LudumData

Helsing by davidsheadgames

[raw]
made by davidsheadgames for LD 41 (JAM)

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Story

You are Vaughn Helsing, the largely unknown and much less impressive vampire and werewolf hunter. You've heard rumor of a legendary weapon to fight against the undead horde hidden at the heart of a large vampire infested castle.

Ill-equipped and woefully outnumbered, you set out on this turn-based and truly terrifying adventure.

Ludum Dare theme: "Combine 2 Incompatible Games" Combines: Survival Horror and Turn-based Gameplay

Controls

W,A,S,D - Turn and move (only movement takes a turn)

Space - Fires gun.

Walking into enemies is an instant death, unless you are carrying a wooden stake, which instead results in immediate death to the enemy you encounter.

Note : Some sound effects are stock, but some are not, and the music is original for this challenge.

Credits

Norris : Programming, Music, Some Sound Effects, and Level Design

David : Programming, Level Design

Jim : Programming, Art

Source code https://github.com/deadcamper/ludum_dare_41_helsing
Windows https://davidsheadgames.itch.io/helsing
macOS https://davidsheadgames.itch.io/helsing
HTML5 (web) https://davidsheadgames.itch.io/helsing
Original URL https://ldjam.com/events/ludum-dare/41/helsing

Ratings

Overall 140th 3.949⭐ 41🧑‍⚖️
Fun 176th 3.829⭐ 40🧑‍⚖️
Innovation 650th 3.276⭐ 40🧑‍⚖️
Theme 454th 3.763⭐ 40🧑‍⚖️
Graphics 240th 4.026⭐ 40🧑‍⚖️
Audio 55th 4.092⭐ 40🧑‍⚖️
Humor 804th 2.5⭐ 32🧑‍⚖️
Mood 5th 4.434⭐ 40🧑‍⚖️
Given 39🗳️ 28🗨️

Feedback

Hare Software
24. Apr 2018 · 01:54 UTC
Amazing work, I love the graphics, sound and the unique idea you came up with! I was very sceptical of how this game could ever be scary, but I was soon proven wrong and cornered in a room. Keep up the good work!
pkenney
24. Apr 2018 · 03:09 UTC
Fantastic job creating the atmosphere. The art, the sound, and the decisions about lighting really set the stage for the mood. The item scarcity was just about right, to where I was worried but never actually had a problem. I beat the game on my first run-through, but I had some close calls of being hunted by werewolves without knowing if a stake would work!

If I could tweak one thing, I'd think whether the rotating as a separate input step could be changed. I understand it's to aim the shooting, but the controls otherwise feel really snappy and the double-tap to turn somewhat marred that feel. I like to play turn/grid games pretty fast though, so it could just be me.

I loved the introduction of the metalish music at the end and the plot changes there, very nice touch to make it feel like a full experience.

Very nice entry!
Eudes Franco
24. Apr 2018 · 03:51 UTC
Fantastic game guys, i have to say, the music and sounds are amazing!!
hankworx
24. Apr 2018 · 23:13 UTC
The sound design, music, and atmosphere are nice although navigating the dark maze is slightly infuriating. The game maintains a dark aura and suspense the whole time. Good job.
PandaCultist
25. Apr 2018 · 05:13 UTC
Well done. Captured the mood perfectly, the combination of the dark tone of music, art, level design really set this game up. 2 themes were executed beautifully, the only thing i would say is it would be reall awesome to maybe see a puzzle incorporated into the game?
MartinTristan
25. Apr 2018 · 05:15 UTC
i love the pixel art and the foreboding atmosphere. you succeeded where other horror games failed!
justalocalhero
25. Apr 2018 · 06:11 UTC
Are you kidding me? this is unreal, good. The wooden stake as a health bar is brilliant. The music, lighting, and art style perfectly set the atmosphere and the mood. There is tension and discovery and fear and frustration. I never knew that I wanted to play a horror roguelike until now.

edit: I had to come back and say more once I finished the game. The enemy design is great. Something as simple as the enemy moving two squares instead of one made me feel like I was running for my life and losing the race. The way the level design showcased the differences in the enemies (nooks to duck into to see the guy hiding in the walls, long corridors to run from the fast moving enemies, etc). And the feeling of power getting to the end and flipping the script. I really feel like I can't overstate how much you guys accomplished in this little game
Norris Eldridge
25. Apr 2018 · 06:11 UTC
@PandaCultist Yes! We were talking about that earlier today. More puzzle mechanics would absolutely be the next steps to improve this game. We even talked about doing things like destructible environments / knocking over pillars to make bridges / use levers to open up secret passage ways. If only we had more time :P
kyperbelt
25. Apr 2018 · 06:48 UTC
Wow man really nice game. Love the message at the end too haha although I dont think Vampires area ever not the monsters XD they have to suck blood for a living!
Norris Eldridge
25. Apr 2018 · 06:49 UTC
@justalocalhero thank you so much! I really appreciate the feedback and it's great to hear you liked the game :)
Siactro
25. Apr 2018 · 10:56 UTC
Love it! I did not expect something this polished and atmospherical to be honest. :D Really enjoyed the game. Only minor complains I have: Being able to hold down a direction key would be cool (maybe have a shor delay between every action anyway?) and being able to use the arrow keys(this is more a personal thing because I like using them more if I don't need WASD). Really amazing game though! <3 :)
Flaterectomy
25. Apr 2018 · 19:47 UTC
The genres seem pretty compatible the way you made this game, which is a good thing. You managed to keep the atmosphere creepy but still supply the tactical turn-based elements.

The atmosphere is very solid, both musically and visually. The art is nicely oldschool, though there is some blending of colour values though. An outline, shadow or greater contrast in colours would help there. Audio-wise, I missed some sounds for the monsters and one weird personal irk was how each movement only has one footstep sound instead of two. That's just an objective thing, I think.

Having to start the level over after dying is what kept me from completing the game. A waypoint on each door or something in that vein would've kept me going longer.

Nice work!
kroltan
25. Apr 2018 · 22:53 UTC
Man, this has to be the best sound design in all of LD. Now I need to re-rate all the other games to fit this new baseline!
ragtagradical
25. Apr 2018 · 23:05 UTC
This was fantastic. Great atmosphere and sound.
Ente
25. Apr 2018 · 23:40 UTC
Nice work! Also nice to play through. Not too difficult but in a good way! ;) I liked the graphics and the sounds. The last bit was a bit too heavy for me (as in the sounds and the general atmosphere) but I guess that was also planned!?
Zyuxis
27. Apr 2018 · 06:43 UTC
How atmospheric! You really set the mood visually and in sound design, you also combined two genres I enjoy. Thanks for the fun.
Jamblefoot
27. Apr 2018 · 06:59 UTC
Incredibly well done! You nailed it with the music and creepy sounds throughout, which is the really spooky part of any survival horror experience. The turn-based mechanics with the limited view and no minimap were also all really good choices really well executed. And that ending just brought it all home. Bravo!
fjlucas
27. Apr 2018 · 07:08 UTC
Nice mix of genders! The sound is great! BTW, if you want to see a good mix of platformer + tetris, please have a look:
https://ldjam.com/events/ludum-dare/41/unblock-the-exit
:)
dankar
27. Apr 2018 · 07:08 UTC
Awesome entry! Great atmosphere. It feels really polished and almost like a full game I would pay money for :)
daanvanyperen
27. Apr 2018 · 08:15 UTC
Very effective at what it is. Had a lot of fun playing it! Thanks for that.
stark
27. Apr 2018 · 08:24 UTC
Great atmospheric game. One suggestion is to add arrow movement for right hand.
Iluvatar
27. Apr 2018 · 09:41 UTC
5/5 for mood. The athmosphere of the game was incredibly well done. Gameplay was also funny, and I even got spooked once when a werewolf jumped on me. Luckily I had my weapon ready. Really nice game.
BlakeMcDeezy
27. Apr 2018 · 09:47 UTC
You guys are going to do great on mood! The music and art worked really well together to create something really cool. Great work!
Norris Eldridge
27. Apr 2018 · 15:30 UTC
Hey @dankar what would you want to see in the game that would make it feel more like a game you'd actually go out and buy?
Balint
29. Apr 2018 · 19:35 UTC
What a hidden gem. I think this might be my favorite entry so far! Mood is just spot on, nice graphics, the audio fits 100%…Just all around a good time.
Jonathan Lorenz
30. Apr 2018 · 12:49 UTC
Interesting! The concept is worth exploring. I had a great time and the last level was very satisfying! On the down side, having to hit multiple times keys to move was a bit unpleasant.Very good work overall!
Acuity
09. May 2018 · 23:21 UTC
Pretty good atmosphere! I found the game itself to be a little bit clunky though - I couldn't fire the gun, and instead it became an extra life if I got attacked, I guess. sometimes a wolf would just kill me out of nowhere! The footsteps in the audio is a nice touch.
🎤 davidsheadgames
10. May 2018 · 03:42 UTC
@Acuity Thanks for your feedback! Yeah, a lack of instructions in the game itself is a bit of a detriment. Space should fire the gun.
Sapazu
10. May 2018 · 13:06 UTC
One of the best LD41 games in my opinion. I played web version but had to download this game because I will play it again <3
DaragonGames
13. May 2018 · 11:04 UTC
This game manages to create a spooky mood, but the mixed genres won't work to well because by making a game turn based, you remove the possibility of surprise, at least if actual play turn for turn and not spam the button like I did and then suddenly get hit by something :D. The graphics look good and by making the game really dark you don't have to focus on them to much and paired with the sound, it created a thrilling experience. Overall Awesome Game.