Above and Beyond by Yozz

[raw]
made by Yozz for LD29 (COMPO)
This is «Beneath and Above»

Your objective is to resist depression: the darker surroundings are, the closer depression is.

By clicking buttons on the left use points of love, music and nature to fill your body with positive emotions and make your heart strike faster.

When one of emotions will overwhelm your body, you will start to spread an aura to resist depression.

Each emotion regenerates with time. Aura, while it is present, generates additional points too - pick them.

Game tactics: fill yourslef with emotion and spread a full aura by holding one of 3 emotion buttons. Gather emotion icons inside your aura. Refill yourself with another emotion when you are out of points.

Ratings

Coolness 100% 1
Overall 2.79 928
Audio 2.49 699
Fun 2.18 1149
Graphics 3.41 393
Humor 1.97 887
Innovation 3.42 315
Mood 2.92 619
Theme 3.11 693

Feedback

manabreak
28. Apr 2014 · 06:19 UTC
Pretty original take on the theme there! The graphics are nice and minimalistic, which I liked. I didn't really understand if there's differences between love, music and nature or if I should sometimes use one instead of the other, but all of them seemed to repel depression so... I'm not depressed after this one. :)
GAFBlizzard
28. Apr 2014 · 06:20 UTC
Interesting idea. I was not fond of how you have to drain one emotion to use another one, and I wasn't sure what the different colors of enemies around the body meant. The graphics are nice!
dejant
28. Apr 2014 · 06:22 UTC
Nice game! I was happy for 3 minutes :)
madhoe
28. Apr 2014 · 06:26 UTC
Love the originality here, but it's really hard to understand how to really play the game. Also, a typo in the starting box: the buttons are on the RIGHT, not the left.
🎤 Yozz
28. Apr 2014 · 06:32 UTC
madhoe, thanks, i`ll correct it.
Logun
28. Apr 2014 · 06:36 UTC
Nice graphics.
The theme is nicely interpreted, but I don't understand every part of the gameplay ^^.
Music very cool, but started mute on my PC !
🎤 Yozz
28. Apr 2014 · 06:38 UTC
Logun, thanks a lot. Music has to be muted - i don`t want to scare people with sudden sound. That`s why thtere is a small popup telling you to turn on the music.
mtinkerhess
28. Apr 2014 · 06:46 UTC
I really like the textures inside the person! The music is really fun too, fits with the anti-depression mood.

I wasn't sure what decisions I was supposed to be making, in that way it feels like of like cookie clicker or something, just keep pressing the buttons.
PriorBlue
28. Apr 2014 · 06:53 UTC
The graphics are great, it looks a little bit like an advertising for the metro surface of windows 8. :D
shyupuff
28. Apr 2014 · 06:54 UTC
Interesting premise, instructions were a little ambiguous so I wasn't sure how to play at first. Overall I enjoyed the minimalism and this was really cool (:
Custard Games
28. Apr 2014 · 06:54 UTC
Gameplay kinda confused me a little I have to be honest. But I love the interpretation of the theme, and the vibrant colours.
Druid
28. Apr 2014 · 07:10 UTC
I was happy just for 2 minutes... So sad game XD But still, i like it!.
micdoodle8
28. Apr 2014 · 07:14 UTC
Awesome. I like the unique take on the theme, and the colourful visuals are nice as well!
muramasa
28. Apr 2014 · 07:26 UTC
After a second try and reading a little, I understood how to play it. It is kind of good. But after some time, and developing a "technique", this game ends up being pretty repetitive. After 10min I let myself get depressed.
🎤 Yozz
28. Apr 2014 · 07:32 UTC
muramasa, you're strong and optimistic :-)
schnüt
28. Apr 2014 · 08:13 UTC
It felt good to battle the negative emotions. Very uplifting game, it is quite easy, but that reminds that the bad thougts have no chance against the power of love, music and nature. :D
Aomeas
28. Apr 2014 · 08:18 UTC
Graphisms and Music are good!
But I haven't been in danger with depression around me, just clicking and holding buttons.
Difficulty should increase with time, maybe.
Techblogogy
28. Apr 2014 · 08:18 UTC
This game felt great!
theholychicken
28. Apr 2014 · 08:19 UTC
Reminds the observer of something they've felt before. That's essentially what art is for.
Liens
28. Apr 2014 · 08:22 UTC
Interesting concept. I would have the 'dark objects' flying at you disappear when they hit the forcefield otherwise it looks like they're getting through. Or maybe have some of them disappear and only one or two get through like on those germs vs soap ads haha.
John Drury
28. Apr 2014 · 08:31 UTC
Need more feedback when you collect points. overall was good.
terraco
28. Apr 2014 · 08:50 UTC
I don't remember depression being like this at all!

Being told to be happy after I lost when I felt like there was nothing I could do to change it. That's depression.
shuanDang
28. Apr 2014 · 08:52 UTC
The music didn't start until i reset it, and it added a lot to the game (got repetitive after a while, though). I stayed happy for about a minute and a half before getting tired of staying happy..
🎤 Yozz
28. Apr 2014 · 09:04 UTC
shuanDang, music has to be muted on start - i don`t want to scare people with sudden sound. That`s why there is a small popup telling you to turn on the music.
Dreii
28. Apr 2014 · 09:16 UTC
Really unique take on the theme, great graphics!
Reinkout
28. Apr 2014 · 09:22 UTC
Great mood, its completely different from what I've played so far. Thank you for this.
CustomPhase
28. Apr 2014 · 09:42 UTC
I didnt quite get, when i should use each of the buttons on the right, but i managed to last long enough to get bored. This seems rather esoteric, thougths provoking, than just fun game. And im the fan of seconds ones :) Neat visuals though.
tchem
28. Apr 2014 · 11:50 UTC
Awesome man,,, i loved it.... really cool idea,, graphics, theme originality.
neekobus
28. Apr 2014 · 12:20 UTC
Original setting. But I can't see the difference between the 3 elements.

Maybe you should make different "attacks" from the outside, and each elements (love, nature..) can defend from one better than other ?
🎤 Yozz
28. Apr 2014 · 12:31 UTC
neekobus, yes, dependences were planned but declined due to a lack of time.
Kimau
28. Apr 2014 · 12:41 UTC
Found it really confusing signals and feedback. Got it in the end. Really interesting take on the theme.
Hypnohustla
28. Apr 2014 · 12:58 UTC
Love the aesthetics. A bit hard to understand, even with all the instructions tho. But a solid and unique little game :)
darkflamejam
28. Apr 2014 · 13:03 UTC
Pretty good concept, not sure on the different types of aura?
morcosan
28. Apr 2014 · 13:34 UTC
not bad :)
thomz12
28. Apr 2014 · 13:36 UTC
very unique game, great job!
Muu?
28. Apr 2014 · 14:45 UTC
Three minutes of pure happiness!
howieV (binarygirl)
28. Apr 2014 · 14:47 UTC
i like it.. i just kept clicking love as the other seemed to just drain me.. liked the gfx :)
Gins
28. Apr 2014 · 14:57 UTC
Very nice concept, it's a bit repetitive though, as it seems one emotion always fills up enough to keep the game running once you figure out how to not waste your emotions, so I died on purpose after 7-8 minutes.
Very nice and relaxing music and smooth graphics.
Would have been interesting to have the music change depending on your emotional status or some unique aspects to each emotion.
ioboi
28. Apr 2014 · 15:05 UTC
Interesting concept and interpretation of the theme :)
I like the soundtrack.
bzizizi
28. Apr 2014 · 15:28 UTC
Overall good, mechanics need a rework.
hexabeast
28. Apr 2014 · 15:42 UTC
This game is really sad x) but very original!
Pietro Ferrantelli
28. Apr 2014 · 15:52 UTC
Well Done. I love the graphics and the idea ! Very original ! Congratulations :)
Agreon
28. Apr 2014 · 16:06 UTC
A nice idea but i don't get what the diffrent emotions do ^^
jtpup0
28. Apr 2014 · 17:06 UTC
At first I had no idea what to do even with the instructions.. but that added some fun onto discovering what each aura did and where to find a balance.. also the visuals were aesthetically pleasing
gigitrix
28. Apr 2014 · 17:14 UTC
Nice idea but as others have said I'd like to see some differences between emotions/more strategic reasons to use different things.
donan
28. Apr 2014 · 17:19 UTC
Good concept. Really original :D
GiveMeAllYourCats
28. Apr 2014 · 17:34 UTC
Not really a challange and I was confused on what to choose so I kept filling heart because the others dont seem to matter much. But bonus points for making something inovative
Lacaranian
28. Apr 2014 · 19:36 UTC
Good art and concept! I wasn't sure what was keeping (or if anything was keeping) the shields large, but I did stave off depression for a good while. Cool!
Caridorc
28. Apr 2014 · 20:40 UTC
Pretty average, nothing incredible.
jotson
28. Apr 2014 · 21:06 UTC
It's pretty but I have no idea what to do.
jancsiba5
28. Apr 2014 · 21:28 UTC
Very good game :)
bakpakin
28. Apr 2014 · 21:58 UTC
Interesting, but without an end goal, I don't really see the point. It was relaxing, though.
ENDESGA
28. Apr 2014 · 22:13 UTC
Amazing idea you have here. I love it :)
longshorts
28. Apr 2014 · 22:27 UTC
"Try and be happier next time"

FINE THEN I WILL GAME!
Actually that's a lie, I'm pretty happy. Because I played your game. No really. Very charming, original and I loved the graphics.
DarkMeatGames
28. Apr 2014 · 22:40 UTC
Wow, really catchy tune, really liked it! I liked the concept a lot too, but had wished that those bad things would have been blocked by my aura, yo! I couldn't tell if I was doing it right/wrong until I died, maybe some more feedback of some kind would help. Great start though, keep it up!
mollymus
28. Apr 2014 · 23:00 UTC
Had to read the comments to figure out the music wasn't broken, good thing I went back though cause the music's awesome!=) Felt like it was a bit too easy though, couldn't lose until I decided to see what happend if I stoped playing:7
friken
28. Apr 2014 · 23:01 UTC
i enjoyed the feel of the graphics and the concept, very cool.
Ithildin
28. Apr 2014 · 23:03 UTC
The concept is quite original, if a bit hard to get.
Also, I liked the cheerful tone of the music.

Nice job!
evilDan
29. Apr 2014 · 01:11 UTC
Pretty cool game, super interesting concept - but this game NEEDS some music/sound!!!
Sestren
29. Apr 2014 · 01:57 UTC
I'm not sure if I found a bug or an exploit or not, but it seems like just holding down one of the buttons after awhile keeps you protected indefinitely. The visuals and the concept are neat, but I do wish it were more of a challenge.
sugarbyte
29. Apr 2014 · 02:10 UTC
Cute graphics and music. Really did not get how such cheerful mood translated into fighting depression, or how the game connected to beneath the surface.
IAmSpencer
29. Apr 2014 · 02:20 UTC
Fun and clever idea. Graphics are clean and nice, rapid mouse clicking hurts but is fun non the less lol good job :)
harleylaurie
29. Apr 2014 · 02:23 UTC
Seems interesting but the mechanics are a little confusing.
Is it actually possible to lose?
I cant tell if there is any difference between using love, music or flower, they all seem to do the same thing.
FatJoe
29. Apr 2014 · 02:29 UTC
Interesting idea, got the hang of it and manage 2 minutes of happiness. I like the take on the theme and the feel of the game, good subject.
Skywilly
29. Apr 2014 · 06:06 UTC
Great theme adaptation !
Sergraz
29. Apr 2014 · 09:12 UTC
Playing this felt nice.
jitendragarg
29. Apr 2014 · 11:17 UTC
I am unable to play it on web or download the game. It looks so interesting to play. But, I just can't get it.

Can anyone rehost the windows version of the game somewhere?
🎤 Yozz
29. Apr 2014 · 12:11 UTC
You can`t download or run it?
SoupWithBits
29. Apr 2014 · 13:22 UTC
I don't know what's going on but I'm happy :D
BlazingFanfish
29. Apr 2014 · 13:52 UTC
Quite hard to understand. At least I managed to get about 3 minutes.
Pinktreeleaf
29. Apr 2014 · 15:43 UTC
Very hippie game. nice interesting take on the theme.
PaperBlurt
29. Apr 2014 · 16:30 UTC
Deep and simple.
Maybe a bit too simple.
But fun to see something different in Ludum Dare and something that tackles a real problem...
vigrid
29. Apr 2014 · 17:06 UTC
I'm afraid I couldn't figure out how do the controls affect the state of the game. Was it just pressing a button and waiting for the aura to grow? Having at least some sound for different auras would be great.
UltimateWalrus
29. Apr 2014 · 17:50 UTC
It's a good effort. I have some hopefully constructive criticism, intended to help with your game design (not to be insulting!). This game is a perfect example of starting with a narrative first, and then trying to superimpose gameplay for whatever suits the narrative you're trying to tell. This method of game design puts the actual design last, making the game less fun. There really is no gameplay here, I'm just holding buttons and there are no interesting decisions to be made or challenge to be had.

Props for making something and entering Ludum Dare, but next time I would try to make people feel emotions through actual gameplay rather than spelling it out. If you want the player to know depression, than make gameplay and atmosphere that evokes a similar feeling, don't just say "you are depressed."
aaronjbaptiste
29. Apr 2014 · 19:10 UTC
Pretty cool, even if I didn't really know what I was doing half the time!
Udell Games
29. Apr 2014 · 21:31 UTC
Interesting idea, would have been nice to be able to see how much of each emotion I had left. Also that music is a really weird choice for the theme of depression. Waaaay too happy.
Oddly Shaped Pixels
29. Apr 2014 · 21:51 UTC
I like the idea and the visuals are great. After playing a while I wonder if there's a end to the game? I try to gather stuffs but the points don't seem to show, maybe some feedbacks (visual or with sounds) could help.
noom
30. Apr 2014 · 04:54 UTC
I was a little confused as to what the goal was at first but I got the hang of it, I felt though a little bored as the match progressed it didn't really get more difficult and I felt it wasn't going anywhere. It was a nice concept though, I could see something like this being used in a children's game to help educate them about conditions such as depression.
Hermes
30. Apr 2014 · 11:54 UTC
Nice game.
oranebeast
30. Apr 2014 · 23:03 UTC
This was amazing, I letirally could not stop playing.
starpixie
01. May 2014 · 06:01 UTC
Nice complete little game. Wasn't immediately apparent I had to click on the hearts, music notes, and flowers generated onscreen to get more points. I originally thought I could mix the three states for more happiness, but gameplay proved that was wrong. Really upbeat music track! Looked super professional. Once I figured out the gameplay I think I could have played forever, so maybe you could work on balance a bit, or have an end-state after a certain amount of time that reads, "you have control over your depression!" or something.
tomvert
01. May 2014 · 10:37 UTC
Interesting take on the theme, but the game is confusing and it's hard to understand what's going on. But keep it up !
danialhyatt
01. May 2014 · 20:12 UTC
Very clean, good presentation! Kinda tiring though, and the failure message is a bit condescending, works against the feeling of the game. Definitely made me smile, beautiful idea!
Brian Stegmann
02. May 2014 · 00:58 UTC
Really beautiful and crisp graphics, but I wasn't sure what was supposed to keep me from just holding any given button.
jsspiegel
02. May 2014 · 01:44 UTC
Nice idea, and good graphics too! Just a tad to easy and "lacking a goal" though, not that a game necessarily needs one!
jsspiegel
02. May 2014 · 01:45 UTC
Nice idea, and good graphics too! Just a tad too easy and "lacking a goal" though, not that a game necessarily needs one!
PlasterPhantom
02. May 2014 · 07:54 UTC
Graphics are pretty cool! :)
GamerTaters
03. May 2014 · 10:14 UTC
Nice interpretation of the theme. Had to click a whole lot, but I felt happy.
BadPaul34
17. May 2014 · 11:24 UTC
That's such a great concept but I didn't resist to the depression very long haha! Nice graphics and colors, maybe it would have been great to see the effects of love, music and nature with music for example :)