Inner War by KickBack

[raw]
made by KickBack for LD29 (JAM)
Here is our entry for the Ludum Dare Jam 29!

It's our first time doing this. It's an adventure-ish kind of game (no puzzles!), with a unique dialogue choosing method. It also has 4 different endings :P

Most of the characters were taken from our only game "Lost Echo". A lot of the music is also original but most of it is from bits and pieces we had already. Everything else was made from scratch.

Controls:
WASD: Move
Mouse: Aim
Left Click: Attack
Right Click: Block
Left Click (while holding down right): Push Back

You have to guide the "emotions" you want to the surface (mostly by killing the other emotion).

Ratings

Coolness 94% 2
Overall(Jam) 3.89 42
Audio(Jam) 3.56 153
Fun(Jam) 3.13 292
Graphics(Jam) 4.51 30
Humor(Jam) 2.58 362
Innovation(Jam) 4.24 6
Mood(Jam) 3.81 85
Theme(Jam) 3.81 71

Feedback

gapgen
28. Apr 2014 · 19:48 UTC
Interesting idea! The production values were great, although the minigame was kinda hard to control (maybe on a second playthrough it'd be more intuitive).
baykush_figtree
28. Apr 2014 · 19:52 UTC
You've done an outstanding work with the lights and the overall mood.
The idea of mixing up a "visual novel" style game with defense mechanics was quite interesting! I think that it would be really if the story was responsive to the defense gameplay in real time rather than bein a long alternative to a text box.
Good work!
CupcakeMedia
28. Apr 2014 · 20:01 UTC
Ha. Ok, interesting idea and you have the graphical assets to back it up. The actual controls could have been more polished though. As nice as it looks, it plays kinda ... statically, rigidly, flatly. Although it might just be that I don't like those kinds of controls.

I'll say this, for LD - this is a really good game, with the combat mechanics that slightly lessen the game, but the variety of combat areas at least make me want to keep playing to see what you've thought of next.
elefantopia
28. Apr 2014 · 20:11 UTC
WOW! An adventure twin stick shooter-y thing with gorgeous graphics and great mood. Indecision is a favorite topic of mine. Or is it?
theengineers
29. Apr 2014 · 13:14 UTC
Really interesting work. Try making it a little more intuitive.
DustyStylus
29. Apr 2014 · 15:03 UTC
Cool concept realised with really top notch graphics! There were some bits I wanted to skip, not due to content, just impatience on my part! ;D (I also got pushed into a corner awkwardly in one of the mini games and got stuck... bit like being on the subway in rush hour really...)
DMinsky
29. Apr 2014 · 15:13 UTC
Just great.
Lyje
29. Apr 2014 · 15:20 UTC
Wanted to keep playing and playing to get the different endings - a great idea for Ludum Dare. Lovely graphics, they are standout!
Zephyr
29. Apr 2014 · 16:29 UTC
Wow, awesome idea. The graphics look great, the music fits perfectly. It's an awesome take on the theme. Well done!
Shigor
29. Apr 2014 · 16:32 UTC
That's pretty good concept, congrats
Simon@LD
29. Apr 2014 · 16:33 UTC
Very nice interpretation of the theme! I also really liked the way you use the screen space (with the two game modes). Nice graphics too. Only remark i have: moving in the minigame felt quite clunky. Aside from that, a great entry!
FyberOptic
29. Apr 2014 · 16:35 UTC
This was a great concept! I really like the idea that you don't actually have control of the character, but of the internal battle of decision-making. The one downside is that it ends up being short since you have to script everything, but you still got a lot done in the time limit. Good visuals, good audio, and an overall fun little game. Good job!
pLaw
29. Apr 2014 · 16:38 UTC
Wow! Stunning graphics, and a nice take on the Theme. I'm not a fan of cutscenes in games but this impressed me.
Afal
29. Apr 2014 · 20:31 UTC
Loving the theme of this game. Not sure how I can get all the endings though (found 3 so far)...
Kuchalu
29. Apr 2014 · 20:38 UTC
This is awesome! Really great effort, it looks and sounds great and there is a lot of attention to detail which is cool. Thanks for sharing!
InvisibleWonder
30. Apr 2014 · 02:35 UTC
Well made. The controls need a bit responsiveness to changes in direction, though.
xensky
30. Apr 2014 · 15:22 UTC
incredible game. I love the juxtaposition of the inner and outer struggles of this poor dude. Also I like that it wasn't glitchy. the indecisive ending was kinda hilarious.
Frump
30. Apr 2014 · 15:32 UTC
Excellent! Completely unique and unexpected. I enjoyed it a lot. It also reminded me to drop off my rent cheque!
mrexcessive
30. Apr 2014 · 15:37 UTC
Hi. That's a novel mechanic... reminds me of cartoons with devils and angels on shoulders. Look and feel amazing, the operational mechanics of the spike/sword to destroy the little guys is a bit troublesome. I can see how this could lead to a great world to explore with a mixture of choice and skill to even exercise that choice.
sP0CkEr2
01. May 2014 · 02:51 UTC
really interesting idea - the controls were a bit tiff tho - very cool effects on some of the sequences - great job
Lukbebalduke
01. May 2014 · 03:13 UTC
OMG. Really man, NICE WORK ! Nice ! :D
adamwoolridge
01. May 2014 · 08:14 UTC
Good use of two game types!
Charimation
01. May 2014 · 10:07 UTC
Absolutely wonderful :D Really nice concept and I love the integration of the two game types! Really cool ^^
ArcturusDeluxe
01. May 2014 · 13:59 UTC
This is awesome! The interaction between the two layers of game is really fascinating. I like the slightly dystopian art style. Really cool.
simplesmiler
01. May 2014 · 18:14 UTC
Gorgeous visuals. Great use of theme. Top marks.
GamerTaters
03. May 2014 · 07:09 UTC
Great look and presentation. Liked your interpretation of the theme. Very unique. Nice work.
Dreii
03. May 2014 · 07:15 UTC
Wonderful graphics! that guy just cant get a break!
DarknessFades
03. May 2014 · 19:12 UTC
I cant run game :C
TeamFlare
04. May 2014 · 16:55 UTC
wonderful game, although I didn't get what I am suppost to do the first time the defence mode started
JavadocMD
06. May 2014 · 22:23 UTC
Pretty neat conceptually! I feel like maybe the "inner war" sections could be faster paced and/or more challenging to keep me more engaged.
RowdyGhosts
07. May 2014 · 05:55 UTC
I think Greg would be a lot happier if he had a keyboard and mouse ; ) Very cool idea and nice graphics. What's the fourth ending???
Waterman7
07. May 2014 · 15:26 UTC
What a great concept and execution! I would love to see this developed further.
🎤 KickBack
08. May 2014 · 16:20 UTC
Hey everyone, thank you so much for the comments! We are really excited that a lot of people seem to like the concept.

Since quite a few asked about the endings.

1) You have to fail at getting any emotion out at least twice (indecisive ending)
2) "Good boy" ending if you have at least 3 times a good and "proper" emotion.
3) "Fed Up" ending is if you let the "evil" emotions 3 times.
4) The actual good ending, is if you get 2 "good" and 2 "evil". The idea behind it is that only if you balance your emotions properly (and that means letting your bad emotions out some times), you can have peace of mind.
conormn
09. May 2014 · 05:51 UTC
Really like the idea and so well executed. Great job!
Crowbeak
11. May 2014 · 13:18 UTC
It's gorgeous and an interesting idea, but... I just... I don't really like it. I like my interactive fiction to be interactive, but this is not a way I like it. I do like how the angel or devil appears in the scene depending on how it comes out, and I like the fact that every battle is different, though.
🎤 KickBack
11. May 2014 · 19:32 UTC
@Crowbeak, I think that's fair. The idea is that you interact indirectly. You are trying to manage the character's head and the results of that interact with the story. There is obviously a lot more room for expansion.
matthias_zarzecki
19. May 2014 · 17:29 UTC
Well this is mightily impressive :D