LudumData

Death's Gambit by osh.studio

[raw]
made by osh.studio for Ludum Dare 50 (JAM)

Banner Image

CURRENT HIGH SCORE: 77

Screenshot your score if you can beat it!

Controls:

Use mouse to play.

Grid Based Survival Game

Play as a wizard dude trying to outrun Death. Take turns with the grim reaper to move around a maze-like grid, picking up spell cards to help you escape.

Dev Thoughts

Really enjoyed Ludum Dare 50, got the theme I wanted but and was aiming for the compo submission, unfortunately ran out of time so this will be in the jam. Learned how to make a turn based system, a grid system and a card and deck style system. Also enjoyed designing in isometric pixel art. Even after everything there was quite a few features I wasn't able to make and a few cards/abilities I wasn't able to finish, but I like this game so I might expand after the jam. Open to any and all suggestions, I will make a wishlist.

Special thanks to my boy Davy for the voice lines.

Dev ChangeLog

Bugfix: Game breaks when play button is pressed in main menu

Bugfix: Cursor sorting order

Bugfix: Broken Icons

Bugfix: Reaper Spawning issue

Bugfix: Tiles remained active on new game

Link https://oshstudio.itch.io/deaths-gambit
Original URL https://ldjam.com/events/ludum-dare/50/deaths-gambit

Ratings

Overall 185th 3.954⭐ 67🧑‍⚖️
Fun 137th 3.953⭐ 66🧑‍⚖️
Innovation 133th 3.914⭐ 66🧑‍⚖️
Theme 91th 4.25⭐ 66🧑‍⚖️
Graphics 292th 4.141⭐ 66🧑‍⚖️
Audio 416th 3.571⭐ 65🧑‍⚖️
Humor 563th 3.132⭐ 55🧑‍⚖️
Mood 351th 3.806⭐ 64🧑‍⚖️
Given 44🗳️ 81🗨️

Feedback

DogeSquad
05. Apr 2022 · 10:38 UTC
Its a chill game and you actually have to do some thinking to outrun the grim reaper! At times it was a bit too hard. Graphics are top notch tho, I love those kinds of tile-based games.
Jonas L
05. Apr 2022 · 10:46 UTC
I like the idea of a turn based game for this. Graphics was really nice in this low poly theme. Good job!
mlho7
05. Apr 2022 · 10:54 UTC
Very well done, I really like the idea and how you implemented it.
Zamatay
05. Apr 2022 · 10:59 UTC
Very fun idea!
Will look forward for new addition in to gamplay, maybe some cards with attack abilities and more levels.
Daniel Dewaswala
05. Apr 2022 · 11:08 UTC
A very very good game, probably the game jam game that made me play the longest. The game requires strategy which is always great to see. But I would like to see more card variety. 😀
RaXaH
05. Apr 2022 · 11:14 UTC
Nice little game with a bit of strategy and really fitting to the theme. Graphics and sounds are top. For the gameplay: It feels a bit too random at some points (had a game where the reaper actually started beside me) and teleports power level is kinda high compared to the other cards. Also: its nice, that you can collect cards by walking over them instead of having to end your turn on them, but maybe you could include either a way of setting an exact path (shift-queue) or have a pathing system, that prioritize collecting cards on the way if possible.
KobaHawk
05. Apr 2022 · 11:49 UTC
I loved it! Principally the narration on spell names, so immersive! I will keep grinding it for sure
Selicre
05. Apr 2022 · 12:16 UTC
Easy to understand, but requires lots of strategy to get a high score. Very impressive gameplay design.
Lawrence
05. Apr 2022 · 12:20 UTC
This was great. Very unique and genuinely interesting idea and well implemented. Had lots of fun to play this. If you are going to work on this post jam with more spells ets. let me know, this is something I would buy :smile:
PolymathLD
05. Apr 2022 · 12:29 UTC
Love it! Don't think I've seen this kind of you-move-they-move game done as sort of an arcade high score type thing before. I also have a soft spot for isometric pixel art, and the graphics here are great. The reaper's pathfinding worked perfectly for me, which is a big deal in a game like this, so nice job.

Would've maybe liked if movement had some sounds since that's the main action you take in the game, and just a few more sound effects in general, but what's there is solid! Fun game!
Bottled up Dark Peace
05. Apr 2022 · 13:34 UTC
I wish there was more power ups but at the same time, those were very well balanced so maybe it didn't need more. I like the laugh too. I recorded myself playing, message me on the Jam’s discord @ Dark Peace and I’ll send it to you.
ReRonin
05. Apr 2022 · 13:40 UTC
Really cool concept! I'd love some more abilities, or ways to slow the reaper down, but otherwise fantastic game for the LD! I got 32 max, but died to teleportito-ing to the square where I started on haha
Xeke-Death
05. Apr 2022 · 13:42 UTC
This game looks great, I like all the animations and the artwork.
I knew that the random chance cards were going to be the death of me, and they were.
The mechanic is fun, and I would love to see some more abilities implemented.

Best I got was 36 moves.
LDJam user 279546
05. Apr 2022 · 15:30 UTC
Really good game! The abilities were neat and I loved the ability names when said out loud. Good work!
mrjeremy
05. Apr 2022 · 15:58 UTC
Really enjoyable game, loved the concept and graphics. I think a good addition would be adding a way to pan the camera to better plan out moves. Also a way to cancel an action, got stuck having to use my fly on a move where i couldnt reach the gpa i wanted. Other wise really good job!
Dan Livings
05. Apr 2022 · 16:29 UTC
Great concept, and very well executed. I agree with the other comments that some more abilities would be nice, as well as being able to look around the board. An indication of the Reaper's current range would also be helpful to see when considering planning your move.

Excellent work.
myttz
05. Apr 2022 · 16:49 UTC
The card that move you to a ramdom area is too strong, so i would only choose it if i can. And the dice is too weak in the meantime, i couldnt figure out how to use it, using it in front of death is same as suicide hhhhh.
s1lv3r Dr4g0n Games
05. Apr 2022 · 17:32 UTC
Mostly repeating what others have said, but also I love all the animations. Stellar pixel art.
Roruke
05. Apr 2022 · 18:25 UTC
This is really good, I've been playing to beat the highscore. I'm also amazed by the art, it's pleasing to see (even though I should be terrified of certain death). Good work!
Laurens
05. Apr 2022 · 19:15 UTC
Deaths execution is flawless :D audio had me laughing hard on my first try. I like how you've made the platforms, sprites read well enough but everything could use a little more coherency in terms of color. I also felt that the choice between cards was too obvious sometimes, when one is just a +1 compared to the other the game doens't really make you think what to do but just gives you a feeling of being lucky(or not..). Other than that; great little game, cool concept and fun to play for a while!
Heiach
05. Apr 2022 · 23:38 UTC
Yes! Such a great game! I kept finding I more often than not got a score of 16. The voice acting for the spells made me laugh a lot!
Boykala
05. Apr 2022 · 23:49 UTC
Really great mechanics here I could see this being a $5 game on steam if there was just a little more content, super polished and one of my favourite games from the jam so far.
Fromage
06. Apr 2022 · 02:04 UTC
I really like the idea of this, and would love to see you expand this!
AsmadiGames
06. Apr 2022 · 02:14 UTC
Super cool game! Conceptually spot on with the LD theme. Teleport's almost surely the best card. I think with more time you could think up a wider variety of cards that'd make things interesting, but it's a great start!
nardandas
06. Apr 2022 · 04:48 UTC
Really cool idea! I don't know if I was just unlucky, but 77 seems so out of reach! I even teleportito'd once into death! I like the idea though, and the graphics remind me of tactics games, which I love
LDJam user 279610
06. Apr 2022 · 05:24 UTC
So much good stuff in this game! I like the stressful push your luck mechanics - do I use the card now or more efficiently later, but a bad roll = :(. Yes, this was really fun. Especially liked the graphics.
AdamCYounis
06. Apr 2022 · 05:38 UTC
I had a good time with this one! I really like the isometric / tabletop format for this concept, and I think a lot of your ideas connected well. I would advocate for the powerups to be a bit more fruitful / impactful, as the player really starts at a disadvantage from the beginning, and doesn't have a lot of room for good decision making (viewport is limited, gems give random powers, and utility of those powers is also random / situational [with the exception of telepotito]).

Another little note: the music could have been a lot louder! we didn't get to hear much. Other than that, I really enjoyed myself with this entry! Thanks for the game, and great job on the submission.

my best score: 38
LDJam user 278660
06. Apr 2022 · 05:42 UTC
Funniest game I have ever play in this jam! The concept is simple but works pretty well! This game has potential to be the champion, great piece of work!
LDJam user 269161
06. Apr 2022 · 08:10 UTC
Very cool game with beautiful art! liked the strategic approach to this theme. Your soundeffects were also nice :smile:
Bytomancer
06. Apr 2022 · 17:22 UTC
This is the most addictive game I've played in a long time. Excellent use of the theme, great art and sound design, love the strategic gameplay mechanics. The only thing I wish it had was an indicator of the Reaper's position, at least during the first round, as it's a little disappointing when you find out you moved right toward his offscreen starting position.

Best score: 37
Sofimei
06. Apr 2022 · 21:58 UTC
Great game! Loved the high stakes luck of the draw style, I think this game would be awesome if someone could play as the lil mage and someone could play as the grim reaper. I could see this concept with lots of fun multiplayer chaos on a bigger board, more cards, and a kind of cops and robbers thing going on.

I thought the audio was great, added humor and life to the entry.
CaramelCode
07. Apr 2022 · 03:01 UTC
Love the isometric pixel art! I also really like the card mechanic. It just needs some cool music and it would be perfect! Well done!
jitspoe
07. Apr 2022 · 03:13 UTC
Made it to 37. Really interesting concept. Good fit for the theme.
videodotexe
07. Apr 2022 · 07:55 UTC
Nice and simple. The art rocks, congrats!
marcmagus
07. Apr 2022 · 16:34 UTC
Thanks for bringing your game by my stream for feedback! If you’d like to revisit the play and commentary you can view the highlight at https://www.twitch.tv/videos/1448039296

Interesting take on a puzzle game. Some good choices. Only major request is for a pointer to the Reaper when offscreen, especially right at the beginning of the game it feels bad to take a turn only to realize you've gone unknowingly closer to death.
BluishGreenPro
07. Apr 2022 · 16:40 UTC
Solid concept; I'd love to see how this evolves in a post-jam version.
recursor
09. Apr 2022 · 12:35 UTC
I love the sprite work in this, and the collection mechanic to get cards is also pretty fun. Having to decide whether to get a crystal or skip it when death is close adds to the fun. More card types would obviously be a good addition as would other environmental hazards, collectibles, etc. Having other creatures running around the map that could be used to distract death might be a fun mechanic as well. Overall, a nice jam game.
LDJam user 258850
09. Apr 2022 · 12:58 UTC
10/10 sfx :') and unique idea! this is definitely worth expanding further after ludum imo, Great submission! :D
Wendel Scardua
09. Apr 2022 · 17:02 UTC
Great game, the voice acting was a nice surprise. Only things I felt missing were a way to see the rest of the map and/or an general indication of where the reaper is when not on screen, and some indication of the reaper's reach.
666Savior
10. Apr 2022 · 03:52 UTC
Nice submission, wish i knew where the reaper was when they were off screen, i felt that i was accidentally moving towards them instead of away since i could not tell where they were. Other than that this is an excellent game
nsadie
10. Apr 2022 · 05:18 UTC
A very cool game! Really good application of the theme and innovative mechanics! Like someone else said it would be nice to know where the reaper is at all times, so maybe a minimap could address that and help to plan a bit more! Runs are also quite random depending on how close spells are to you. Maybe make sure that at least one spell spawns close to you when the game starts.
Honest Dan
10. Apr 2022 · 08:12 UTC
Really nice game, I had a good time with it! I liked elements of strategising, however it did feel a little bit governed by luck. Whether this be whether there were crystals nearby, or the teleport location (though I admit that is a gamble mechanic the player is in control of). I think the avoiding death element could have been more fun if the distance they travelled ramped up slower, so that you had more opportunities to out manoeuvre them. Sometimes it really felt like it could catch up so quick that its was mostly down to the rng of items rather than player decisions. I know it sounds silly if it has less move distance than you to begin with, but it would still get you in a pickle if you found yourself leading down a dead end. It could even be used by thoughtful players to scout out the map and plan future escape routes early on.
OtterFaeLure
10. Apr 2022 · 08:15 UTC
The idea behind this game is suuuuper cool. That being said the audio felt really unbalanced with the skill cards being super loud for me (I jumped). I was really, REALLY enjoying the chill vibes when suddenly I got yelled at. That being said - I love the background music so much. As to gameplay, I am sure it is really fun cause on my third or fourth attempt I got a role where mistah killy wasn't right on me and so I got to do more than 5 turns... but by then I already felt a bit frustrated that what I got was a short game of click 4-5 times cause there's nothing to do. I died on the last run because my double dice rolled a 2. I think I'm just not meant to beat this game. xD Overall though, very well done in the span of a game jam! That's intense work. My only critique for this as a game jam is putting in extra work on volume levels cause those of us with sound sensitivities appreciate it so much. =)
arya-s
11. Apr 2022 · 12:35 UTC
The game looks really cool, I like the isometric art style and the cards were nicely designed.
The audio is great, especially the spells!

I think the game is a bit too RNG, but given the nature of gamejams quite understandably.
ChewieCB
11. Apr 2022 · 15:16 UTC
Cool concept well executed, the art was great and the gameplay was fun and definitely fit the theme. I do wish that the player could look around ahead of them to scope out powerups though as it felt like I was running blind or didn't know where the reaper was coming from at the start; also running through 2 powerups in one move only gives the player the first one but removes the 2nd one from play which felt a bit annoying.

Overall great job! Would love to see this expanded upon with more powerups/gameplay elements :)
Noiyy
14. Apr 2022 · 08:59 UTC
Nice game :smile: I felt like the reaper starting position was sometimes more disadvantageous, he was really close, and one time he was really far, I thought he disappeared :sweat_smile: I'd also appreciate if there was a map, so I could see where crystals and reaper are, as I had no idea where they were when I collected all nearby ones. I got max 37 score, overall really nice entry, good job :smile:
Flipflop77
14. Apr 2022 · 11:28 UTC
wooo, very nicely done! I feel like everything has been said at this point but i sure did have fun!
Simpathey
15. Apr 2022 · 06:11 UTC
I could not stop playing this game, got a max of 44. I really enjoyed the game and picked up on the mechanic quickly. I liked that each time I played the crystals were in a random spot. The art and sound were top notch. I liked my teleportito. The only thing I can think of as an improvement is maybe color coating gems and the color corresponds to the power level of the card choices. I only say this because there are tiers of power - teleportito is much better then roll one dice. Great game!
LDJam user 250426
19. Apr 2022 · 05:04 UTC
Awesome game, I ended up playing for like 40 min xD!

Left feedback and stuff on stream here:
https://www.twitch.tv/videos/1458309860?t=0h30m12s

![DeathsGambit.png](///raw/a32/d3/z/4e298.png)