Running the Marathon by gamepopper
About the Game
WARNING: This game requires careful timing and extreme patience. This is a rapid-pressing track & field game where you're task is to run an entire 26.2 mile marathon. You cannot even run as fast as possible or else you will lose all your energy and slow down to a stop, but going at a slower pace will regain your energy.
How long will that take? Who knows, the current world record for the world's fastest marathon run is 2 hours, 2 minutes and 57 seconds. While I cannot guarantee the distance you travel and speed in-game will reflect reality, I would be surprised if you could complete the game in under an hour.
If you do, provide a screenshot, and if not then let me know how far you got before either giving up or passing out from lack of energy.
Controls
You have three options:
- Press A and D keys in sequence.
- Press Left and Right keys in sequence.
- Press A and B on a gamepad in sequence.
The faster you press, the faster you go.
Other controls include pressing T to switch your distance from miles to meters, and R will reset the marathon.
| Source code | https://github.com/gamepopper/LD39-RunningTheMarathon |
| HTML5 (web) | https://gamepopper.itch.io/running-the-marathon |
| Original URL | https://ldjam.com/events/ludum-dare/39/running-the-marathon |
Ratings
| Overall | 315th | 3.348⭐ | 48🧑⚖️ |
| Fun | 398th | 3.021⭐ | 49🧑⚖️ |
| Innovation | 267th | 3.234⭐ | 49🧑⚖️ |
| Theme | 162th | 3.809⭐ | 49🧑⚖️ |
| Graphics | 194th | 3.617⭐ | 49🧑⚖️ |
| Audio | 333th | 2.804⭐ | 48🧑⚖️ |
| Humor | 151th | 3⭐ | 43🧑⚖️ |
| Mood | 186th | 3.326⭐ | 48🧑⚖️ |
| Given | 32🗳️ | 48🗨️ |
- Interesting take on the theme of running out of power.
- Art and mood are very well done and both compliment each other well.
- The game is quite simplistic in a good sense that its easy to pick up and get hooked.
**Cons:**
- Maybe make the game a little harder? Personally I found it quite easy to go on for a long stretch of time or maybe add some obstacles you have to try and jump over or something similar?
- Hand cramps (Lmao)
**Conclusion:**
Overall a well rounded game , that could use with a few improvements here and there but is a solid submission and a job well done!
I think it's cute, but man seriously getting to 26 miles?
Also 35 km/h? It's like.. bicycle's speed O-o
Nice minimalist graphics! I appreciated the parallax effect too. Also...this guy can sprint quite fast ;P
I like the idea of having to time your movements for a very long marathon. I just sort of wish there was a little more going on in the game. Maybe you could toss in a couple other controls like QWOP where you have to occasionally jump over something or duck under another obstacle. Then you have to maintain your rhythm and also avoid smacking into some other objects.
Otherwise I thought this was well polished. You have some simple yet consistent graphics. Sounds that helped you define a tempo and maintain speed. Though some music might have been nice cus listening back to it was different than playing the game at the same time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mV0OIfrtqh0
I had to read the instructions to figure out NOT to go as fast as possible. At first I though this was a fast button mesher like [mine](https://ldjam.com/events/ludum-dare/39/breathless-parks-running-out-of-power) but it was not :-)
I like the parallex scrolling in combination with the minimalistic palette and pixel are, very cool!
The plane was a nice detail, I thought I had to run the whole time without anything happening. Then nothing happened :-)
I have not passed the plane, it is very slow, I hope you have added other things to not make the marathon too boring.
The theme was nicely implemented, good job!
Overall a cool game, thanks and keep up the good work!
p.s. would appreciate if u rate our game too https://ldjam.com/events/ludum-dare/39/answer-me
It's like playing Track & Field with GT's endurance racing! While it does require a LOT of patience to play it, it's quite a nice game as a casual play and does entertain greatly!
The details in the animation, clouds, aeroplane sounds also really help with the mood of the game!
Good job there! ;)