed

30. Aug 2014 · 08:38 UTC

I had no idea I had to do so much to get born! My parents didn't give me enough credit. An elegant design, with appealing visuals! Great work for two days!

Oddly Shaped Pixels

30. Aug 2014 · 09:41 UTC

Really nice ambiance and overall look and feel. It's challenging but not too hard, really rewarding!

Almax27

30. Aug 2014 · 10:35 UTC

Lovely mood and the controls were tight, camera jitter was a little annoying (probably a frame behind, use LateUpdate() for your camera), overall excellent entry!

someone

30. Aug 2014 · 15:16 UTC

That was cool. Very hard though.

Franklins Ghost

30. Aug 2014 · 15:24 UTC

Liked the simplicity of the game and the text worked well in helping to set the mood.

TeamQuadratic

31. Aug 2014 · 06:38 UTC

This is some trippy good stuff

runvs

31. Aug 2014 · 08:09 UTC

Nice Game!
Graphics and audio are simple yet very effective. Could have gone with the Global Game Jam 2013 though (heartbeat).
Very challenging, but not unfair and I kind of like hard games. Very impressive job!

H1S2

31. Aug 2014 · 08:10 UTC

It is not very easy and I liked the Story. I'm really amazed by how many levels you managed to make. good job

gwa

31. Aug 2014 · 15:56 UTC

Cool minimalism style

vividhelix

31. Aug 2014 · 19:47 UTC

Great mood and feel, got lost on the third level (with the red squares) - maybe a minimap or some directional arrow would help to know where to go...

AlbertoSM

31. Aug 2014 · 21:54 UTC

I kept thinking this is one of those games where they trick you into playing a maze game and then scare you! hahaha
Nice execution and style! The first few levels can get a bit boring, though.

Shide

01. Sep 2014 · 10:52 UTC

Great!
Simple, but interesting gameplay, and plot is very intriguing.
And the plot-twist in the end really amazing!

elefantopia

01. Sep 2014 · 19:57 UTC

Controls are very good. I liked the minimal style.

EnigmAraigne

01. Sep 2014 · 20:10 UTC

I like the idea, but I had no fun with lvl 3, but still the hole project seems nice.

spotco

01. Sep 2014 · 21:48 UTC

Got spoiled by reading the blog post first :(

Wertle

02. Sep 2014 · 04:21 UTC

Fantastic twist at the end to bring all things into context! The drift in the mechanics added just enough subtle complexity to really set this apart as a puzzle game. Definitely difficult but you clearly have addressed this already. Really wonderful job!

Nick Weihs

02. Sep 2014 · 04:22 UTC

I really enjoyed this game having actually got to the end. Still a little baffled on the lasers. I feel like the mid levels were a bit overtuned and long, but you said you fixed that. Still, I think it ramped overall pretty well, and the ending was super great. Nice job.

Chaoseiro

02. Sep 2014 · 04:40 UTC

Amazing! A great game using simple graphics :D (finished original game)
I have only one complain: checkpoints please!

JoJoyX

02. Sep 2014 · 11:06 UTC

Great compo, I may try to finish in hardcore mode later :p

whalebot

02. Sep 2014 · 19:10 UTC

Nice work with this. Great interpretation of the theme.

ChuiGum

06. Sep 2014 · 00:10 UTC

Great game! Creative and nice graphics. Good job overall!