The Fifth Exponent by axoona

made by axoona for LD 39 (JAM)

Embark on this ridiculous adventure in space where cars only travel by discrete exponential distances.

You'll need to load the correct exponent if you want to arrive at your destination. And when you arrive on an island, just Point & Click!

And if you run out of Exponents you will need to restart.

screen<em>shot</em>1.png

The game is in a very rough version. There's no sound whatsoever and unfortunately I didn't have time to implement time-rewind nor in-game hints. Also the nature of the game requires that you will probably restart it a few times. Unfortunately you'll need to to do it manually by restarting the game. I'm sorry for the inconvenience!

There are also a few game breaking bugs that I've discovered only several days after releasing when doing more playthroughs. I do not have time to correct this before judging ends. If you don't click repetively anywhere you should be allright though. Also the ending IS implemented in the jam version.

And if it happens that you liked the game or think you might have liked it please be informed that the post-jam version will come eventually. I hope in 2-3 weeks.

In the meantime, if you're stuck gamewise, check out the spoiler free hints & complete walkthrough that you can find here: http://www.axoona.net/the-fifth-exponent-hints/

Versions

the version 1.0.1 should correct the stuck problem mentionned by @somethinboutgames. so please prefer this version.

But if you insist on playing the original version (for the jam sake or whatever other reasons) please be warned that the game will get stuck if you click on the car when the loading interface is shown.

Windows	https://axoona.itch.io/the-fifth-exponent
Original URL	https://ldjam.com/events/ludum-dare/39/the-fifth-exponent

Ratings

Overall	580^th	3.111⭐	20🧑‍⚖️
Fun	445^th	3.111⭐	20🧑‍⚖️
Innovation	353^th	3.167⭐	20🧑‍⚖️
Theme	308^th	3.667⭐	20🧑‍⚖️
Graphics	228^th	4⭐	20🧑‍⚖️
Humor	34^th	4⭐	20🧑‍⚖️
Mood	419^th	3.222⭐	20🧑‍⚖️
Given		17🗳️	16🗨️

Feedback

neowhoru

01. Aug 2017 · 11:16 UTC

Well more explanation what to do in this game would be good... i dont get it.

somethinboutgames

01. Aug 2017 · 11:41 UTC

As @neowhoru said it is quite difficult to figure out what to do in this game. I get that I have to use the right power of two to visit certain places, but once I reached the tea station for example I couldn't talk to the merchant nor get back in the car and got stuck...

I do like the pixel art, the animation of the characters hopping reminded me of the tentacles in "Day of the tentacle". Some music, sfx and maybe even voice acting would've benefited the game greatly...

I love the meta humor in the game, especially the ending if you fail. A clever way to avoid implementing a restart mechanic :grin:

To make solving the whole thing a little easier a mini map on the top of the screen would be great. That way the challenge of the game wouldn't be mapping out where to go by trial and error and then solving the puzzle, but just solving the puzzle instead.

🎤 axoona

01. Aug 2017 · 11:42 UTC

thanks for your comment @neowhoru. I see people are rating the game without leaving any feedback, that's usually not a good sign.

I had hoped it would be clear but visibly it isn't. I'll add more explanation on the game page.
Did you try moving the space car?

This game is a plain and simple Point & Click adventure with a little twist as in order to arrive at any destination with your car, you first need to load the correct exponent of 2 (ex. loading exponent 5 lets you travel 32 parsecs). The objective of the game is solve the double puzzle (the exponents puzzle to arrive at any destination and the classic adventure puzzles that are present on the islands).

sgt3v

01. Aug 2017 · 12:03 UTC

I liked the art style, reminds me Day of The Tentacle. I gather I needed to make the right length of movement using the exponents to stop on the islands and I did couple of times but the events did not improve the story. Probably some un finished parts.

Sadly I was not able to talk with the brown guy, interaction just did not start, and when car runs out of power nothing happens just waiting :D

🎤 axoona

01. Aug 2017 · 12:20 UTC

hey @sgt3v yes you guessed it right! :grinning:
The ending when you do the right combination of actions is implemented, but as you can move back and forth and do or not do certain actions on the islands, there is a number of combnation I probably didn't test at all..

If you care please try the 1.0.1 version. In the original version the game gets stuck when you accidentaly clicked on the car, it's probably what you encountered.

digitaldude555

01. Aug 2017 · 12:27 UTC

Graphics.
I like them reminds me of 90s adventure games, animation is good. 4/5.

Humor.
Pretty funny compared to most LD entries. 4/5.

Theme.
Very good take on the theme, made it an interesting game mechanic.

Fun.
Mostly just clicking buttons, but interacting with the characters is fun. 3/5.

Innovation.
Just seems like a text adventure, nothing really innovative. 2/5.

Overall I didn't notice a restart button would be great to have, maybe some hints, right now it's very trial and error.

tkuusis

02. Aug 2017 · 06:58 UTC

This game captures the 90's point&click atmosphere really well! Too bad there's no music or sfx whatsoever, I'd really like to hear some midi sounds. Interesting puzzle mechanic but the game depends on trial and error maybe a little bit too much. Anyway good work!

Wheffle

02. Aug 2017 · 08:58 UTC

Fun idea. Is there a way to restart the game though? I couldn't find a way, I just had to close the window and restart the game. Loved the art and animations, enjoyed the dialogue as well. Nice work!

celia14

05. Aug 2017 · 22:42 UTC

This is really fun! The classic point-and-click gameplay of figuring out who needs what was enhanced, in my book, by the brainteaser aspect of using the powers to get to different islands. The initial mapping out of what was where was a bit slow, but made me feel accomplished when I finally put it all together. I love the quirky characters and art, too!

Jupiter_Hadley

07. Aug 2017 · 13:27 UTC

Very cute game! I included it in my Ludum Dare 39 compilation video series, if you’d like to take a look :) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XAlLzxVYeo

Pixel Game Wizard

08. Aug 2017 · 01:46 UTC

Definitely takes me back to old point-and-click adventures. I actually really liked this entry.

I was able to figure out what to do based on the description.

I loved the art! It made me smile. :-)

The humour was good too! I also liked the meta stuff if you failed (or succeeded!)

Yeah mapping the islands isn't too fun. A map would probably help to avoid trial & error, make it feel a bit more like a puzzle.

Overall fun! Thank you for sharing this! :-)

TreasonousFlock

18. Aug 2017 · 00:05 UTC

The exponential engine was a really interesting mechanic! I feel like it was a creative twist on the concept of a machine running out of power. There characters were definitely unique and I got quite a few laughs out of it. Overall pretty enjoyable and an idea worth continuing to work with!

NORRIMO

18. Aug 2017 · 18:32 UTC

Nice Point & Click. It reminds me of 'Day of the Tentacle'. The idea of calculating exponential numbers is smart. I also liked the graphic style but the light of the car don't fit in.
Sounds would be great.

Badly Drawn Rod

18. Aug 2017 · 21:04 UTC

The graphics took me back in time. They were very good, and the game was humorous too. It's a shame that you didn't get around to the sound, but even without it the game had a great early 90s feel to it.

LeReveur

19. Aug 2017 · 01:37 UTC

The art and animation are funny, it's really like old fashion point'n click. Did not understand everything about the correct use of this exponent thing, I go back and forth few times, reaching only two places and finishing in middle of nowhere. Did not understand the point, too, but it was fun to try. Hope you'll make something strong starting on this entry, if you want to. Anyways, good job. :)

GalaxStudios

19. Aug 2017 · 12:48 UTC

This game captures the 90’s point&click atmosphere really well! Too bad there’s no music or sfx whatsoever, I’d really like to hear some midi sounds. Interesting puzzle mechanic but the game depends on trial and error maybe a little bit too much. Anyway good work!