LudumData

Space Escape Catastrophe by LiamLime

[raw]
made by LiamLime for LD28 (COMPO)
Space Escape Catastrophe is a tech support game, in which you play the ever helpful sidekick to fleeing escapee. Your job is to keep the ship flyable and survivable. There are a few machines on the ship that can (and will) break, and you have to repair them as soon as possible. The score is the distance traveled, determined by your speed, which is in turn determined by the state of your navigation and thurster computers, and your engine. You also need to keep up with the state of your oxygen generator. You fail when you die, and you die when you stay without oxygen for too long.

You can recover oxygen if you repair the generator, but you can never recover your health, so mind that. The game also gets progressively harder.


Note: This is a prototype. Its graphics are as simplistic as they get. There is also no sound. I'm satisfied with what I've managed to create in two days, even if it is unpolished, unbalanced, and ugly.
Web http://www.ss13.eu/ld28/index.html
Source (github - includes further development) https://github.com/errorage/SpaceEscapeCatastrophe
Timelapse http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOexT7AQof4
Original URL https://ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-28/?action=preview&uid=20786

Ratings

Coolness 97% 2
Overall 2.76 702
Audio 1.43 761
Fun 2.43 779
Graphics 2.09 881
Humor 2.24 503
Innovation 3.12 350
Mood 2.38 756
Theme 1.86 958

Feedback

apwolf
16. Dec 2013 · 04:50 UTC
I believe something went wrong so before I rate, none of the text is legible!
AlanZucconi
16. Dec 2013 · 04:52 UTC
Very FTL-y! :-) I wish there was a better way of indicating what to activate though!
mcgraw
16. Dec 2013 · 04:52 UTC
Clever idea! Well done!
Elforama
16. Dec 2013 · 04:55 UTC
Not sure how this relates to the theme, but I enjoyed it non the less. Good job!
Dooleus
16. Dec 2013 · 04:55 UTC
I don't really see the theme in this. Really lacking in atmosphere due to the bland visuals and absence of audio. The gameplay wasn't too compelling to me, either.
errorage
16. Dec 2013 · 16:30 UTC
The relevance to the topic was you having one chance at freedom, and had to keep the ship running for that chance to remain.

Currently you just have a score ticking up, but there was another thing I wanted to implement, but ran out of time. A second fail condition. You were supposed to be chased by the space police, so you had to maintain a certain speed. That'd probably translate to the topic a lot better, but ah well, ran out of time.
Citiral
16. Dec 2013 · 17:04 UTC
It is a great idea, but I didn't find it compelling as it wasn't hard enough, or didn't get hard enough fast enough! I also didn't really see the theme in this game.
joserodolfofreitas
16. Dec 2013 · 17:09 UTC
I liked the idea. It took sometime for me to get the spirit of it, but then I had some fun. But the game is very easy, if you add more stress, the game could be much more fun.
TomboFry
16. Dec 2013 · 17:37 UTC
Great idea! I love the concept but it gets a little repetitive after a while, I got over 1,000,000 points and still going strong, so it definitely needs to be more difficult in that regard. It would be good to have something like asteroids hit the ship every once in while that take a bit of repairing, maybe?
I won't vote for audio since there was none
Cheshyr
16. Dec 2013 · 18:07 UTC
amusing tech support game. ;-) the randomization and triggers worked well; nicely done.
ob6160
16. Dec 2013 · 18:21 UTC
Love the idea nice visuals but a little bit plain? :)
Snail_Man
16. Dec 2013 · 18:43 UTC
It was quite fun, although it could have done with an intro or help file.
kratorspore
16. Dec 2013 · 18:49 UTC
An interesting idea that feels more like a typing tutor than a roguelike. The game has some usability issues with the white on yellow very hard to read.
Capitals
16. Dec 2013 · 23:30 UTC
Interesting Idea!
Hyde Wyvern
16. Dec 2013 · 23:38 UTC
I love the concept, something I've never seen before and I like it, you're right once you spend a few more days on it I'll be perfect! Good Job :)
Sean Noonan
16. Dec 2013 · 23:41 UTC
This is a super cool idea. You're winning no awards for visuals but the idea is solid as a rock. I really like the idea of random typing challenges per activity. I'd love to see an expanded (and prettier version of this).
AtomicVikings
17. Dec 2013 · 01:25 UTC
This game is a bit to easy and i can't the the theme. Took me a while to get that the yellow planes are "problems". But in summary a really nice idea. I like your graphics. :-) Next time maybe 2 hours more to finish the game. Great work.
ThatGuy
17. Dec 2013 · 01:26 UTC
If you expand the game a bit more, this could make a decent speed typing educational game. Good job!
doctorscientist
17. Dec 2013 · 01:36 UTC
This is a fun idea. I played for a long time but I still wonder what my crew was doing. I think a module like this needs to be added to the science officers con on the artemis bridge sim. (http://www.artemis.eochu.com/). It's perfect for it.
JaymeeMak
17. Dec 2013 · 02:54 UTC
It wasn't at all clear what to do at the start of the game, but once I understood that I needed to click then type, it got pretty fun!
SilentBunny
17. Dec 2013 · 04:32 UTC
Very ambitious, kudos for that. My personal experience was one of confusion though, lots of text to read.
Lacutis
17. Dec 2013 · 05:00 UTC
I can see what you where going for, and as a prototype I think it works well. I hit a point though where I was going and could leave the power, one computer and the captains internet down and just repair the second computer, o2 and the engine and keep going forever.

You should flesh this idea out more.
LatFoued
17. Dec 2013 · 10:16 UTC
The concept is very cool, but i didn't understand what to do at first (most people dont read instructions when it's too long).
Diptoman
17. Dec 2013 · 16:11 UTC
"Computer encountered bluescreen, press power button repeatedly."
LOL.

Unsure of the use of theme here, and game needs some explaining at the beginning. But once I got what's happening, it was pretty good. Not enough challenge though!
davisan
19. Dec 2013 · 16:25 UTC
The concept is good, but after a while it becomes repetitive, it need new elements to surprise the player.
van noctar
20. Dec 2013 · 21:05 UTC
Good gameplay :)
BeardoGames
20. Dec 2013 · 21:49 UTC
I was surprised to see how quickly I memorized the commands for different malfunctions-- I think it shows that there's plenty of promise in the concept, especially if even more variables gradually get added in to the mix. Nice work, I'd love to see it expanded upon and polished!
Rothens
20. Dec 2013 · 22:44 UTC
This could be a great idea, but I found it a little boring :(
Spelchan
20. Dec 2013 · 23:17 UTC
With a bit of work, this would make a really good typing tutor. Alternatively, you could have a set of mini-games for the different repairs that you make. Lots of potential but right now it simply is not very fun. I've seen quite a few "you only get one life" themed games so I'll let you go on the theme.
larb
20. Dec 2013 · 23:20 UTC
Agreeing with other commenters. Cool idea. Confused how to play at first. It's fun, but a bit easy.
dray
20. Dec 2013 · 23:27 UTC
i stopped at more than 1.000.000, i think the game difficulty don't rise quickly enough. I really like your idea and after reading your pitch was really excited to play it. the result isn't there yet, you have a good start but i was hoping running from place to place smacking computer to reboot them. the letter game is good but all the mood of the game go only from the flavor text and we don't have time to really read them. Good start and yes it's a good entry.
MrTedders
22. Dec 2013 · 19:40 UTC
Enjoyed the game but i dont see how it relates to the theme but this has already been said :P good work otherwise.
archaeometrician
27. Dec 2013 · 21:16 UTC
Nice work ! Funny idea, it feel like tech support a lot :P
Liam :D
03. Dec 2014 · 21:48 UTC
Thank you everyone for your reviews :D