A Puzzling Combination by Noa Calice

[raw]
made by Noa Calice for LD 41 (COMPO)

Puzzle Boy falls in love with Reflex girl ! He believes they'll make a perfect pair, an epic match ! She however... disagrees, she thinks they're completely INCOMPATIBLE...

Rules : change shape with the LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys !


The game features VERY SIMPLE yet CHALLENGING, reflex based gameplay !

gameplayGOOD.png

A juicy, colorful art style !

Menu.png

A story about love, rejection and following your heart (told in a very light way)...

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Here's a BEHIND THE SCENES VIDEO about my LD41 experience !

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDw8P5nE-IQ&t=1s

Ratings

Overall 57th 3.951⭐ 73🧑‍⚖️
Fun 72th 3.845⭐ 73🧑‍⚖️
Innovation 426th 3.204⭐ 73🧑‍⚖️
Theme 459th 3.352⭐ 73🧑‍⚖️
Graphics 7th 4.589⭐ 75🧑‍⚖️
Audio 42th 3.852⭐ 73🧑‍⚖️
Humor 27th 3.979⭐ 74🧑‍⚖️
Given 28🗳️ 23🗨️

Feedback

22. Apr 2018 · 23:58 UTC
Great overall feel with transitions, juicy sounds everywhere etc. I love the art style! Amount and quality of art in this game is really impressive!

The game concept itself was quite uninspired. I didn't feel like there was any puzzling at all in the actual game, and it was not very fun.
Lilkkgoog
23. Apr 2018 · 01:40 UTC
The art style's great, I love how everything's made of puzzle pieces. It makes a great feel for the game. The gameplay's fun. Everything makes sense. Though I would like to know the two genres you used to make this game. I think the genres are reflex and rogue, correct me if I'm wrong.

I would say I had a great time playing this for a little bit
🎤 Noa Calice
23. Apr 2018 · 06:43 UTC
The two genres are actually PUZZLE GAMES and REFLEX. There is no actual PUZZLE in the gameplay (except matching pieces), the puzzle part is really in the STORY :) ! (The theme didn't specify that the two genres needed to combine via gameplay, so I had fun doing so with the story and going for a more classic, reflex/action based gameplay)
Tomáš Selmeci
23. Apr 2018 · 07:17 UTC
When i saw the first picture of the game, i immediately knew who made it. You have such an unique style of art and juicy animations, i just love it. The game was very good overall.
el-pepi
23. Apr 2018 · 07:18 UTC
Lovely art style, I guess it's supossed to look like super meatboy. Very polished, I really liked the menu.The gameplay itself is a bit too simple.
Distrait
23. Apr 2018 · 07:19 UTC
I thought this was really well done! Looks very polished! I'm curious what program you used for the artwork :)
Jackson Frankland
23. Apr 2018 · 07:19 UTC
This is my favourite so far
ROBOWARRIOR1982
23. Apr 2018 · 07:20 UTC
A cute and fun game, the mechanics are simple and effective!
ORECROS
23. Apr 2018 · 07:24 UTC
really cute art and sound!

gameplay got dull faster than it deserved. imagine... hold on...

![image.png](///raw/74b/21/z/11359.png)

maybe even just blocks coming from the top and right of the screen.

I guess this would mean drawing alot more different puzzle pieces to get everything to work right, If you spent all 48 hours making what you got, this probably would be too much? idk.
superpokeunicorn
23. Apr 2018 · 07:26 UTC
I really like the art-style and overall presentation. Everything was very well stylized with thick outline and lots of color. I particularly like how the main puzzle piece wasn't totally static and actually moved its face around a bit. The cartoonish sound effects were also very fitting. Also, the menu was nicely implemented with pop-ups and everything. The narrative was cute, too. My main point of criticism of the game would be its overly repetitive nature. It would have been cool if new elements were introduced over time instead of the game just going faster and faster. But, for what it is, the presentation was enjoyable on its own merits. Nice work!
Memel06
23. Apr 2018 · 07:28 UTC
YOU NAILED IT! This game is pretty fantastic.
I love your artworks! Your drawing style resembles an Italian comic artist, Scottecs (look it up! https://i.ytimg.com/vi/VJfaBdcp8xA/maxresdefault.jpg)
You're great, I had a lot of fun playing it, very intuitive and fast.

Nice entry!
🎤 Noa Calice
23. Apr 2018 · 07:32 UTC
Thanks for the feedback everyone :) !
@orecros Thanks for that :) ! I like the concept of having pieces coming from various sides ! Might try it out just for fun !
Petro Shoferystov
23. Apr 2018 · 08:53 UTC
That was very nice executed game. Animations, menus and so on. An the gameplay by itself are very relaxing after 48 hours of nonstop action :) It's pretty much completed and ready for a roll-out I'd say. GJ!
Raindrinker
23. Apr 2018 · 10:54 UTC
Simple but extremely effective! Love the art! Hurts a bit on the eyes when it gets fast, is it maybe not 60FPS? Also when I "won" I got a lose screen before the win screen, don't know if that's intended. really really clean design, you just would want the great art and story to have some more depth of gameplay somehow. Love it!
amras0000
23. Apr 2018 · 11:58 UTC
I know a lot of people are complaining about the lack of mechanics, but personally I don't think the game needs more than it has.

What you have is a dumbed-down and simple-as-can-be reflex game. The only thing simpler is the same thing but with one button controls. The pace of the game increases over time, so no matter how good you are at pattern recognition the speed eventually catches up to your abilities. The mechanics work, and don't need fixing.

But everything around that is polished to absolute perfection. The animations are gorgeous, the story, if cheesy, is very well presented. The sound design is fantastic. I might have a slight complaint about the music, but it fits and doesn't get in the way. Fantastic work.
Pheonise
23. Apr 2018 · 15:14 UTC
Good game - surprisingly challenging! I thought it would expand to multiple directions at some point, but still pretty good quality!
Aaronacus
23. Apr 2018 · 15:38 UTC
Your game is so fucking cute! And funny of course... Nice Work!
🎤 Noa Calice
23. Apr 2018 · 15:58 UTC
Thanks for the feedback :) ! As always this community is awesome and so encouraging !
fashionbatman
23. Apr 2018 · 18:23 UTC
This is so cute and is really well polished! Its simple and is presented extremely well. Great job!
gonutz
23. Apr 2018 · 18:40 UTC
Really cool game! I love the animation, you put a lot of love in making these little guys as cute as they get :-)

I like your sound effects, the claps and the pitch modulated voice and all!

I noticed that the game goes in the top-left corner in fullscreen mode instead of scaling or being centered.

The stretching animations between the story pictures is pretty cool, it is these little touches that make a game so much more entertainig.

Also the menu, how cute is that and again, sucha great idea.

What I was missing is a little more of the gameplay, like @orecros said, puzzle pieces to the other sides. I was actually expecting that in later levels but then there was only one. I know, 48 hours and everything, so just saying ;-)

Overall a great game, thank you for this and keep up the good work!
GameDevMumin
23. Apr 2018 · 20:27 UTC
ART is AMAZING, CUTE and do not know what more! Gameplay is soo satysfying. Did 59, wanna do 100/100. Just love that game, my favorite from all i have checked already !
petitpois
23. Apr 2018 · 22:32 UTC
Always love your art style, really fun take on the theme - Awesome game :smile:
infinitycore
23. Apr 2018 · 23:38 UTC
I got 69

very fun
HKoisumi
24. Apr 2018 · 00:20 UTC
Freaking amazing! Excelent work, wanna check ours too??

https://ldjam.com/events/ludum-dare/41/hype-time
Jeffrey Hwang
24. Apr 2018 · 03:59 UTC
Loved the art, enjoyed the rhythm game style gameplay. Maybe if the level was shorter, I might be able to get it right, but 59 was my highest.
Eroder
24. Apr 2018 · 04:41 UTC
I realy love it, good graphics.
sanjeev
24. Apr 2018 · 05:43 UTC
Love the graphics and the cute intro. Definitely could play more of this if different directions were added. Awesome job!
🎤 Noa Calice
24. Apr 2018 · 06:58 UTC
Thanks so much everyone :) ! A behind the scenes will be coming out my Yt channel some time today :) ! Stay tuned ! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9Z1XWw1kmnvOOFsj6Bzy2g/videos?view_as=subscriber
ruerob-hyky
24. Apr 2018 · 11:09 UTC
Hahaha! This game is so fun! \o/
It really makes me want to play one more round! hahaha!

I made it to 89 points one time! haha! I want to get to 100 but my concentration is a bit off! hahaha!
I will try it again later! :0)

![Bildschirmfoto vom 2018-04-24 13-03-39.png](///raw/a18/1/z/13716.png)
change
24. Apr 2018 · 13:09 UTC
simple, cute and fun
zeMenno
24. Apr 2018 · 14:13 UTC
This is pretty sick!
jharler
24. Apr 2018 · 15:25 UTC
Hey Noa, I've been a subscriber to your YT channel for a while. This was a cute game, I liked it. I was able to get the 100 matches and was confused at first because when I did mess up, it showed him looking sad, but then went to the "we're compatible" screen. Also, a good number of the sprites were missing for me. The 4 menu sprites were missing and the sprites surrounding the main game play screen were missing (I just saw my player piece and the incoming pieces to match with).

Overall though, this is a very solid entry. Nice work! If you get a chance, I'd like to get your input on my game. Thanks!
Le Slo
24. Apr 2018 · 17:01 UTC
This was fun! Not very two genres, but really fun. I guess if that ability of shapeshifting from our friend puzzle means that he was "Reflex" all along. Beautiful graphics, solid entry!+

I reached 117 peaces, lost, saw the "Incompatible" Screen, and the the "Compatible" cinematic. Is this normal?

Congratulations
ValBoise
24. Apr 2018 · 18:45 UTC
Once again a very nice game you made !
I'm still amazed how good you are for creating your own universe on each game :)

By the way I discovered your channel a few weeks ago and it's really enjoyable to watch :)
I would really like to have your feedback on the game I submitted in solo :)

Continue your job :D
LeReveur
24. Apr 2018 · 18:45 UTC
Cute art, funny story, and simple good game, like your previous LD, and I'm not disapointed having following you! Good job!
Sadly, I can't go to the 100 (I'm sticking to ~55), because the game screen size is way too wide, and my old PC lags as the game fasters (combination of clipping the screen, and browser memory management, I guess). I would like to test it with a smallest game size ^_^
JOrbits
24. Apr 2018 · 19:05 UTC
Simple but cool game. Really nice art. You should turn this into a mobile app! Maybe change the state of the piece by tapping or make it stick out when a finger touches the screen.
LeReveur
24. Apr 2018 · 23:09 UTC
@JOrbits : or simply by gliding finger left and right ;)
noumenus
24. Apr 2018 · 23:54 UTC
I love the story and how you tied it to the puzzles and the graphics are great!
Ashtrail
25. Apr 2018 · 08:03 UTC
Very simple concept but very well polished. Nice art and sound effects, okay music, meh gameplay not gonna lie. I don't have much to say apart from that.

Good job and maybe try to focus a bit more on the gameplay next time to change from your habits :P (I tried you last LD entry too).
Yetman
25. Apr 2018 · 10:46 UTC
Really cute. To be honest, I don't find it innovative but it was really fun and challenging for me. The art is really great and so is the music and sounds. I still love how the theme ties more to the story rather than the game mechanics. By the way, My high score is 106, I thought the game would stop at 100 but it didn't, then it told me that we're incompatible then later that we're compatible... Pffft Women!. The game currently has low replay value but it has a great potential of growth.. especially as a mobile game. Great game.
Shape
25. Apr 2018 · 14:48 UTC
Charming,fun and beautifully executed. Great job :smile:
Oivin F
25. Apr 2018 · 20:41 UTC
Simple and cute! Not sure the puzzle part really got through to me but the story elements made up for it
LemonBalmGames
25. Apr 2018 · 23:30 UTC
I could voice some criticisms but the answers to all of them are already in your youtube video about the entry. Instead, I'll just say that it might be a good idea to build on this a bit and maybe publish it on Android? It just feels like a very good mobile game. In any case, very good entry. Good job!
jchaplin
26. Apr 2018 · 01:38 UTC
Very nice game. Love the artwork, animations... pretty much everything... great job!
recursor
26. Apr 2018 · 23:53 UTC
Love the squishy graphic transitions for the littel story part. The title/menu screen is great too. The art style is simple, clean and very nice as is the gameplay. Very simple yet well-produced. I'd love to see more puzzle piece types. Excellent work.
saintheiser
27. Apr 2018 · 02:27 UTC
Got 116 and still icompartible. But thes compartible. Strange user flow.. hmmm...
Visually looks very goods, stroyline quite drammatic =) Gameplay too simple only for 5 minutes for me.
Belga54
27. Apr 2018 · 15:44 UTC
I liked the way you told the story. Good choice of trying to polish more then getting it to get more mechanics. Loved your art style and I like this music, good game.
MariosManiatis
27. Apr 2018 · 19:36 UTC
Really nice! Very innovative!
jshaffer94247
29. Apr 2018 · 02:28 UTC
Enjoyed it...it took many tries to get past 5, but once I got the hang of it I hit 32 on the next try. I think it could start a little slower and then speed up. Everything about it is nicely polished. Nice looking game!
maesk
01. May 2018 · 14:25 UTC
Cool game! Graphics and animations are adorable and really alive, I like them. Game mechanic is great but I guess it can be expanded with more time of development. Nice work!
🎤 Noa Calice
02. May 2018 · 10:18 UTC
Thanks everyone for the great feedback :) ! It's always so appreciated !
PackNSlash
02. May 2018 · 16:45 UTC
Your art style has always been a favorite of mine. It's exciting to go from watching youtube videos of LD jams to participating in one and being a part of this world!

Simple but engaging gameplay, amazing graphics, fun sounds that work remarkably well with the design, AND you started late! Keep up the good work!
Hisfantor
06. May 2018 · 18:23 UTC
that was great, the amount of additional graphics that are just to create a more fun experience are great
mrerdalural
06. May 2018 · 19:36 UTC
Is it weird this game reminds me of genital jousting hahaha :D
cristiano.m.garcia
11. May 2018 · 23:44 UTC
Congratulations for the game. Great fun. I loved the simplicity of the art and the sound is very pleasant.

I left my rating of your game, if you can leave your feedback in our game, Witch's Escape.

I hope you continue with the project.

https://ldjam.com/events/ludum-dare/41/witchs-escape