Hymn of the Sages by PowerSpark

[raw]
made by PowerSpark for LD33 (JAM)
You are the most dangerous and feared demon known to man. Man has done everything possible to seal you and keep you from harming anyone. Break the seal.
Time lapse on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79OKuuKmVd0

Expect a few small bugs. Have fun!
EDIT: Play the post jam version if you haven't! Thanks!

Ratings

Coolness 100% 1
Overall(Jam) 3.70 163
Fun(Jam) 3.35 322
Graphics(Jam) 3.97 239
Humor(Jam) 2.25 795
Innovation(Jam) 3.71 103
Mood(Jam) 3.81 117
Theme(Jam) 4.02 110

Feedback

Robot Souls Games
25. Aug 2015 · 03:48 UTC
You're graphics were pretty good, but your screenshots don't reflect that. Your first screenshot seems to have some issues with the monster's outline. I was misled about the quality of the graphics. I thought they were worse than they actually were.
🎤 PowerSpark
25. Aug 2015 · 04:09 UTC
I had to put my game out in a rush but you're advice made me realize I had to update the thumbnail. Thanks!
jmschrack
25. Aug 2015 · 04:58 UTC
My only complaint, is that possessing people feels a bit too fickle. Otherwise, everything is exceedingly good!
pixelgriffin
25. Aug 2015 · 05:40 UTC
This was a very pretty game. I also really appreciated the tutorial. It's so nice to not have to read a description and remember things on the spot!
MechanicMoon
25. Aug 2015 · 22:01 UTC
I really love the graphics and the atmosphere. The best game that I have seen in the jam so far.I like the tutorial and the gameplay. Awesome job ;-)
Yamzho
25. Aug 2015 · 22:02 UTC
Very nice game.
🎤 PowerSpark
25. Aug 2015 · 22:25 UTC
Thanks guys! :)
Grahhhhh
26. Aug 2015 · 02:09 UTC
I loved the graphics, really solid. I see a lot of people putting stuff out in unity only to have it be sub par to average, this was tight. I would've liked possession to be a little more long range, but that's me being fickle, solid game.
MagentaGames
26. Aug 2015 · 03:45 UTC
I liked!
TomOlivier
26. Aug 2015 · 06:46 UTC
I liked the dark and mythical atmosphere here. I wasn't sure why I had to possess other monks thought.
Cliff Lee(CL)
26. Aug 2015 · 07:11 UTC
So awesome in all ways!

But I fell into a hole in level after final ability is obtained, and I keep falling with no end :(
CrazyMinnowStudio
26. Aug 2015 · 07:37 UTC
One of my favorites so far. Fantastic!
snake5
26. Aug 2015 · 07:48 UTC
One of the few somewhat unique games I've seen around, with an easily recognizable graphics style, though it could use some polishing on character physics and improve the communication of level design to the player. I got stuck near the spot where I was supposed to sneak around the corner and posess a dude, which should've been a bit easier, though it just got confusing afterwards. But the preceding experience was definitely interesting.
🎤 PowerSpark
26. Aug 2015 · 14:49 UTC
@snake5 I understand how awkward possessing is in this game. Once judging finishes I'll have a Post-Jam version to make some levels a bit less ridiculous/overwhelming to beat :)
PeculiarCarrot
27. Aug 2015 · 01:24 UTC
A good game, but it's pretty difficult to aim at people to possess them, and the controls feel a bit strange and slow.
Kassimkot
27. Aug 2015 · 04:38 UTC
awesome game. was kinda weird we're possessing them just to get past them.
kidando
27. Aug 2015 · 07:27 UTC
These are one of those games that have potential to become unique and loved titles. Some polish on the possession tho. Its kinda hard to determine how close and at what angle you can posses. Congrats dude.
NightShadow0
28. Aug 2015 · 16:44 UTC
I had a hard time getting the possessing to work, which became particularly frustrating when you have a short window to get to the clerics before they step into the light beams. A longer range would probably have made it more enjoyable. Other than that i really like the game, solid mechanic, good intro, great artstyle. Nice work!
bradur
29. Aug 2015 · 05:39 UTC
- Easy to understand (but not always easy to execute!) puzzles
- Lovely atmosphere
- Awesome graphics
- Nicely fits the theme

I had some problems sometimes hitting the monks with the "possess" skill, since the aiming was a little fidgety. Oh, and I had a bug in which you fell through the wall into the void endlessly if you posessed a monk too close to a wall.

All in all, a very solid entry!
CheesyRamen
29. Aug 2015 · 05:54 UTC
I really liked the look and atmosphere of this! Nice job!
🎤 PowerSpark
29. Aug 2015 · 20:57 UTC
I made a patch that fixed a few small things that were mentioned above. Read about it... http://gamejolt.com/games/hymn-of-the-sages/88559/news/new-patch-1-1-1/92477
NuDawg
30. Aug 2015 · 03:55 UTC
I got the following error trying to play the web version:
MissingKeyMissing Key-Pair-Id query parameter or cookie value
I got the same error uploading my WebGL port of my game, then I decided WebGL is crap lol. Anyway, nice graphics, and fun to play.
jk5000
30. Aug 2015 · 08:22 UTC
I love this game. It has a great gameplay and you have created a fantastic scary atmosphere. Aiming at the monks is a bit too difficult.
Reyn
30. Aug 2015 · 09:37 UTC
Nice. Only issue I had was that it was too dark to find the second door at first.
Empyrealhell
30. Aug 2015 · 18:46 UTC
There is an amazing amount of content for a jam entry here. The gameplay had a few issues (the monks move a bit slow, and the hit box for possession feels too narrow), and the web port controls didn't work for me. Outside of that, everything about this is amazing. Level design, graphics, sound, the atmosphere you create, all outstanding.
KilledByAPixel
01. Sep 2015 · 05:15 UTC
- intro is a little slow to get into the gameplay
- graphics are good
- having trouble figuring out what to do, i am on the stage that says "keep your body away from the light"
- can you put up some tips on how to play?
Teesquared
01. Sep 2015 · 06:50 UTC
Impressive visual style and mood. I am not a big fan of stealth games but this kept me hooked. Frustration level was a bit high due to difficulty (camera angle, slow movement, aiming challenges) but mainly because I wanted to finish. Great entry.
disperse
02. Sep 2015 · 01:40 UTC
I loved the style of the models and the gameplay was solid. The tank-like controls of the player and limited field of view was sometimes frustrating but overall, in the timeframe, impressive!
dregamr
03. Sep 2015 · 16:58 UTC
Too much work for a jam, don't you think?
Good work!! :)
rodobodolfo
05. Sep 2015 · 10:11 UTC
The monks look awesome! You have a great visual style. This could expand into a nice little game.
Shadow Dreamer
10. Sep 2015 · 01:29 UTC
Awesome game, dude!!!
For having been made in 72 hours, this is brilliant. Everything from gameplay to graphics were interesting, and the level design is pretty good. Great job ;)
🎤 PowerSpark
10. Sep 2015 · 02:35 UTC
Thanks for all the incredible feedback, you guys rock! :3
Tanton-H2X
10. Sep 2015 · 03:56 UTC
wooo this game~~!
i have seen it's gifs at the homepage a few days ago~~
but my vpn not worked these day(thus can't use gamejolt that time) ,want to play for a long time..
so fated to meet again today,this genius game
recalled long ago that there was an old game i have read in my game magazine ...(i forgot the name... mesih? i am not sure..)
this time i can play it~~
Tanton-H2X
10. Sep 2015 · 04:43 UTC
SuperCool!
the best game and the most challenging game in these days~~!
i spent so many time at this~ Ambient and LevelDesign very genius~!
Look at our hero a little bit of growth,feels so good(the first time i know he can growth ,fells very exciting!)
Level2 is the hardest....Challenged many times(more than 10's)orz....it tech me "Whenever it is,don't treat yourself lightly" just the terminal point...ToT (really careful,consolidate step by step...)
Level3 a little bit easy and short,but the desgin very enjoyable and innovative,also fitting the theme/mechanism very well(control/lead..)
When i think the game is over after level...The Final scene's coming really Full of surprises! (/≥▽≤/) ahha~~ so exciting! I finally got my revenge~~
take measures!~~Destroy them~~~~~

although,still unsatisfied pleasuregood to the last drop...
in my mind, How wonderfull if only there were a BigBoom!!( explosion) i think,this progress also like sublimation~~
now the final stage only like a revenge...(good but not enough?) my feeling gets good but the Emotional still not release completely...ಥvಥ so that is why i hope a bigboom of this evil castle;may be also some picture imply our hero flying to the cloudy sky ....balabalabala.....all just for the final sublimation~ perfect...
otherhand,there are a small bu in level3:sometimes the priest may drop in to the pit..(and they were not killed...)
All in all,very awesome game in 72h,Timelapse is also cool! hope to see this more iterations on this!☆
🎤 PowerSpark
10. Sep 2015 · 06:00 UTC
@Tanton-H2X I'm so glad you enjoyed my game! I will without a doubt do my best to to improve as much as I can using the feedback I receive. Thank you for taking the time to comment!
Tanton-H2X
10. Sep 2015 · 08:58 UTC
@PowerSpark You're welcome~~ and sorry forgot one point that comment (o◕∀◕)ノ ,which about the final panel,actually these view in last comment are connected the finalpanel so much~~

I means that the final scene is good,just the final panel is so static, may be not fit enough with the epic feeling which i feels from the final scene? (i am not sure enough)

only feel it stop right away let me feel the feedback are not enough for my just stage-clear~~? otherwise,the final lab can't jump back mainmenu more or less made me confused(just a little.. after all so many games also not return...>u< but really waiting a long time for some more thing happend haha~~)
oh~the level room also let me recalled <Shadow of the Colossus〉 How cool they are~~i love this design~~

In short, it's awesome,worth to play everylevel~~
MintArcade
11. Sep 2015 · 06:57 UTC
Nice game and timelapse :) Very innovative.
crucknuk
13. Sep 2015 · 09:49 UTC
The graphics are beautiful, i like the art direction, the camera view, the "cinematic" intro. You put a lot of effort into it and its doable.
But the gameplay was a bit frustrating at some part, especially when you have pattern of lights to go into and you have to possess monks. They could spot you straight away and it is a timing execution you must require in order to not get frustrated.
Hope you could fix it because i would like to play it really much!

Well done!
crucknuk
13. Sep 2015 · 10:00 UTC
I like games with infiltration :)
the graphics are cool (especially the texture), and the atmosphere too (Sounds are immersive)
uchiro
13. Sep 2015 · 10:38 UTC
I liked it very much! The story and the addition of new abilities is very cool.
I captured the second monk' mind, because I don't understand what to do (really, a monk turning back before the second door). When I let him go he went back across the chasm.
Then I decided to restart level and fell into a chasm, but the game didn't do anything.

I liked it very much! The story and the addition of new abilities is very cool.

I found a couple of bugs.
I captured the second monk' mind, because I don't understand what to do (really, a monk turning back before the second door). When I let him go he went back across the chasm.
http://i.imgur.com/zeDm62R.png
http://i.imgur.com/5Kzxx8l.png
Then I decided to restart level and fell into a chasm, but the game didn't do anything.
http://i.imgur.com/wxTejNp.png

The game is very nice. But for complete enjoyment is not enough cool graphics. Maybe add lighting and post-effects? For example, when the player captures the mind of the monk, the around color becomes darker. Conversely, when coming to light all the color becomes lighter. Else can to replace the light sprite object. Else can replace the sprite of light on 3D objects, like this http://i.imgur.com/IFbazw0.png . But it is better to change the shader and texture to the blurry border.
🎤 PowerSpark
13. Sep 2015 · 16:55 UTC
@crucknuk Thanks for the comments! The problem you're taking about will be fixed with the post-jam version.
@uchiro I'm glad you enjoyed the game! Thank you so much for the bug report, I wouldn't have caught that problem on my own.
uchiro
14. Sep 2015 · 18:43 UTC
@PowerSpark Where can I find a post-jam version?
🎤 PowerSpark
15. Sep 2015 · 01:59 UTC
I will begin uploading the post jam version very soon, expect it around 30 min from now.
🎤 PowerSpark
15. Sep 2015 · 02:42 UTC
Post jam version is uploaded! Make sure you play WebGL, the standalone's aren't compiled just yet. Sorry for the wait.

Please take a look, I've changed a few levels, fixed bugs, created a whole ending cut scene, and more! Enjoy, and thanks for making this LD awesome!
aviktorov
15. Sep 2015 · 06:41 UTC
@PowerSpark Post-effect in the end is very cool! ending cut scene. I liked the final scene (but you can see the end of the earth).

I do not know whether you will fix, but I found a few bugs.
The monk doesn't fall into the abyss.
http://i.imgur.com/UK7bK1Z.png
I played in Windows version and I couldn't exit to the menu.
http://i.imgur.com/mSyHkTF.png
If a monk standing back to the wall, then came out of his body, player can get stuck in the wall. The worst thing is when monk doesn't see the player and the player can not return to him. The player will have to restart the game. Maybe add a restart key? :)
http://i.imgur.com/aToQlzS.png
http://i.imgur.com/2iyZOdG.png
http://i.imgur.com/OFFAITN.png
The previous version had a normal animation, and now there are artifacts.
http://i.imgur.com/UV3Ftjc.png
http://i.imgur.com/b4TforC.png

It would be wonderful if you added support for gamepad! Unity3D the UI can be used with a gamepad.
The movement can be written on the vertical and horizontal axis.
http://docs.unity3d.com/ScriptReference/Input.GetAxis.html
A key can have multiple actions.
http://docs.unity3d.com/ScriptReference/Input.GetButton.html
uchiro
15. Sep 2015 · 06:51 UTC
@PowerSpark We submitted game from account @aviktorov, I forgot about it. Previous post was mine.
🎤 PowerSpark
15. Sep 2015 · 14:18 UTC
@uchiro Thanks for the photos! I'll try and get a patch out soon to better fix these things.
uchiro
15. Sep 2015 · 15:35 UTC
@PowerSpark The Ludum Dare haven't notification. Do you have twitter or facebook where I could follow the updates?
🎤 PowerSpark
15. Sep 2015 · 23:59 UTC
@uchiro You can follow future updates here: https://www.facebook.com/powersparkgames
If anyone can follow it that would help my small page out. ;3
🎤 PowerSpark
16. Sep 2015 · 00:46 UTC
1.2.2 patch released! Check out the changes here: http://gamejolt.com/games/hymn-of-the-sages/88559/news/1-2-2-patch-changes/95962
🎤 PowerSpark
16. Sep 2015 · 15:48 UTC
Gamepads are supported! Read about the changes here:
http://gamejolt.com/games/hymn-of-the-sages/88559/news/1-2-3-patch-changes/96071