deathlock by winterbeak

[raw]
made by winterbeak for Ludum Dare 45 (JAM)

start each screen with no health.

the edges of the screen are locked, and will only open if you're dead. now, the obvious problem here is that corpses can't walk - but they sure as hell can fly.

gif 60.gif

standard platformer controls + r to respawn. note: the f key was a debug feature that was accidentally left in! it's not an actual mechanic.

music by saiziju. everything else by winterbeak.

coded from scratch using python and pygame. sound effects mixed using ableton live's default libraries. graphics made in graphicsgale. no fonts were used and all text was pixelled by hand.

Ratings

Overall 364th 3.625⭐ 22🧑‍⚖️
Fun 295th 3.6⭐ 22🧑‍⚖️
Innovation 89th 3.975⭐ 22🧑‍⚖️
Theme 1005th 2.6⭐ 22🧑‍⚖️
Graphics 831th 3⭐ 22🧑‍⚖️
Audio 480th 3.15⭐ 22🧑‍⚖️
Given 27🗳️ 4🗨️

Feedback

TaoPhoenix
09. Oct 2019 · 00:59 UTC
The site description is a little unclear.
You start with 3 health, shown at the top, then you have to get boxing gloves to knock off your lives and send you airborne through passageways, some hidden, until you die in a heap on the next level and respawn at the checkpoint.

Clever mechanic! I got quite a few levels done, until finally I simply got stuck.
I can't formally rate, but here are some thoughts. Innovation high, graphics below average (simple boxes), no sound, but decent playability if you get into it. Passable3 difficulty curve - I didn't beat the game, but got enough levels in to get the style.
🎤 winterbeak
09. Oct 2019 · 01:28 UTC
@taophoenix thanks for the feedback! i pretty much agree with most of your points, except for one thing -

what do you mean by no sound? we definitely added music and sound effects to the game. maybe it's too quiet?
Simanis
09. Oct 2019 · 21:10 UTC
To be hones, I hate these kind of games, because they make me feel stupid :sweat_smile: But the mechanic is unique and the controls are smooth. Just wish I hadn't stuck one minute in :smile:
erebus
10. Oct 2019 · 00:21 UTC
Really great entry. Fantastic level design and platforming feel! Thanks so much for bringing it by the stream!
diaonic
10. Oct 2019 · 00:22 UTC
Excellent job, I got stuck after the first large gap. However, I really enjoyed the game play. Very innovative, controls felt good, animations and sounds were on point.
kleinzach
11. Oct 2019 · 22:26 UTC
Great idea, and the punching sounds are so good and meaty. I got stuck on one part, but I really liked what I played. The mechanics feel really good and polished. Well done.
LoneWolfDev
13. Oct 2019 · 17:06 UTC
Awesome!! I love the mechanic! Really good idea! Couldn't stop playing!! And the gameplay is so fluid and well made! Congratulations!
DanielClarc
13. Oct 2019 · 17:23 UTC
Really underplayed entry. I've finished it twice because I wanted to try some different ways of clearing certain screens ;P Smart use of a really clever mechanic, level design was on point all the way. Character movement and physics were really tight! Congrats!

I can see a "full" game on this becoming a speedrunners favorite easily! Well done! :D
HolyBlackCat
13. Oct 2019 · 17:44 UTC
Great job on the level design! You've managed to come up with a lot of interesting puzzles based on a very simple game mecahnic.

My only complaint is lack of fullscreen mode.
Welliton
14. Oct 2019 · 01:52 UTC
Well, honestly, I loved your game. The idea is great, controls are nice and its the kind of simplistic game that I trully enjoy play. The level that I had to respawn before I went back to previously level was a FANTASTIC touch. Seriously, this game is awesome! <3 <3 <3

![2222.PNG](///raw/8f9/1/z/298dc.png)
Gatlink
14. Oct 2019 · 10:07 UTC
Incredible game with a super mechanic. The level design is really cool. My only regret is that sometimes I felt like I didn't really understood how I managed to finish a level, my character bounced toward the exit a bit out of my control. But this is really minor, your game is awesome!
BarracudaDisaster
15. Oct 2019 · 06:52 UTC
The mechanic is great and clever and the controls are very resposive. I had fun trying to figure out the "death puzzles". Very nice! The boxing gloves were a fun way to kill the character.