Pandora's Return by LDJam user 280036

[raw]
made by LDJam user 280036 for Ludum Dare 57 (COMPO)

pandora_banner.jpg

A beast has returned to the depths of the cavern you call home. Can you brave the darkness to overcome this challenge?

Pandora's Return is a light roguelike auto-battler where you try to assemble a combination of abilities to go up against ever-increasing odds.

Use WASD or Arrow keys to play.

Tools used:

  • Unity 6
  • Krita
  • Figma
  • BFXR
  • BeepBox

Ratings

Overall 24th 4.048⭐ 23🧑‍⚖️
Fun 7th 4.095⭐ 23🧑‍⚖️
Innovation 173th 3.19⭐ 23🧑‍⚖️
Theme 168th 3.452⭐ 23🧑‍⚖️
Graphics 44th 4.119⭐ 23🧑‍⚖️
Audio 79th 3.595⭐ 23🧑‍⚖️
Humor 105th 3⭐ 20🧑‍⚖️
Mood 56th 3.875⭐ 22🧑‍⚖️
Given 28🗳️ 24🗨️

Feedback

🎤 LDJam user 280036
06. Apr 2025 · 22:16 UTC
Known bugs:
- Retry button doesn't work
jk5000
07. Apr 2025 · 07:11 UTC
A super simple and pretty fun little game. A bit more gameplay would have been fun, but what is here is pretty good. The visuals and music is also pretty good. Overall a fine little jam game. Well done.
Follusior
07. Apr 2025 · 07:15 UTC
There's a lack of combat dynamics (you know that for sure). I really liked the graphics and the implementation, I'm really surprised what you guys can do in two days. And it seems the try again button doesn't work (sorry if I'm doing something wrong), I had to restart. Cute game:0
psychomonster
07. Apr 2025 · 07:26 UTC
At the moment, the best game I played so far. It has super fun auto battler mechanics and more than one level. Skills and music. I played it to the second level. Great!
LightningST
07. Apr 2025 · 07:50 UTC
Is there anything past the second level? I got stuck wandering around looking for stuff to do. Also, it felt a little easy, after the first two or three fights I was set to just win every time. I did really like the art though, and it's a fun game!
thisyc
07. Apr 2025 · 08:30 UTC
The visuals is amazing. I am a fellow roguelike lover and still exploring builds in this game. It also reminds me of a game called Magic Tower. The try again button on web build doesn't work for me either.
🎤 LDJam user 280036
07. Apr 2025 · 15:05 UTC
Thanks for playing everyone 🙂

@lightningst There are three levels. The key on the second is on the western side of the level. The third is short though, so you were most the way through 👍
JCMonkey
07. Apr 2025 · 20:35 UTC
![Screenshot_20250407_153424.png](///raw/f52/z/6a698.png)
OMG i almost cried when i saw this!!!
Helagos
08. Apr 2025 · 19:00 UTC
I loved your game.
The graphics and sounds are very good and matches together.
The auto battler mechanic is very addictive.
Bravo !
LDJam user 385997
09. Apr 2025 · 09:29 UTC
Great game! The graphics and sound are really well done. A minimap showing what you've explored would be a great addition. I really enjoyed the upgrade system—Frenzy combined with Vampire and healing felt a bit overpowered, though.
Yvanor
09. Apr 2025 · 12:46 UTC
I loved it ! I played it like any other game of this genre (by farming as much as possible and being overpowered at the boss) :laughing:

The feeling of progression is well made, and it's nice to struggle with subbosses only to realise later that the same enemies are now whipped in a few seconds.

The combat system is a bit special at first, but become quickly pleasing so it's fine

Great work overall !
Pandora looked like a lovely cat, and I think that this game is a beautiful tribute. :smile:
LDJam user 76491
09. Apr 2025 · 13:14 UTC
Really cool game! The mix of exploration and evolving your character for the battles was super fun. The upgrades were a bit overpowered, yes, but I think this is for the best, especially considering this is a game jam. Hard games more often than not generate frustration, and the gameplay time for jam games is usually short, so for me this had the right amount of difficulty. Great job, this entry was a lot of fun!

Also, I'm sorry for your loss <3
HolySparks
09. Apr 2025 · 18:18 UTC
Feels very polished, I'd love something like that to play on my phone! Very good!
Sorry for your loss. Loved Pandora!
StraightUpGruntled
10. Apr 2025 · 07:02 UTC
This is really fun and an adorable game! This is a beautiful tribute to your pet.

I had a lot of fun with the exploration, and the art and sound of this is fantastic!

I think the only thing that I really would have liked is a way to go into a fast speed mode with the autobattler, but I think watching how things unfold is part of the experience.

I like the little damage counters that appear as they do attacks! I think you might be able to add some squish pulsing and stuff for when they take damage as well.

One small thing I noticed that could be a quick fix, I got a run where I was presented with all healing abilities for the first room, so I couldn't attack enough for most of the enemies. However, I am able to dodge the enemies, so I can avoid them!

Again, great job :D
BridgeOnAStick
10. Apr 2025 · 18:04 UTC
Very laid back game, auto battling like this is really fun! Pandora lives on!
DiscoFish
11. Apr 2025 · 05:24 UTC
Great game! Graphics and music matches together. Awesome work!
Frogman
11. Apr 2025 · 13:16 UTC
Managed to reach the end! Spamming Frenzy + Vampire + Mastery was a hilarious combo.
![Regen.png](///raw/5d0/72/z/6bfbf.png)

Anyway, this was awesome! I really enjoyed the mechanics here - in most games regenration feels pretty rare/bad, yet here it was the most important part of most builds, including for enemies (although "pure" regeneration felt pretty bad since Vampire exists). The graphics were cute too, and I liked the number animations in combat, made them feel alive despite the static sprites. Like others have said, it was a bit easy to get lost & a map would be appreciated, but otherwise, great entry! And sorry for your loss :(
jtap
12. Apr 2025 · 01:56 UTC
Great game, it was a pleasure to play, great art, good balance, interesting abilities, I liked everything very much. Very nice ending and last screen. I wish you good luck and many votes. I don't understand how such a great game can be made in 48 hours. I want such a complete and long game. Thank you for this game!
Adam Gallina
12. Apr 2025 · 01:56 UTC
Really liked how fleshed out the upgrade system was, there's lots of room to focus different upgrades and make a basic build! It would have been nice if the combat was a little more interactive, especially the first couple of battles I wasn't sure if I was missing something or not despite winning, but overall was a lot of fun!
jacobingalls
12. Apr 2025 · 06:38 UTC
Aw, cat. REALLY polished for a compo! Movement felt fluid and art was great. Everything was very intuitive. Upgrades felt a bit generous, but in a good way! Great entry!
dxk2294
12. Apr 2025 · 06:52 UTC
Aww :heart:

![Screenshot 2025-04-11 235119.png](///raw/f35/6/z/6c0b0.png)

I really enjoyed this, just wish there was more upgrade variety!
vidarn
13. Apr 2025 · 07:20 UTC
Had a lot of fun playing this!
The graphics were very cute and the game balance was perfect for a jam game I think. It was fun going from being challenged by the mobs to completely overpowered :laughing:
Loved the ending, and how Pandora was the antagonist in the game rather than the main character. It makes me think she must have been a great hunter.
JumbocactuarX27
22. Apr 2025 · 01:48 UTC
Loved it! I wish there was a bit more challenge, but what you had was perfect. My only real complaint is that I had a heck of a time finding the door on the second floor.