Pulse by Jed

[raw]
made by Jed for Ludum Dare 59 (COMPO)

Pulse is a 2D Asteroids-like space shooter. Enemy ships have cloaks, and you can find them using passive and active radar. Send a radar pulse to reveal their locations but be careful - it works both ways. Hold the space bar longer for a stronger pulse.

Pulse-screenshot.png

Ratings

Overall 122th 3.553⭐ 21🧑‍⚖️
Fun 134th 3.368⭐ 21🧑‍⚖️
Innovation 228th 2.947⭐ 21🧑‍⚖️
Theme 130th 3.789⭐ 21🧑‍⚖️
Graphics 55th 3.975⭐ 22🧑‍⚖️
Audio 153th 3.237⭐ 21🧑‍⚖️
Mood 146th 3.471⭐ 19🧑‍⚖️
Given 27🗳️ 8🗨️

Feedback

LDJam user 409682
Apr 20th · 02:17 UTC
I really liked the visuals. I didn’t quite understand what the scanning is for? It seems like the scanner at the bottom of the screen just shows what you can already see.

I really wanted to mine asteroids!

I enjoyed it. Thanks!
🎤 Jed
Apr 20th · 02:34 UTC
Thanks! If you hold the space bar longer you can send a stronger pulse that detects distant ships.
Theogen
Apr 20th · 04:34 UTC
The graphics and the HUD are really pretty, and the enemy cloaking idea is interesting! I wonder what is sensor analysis (bottom right panel) for? Does it help you understand what kind of enemies are close by or their attack patterns?

Here's my highscore :slight_smile:

![highscore.png](///raw/b34/43/z/70795.png)
🎤 Jed
Apr 20th · 04:46 UTC
Thanks for playing it! Yes, different enemies emit different signals you can hear and see even while they are cloaked. The radio transmissions you receive are traced back to their origin ship on the radar display. Nice score!
SMOLBIGBY
Apr 20th · 20:12 UTC
Very good graphics! I found it a bit too hard to aim and shoot down enemies with the arrow controls, but it may be a skill issue.
MaggardJosh
Apr 20th · 21:24 UTC
Had fun playing this one, the scanning mechanic didn't really seem necessary since they uncloaked when they attacked anyway, but was still fun to send out a fully charged scan and see them light up on the scanner. Visuals and sfx were good, the UI was also really well done for 48 hours. Nice entry!
Chomby
Apr 21st · 14:16 UTC
I had a lot of fun playing this.
Some notes:
* the sounds are great. There's a lot of variety but they all feel right for an asteroids like space game.
* enemy movement has a lot of life to it. It really feels like an intelligent swarm of enemies.
* the graphics are all cohesive with each other and the glow is a nice effect.
Crowelian
Apr 21st · 14:32 UTC
I know people have said this already but the visuals are top notch! Just beautiful!
Gameplay also very solid!
AI works great!

The pew pew sound could have been more like a blaster, or bassier. Just my opinion. :)
PurpledArtFrog
Apr 21st · 19:42 UTC
Didn't run too good on my laptop in a browser, but it felt like a REALLY solid entry. Impressed with the visuals... and the extra flavor that came from the theme. Really good job on this :thumbsup_tone1:

Left you a rating :smile:
Rafa Fiedo
Apr 22nd · 15:54 UTC
fresh take of asteroid game, nice!
working very good
I really like that sensor takes ALL SOUNDS in the game!
LDJam user 234567
Apr 22nd · 22:22 UTC
A very good remake of Asteroid. The visual effects are stunning, combining a modern look with a minimalist style :thumbsup:

But why use the Shift key for shooting? This activates the Windows hotkeys :cry: :smile:
LDJam user 384191
Apr 24th · 15:40 UTC
Very nice! I love the minimalist visuals and effects. The Asteroïd controls feels nice responsive without being unfair, and the spectrum analyzer is a nice touch! Cool entry!
Ticrum
Apr 27th · 08:26 UTC
Good execution of the active & passive radar and overall mechanics but the game is to fast paced to really use the radar in an offensive way or relly on it to navigate. We end up playing a arcade space shooter instead of a more strategic radar base one.
lloydlobo
May 03rd · 18:53 UTC
That was such a blast. I like me some arcade. This needed more precision. I enjoyed how you have to scan those pesky targets to spot them. I wish we had more weapons, or that the projectiles were slightly larger. I had a similar game in past jams and really like what you have done here. Great graphics, and I liked the intensity.

It gives me PewPew vibes, although I do not think that had the signal feature, at least on mobile. Might be worth looking at it for inspiration if you ever go that route. Good job overall.

![jswhitten.github.io_ld59_.png](///raw/c88/26/z/730f0.png)
Harmadillo
May 04th · 09:28 UTC
great game. the graphics and sounds are very polished. The scan is a twist on the asteroid style game. I would have liked a bit more speed on the player bullets they felt a little anemic. Also destructible asteroids.
dod108
May 05th · 05:48 UTC
Cool and good looking. I'm not sure if the radar adds anything meaningful to the game loop though.
aimozg
May 05th · 06:09 UTC
awesome! The look & feel, the sounds are very good! I've made a game for this jam with a similar idea but yours is much more polished