Penguin! by Meep

[raw]
made by Meep for LD19 (COMPO)
I had so much more planned for this but didn't have time to put everything in, so the game is pretty short unfortunately. I also didn't have time to add background music or sound effects. =(

I'm submitting this early due to having family parties to attend, otherwise it would at least have some sounds and maybe a few extra rooms.

The game basically revolves around a penguin egg that rolled away. It hatched on its own in a small cave and the baby penguin has no clue what it is. It runs into numerous animals and situations that make it ponder about itself and consequently discover its nature.

As you progress in the game, you'll be able to see the baby penguin's thoughts about the things it perceives. Instructions/controls are relayed through these thought bubbles.

The game plays as a platformer, but has the feel of a children's story book. I suppose it's like my first art game. This is my second Ludum Dare to enter, and like always, it was a great experience.

Controls (In case you miss the particular thought bubbles):
Z = Jump/Swim
X = Interact with fish (When hungry)

Additional controls:
Arrow keys - Move left/right
F4 - Full screen

Ratings

Coolness 5% 105
Overall 3.50 35
Community 2.07 176
Fun 2.83 97
Graphics 3.83 20
Humor 3.29 26
Innovation 3.39 49
Theme 3.89 23

Feedback

Hazel
20. Dec 2010 · 18:12 UTC
This is adorable!

The baby penguin's thought process is just perfect.
ACodeGerm
20. Dec 2010 · 20:00 UTC
It's a shame you didn't have more time for this, some music would have really tied this together.

Adorable art, the thought bubbles are perfect.
plams
20. Dec 2010 · 22:01 UTC
Cute :-)
ladron
21. Dec 2010 · 03:11 UTC
Nice! I really like the thought bubbles. But he moves so slooowly...
Endurion
21. Dec 2010 · 07:52 UTC
Awww cute! :)
It's like you said, rather a story book than a game. I hope the end part is a good end?
I love the thought bubbles, they're great.
🎤 Meep
21. Dec 2010 · 10:56 UTC
@Endurion: Yeah, the baby penguin gets saved by the adult penguins at the end. =P
Devenger
21. Dec 2010 · 19:28 UTC
Wonderful. I was optimistic for the penguin when he thought he could fly a bit. Alas.
Benjamin
22. Dec 2010 · 21:15 UTC
nice, I really need the "cute" category to rate your game properly !
mjau
23. Dec 2010 · 06:06 UTC
That was pretty cute =)
Squax
23. Dec 2010 · 18:40 UTC
Lovely game ^^ Some sounds/musics would have finished it off.
k_wright
23. Dec 2010 · 23:27 UTC
Great take on the discovery theme, I really like the process of going through the animals. It's like all the "who am I?" except the player knows.

Really wish there was audio, I pictured something like Ecco.
thristhart
25. Dec 2010 · 20:14 UTC
One word: D'awwwwww
ethankennerly
28. Dec 2010 · 18:44 UTC
Brilliant tutorial on the controls! Besides the cute animation, the scribbled drawings cleverly gave me hints of what to do. I mistook the glyphs for "Z" and "X" for some sort of drawing. I got stuck at the first big creature underwater who ate me twice. I didn't try a third time, because neither z nor x seemed to get me out of the pond or out of the creature's mouth. I missed something. Also, the cute animation could be larger. While the character waddled across the screen, I got impatient. When I restarted from the beginning (hoping instead to restart just that screen), I got very impatient. Yet altogether, it's charming! I hope next time to _play_ as this adorable, pre-literate penguin.
badlydrawnrod
29. Dec 2010 · 19:32 UTC
Liked the thought bubbles. Leopard seals are mean.