LudumData

Tactical Hydra by MacDoom

[raw]
made by MacDoom for LD 41 (COMPO)

TACTICAL HYDRA Tactical Strategy Turn Based Shooter

WARNING!! THREAD LEVEL 80's !!

A giant Hydra is threatening earth! Our only hope is YOU! ...and the most advanced Hydra head hunting spaceship avaiable. Charge, cloak, fire, think carefully your next move.

Time doesnt run until you make an action. The advanced Magnetoplasmic thruster lets you adjust your thrust at will. If you turn, shoot or use your Transdimensional cloaking device time will be executed. If you turn once more in the direction youre going an extreme turning maneuvre that come with extreme inertia results. Just one turn to the other side and the ship will straighten up.

The specialy designed for Hydra Slayin' Photon Ultragun takes a turn to shoot and 3 turns to recharge. Transdimensional cloaking is efective against all this dimension threats while is activated. It's nature prevents you to adjust your direction during activation. It cannot be activated twice in a row.

PRO TIP: Increase your thruster before cloaking to bypass any danger! PRO TIP: Two turns in the same direction and one to the other makes a 90 degrees turn!

Screen warps horizontally and bounces vertically.

THGameplay.gif

Controls

UP = increase ship's thrust DOWN = decrease ship's thrust

LEFT = turn counter clockwise. Ends turn. RIGHT = turn clockwise. Ends turn.

Z = Fire (gun must be charged [3 turns]). Ends turn. X = Cloak device. Cannot be damaged. Speed increased. (Cannot be used twice in a row). Ends turn.

SPACE = End turn F12 = Restart game ESC = Quit

GUI.png

Sound FX generated with BFXR.

Music composed with Jeskola Buzz.

Graphics created with Aseprite.

Created with Game Maker Studio 1.4.

Windows https://macdoom.itch.io/tactical-hydra
Original URL https://ldjam.com/events/ludum-dare/41/tactical-hydra

Ratings

Overall 328th 3.409⭐ 84🧑‍⚖️
Fun 271th 3.396⭐ 84🧑‍⚖️
Innovation 249th 3.555⭐ 84🧑‍⚖️
Theme 187th 3.909⭐ 84🧑‍⚖️
Graphics 326th 3.299⭐ 84🧑‍⚖️
Audio 158th 3.389⭐ 83🧑‍⚖️
Mood 231th 3.278⭐ 83🧑‍⚖️
Given 149🗳️ 169🗨️

Feedback

Rapter
24. Apr 2018 · 20:22 UTC
Good Game!!! 5/5
Serious07
24. Apr 2018 · 20:29 UTC
Hi. Well done. I'm think what it's a little bit hard to predict movement of the ship. Line of movement and shooting for present time will be nice to see. Soundtrack is ok. Good Job :D
Blight Radiance
24. Apr 2018 · 21:02 UTC
Managed to beat easy mode :)
Controls are quite difficult at first. It's hard to aim because it's hard to tell if 3 turns have passed while trying to preserve perfect attack angle. Some hits don't register properly making game a little bit harder)
Nice graphics and sounds!
After few tries, turn based element 'clicked'. I think you managed to implement the theme quite well.
bar0net
24. Apr 2018 · 22:45 UTC
It took a handful of turns to get a feel of how the ship moves but, once you get it, the game is really fun to play.
🎤 MacDoom
25. Apr 2018 · 00:53 UTC
Thanks for the ratings and the comments!
Effectively there's some polishing to do.
To know when you can shoot there's an icon at the side of the thruster gauge and a sound when the gun is fully charged.
I'll check your games right away! =O)
a_a
25. Apr 2018 · 02:17 UTC
This game is really fun. Really hard, but I love how the game plays!
dalbinblue
25. Apr 2018 · 03:01 UTC
Took a while for me to get the handle on this game. I was never good at asteroids, so this was a bit fiddly for me. A guide, especially for the shots would help, or perhaps a line that shows the last few moves, but despite that I did pretty good at least on easy. The sound track works well, and the game is solid mechanically, so nicely done.
Solrun
25. Apr 2018 · 04:55 UTC
This game is very complex. As such, it would be super handy to have all of the controls stay on the screen the entire time. It takes a few tries to get the controls down and figure out what all the buttons do. You have quite a few options at your disposal every turn.

I really like your art style. The lines around and behind your ship as you zoom across give the movement a great feel. The music and sound effects are also quite good and fit the game nicely.
auxC
25. Apr 2018 · 20:02 UTC
The learning curve is a bit steep, but once I got the controls down it turned out to be really fun to play, especially juking things by warping around the sides of the screen. I like the retro feel and the fact that I got to fight some chopped off hydra heads in space. 😀 Cool stuff!
ketura
26. Apr 2018 · 02:31 UTC
Game's a bit hard, even on the easiest setting, but most of that is in grasping the odd turning and boosting controls. The extremely limited shooting feels restrictive rather than tactical, and it feels inconsistent that everything advances time except for changing thrust. Still, good quality of audio and graphics, and it feels like it's just lacking some polish with the controls.
Togis
26. Apr 2018 · 03:10 UTC
I played this game on stream last night, here is the VOD:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zi_N5-Te0zM

Thanks for making this game!
L_K_
26. Apr 2018 · 07:15 UTC
Nice concept, and this game is so funny.
I enjoy this a lot.
Artur Hawkwing
26. Apr 2018 · 07:22 UTC
This game is very, very fun!! Hard, although that is part of the fun of it. Great job!!
notpresident35
26. Apr 2018 · 21:17 UTC
Good job! It's really fun and looks great! I like the audio (minimalistic but fitting) and the genres are combined flawlessly! The cloak doesn't really provide much feedback as to whether it is working or not, but that's okay.

Good job, and good luck!
ragtagradical
27. Apr 2018 · 01:51 UTC
I really enjoyed the tone of this game. Just felt like some vintage arcade game with a high level of difficulty. I was pretty bad at it. I'd like to see someone playing it at master level.
🎤 MacDoom
27. Apr 2018 · 03:07 UTC
@dalbinblue Thanks for your comment! A more graphical guide to gameplay is coming next week :)

@solrun I'm planning a control showing toggle option so you can turn it off once you get familiar with the controls. Thanks for the suggestion!

@ketura Thanks for your honesty! All control choices where made on purpose. Changing the thruster at will is vital for strategy planning and charging the gun was necessary for the difficulty I was looking for. I considered that shooting at will was spoiling the challenge once you get used to the controls. Anyway there's a lot of polishing to do for the next version once the jam is over.

@togis Thanks for the video!! I'll trasure it forever! You learned how to control the ship really quick and well!

@notpresident35 Staying awake till 6am composing that tune was worthy after reading how much people liked it =O).
Cloaking changes the ship's color. After your comment I'll include a flashy interdimensional particle in the next version besides extending the ship's sprites to tell de difference between soft and hard turning. Thank you so much!
🎤 MacDoom
27. Apr 2018 · 03:12 UTC
@blight-radiance working right now about that unregistered shots. Thanks for pointing it out =O)
Darkphnx
27. Apr 2018 · 05:10 UTC
Oh man, this was a really challenging one for me! I couldn't get past two of the hydra heads on easy mode lol. Great theme all throughout the game. I really dig the art and music that was used for this project. As far as all the turn-based mashups I've seen this Ludum Dare, this is one of the more enjoyable ones that I've played so far! Great submission!
Cyrdach
27. Apr 2018 · 12:18 UTC
I have never experienced any game like this one. Congrats!
CG_Fred
27. Apr 2018 · 23:16 UTC
This game was challenging, great job man! I would have loved a shield. I didn't understand how the cloaking thing worked. All in all a great game! Thanks for creating it!
🎤 MacDoom
28. Apr 2018 · 02:35 UTC
@cg-fred while cloaked nothing can harm you.
Pro tip: increase your thruster for that turn to bypass any danger ;)
dib
28. Apr 2018 · 18:30 UTC
Interesting use of the theme, but I found this really difficult. Good job though, it feels finished.
abhimonk
28. Apr 2018 · 18:58 UTC
Very cool idea. The turn-based dodging was very satisfying to pull off. Modulating my thrust to pull off close dodges and cloaks to avoid the hydras attacks was very fun. I thought the aiming was a little tough to get right. It didn't feel like I had much control over how much the ship rotated each time, so lining up shots was really tough.

All that said, I really like how fun the dodging mechanics are. The art and music also fit the retro style very well. Great work!
pogo
28. Apr 2018 · 22:07 UTC
Hey, returning the review after reading your awesome comment.
I really enjoyed the audio and shooting mechanic in your game - manoeuvring into position to line up the perfect shot and then dodging is super cool, if a little difficult.
Lost Dutchman Software
28. Apr 2018 · 22:46 UTC
Neat idea, I found it quite challenging but the concept/theme of it is super rad (also the graphic/sound combo is noice)
MarkoPoloDev
29. Apr 2018 · 00:22 UTC
* hydra art was neat. I liked the lack of necks :thumbsup:
* I wish there was a way to just go forwards, I didn't really get the hang of steering (or aiming, for that matter :smile:)
* The UI is very clean, I think it's well laid out. The little spinning hourglass to show that time was passing is a nice touch. The gun charge and cloak available indicators are very useful!

Nice game!
C1FR1
29. Apr 2018 · 00:27 UTC
the controls could use some work, but otherwise its a pretty good game.
Smooth
29. Apr 2018 · 01:20 UTC
Cool Concept
batmanasb
29. Apr 2018 · 01:31 UTC
Man those controls are hard to get used to, yet fun in a way. Most of the challenge came from controlling my own ship, lol. But once I kinda sorta figured things out, I managed to beat normal!
🎤 MacDoom
29. Apr 2018 · 01:37 UTC
@markopolodev Thanks for your feedback! You can go foward adjusting the thruster, straightening the ship (turn once to the opposite direction to do this), and then pressing space, shooting or using the cloaking device.

PRO TIP: Two turns in the same direction and one to the other makes a 90 degrees turn ;O)

@C1FR1 Thanks for your comment! The controls are odd in the beggining as they're unconventional but after a few tries I've seen how most people get used. I'm already planning changes for further versions to get the gameplay more graphically explained.

If you're turning in one direction and turn again in that direction, the angle will be increased... after that if you turn again in the same direction or press space the angle will maintain. Press once in the other direction to straighten the sip.
Chao
29. Apr 2018 · 10:49 UTC
I didn't notice any tactical hydras, all the ones I saw were just ball bustingly hard.

Really cool idea and a great execution. The controls were pretty weird to begin with, but I got used to them after not too long, and finally managed to figure out a relatively good strategy. That was when they started firing the purple homing bullets.
I really liked all the little details that went into it, with the wrap around map and the little hourglass showing the turn, it all came together really well. The sound effect for beating the hydra was also appropriately ear drum exploding.

Overall, had a lot of fun with this one, great job!

I managed to beat easy.
Utho
29. Apr 2018 · 20:28 UTC
LOL! xD Really fun game and i definitely loved how it's turn based combat.
The only thing i'd add as feedback is to have WASD as controls instead of arrow keys and have LMB be shoot and RMB be cloak. Gamers will thank you!
🎤 MacDoom
29. Apr 2018 · 20:50 UTC
@Utho Added to the to do list! Thank you so much!
morrilet
30. Apr 2018 · 02:05 UTC
Oh boy, this was CRAZY hard. Even on easy I stood no chance. I liked the gameplay but I think my shots weren't hitting at the start of the fight. I think some sort of trajectory visualization would really help this game, at least in easy mode. The art and audio were pretty solid, and the mechanics were fun to play around with, but it was a little too tough for me. Good job!
vkmicro
30. Apr 2018 · 07:28 UTC
"Created with Game Maker Studio 1.4."
gotta upgrade to that GMS 2.0 :P it's better xDDD

but, awesome game overall. I really enjoyed the turn based bullet hell'ish style gameplay xD i think it was created really well and the gameplay is smooth and precise. Very nicely made game :D good job!
I really liked it.

Art was nice, sound effects were nice.

My only complaint / suggestion would be making the player character stand out a little more, but it's good overall, it wasn't hard to figure out where player character was and such, just saying :P


i enjoyed this
ryzy27
30. Apr 2018 · 21:41 UTC
A drifting turn-based physics space shooter game... You nailed the theme :) I really enjoyed your game. Mechanics are very well thought and polished.

At first I tried to play on hadrest mode, but failed miserably with only one head slain. Then like a casual I am I went for easiest option. I was not easy either. I took me good few tries to finish the game. But it was so good that I couldn't stop playing until I won and eventually I did.

It's a simple, but addictive game. Well done! Only complaint I have is that I had to restart the game whenever I died. Or maybe it's just 0.9 version I played? I see that there is 1.1 already. Also I applaud the effort put into game description. Keep it up! Cheers!
Pietro Ferrantelli
01. May 2018 · 11:27 UTC
Really strong compo entry, this might be the most interesting turn based game I played this jam gameplay-wise. The music is good and even if it was difficult at first for me, I really enjoyed it, it was original, simple and fun to play.
Mektidas
01. May 2018 · 15:56 UTC
Great game man, the genres combination work great, congrats!
🎤 MacDoom
03. May 2018 · 03:41 UTC
@Blight Radiance Fixed bullet impact bug in new version. To know when you can shoot there’s an icon at the side of the thruster gauge and a sound when the gun is fully charged

@Utho WASD + mouse implemented! You can use either set of controls anytime.

Thanks for your feedback, it's really helpful!
Beebo Studios
04. May 2018 · 13:04 UTC
Man, the idea and implementation are amazing! Even the super simple art and soundtrack are so consistent that I can't even imagine this game with "better" design - it just feels perfect and perfectly polished! Like it's a classic from earlier days. I'm sure it would have become one. It's super hard though, even on easy mode :D

But I love it, nonetheless. Great entry, that I will definitely keep around (except you are working on a Post-LD version, in that case I will keep that one around!)! Have a fish of gratitude <3

P.S.: I just noticed, it is a compo entry. That makes it even more admirable!
zeu31
04. May 2018 · 21:49 UTC
Interesting idea! The graphics and audio works well. Took me some time to understand how the game work but after that it was very fun. Great game! =)
kittyinthestudio
06. May 2018 · 19:54 UTC
This game is fun. It took me a while to get used to the controls though. I really liked the idea and execution :)
Houruck
06. May 2018 · 20:29 UTC
I am such a typical user. I jump into games without reading the instructions first. I was confused about speed changes ending my turns.
Gulyasarni66
06. May 2018 · 21:36 UTC
It's definitely a very enjoyable game. Nice music, graphics, and feeling! It's also very challenging too! (for me at least :smiley:) because i couldn't beat it even on easy mode! Good job, very well done!
kyyninen
07. May 2018 · 16:32 UTC
Pretty dope! It's an interesting concept, despite me getting extremely confused on how the turning works and constantly losing. I noticed that the ship's sprite changes based on how much it will turn next turn, but I would have preferred some sort of UI gauge for angular momentum, similar to how thrust is represented currently. Also thrust is applied before rotation, which threw me off every time. Even when I knew it was going to happen.

I never won but managed to thin the herd to one couple of times, and appreciated the variety of attacks they make (based on how many there are remaining?). I think these mechanics could translate pretty well to longer, scrolling levels like in Gradius, Life Force et al.
gustavo.christino
07. May 2018 · 23:03 UTC
Pretty fun music and gameplay. Challenger. Difficult. With cool visual effects despite the simplicity of the art itself (on the part of the ship, in this case). The fusion of "incompatible" mechanics was cool (and tormenting at first).
Poio
08. May 2018 · 12:03 UTC
Nice music, remembered me of FTL a bit.

The game is strangely hard. I had difficulty deciphering whether the ship was straight or not, may i suggest to add a little target further ahead to show where the ship will end after validation in easy mode. And the delay between the change in direction and thrust makes the control somewhat hard, but interesting.

And GG for making this as a compo.
csanyk
10. May 2018 · 01:32 UTC
Overall, I think the turn-based mechanics hurt the gameplay, rather than make it interesting or innovative. It just made the game feel laggy to me, and made it very hard to get a hang of controlling the ship.

I liked the graphics for the hydra, and the music was pretty decent.
🎤 MacDoom
10. May 2018 · 22:49 UTC
@csanyk Sorry to hear you didn't liked the mechanics. Maybe next ludum dare I'll do something more appealing to your tastes.
Thanks for your feedback!
Noah Beckman
10. May 2018 · 23:35 UTC
Hey Great Game! I really like the mechanics of the game and the art reminds me of many old games and animations i used to make and play. The music was really good and it went pretty well with the theme. Overall GREAT GAME!

Come check out our game were still trying to get to 20 votes!
https://ldjam.com/events/ludum-dare/41/seadogs-working-title
Rodrigo Denúbila
11. May 2018 · 02:02 UTC
Really nice take on the theme. The music and art style fits very well. Good job!

Please, take a look at my game too: https://ldjam.com/events/ludum-dare/41/confessional
Ratherjolly
11. May 2018 · 02:57 UTC
Oh my gosh. That was challenging! haha Great mechanics! Definitely made me play it a few times xD
Also, I'm a big fan of the music and art direction! Well done :D
Veilastrum
11. May 2018 · 17:45 UTC
This was a challenging game. The controls takes some time to get use to, but it quite fun. Good job!
cristiano.m.garcia
11. May 2018 · 23:02 UTC
Good job! Cool game!

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
Blinkenlights
12. May 2018 · 13:37 UTC
I wish there were a Linux version...
Derek Volker
15. May 2018 · 10:16 UTC
A bit of a challenge to get used to the movement of the ship, but overall nicely done.
MichiPantera
15. May 2018 · 16:07 UTC
Too hard for me, but very interesting and addictive. I'm sure the hardcore gamers will love it! Very good mix to meet the theme of two incompatible genres. Good one!! 👏👏
🎤 MacDoom
15. May 2018 · 18:18 UTC
@Blinkenlights I hope to be releasing a Linux version. Have the module for it but no idea yet of the requirements and differences. I'll try to contact a linux user for advice.
Blinkenlights
16. May 2018 · 06:51 UTC
@MacDoom I'm a Linux user, perhaps I could be of service?