Deep way down by Martynas

[raw]
made by Martynas for Ludum Dare 48 (COMPO)

A visual novel'ish game about dealing with the loss of a loved one.

If you're REALLY stuck, hold [keypad plus] button to cheat.

Ratings

Overall 9th 4.313⭐ 34🧑‍⚖️
Fun 109th 3.906⭐ 34🧑‍⚖️
Innovation 35th 4.266⭐ 34🧑‍⚖️
Theme 40th 4.313⭐ 34🧑‍⚖️
Graphics 34th 4.344⭐ 34🧑‍⚖️
Audio 5th 4.375⭐ 34🧑‍⚖️
Mood 2th 4.547⭐ 34🧑‍⚖️
Given 42🗳️ 55🗨️

Feedback

the neon shark
26. Apr 2021 · 05:33 UTC
This is an incredible piece of work. It is simple and compelling. It has a narrative that is nicely aligned with the mechanics. Huge bonus points for the emotion/facial expressions of the main character and associated text.

My only feedback is that sometimes I'd be so fixated on completing the challenge that I'd have to ignore the text to pass!
madelfino
26. Apr 2021 · 07:59 UTC
Wow, great job! All the elements fit well together - graphics, audio and story. Simple gameplay but the variety of mechanics matching the stage was good hand had meaning. My only complaint is that it felt like it was over pretty quick though that's understandable in a game jam - hope you expand on this later!
LDJam user 249705
26. Apr 2021 · 08:00 UTC
Some bits gave me chills. Incredible.
BhanosTheGameDev
26. Apr 2021 · 08:01 UTC
The story is really sad, but it in a way shows the steps of grief and how to deal with it. The game looks great, and is really polished. Good job.
Dynamix
26. Apr 2021 · 08:01 UTC
Very nice way to interpret the theme. It is simple but has depth to it and you really connect with the narrative.
I really enjoyed the experience!
badpaul34
26. Apr 2021 · 08:07 UTC
Amazing! The emotions vehiculated through gameplay, facial expressions/art, and text make a whole. As a Game Designer I really liked the ANGER phase. The gameplay is really interesting. THis is REALLY GOOD!
I felt something :)
5 star on all
Steve Johnstone
26. Apr 2021 · 08:25 UTC
That was so simple yet so poignant. I love how the mechanics tied up to the stages of grief. That really gave me the feels. Well done!
Taximan981
26. Apr 2021 · 08:30 UTC
First game I've played which makes you feel stuff but I still feel like this short one is one of the better ones out there, it can rival games made in much longer than 48 hours, nice!
Effarek
26. Apr 2021 · 10:11 UTC
What a great game. This was beautiful, thank you for this moment.
TheGrandpa
26. Apr 2021 · 14:09 UTC
I loved the gameplay, not so sure about the dialogue..
Quoclon
27. Apr 2021 · 01:20 UTC
Geez. Brought to tears. Didn't expect that. Gameplay was polished, concept of stages of grief was well executed. The aesthetic was amazing. I really liked when the creatures started attaching to me, look very cool. First game I've beaten so far!
mlho7
27. Apr 2021 · 02:28 UTC
I loved it, fluid, smart, beautiful, it is a great entry.
alec
27. Apr 2021 · 03:24 UTC
The five stages of grief exemplified in a beautiful and origional game. Here's what I loved about this:

1)The music and color change associated with each stage did an AMAZING job of helping to portray the emotion that the character was feeling. Add the facial expressions on top of that and you have a display that is moving.

2)Having the "she" be ambiguous allows each person who plays the game to picture someone in their life they wouldn't want to live without. It creats buy-in and immediate emotional investment in the outcome of the story.

3)The anger level was hard and frusterating. I am assuming this was intentional in order to help the player feel what the main character was feeling?

4)Visually, this game was simple, yet stunning. The animations were very fluid and calming.

5)Although the game was short, I felt satisfied after playing it. I wasn't hoping for something extra that wasn't there.

Overall, incredible work. Please keep making gams because you are great at it.
AndyKSWong
27. Apr 2021 · 04:17 UTC
Amazing storytelling and gameplay! The game mechanics are simple but interesting, especially for the anger level.
KenLee
27. Apr 2021 · 09:16 UTC
That music and story is noice for this game, NOICE~
Lawrence
27. Apr 2021 · 09:19 UTC
Such a perfect entry. Very simple and clean and yet does what it does very well - packs a punch right to the feels.

Kudos!
Roikku
27. Apr 2021 · 10:25 UTC
Mood is definitely there. Nice graphics and gameplay. The story doesn't fit that well with the gameplay mechanics that much in my personal opinion, but I'm usually never right. :) Also, if the story is related to real life, stay stronk and glad to hear things can be recovered from! Good game anyway!
Scowling Pastry
27. Apr 2021 · 17:30 UTC
An incredible story game and a cool interpretation of the theme. I love how each of the stages aligned with the stages of grief. Avoid everyhing in denial, Destroy everything in anger, seek them out in bargaining, they become a weight in depression, and the upwards turn/acceptance at the end.

Beautifully done. Short game, but a great experience. Good job
MiniBetrayal
28. Apr 2021 · 08:46 UTC
Simple-looking but once I figured what the game was really about it hit home hard! good work!
pxlshk
02. May 2021 · 07:38 UTC
the best game i've played so far, the graphics and audio fit well together
zoarfy
13. May 2021 · 22:34 UTC
Wow man. I just gave you all 5's. I think this is the first time I've ever done that. This is a really brilliant experience. It doesn't need a tutorial - it has the perfect amount of juice, the audio and graphics are perfect together. I'm just blown away dude. Best jam game I've played, a big kudos to you.