LudumData

The Esoteric Order of Shapeshifters by Somnium

[raw]
made by Somnium for LD35 (COMPO)
Master the secrets of the art of shapeshifting, by creating spells which manipulate the elemental components of all living creatures.

Learn the inscrutable Laws of Shapeshifting, and uncover the fundamental composition of various creatures, to finally earn the title of "Master of the Esoteric Order of Shapeshifters" (not an easy title to fit on a business card).


"The Esoteric Order of Shapeshifters" is a puzzle-game made in Java, using the LibGDX framework - Java is required in order to run the game. As this is not my usual genre, any feedback and comments would be much appreciated.
Windows https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/21601438/ld35/The_Order_Of_Shapeshifters__LD_35_by_Somnium.jar
Linux https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/21601438/ld35/The_Order_Of_Shapeshifters__LD_35_by_Somnium.jar
Source https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/21601438/ld35/src_ld35_somnium.7z
Original URL https://ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-35/?action=preview&uid=50228

Ratings

Coolness 57% 3
Overall 3.24 446
Fun 3.10 487
Graphics 2.41 777
Humor 2.79 264
Innovation 3.41 285
Mood 3.08 346
Theme 3.97 91

Feedback

panurge
19. Apr 2016 · 07:05 UTC
I love this! It does indeed seem pretty esoteric at first but as you get used to the rules it becomes really very satisfying to play. I'd love to see it expanded with a mode in which you fight against another wizard by changing your animal accordingly (but I do of course understand that time was a bit limited for this - you've done a lot of work here as it is!).

A very cool concept which really works. One of my favourites so far!
Postcursor Laboratories
19. Apr 2016 · 07:57 UTC
I really felt lost at the beginning, but in a good way, where I didn't know what I was doing, but I also got the sense I wasn't supposed to know. Discovering the different things made a very natural feeling of progression as I gained the knowledge of how to shapeshift different animals. My one complaint is as a master of alchemy, I shouldn't have to transform bats into rats once I get to the point where I know both of their components.
nervous.composers
19. Apr 2016 · 08:08 UTC
Loved how the game progressed. With more time I think this would be a great indie game:)
SuperIzzo
19. Apr 2016 · 09:20 UTC
Gameplay wise this is really fun and enjoyable. I would like to play more of it, perhaps with even more elements, laws and creatures.
Soron
19. Apr 2016 · 09:20 UTC
Neat concept, though it turns into a bit of a slog after a while. I definitely see a promising idea in here, though - it would be interesting to see what you come up with in the future!
eemmbbeerr
19. Apr 2016 · 09:28 UTC
Great puzzle :) It gets repetitive after a while though, once I get to know what the animals are made of.
arhpositive
22. Apr 2016 · 10:38 UTC
I loved it! Finished with discovering 18 creatures, 15 of them solved.

One little nitpick. If I know all the elements of a creature or an abomination when it's attacking, I should be able to destroy it immediately, as it's slowing down the game a little bit to just go through that phase.

I think this was one of the best games I've played this Ludum Dare. Congrats on such a clean design and enjoyable gameplay.
TLansdale
22. Apr 2016 · 16:39 UTC
Really enjoyed this game, well done! It was initially a bit unclear what was going on - but once I understood the system it was pleasantly challenging and fun to advance in.
candlesan
22. Apr 2016 · 20:40 UTC
Very different game! Would like to see it as the crafting portion of an RPG or soething.
marmpa
23. Apr 2016 · 07:11 UTC
Nice game. For some reason I couldn't get it to run but at firdt then I realized that I had no java installed and I was like *(-_-)* . I really liked the idea of shape shifting in different animals to progress through the game.
DSSiege11
23. Apr 2016 · 10:43 UTC
This is a really cool idea! This would actually be really cool as some mobile game if you would add graphics for the different creatures, with little animations and sounds,... I can totally imagine it in my mind haha! Anyway, very original entry, good work!
MayankUnreal
24. Apr 2016 · 09:29 UTC
Nice puzzle game with huge variants and elements
OriginalBigDan
24. Apr 2016 · 21:41 UTC
The in-world onboarding led to some initial confusion. As a typical gamer, I first tried to distinguish the gameplay instructions from the fluff, but the AHA moment came when I realised they were one and the same! :)
With some basic graphic improvements, basic animation and maybe a journal, this is the start of a great little magic sim.
notime4games
07. May 2016 · 19:37 UTC
Woa!
I was put off by all the text at first but the game design of this was awesome!
Could have been a bit harder in my opionion so that you'd have to be more economic about your energy.
I had really fun playing your game! Thanks!