Jumping J.A.C.K. by Donar

[raw]
made by Donar for LD34 (COMPO)
Hello Everyone,

From the two available themes, I chose "Two button controls". Mainly because I already participated in a GameJam this year that had the theme "Growth", so I took the one I didn't already think about.

Used Software:
- Unity3D + MonoDevelop
- Photoshop
- SFXR

This game is a pretty simplistic platformer. Since I had to implement two button controls, you can't walk in this game; There are other ways to move, especially when you have a grappling hook and a thruster.

I hope you aren't here for nice art, because that I can't deliver. If you're looking for great music, this is also not for you. If you like platformers though, please feel free to give it a try.

Regarding the Source code: Feel free to look into it, copy it and do whatever you want with it - just don't sell it as it is (not that anyone would buy it). It's pretty quick and dirty, as it is to be expected in 48 hours. 90% of the Code is in the CharController.cs and I didn't really write comments. I'am also well aware that the code is not really the most performant but well, the game doesn't really require a high end system.
Btw. I used the PSD files in Unity but I didn't include them in the source package. Instead I added PNG files, so Unity might have some missing links.

Last but not least: Good Luck to everyone participating.

//EDIT:
I've added a Unity WebPlayer Mirror on Kongregate, since it's more performant than WebGL but requires additional software.

I've also added Linux and Mac OSX Binaries. The OSX Version is not tested, so please leave a comment, if it doesn't work.

The Linux Version works but on my native Debian with official NVidia drivers it lagged quite a bit - it happend to older games as well though and they worked fine a while ago, so I assume it's the new driver or something else specific to my machine. On my VM with a virtual GPU it ran better than on my native GeForce. Please also leave a comment if everything worked for you.

All those new builds took a while because I wasn't able to make it run on Linux with Unity 5.3. I didn't build the Mac version because it might be an OpenGL problem (if Linux doesn't work, OSX might also not work). I downgraded my Unity to 5.2 and had to change some code, because 5.3 had a few new methods. I didn't notice a difference but I can't be sure. I didn't update the Windows and WebGL Versions, so it's still the unchanged code compiled with 5.3.

Ratings

Coolness 58% 3
Overall 3.44 320
Fun 3.28 387
Graphics 2.23 844
Humor 2.71 325
Innovation 3.89 88
Mood 2.42 785
Theme 4.00 233

Feedback

BROWNY_09
14. Dec 2015 路 00:45 UTC
Great job man. Impressive work for such short time. I found the limited controls very difficult but made it more satisfying to complete levels. Having a limited amount of fuel was a smart idea. It really makes you think and plan out what to do.
GenusNymphicus
14. Dec 2015 路 10:48 UTC
Really enjoyed the game. Though, I couldn't beat the "Sometimes you have to let it go and fly"-level :D

It's really difficult to get the feelings for the controls, but after a while I was having a blast! Great Job!
justinooncx
14. Dec 2015 路 13:26 UTC
Frickin' 'ell, this game is bloody difficult. But an interesting concept, nonetheless!
馃帳 Donar
14. Dec 2015 路 18:29 UTC
@BROWNY_09: Thanks, I'm happy that you like it.

@GenusNymphicus: I wonder how you tried to solve that level. Did you use your thruster to gain momentum and than swing up or did you just grabbed the ceiling and then used the thruster to fly up? The second solution is much easier; I'm not even sure if the first one works.

@justinooncx: It's supposed to be difficult, so thanks I guess. I would be really sad if someone plays through it in 10 minutes without any problems ;)
fistmaker
14. Dec 2015 路 22:04 UTC
Very difficult game. The "let it fly" level was too much for me. Great controls and a good concept.
TheWzzard
14. Dec 2015 路 22:53 UTC
The thruster stops working periodically for me on the web version.
gallerdude
14. Dec 2015 路 22:53 UTC
Enjoyed it! Very innovative controls!
MrDave
14. Dec 2015 路 22:54 UTC
It鈥檚 a good idea for a game. Good job.
Evgenii Petrov
14. Dec 2015 路 22:55 UTC
Difficult platform puzzle with neat physics, really fun to play if you don't mind restarting the level several dozen times =)
blohod
14. Dec 2015 路 23:08 UTC
Very fun, nice cute character was very charming
mrjorts
14. Dec 2015 路 23:25 UTC
Awesome platformer! I think it works really well and feels like the 2 button controls really fit. It has a great difficulty curve and some really satisfying challenges to pull off. Great job.
Andrei_S
15. Dec 2015 路 13:49 UTC
Well done mechanic.
The limited fuel makes it harder, and I did not noticed that there was a fuel meter at first. I thought the game had a bug :P
danielsann7
15. Dec 2015 路 17:41 UTC
crazy hard game with very intelligent mechanics and design in general, i like it, good job!
exhidor
15. Dec 2015 路 21:16 UTC
Nice game !
icereci
15. Dec 2015 路 21:17 UTC
Got stuck at first, but figured out in couple of restarts.
Nice game.
ahmeni
15. Dec 2015 路 21:18 UTC
Simple, awesome execution. Controls difficult overall but I think that's why it's so fun.
Indie L
15. Dec 2015 路 21:18 UTC
Very hard but very good!Nice job!
puddelipip
15. Dec 2015 路 21:19 UTC
Really difficult control scheme (using gamepad) but lots of fun, thanks!

I didn't notice the fuel meter until a few retries, thought it was a bug :)
Auroz
15. Dec 2015 路 21:21 UTC
Fairly enjoyable game, although the controls seemed needlessly complex.
The Merge Conflicts
15. Dec 2015 路 21:22 UTC
Really good game! I love the constraints you place in the controls. It really forces you to think about how to beat a level. It is hard but definitely rewarding!
馃帳 Donar
15. Dec 2015 路 21:24 UTC
@Auroz: if you ever read this, can you specify what you mean by "needlessly complex"? If you, or anyone else, can give me advice on how I do it less complex with only two buttons, I would be very grateful.
guru-guru
15. Dec 2015 路 21:30 UTC
Super hard.
Digitaldude555
15. Dec 2015 路 21:31 UTC
It's pretty difficult as others have said but quite fun to play. Maybe the grappling hook should have shot at the place your mouse was pointing.
馃帳 Donar
15. Dec 2015 路 21:35 UTC
@Digitaldude555: I decided against that, because I understand "two button control" as "two buttons only" and not as "two buttons and whatever non-button input device you got".
Elemental Zeal Games Studios
16. Dec 2015 路 02:29 UTC
This was a neat mechanic, nice entry!
Andrew Deem
16. Dec 2015 路 04:05 UTC
Nice game! Controls were hard, but in a game with only two buttons, things are bound to be hard. ;) I enjoyed it though. Each level, even the "tutorial" levels feel like good accomplishments once you beat them. I also like the idea of have a fuel limit, even though it is a little bit nullified by the restart button. Good job!:)
chunkybrewster
16. Dec 2015 路 15:35 UTC
Neat idea, but I think it would have been a lot better without the fuel limit.
teamvr
19. Dec 2015 路 15:48 UTC
Cool concept for theme. Physics indeed.
MrJoshuaMcLean
20. Dec 2015 路 04:22 UTC
The utilization of two buttons is pretty cool, and the hookshot feels pretty neat. Probably enough challenge without the limited thruster - this was a bi frustrating to run out of. Otherwise cool stuff!
SecondDimension
31. Dec 2015 路 18:32 UTC
I really liked the physics aspect of this, and it was very satisfying to make jumps etc. I found it just a little too frustrating to play for long though, I appreciate that not being able to go left was part of the mechanics, and it was interesting, but it just felt like a bit of a grind to me. This definitely deserves high marks for theme as you took the limitation and built the whole design around it, and I know there will be players out there who appreciate the challenge
Jupiter_Hadley
30. Mar 2016 路 13:50 UTC
Very challenging! I included it in my Ludum Dare 34 compilation video series, if you鈥檇 like to check it out :) https://youtu.be/S5oK4fsls3Q