Star Smasher by kakarotsan

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

About

How big can you get? As the one planet that finally figured out how to control its own orbit, you must dip and dodge gas giants, suns, and other large space objects as you absorb smaller planets to increase your size in the universe. As you get bigger, you may want to revisit those larger celestial bodies. The prey may just become the predator!

The goal of the each level is to reach a certain size by absorbing space objects that are smaller than you. As you grow bigger, you'll be able to consumer bigger and bigger objects. If you accidentally run into something bigger than you, you'll lose size, and if you lose enough size, you lose the level.

NOTE: The shader for the black hole in level 3 doesn't work in WebGL. For the best experience, use the Windows download.

Movement

D or Right Arrow : Expand orbit

A or Left Arrow : Contract orbit

W or Up Arrow : Speed up

S or Down Arrow : Slow down

C : Toggle between side camera angle and top-down camera angle

Engine

  • Unity 2019.1.14f1
  • FMod studio for music / sound effects

Contributors

Adam Horvath - Programming, Art, Game Design

Andrew Clark - Programming, Game Design

Bloco - Music, SFX, Game Design

Tom Krzewski - Game Design

Ratings

Overall 440th 3.568⭐ 24🧑‍⚖️
Fun 158th 3.795⭐ 24🧑‍⚖️
Innovation 132th 3.864⭐ 24🧑‍⚖️
Theme 769th 3.023⭐ 24🧑‍⚖️
Graphics 681th 3.318⭐ 24🧑‍⚖️
Audio 445th 3.205⭐ 24🧑‍⚖️
Humor 774th 2.235⭐ 19🧑‍⚖️
Mood 585th 3.31⭐ 23🧑‍⚖️
Given 26🗳️ 9🗨️

Feedback

MechWarrior99
08. Oct 2019 · 03:55 UTC
I like how you guys implemented the planet smashing, how you can change the radius of the orbit, and you have elliptical orbits. I did find it hard to see what was going on, and where I needed to move to, to get the next object. So being able to zoom in and out would a nice improvement I think. Overall, pretty good!
JosephGaiser
08. Oct 2019 · 03:58 UTC
Super cool concept! I was not sure if this concept was going to work that well, but level 3 was awesome! The sound work was also really great I noticed that it was reactive to my actions. SO COOL! Really enjoyed this, super interesting
BoltactionToaster
08. Oct 2019 · 03:58 UTC
I really like this concept! It is a take on a game about growing that I have not seen before. Good job!
RaisetheDead
08. Oct 2019 · 13:25 UTC
Hahahaha ! It was so much fun ! Once i figured out how the game work, it was a pure game of speed to catch those planets. Very good entry guys !
Drjeebus
09. Oct 2019 · 14:28 UTC
Super awesome concept and execution of systems. Lvl 3 is a little annoying i died twice at the start not seeing the black mass you're automatically on course for to hit within a couple seconds of the level start. Otherwise i really like it, reminds me of Katamari Damacy in space.
Squeele
09. Oct 2019 · 14:36 UTC
Very fun game! Well implemented mechanics, and you made good uses of the soundtrack!
TechNSmile
09. Oct 2019 · 14:44 UTC
Really really like it! A simple yet smart concept with neat making. imo, it's just lack some feedbacks (especially the black hole, it's annoying dying without understanding why) and more levels (i wanted so much more).
🎤 kakarotsan
09. Oct 2019 · 15:44 UTC
@technsmile If only we had more time. lol

I might expand upon it after the competition is over.
Glitchheart
10. Oct 2019 · 17:02 UTC
Super cool idea for a game! There's obviously some balancing that is difficult to get right in such a short amount of time, but I think there's a good idea here for a good game.
jakemchugh1
10. Oct 2019 · 17:10 UTC
This reminds me allot of kerbal space program. Good job!
DoDELoV
10. Oct 2019 · 17:19 UTC
Not enough training and endings. The idea is good. Continue to improve the game.
Flying Dog Fish
10. Oct 2019 · 17:40 UTC
Nice game. That black hole is a bitch though.
wreel
10. Oct 2019 · 17:57 UTC
Very well done. I love the music transition on events. Made the captures very rewarding.
Erkberg
11. Oct 2019 · 17:16 UTC
When reading the description I immediately thought this was gonna be an Osmos clone :)
But it is more than different enough to stand on its own.
I really like the idea and implementation.
If you plan to develop it further, maybe add some inter-planetary gravitation?
The graphics are a bit so-so and the third level maybe a bit hard, but only at the start.
Though overall, as it stands, this is a very solid foundation!