LudumData

stack::tracer() by nihilocrat

[raw]
made by nihilocrat for LD23 (COMPO)
Collect and create "functions" to make a path, destroying them to drop down to the exit();.

Each function on the stack is a "tiny world" which you create and destroy.

Controls are explained in the game, but here they are:
Arrows : Move
X : (Hold) Open inventory
X + left/right : select "function"
X + up : use the selected "function"
X + down : destroy the topmost function on the stack

Edit : I posted the game to Kongregate, so I updated the "Web" link. If you hate ads or the color red, you can also still play it here: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/253784/stacktracer.html

Windows http://dl.dropbox.com/u/253784/stacktracer.zip
Post-Compo Web http://dl.dropbox.com/u/253784/stacktracer_postcompo.html
Web http://www.kongregate.com/games/nihilocrat/stack-tracer
Source http://dl.dropbox.com/u/253784/stacktracer_src.zip
Original URL https://ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-23/?action=preview&uid=2014

Ratings

Coolness 68% 3
Overall 3.67 81
Audio 2.49 427
Fun 3.69 48
Graphics 3.11 319
Humor 2.00 539
Innovation 4.24 19
Mood 3.06 226
Theme 2.82 535

Feedback

ToxicLogic
22. Apr 2012 · 21:16 UTC
I love this concept! If I were you, I'd keep working on this after the competition to make more levels and such. There's so much potential here. :) Also, I saw on your journal that you were having trouble finding a good camera angle. My suggestion, keep it how it is, and add a simple layered mini-map in the corner.
mikelovesrobots3
23. Apr 2012 · 02:46 UTC
Interesting concept!
danlthemanl
23. Apr 2012 · 03:20 UTC
Neat concept, the sounds are really loud and distorted though.
SidetrackGames
23. Apr 2012 · 04:42 UTC
Wonderful concept! Keep on working on this, it has alot of potential :)
Darkfrost
23. Apr 2012 · 17:07 UTC
Awesome! Brilliant concept, I love it! Controls are nice and tight, Audio could've used a bit of work, but I loved the feel of it :)

I managed to break the game by holding X and spamming up and down :p Camera zoomed right out and wouldn't come back in. Good work!
smvilar
23. Apr 2012 · 17:08 UTC
Good game! Needs more levels!
jami
23. Apr 2012 · 17:20 UTC
Nice! I agree, keep working on this!
Pierrec
23. Apr 2012 · 19:05 UTC
Great concept! Too short of course! The last level was really really cool and I wanted to go higher and higher...
lazybraingames
23. Apr 2012 · 19:18 UTC
The controls and HUD where a bit unwieldy at first, but the concept is pure gold, which is what LD is all about;) The stacked platforms are a great gameplay device, it really left me wanting more. This is a great entry! Love it!
Pedro de Quadros
25. Apr 2012 · 00:36 UTC
I LOVE the concept and graphics! The game could be a little longer tho
Zemmi
25. Apr 2012 · 00:37 UTC
I really like your game and would love to see more levels, they were just getting cool.
otaviogood
25. Apr 2012 · 01:12 UTC
Just when I figured it out the game ended. Big points for originality though. Thanks for not making a platformer. :P
hazzen
25. Apr 2012 · 02:51 UTC
Like the concept, echo the "too short". An "memory map" of sorts that overlayed all the stack frames with a dot for the player would be nice - the shadow is hard to spot.
CuberToy
25. Apr 2012 · 02:53 UTC
I simply love puzzle game ! And that one seems original and fun. Make more ! Now ! (No really, simply loved it).
robcozzens
25. Apr 2012 · 03:21 UTC
Could be really good.
Matt Rudder
25. Apr 2012 · 04:30 UTC
Such a good concept. You've got a gem here. Keep it going!
Jens Nolte
25. Apr 2012 · 13:53 UTC
Too short, but awesome!
maloki
25. Apr 2012 · 14:11 UTC
I love the concept and title! I hope this idea gets developed somehow with more levels.
Hume
25. Apr 2012 · 22:11 UTC
A soundtrack and more levels (including multi-level levels like the screen you showed on "You Win") would be great. I want to keep playing!
🎤 nihilocrat
27. Apr 2012 · 04:48 UTC
I posted a post-compo version with some improvements and two new levels!
Sestren
27. Apr 2012 · 11:17 UTC
Very cool puzzle mechanic. I'd say this is definitely work expanding upon. Well done!
Sestren
27. Apr 2012 · 11:17 UTC
*worth* expanding upon, rather. lol
jimmypaulin
29. Apr 2012 · 15:21 UTC
Very clever and well-executed idea, I love the concept! Loads of scope to extend the experience with further shapes, challenges etc. It would be cool to have music and perhaps a bit more "theming" as it is quite abstract obviously. Really good job though
Impossible
30. Apr 2012 · 01:55 UTC
Very cool concept but pretty sparse on level design. The last level finally starts introducing some interesting constraints to the game. Namely that blocks are limited resources and you can't always "collect" a block and fall safely. I'd like to see some more levels exploring that. Tons of potential here, make some more levels and add some more mechanics!
angelk
30. Apr 2012 · 03:25 UTC
As been said, the concept is great and well executed! Of course more levels are needed, but the gameplay and style are great. Excellent prototype!
Rémi
01. May 2012 · 19:20 UTC
Great concept! It would be cool to have a "tron" aesthetic and music!
ratboy2713
06. May 2012 · 03:49 UTC
I liked the puzzle idea, though the placing and removing are really slow.
dr_soda
06. May 2012 · 06:02 UTC
Wow! For such a small game, and such a small proof of concept, this is a really big idea. I would love to see this expand into something much larger!

This is getting saved as one of my LD 23 favorites.
Keirua
06. May 2012 · 22:06 UTC
Awesome ! Very fun to play. A bit though to figure out at first, but this is very good ! I did not get at first why I could not orient the pieces the way I wanted, there is no explanation that the will only go in one direction. The camera is also a bit not the way you would expect it... maybe would it be better with the possibility to rotate the view or something like this ?
Anyway, I really enjoyed playing your game.
Keirua
06. May 2012 · 22:07 UTC
And what is more the concept can easily be improved with more levels, more shapes, and so on. Are you planning to do a larger version ?
chambers
07. May 2012 · 05:26 UTC
It's a shame that the game is so short, you obviously ran out of time to implement more levels, but please make something bigger out of this, it has great potential, especially seeing how you can create more and more layers if you have enough shapes, some sweet strategies might emerge from these mechanics in more complex levels.

Other than that, really nice graphics too, although there should be a better way of visualizing the position of stuff, the player's shadow is not enough...

Congrats!
bytegrove
07. May 2012 · 21:17 UTC
A promising little puzzle game. You should definitely expand upon this concept. Nice work! :)
Puzzlem00n
09. May 2012 · 11:28 UTC
Very, very nice game. Best one in 3D I've seen.
steamgirl
11. May 2012 · 13:55 UTC
Really interesting idea. I found the game quite difficult though... wasn't good at telling when to go "down", kept falling beside the edge of the square. I agree with the others though, it could easily be turned into something more and something fascinating and fun!