Dude Grower (AKA U. F. Grow) by smizmeal

[raw]
made by smizmeal for LD34 (COMPO)
Dude Grower, AKA U. F. Grow is a physics-based color matching puzzle game about dudes. You control an alien ship ("UFO") intent on spreading dudes from one planet to another. Why? Because your alien overlords said so.

When dudes bounce on a planet they change the planet's color. Can you beat all levels in the time given? BONUS: There is an endless mode with randomly-generated challenges.

Why is it called Dude Grower? It's all about growing the right dudes on a new planet. When dudes die, the planets grow new dudes to compensate. It's the circle of life.

CONTROLS:

Use the mouse to move the player.
Use the LEFT mouse button to activate the tractor beam. You must be near dudes to abduct them.
Release the LEFT mouse button to let the dudes go!

Note: there are only four fairly easy levels. I ran out of time to do proper game design, and endless mode was implemented as a last-minute attempt to increase playability. I think of the version submitted for the competition as more of a bare-bones prototype. I'm planning to design more puzzles in the coming days and link to an updated "post-compo" version of the game eventually.

If you enjoyed this, you may enjoy checking out my entry for Ludum Dare 30, which explored similar themes: Dude Launch (http://ludumdare.com/compo/2014/08/30/dude-launch-post-mortem-ludum-dare-30-compo/).

Feedback

Elenesski
14. Dec 2015 · 16:45 UTC
Neat idea. A different take. Wasn't sure how to manipulate the game other through drag and drop. Perhaps the goal could be 2/3 red 1/3 blue, or something like that.

I think the idea has potential.
mahjong50
21. Dec 2015 · 02:12 UTC
I really liked the idea, but the game might be a little too precise when measuring the units.
Maybe the best part of the game is that you can smash units with your ufo.
Martin Vilcans
04. Jan 2016 · 19:23 UTC
A bit hard to control. The tractor beam is weak and it's easy to kill the dudes by mistake.