We Grow by porousnapkin

[raw]
made by porousnapkin for LD29 (COMPO)
A simple RTS / bullet-hell thing.

Use mouse for input.

I made the project in Unity, so the source provided is just a zip of the whole Unity project.

The external tools I used were:
1. An unlit shader with alpha, posted here: http://wiki.unity3d.com/index.php?title=UnlitAlpha
2. LeanTween plugin, from here: https://github.com/dentedpixel/LeanTween
3. The font Dysin4mation, from here: http://auntiepixelante.com/?p=2148

Ratings

Coolness 62% 3
Overall 4.26 13
Audio 3.21 278
Fun 4.17 14
Graphics 3.40 404
Humor 3.20 179
Innovation 4.25 23
Mood 3.88 63
Theme 3.08 719

Feedback

Natman
27. Apr 2014 路 20:05 UTC
First of all: you should probably put the title somewhere on the webpage. I found the game through your tweet, then lost it somewhere in my feed, and had to go searching for the title so I could leave you some feedback. :)

It's really impressive for 48 hours. Well done. I like the minimalist aesthetics and I'm actually curious how much are the graphics were done programmatically. Are the stairs the only actual sprite?

The writing is pretty good and there were some places where I was impressed with how the gameplay and the "story" were well integrated, such as when you introduced the green pieces.

I think at least once while playing, I had pieces tunnel through walls because of physics bugs. Not the biggest problem, though.

You did a pretty good job on the sound design, as well. Maybe some ambient music could have made it more interesting. Did you use SFXR/BFXR for the sounds?

*Spoilers* I'm not exactly sure what the ending was supposed to mean.
馃帳 porousnapkin
27. Apr 2014 路 20:11 UTC
Thanks! I appreciate the feedback. Actually, the stairs are just a series of colored quads. I'm really terrible with art, so I tried to build a game around my limitations, so everything is stock unity shapes.

I did use BFXR for the sound. The chip / robotic nature worked well with the theme, which was a great win.
Natman
27. Apr 2014 路 20:57 UTC
Awesome! So my observations were mostly correct. :)
Sylvain Dubrofsky
28. Apr 2014 路 03:11 UTC
This is awesome
drstik
28. Apr 2014 路 03:17 UTC
Wow! My favourite game so far! A very polished and complete experience for being built in such a short time, although I did wish it wasn't over. Awesome job :D
BallpointPress
28. Apr 2014 路 03:17 UTC
This is an excellent game. You should take it all the way. Funny it's very similar to what I thought I might try to make at first which is sort of a Poseidon Adventure thing where you are "flocking" through a series of hazardous rooms. This is the best game I've rated so far. Only a couple more then I gotta dip out to pick up some take out and catch the west coast re-run of Game of Thrones!
nigelmnz
28. Apr 2014 路 03:17 UTC
Very nice, reminds me of lemmings. I enjoyed the use of sound in unit generation/shooting. It was quite musical.
WetDesertRock
28. Apr 2014 路 03:22 UTC
I have to say, I rather liked this game. I'm curious what all you could do with this. Do you plan on extending it?
Were those things at the end something you were planning on implementing?
indigofiz
28. Apr 2014 路 03:23 UTC
It's great, I love the theme of the game and how well the minimalist graphic give mood to the game.
rylgh
28. Apr 2014 路 04:38 UTC
fun game! liked the level transitions a lot, and the ending was funny. 486 deaths
aeveis
28. Apr 2014 路 04:48 UTC
Very nice! the zooming out and the story is well executed. There's also some clever level design in there :)
Brian Stegmann
28. Apr 2014 路 04:50 UTC
It's interesting having to manage a large number of objects as opposed to a single sprite. The level transitions were really cool. Aesthetically the minimal graphics go very well with the chippy sound effects.
Lacaranian
28. Apr 2014 路 04:54 UTC
Wonderful. A revolution of sorts, methinks. Far too many deaths required, though... poor blocks.
Brian Corr
28. Apr 2014 路 04:58 UTC
This is excellent, you ought to be really pleased.

I found the transitions a bit jarring, especially how they contrast with everything else being low-fi. However that's a really minor gripe. Awesome mechanical idea and executed well. Be pleased :)
furriKira
28. Apr 2014 路 05:15 UTC
So much deaths were made. Every single dot dead has made its purpose.

The game is great! You should take it to the limit with them like something to push them around!

That ending though x3
sharpcoder
28. Apr 2014 路 05:31 UTC
Fantastic game! Wow. It's so conceptual and avant-garde. I had a lot of fun playing it. Excellent job.
zanenga
28. Apr 2014 路 08:46 UTC
This is really great! I'm surprised at how much intuitive this game was. Love the transitions and the conquer/spawn mechanic. One of my favorites so far!
Blueberry Soft
28. Apr 2014 路 09:27 UTC
I particularly like the soundtrack generated by the sound effects, and the ending.
Sestren
28. Apr 2014 路 10:53 UTC
This was a pretty fun game. The presentation and the flow between stages was very nice.
smbe19
28. Apr 2014 路 12:31 UTC
Excellent work! I really like this one.
But I don't really get the ending. Could you explain the meaning of it?
馃帳 porousnapkin
28. Apr 2014 路 15:27 UTC
Thanks for all the feedback! I really appreciate it! I'm glad some people like the ending but I understand if you find it confusing. It's intended to evoke a feeling more than conclude narrative.
PartyBoat
28. Apr 2014 路 21:08 UTC
Honestly this is the best game I've played from LD29 yet! Something about seeing all your little cubes get blown away as you charge the enemy had such a fantastic charm and excitement to it.
spotco
29. Apr 2014 路 10:35 UTC
Those baby purple squares ;_;
I cry errytime ;_;
taocayo
01. May 2014 路 07:08 UTC
Woah! this really caught me off guard! Amazing concept, little bits of emergent behavior and oddly satisfying reactions to my actions as a player. The sounds match the style very well and every click felt purposeful. I personally liked how it ended, the tone and the last thing you see as the text rolls out.

Would love to see other works in the future!
sP0CkEr2
02. May 2014 路 04:50 UTC
this is a fantastic game - really nice gameplay and the levels were challenging but not impossible - great job
PapyGaragos
02. May 2014 路 12:51 UTC
"A simple RTS / bullet-hell thing."
whaaat?

And yet, after finishing it, I have to admit this is a pretty accurate description.

Good job with this game, the idea is quiet unique and the realisation is great. You have a good difficulty curve, some variation in the challenges... I really think you should keep working on it
badlydrawnrod
03. May 2014 路 17:56 UTC
Very nice indeed. I liked the way it transitioned between levels, and it was certainly a complete experience. Great job.
xdegtyarev
07. May 2014 路 11:36 UTC
Nice concept!
Waterman7
09. May 2014 路 18:08 UTC
Great job, really impressive! Well execution all around. Especially loved the minimalist sounds adding up to a rhythm, and the pacing in general. It felt really rewarding seeing your army slowly grow over the course of the game.