LudumData

Quantum Entanglement by icefallgames

[raw]
made by icefallgames for LD23 (COMPO)
This is a puzzle game solved by manipulating objects (mirrors and filters) so that a light beam reaches its target (which must be a matching color). The catch is that these objects are "quantum entangled", so moving one moves the other!

Figure out the rules that govern the world and make your way through 10 levels, starting off very easy and becoming much more challenging. The controls are simple - clicking and dragging.

The sound effects were mostly created with processed recordings of my voice.

This is a Windows XNA Game. The zip file for Windows assumes you have XNA installed. If not, you can use the link for the ClickOnce installer - that will install the XNA redist along with the game.

NOTE: There are bugs in levels 7-10 that make them easier to solve than I had intended. Judge based on the official links (since I think it may be against rules to upload fixes), but if you want the fixed versions here they are:
http://icefallgames.com/Files/LevelFixes.zip (this is for the zipped version: just copy over the same-named level text files)
or:
http://icefallgames.com/Downloads/QuantumEntanglementPostComp/publish.htm (this is a new install package for those w/o XNA)

Windows Zip http://icefallgames.com/Files/LudumDare23.zip
Windows Installer http://icefallgames.com/Downloads/QuantumEntanglement/publish.htm
Youtube video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxejOUtnfjw
Source http://icefallgames.com/Files/LudumDare23Source.zip
Original URL https://ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-23/?action=preview&uid=11319

Ratings

Coolness 93% 2
Overall 3.83 45
Audio 3.20 145
Fun 3.70 46
Graphics 3.52 177
Humor 1.50 748
Innovation 3.85 62
Mood 3.08 213
Theme 2.52 670

Feedback

馃帳 icefallgames
23. Apr 2012 路 00:09 UTC
A youtube video is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxejOUtnfjw
Magnega
23. Apr 2012 路 18:21 UTC
Maybe you should change the executable name. "LudumDareTest2"
cadin
23. Apr 2012 路 18:35 UTC
Sorry I can't play, I'm a Mac. (So many Windows-only games this time..)
Syntaxide
23. Apr 2012 路 19:11 UTC
That was a really neat level transition effect. I couldn't figure out the red/green disks on level 3 though. Maybe I'll come back to it later.
Sanguine
23. Apr 2012 路 19:19 UTC
Game didn't work for me on Windows 7 32 bit.
馃帳 icefallgames
23. Apr 2012 路 19:38 UTC
@Sanguine, that's probably because this requires the XNA redist to run. I have a ClickOnce installer here that will install the game along with the XNA redist:
icefallgames.com/Downloads/QuantumEntanglement/publish.htm
Polar
23. Apr 2012 路 19:39 UTC
Shame, I can't run it on Mac. Still, AMAZING graphics (definitely compared to mine XD)
馃帳 icefallgames
23. Apr 2012 路 19:40 UTC
@Syntaxide: The discs are filters that remove color components of the lasers.
mikolalysenko
23. Apr 2012 路 19:53 UTC
Can't run, linux :(
Beerman
23. Apr 2012 路 19:54 UTC
Got to level 9 before my brain melted. Cool gimmick with the quantum entanglement, and the level transitions are a nice touch.
john_conder9
23. Apr 2012 路 19:55 UTC
Great music and really clever game play, and I have to say I loved that transition effect!
the8donut
23. Apr 2012 路 20:03 UTC
Clever puzzles, I like it!
Izzimach
23. Apr 2012 路 20:12 UTC
Did the first nine, but I think I cheated on one or two of them. Still the basic concept of entanglement was really well incorporated into the puzzles, without seeming like a one-trick pony. The somber BGM was oddly appropriate.
馃帳 icefallgames
23. Apr 2012 路 20:26 UTC
Thanks for the comments! Yeah, there are a few bugs in the levels (esp 7 and 8), where they ended up being easier than I had planned (e.g. there was an easier solution than what I'd mapped out). Level 9 is the hardest, I think.
MaximSchoemaker
24. Apr 2012 路 13:57 UTC
Pretty cool concept ^^ and I like what you did with the graphics. It got a little too difficult for me in the end, but I'm not really a puzzler anyway :P
devwil
24. Apr 2012 路 20:38 UTC
***I'm posting this on all non-browser games I bring up in an attempt to encourage folks to make browser games next time around. Do not take it personally.***

When hundreds of people make non-browser games, that means that, to play all of the entries, I would need to download hundreds of games to my computer. I typically use OS X, so Windows-only entries are particularly inconvenient.

Please consider making a browser game next time.
馃帳 icefallgames
24. Apr 2012 路 21:29 UTC
Well I considered making a browser game *this* time, but I had to use the tools I was familiar with, and that was XNA.
SusanTheCat
24. Apr 2012 路 22:06 UTC
Awesome game. Good progression on the levels. It is clever and well done. I really liked the music and sound effects.
Lawrence Esswood
24. Apr 2012 路 22:52 UTC
A nice idea - REALLY well put together. I managed all ten levels, nearly got tricked by the colors in the last one though. Thought it looked too easy. On level 7 you only need one of the pairs of mirrors however, intentional?
馃帳 icefallgames
25. Apr 2012 路 00:16 UTC
@Lawrence, thanks for playing all the way through! Yes, that's a bug in level 7 :-). I would upload a fix, but I'm not sure of the "legality" of that wrt to contest rules. Although, the "Windows Installer" link, which I added later, does have the fix, and also one for level 8. The fix just adds a couple of blocks to get in the way of things and prevent the unintended easier way to solve the level :-)
HeuGamer
25. Apr 2012 路 00:59 UTC
Got to only level 5!! AHH This game is smarter than me.
VDOgamez
25. Apr 2012 路 16:56 UTC
That was a good variation on this type of puzzle. Restricting the rotations and positions of the mirror/combiners allows for some interesting puzzles. The levels seemed to be well-made and progress nicely, except that level nine and I think level eight both were passable without using the parts, which I think means that there was an easier solution than intended.
馃帳 icefallgames
25. Apr 2012 路 19:03 UTC
@VDOgamez, you're right level 9 is also solvable in a way I hadn't intended. Looks like I could have spent a little more time play-testing!
Tomalla
25. Apr 2012 路 20:53 UTC
I love the music in the background and graphics!
Topaz
26. Apr 2012 路 03:53 UTC
Wow! That'd be one of my favourites :D
Really cool game, good work.
blob
26. Apr 2012 路 18:22 UTC
Finished ! From seeing the comments I feel proud :D
Okay, so concept is awesome. What took me the most time was to understand I could rotate the things in the first level. Some explanations would be welcome here !

Level 4 felt harder than 5 ( i think its 4, im thinking of the first level with color filters, being harder than 2nd level with filters).
Level 10 is easier than 8 and 9.
And... I think I got through 7 and 8 with a "cheat" solution.

But those are details ! Its great, and i'd love to see more levels ! Nice work.
invaderJim
27. Apr 2012 路 01:54 UTC
Nice graphic effects and concept. Not sure how it fits the theme, but whatever!
R3ason
27. Apr 2012 路 01:56 UTC
NICE! Love the levels in the form of text files; makes it wonderful for extending the gameplay and certainly level creation on the developer's end. Thanks!
LukeRissacher
27. Apr 2012 路 04:55 UTC
Got to level 9 - kinda wish there were fewer entanglement types to keep track of, they got overly confusing. But still, cool concept. Especially liked the color mixing / filtering. If you plan on expanding it, maybe spread out the introduction of new mechanics / entanglements a bit, teach them individually then build on them gradually.
馃帳 icefallgames
27. Apr 2012 路 06:20 UTC
@LukeRissacher: I agree, it is difficult to keep track of which things are entangled in which manner. I made some attempt at it with the colors of the "sine waves" that connect the pieces, but it isn't that clear. I need to think of a better visual representation that lets you grok that at a glance.
I agree with the more gradual introduction of new concepts... I attempted to do that, but I need to do a better job. I'm thinking of adding a bunch more levels and releasing as a mobile app.
jeffz
28. Apr 2012 路 00:03 UTC
original concept well executed, my hat goes off to you.
RHY3756547
29. Apr 2012 路 15:11 UTC
The transition effect was really cool. Awesome gameplay and ambient music.
kratorspore
30. Apr 2012 路 07:05 UTC
Bravo! One of my favourite types of games done really well. Great work in pretty much all departments.
Hegemege
30. Apr 2012 路 14:50 UTC
Mind-blowing transition effect! Visuals were pleasing and the last two puzzles were really nice :D

I like the concept a lot, now go make more levels, I'd definitely want see this with custom level editor too. Really innovative game, I had something similar in mind at first but decided not go for it: apparently this game would've beaten it many times :D

Awesome work!
MadGnomeGamer
04. May 2012 路 02:25 UTC
Looks cool! Unfortunately, Windows XNA won't work for me. I've already tried to play 6 games with it and it says my graphics card isn't good enough every time. :(
samusetroid
06. May 2012 路 02:10 UTC
I like this game. The performance as slow but stable. The effects are really awesome! GOOD JOB! Come check out my game!
Madball
06. May 2012 路 08:12 UTC
Wow. WOW. Good jod, good effects, good level design.
I found out we can creat our own levels as well.
Mach60KAS
06. May 2012 路 10:32 UTC
Wow, I really loved the idea behind this game! I found some of the scene transition noises a little bit jarring, but other than that I really loved this game.
madflame991
06. May 2012 路 10:37 UTC
+ transition effect, and effects in general (entanglement and laser)
+ nice concept, and with original elements (not the average platformer or shmup)
+ it makes you think
+ eerie music and sounds

- too short (I can understand though, that making levels isn't easy for this type of game)
- could use some polishing
- nothing tiny about it
ericdpitts
10. May 2012 路 23:13 UTC
Really amazing job! This is the first really good puzzle game I've come across this Ludum Dare, and it's really well done. Well thought out mechanics and puzzles. Really nice graphics, and I liked the music (even if it was pretty simple, it fit nicely)
robcozzens
11. May 2012 路 03:26 UTC
I would try it if you had a Web or OSX version.
tomhunt
11. May 2012 路 03:30 UTC
I thought this was nicely done! I would've preferred a more electronic ambient music to the repetitive guitar strumming, but wasn't too bothered by it. The use of plain text files for the level data is a nice bonus. The core puzzle mechanic has a nice hook to it.
DDRKirby(ISQ)
11. May 2012 路 12:22 UTC
Whoa! It's like a modern version of laser light, with a cool new mechanic thrown in! Connection to the theme is...tenuous, but great job overall! Also, there are other ways to create sounds, haha...I'm just imagining you saying "whiihh" every time I rotate a piece...
Endurion
11. May 2012 路 12:28 UTC
Very good!

Especially the idea to quantum link elements.
Raptor85
11. May 2012 路 21:47 UTC
can't test, XNA doesn't run on linux even w/ WINE
manax
12. May 2012 路 02:08 UTC
Very well done, one of the best games I've played in the compo. Nice animations all around. All the levels were interesting, even if there were a couple "imperfections", there's only so much time... ;)