RetroBall by timothyolt

made by timothyolt for LD28 (JAM)

RetroBall is one of those games that is hard to describe without showing it.. Think of a boundless pinball machine where you make the rules. Well, there is a rule you cannot change.. You only get one pinball. Its like a "cant wish for more wishes" deal.

In a sidescrolling arcade game that crosses pinball and many other classic games, you get to draw your own pinball machine with the goal of going lengths no pinball has dared to fly.

Controls: Mouse aim/click to create platforms

Linux/Windows/Mac Java	https://sourceforge.net/projects/ld28bytefire/files/RetroBall-0.91.jar/download
Original URL	https://ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-28/?action=preview&uid=20228

Ratings

Coolness	71%	3
Overall(Jam)	2.95	328

Audio(Jam)	1.47	469
Fun(Jam)	2.97	228
Graphics(Jam)	2.69	405
Humor(Jam)	1.95	374
Innovation(Jam)	3.18	163
Mood(Jam)	2.43	422
Theme(Jam)	2.61	328

Feedback

Baconquake

17. Dec 2013 · 02:41 UTC

Wonderful :D

🎤 timothyolt

17. Dec 2013 · 02:53 UTC

Note: It does crash when it prompts you to "Click to restart". But hold your horses, that's totally because "You only get one" try.

code-11

17. Dec 2013 · 04:24 UTC

I liked the gameplay, but it was frustrating to restart the game each time I died. :P

🎤 timothyolt

17. Dec 2013 · 08:27 UTC

I would think fixing that crash bug would be allowed, it wouldn't add anything, just allow for more play. Will work on it as soon as I can.

DST

18. Dec 2013 · 21:24 UTC

Loving The Incredible Machine, this is right up my alley! :)

Nelien

18. Dec 2013 · 21:26 UTC

It crashed when "restarting" which was annoying since the tutorial screen at the start is not skippable and takes a very long time to disappear. Otherwise, a neat concept and very pleasing retro graphics!

Fritzendugan

18. Dec 2013 · 21:32 UTC

Incredibly frustrating to have to restart (and sit through the unskippable intro screens) every time. A countdown (3,2,1) before the ball drops would be nice so I can have a little bit of time to place my platforms.

Tomski

18. Dec 2013 · 22:00 UTC

Great game, right up my alley. Apart from the crashes, great job :)

glovecat

18. Dec 2013 · 22:11 UTC

Wow, it's a very original concept, and very difficult for me too :P. Great job

(I need to restart the game again every time I lose, it crashes everytime I press "Click to restart")

Donutttt

18. Dec 2013 · 22:42 UTC

Awesome, great work, nice graphics and an interesting dynamic

PlayHabit

18. Dec 2013 · 22:50 UTC

This game is a lot of fun once you get the hang of it.

"I would think fixing that crash bug would be allowed, it wouldn't add anything, just allow for more play."

Per the "MY GAME CRASHES, IS UNBEATABLE, OR I MADE A TYPO" section, I don't see a problem with you fixing the crash.

Lyje

19. Dec 2013 · 03:09 UTC

Neat idea, but needs more polish.

pkenney

19. Dec 2013 · 04:04 UTC

All the delays in the wrong places! Made me watch the intro screen more than it let me play, and then launched abruptly into flinching toward the ball which was already falling, and then once I was unhappy with my first line, it was all downhill from there.

Still, a cool idea and a nice graphical style.

flatgub

20. Dec 2013 · 13:14 UTC

Really fun game!
My major complaint is that the title/tutorial screen is unskippable, and is way too long if i've gotta see it every time i lose. But other than that its a lot of fun! Great job
-Flatgub

🎤 timothyolt

24. Dec 2013 · 05:20 UTC

Fixed that crash bug, something weird happened like trying to add platforms to a nonexistant world. Anyways Enjoy being able to fall off the screen more often!

archaeometrician

24. Dec 2013 · 20:59 UTC

Nice game and very challenging ! I love it, made it to 5772 ! Really addictive !

psc1997

27. Dec 2013 · 12:06 UTC

I've got over 2000 points ^^
Woow! I very like idea! And overall game is very good ;)
Gameplay is interesting and addictive ;)
Congratulations ^^

van noctar

27. Dec 2013 · 13:49 UTC

Yeah! I love this gameplay! :D

taocayo

31. Dec 2013 · 22:28 UTC

Loved the control mechanics. Maybe a pickup that adds speed to the ball? the extra bounce is not enough to make the game last longer than a few mins without losing.

TheGamingProject

01. Jan 2014 · 00:16 UTC

Reminds me of line rider, was fun

KeyMaster

06. Jan 2014 · 15:42 UTC

Nice concept, really difficult though. Still had fun!

Jedi

06. Jan 2014 · 17:10 UTC

Really innovative and fun! I got over 2000 points :)

My biggest complaint is that you spend about 90% of the time in the bottom 25% of the screen, just because of physics.

I would have really liked it if the game area were more like 3 or 4 "screens" tall and the screen scrolled.

🎤 timothyolt

06. Jan 2014 · 20:22 UTC

@Jedi I am planning to further the game a little in a post-compo version. That sounds like a good idea to add, never thought of it. I will probably include it.

saulopz

07. Jan 2014 · 01:02 UTC

interesting and fun.

jfroco

07. Jan 2014 · 01:02 UTC

Nice mechanics. I found it a little too hard. Nice art. Congrats.