Genre Hopper by b1n4ry

[raw]
made by b1n4ry for Ludum Dare 51 (JAM)

Ever wanted to play several games at the same time? Meet Genre Hopper! You can play (currently) 3 games, switching them every 10 seconds! 3D-Platformer, Mouse Maze and 2D-Platformer are the games you can currently beat at the same time

Screenshot from 2022-10-04 01-25-56.pngScreenshot from 2022-10-04 01-26-03.pngScreenshot from 2022-10-04 01-26-15.png

Changelog:

build2 - Fixed 2/3 completed games on the start of the game. Thanks to all people in the comments pointing it out and thanks to @fedegelo at GitHub for fixing this issue!

Ratings

Given 12🗳️ 2🗨️

Feedback

Legolula
05. Oct 2022 · 19:52 UTC
I think there was a problem with the build I played, the genre didn't change, I kept playing the platformer genre!
FedeGelo
05. Oct 2022 · 20:12 UTC
It didn't change the game for me neither. It kept going with the first person platformer game, changing the fonts every 10 seconds, and started with 2/3 completed
LDJam user 307494
05. Oct 2022 · 20:15 UTC
The dropbox link doesn't seem to work.
crwohlers
05. Oct 2022 · 20:18 UTC
This was very fun! I really like the idea of completely switching graphics style, though it maybe could have been a little more distinct. The music was excellent as well, and integrated nicely. Unfortunately, you appear to uploaded a debug version that starts on the last level :(. Technically, very well done, very few bugs, though I think there were some odd teleport-y hitboxes, and it was slightly difficult to control the player character, especially on the little rails.
LDJam user 300422
05. Oct 2022 · 20:20 UTC
Played the Windows version. I like the music and text switches every 10s, but the game stays the same, is that intended? The platformer part feels a bit floaty and therefore hard to control. I also kept sliding off of the poles, maybe having a bigger collider there or the player more sticky could help?
Anyways, i'd like to try out the original vision of switching through the games, i feel it could be quite a challenging experience... Bugfixes are allowed in the jam, so if its only a minor bug, you could fix it :v:
ShauKaula
05. Oct 2022 · 20:32 UTC
The game is pretty easy, the controls are fine, the goal is clear and music switching every 10 seconds is good. But it miss something. The fact that the "Every 10 seconds" theme don't interact with the gameplay itself is a little bit sad in my opinion.
FedeGelo
05. Oct 2022 · 20:47 UTC
I figured what the hell and went ahead and fixed it, it's a really easy fix, and sent a Pull Request to your repo. With the fix it's a really fun game! And quite addicting (and infuriating in a good way)
🎤 b1n4ry
05. Oct 2022 · 21:16 UTC
Thanks again for everyone and especially for @fedegelo for pointing out the bug, the bug is now fixed! Go play the game! :)
ironcutter
06. Oct 2022 · 14:00 UTC
Interesting idea, a little buggy though.
With a little rework of the controls this could shine a lot more than it does:
- The cursor in the top down game kept snapping to screen center a few times a second, couldn't play that one.
- In the 2D platformer character keeps jumping if I keep space pressed, and that makes the "lava" section pointlessly difficult.
- Inputs given in the previous game seem to "transfer" to the next one, causing unwanted jumps and movements that can too easily lead to restarting the 3D platformer from the bottom.
🎤 b1n4ry
06. Oct 2022 · 18:30 UTC
> Inputs given in the previous game seem to “transfer” to the next one

That's kind of is the point of the game! You should pay close attention to the timer, not to cause yourself trouble!
> In the 2D platformer character keeps jumping if I keep space pressed

I thought it might make the game easier, but sure i can disable auto-jump in the next build
> The cursor in the top down game kept snapping to screen center a few times a second

That's a minor bug: after the game change, screen shakes a bit, and that causes the whole maze to shake too, so the mouse pointer can run into an obstacle in tight spaces. Sorry for that :)
goldenXD
07. Oct 2022 · 23:59 UTC
Really cool graphics, like the idea and interesting overall!
natpat
08. Oct 2022 · 00:31 UTC
Nice concept! Switching genres completely every 10 seconds definitely hits the theme. Sadly each of the games was far too hard and punishing. Falling to the bottom every time in the 3d platformer was completely demoralising, especially with the walk all the way back. The 2d platformer's controls were way too floaty and imprecise for the kind of thing you were asking - and the part with the moving platform that had a jump button on it was impossible to complete in a single 10 second session. The maze section I found also impossible, given that it reset me to the middle every time, meaning I couldn't get the axe.

Giving players a slightly easier time and more checkpoints would definitely help here!
🎤 b1n4ry
08. Oct 2022 · 00:58 UTC
@natpat, the mouse maze is a bit difficult right now, because when the screen shakes, the mouse pointer shakes a bit too, which causes it to move a little bit. It can cause trouble in tight spaces, so i dont recommend rushing it and wait until the next game switch in a wide enough space.

Moving platform part in 2d-platformer is indeed the hardest, but it is completely possible to make in a 10 second session, i guess i just do it easily, because i had the opportunity to test it :smile:
natpat
08. Oct 2022 · 01:06 UTC
@b1n4ry I think there might be more to the bug than that, because I did try to wait in large spaces and it still sent me back to the beginning. And yes, definitely remember you will always be the best person at your game because you have had long enough to test it! Regardless of it being possible or not, it felt impossible, which I think is the real issue!
TinySalad
12. Oct 2022 · 19:07 UTC
I like the concept of genre switching, keeping you at your toes, don't get too focused on one game! the time bar was nice and visable.

The maze was fun(although i have very little mouse maze experience to compare to).

The 3d platforming was a fun and simple, too simple for a full game, but very fitting in simplicity and length for this switching style of game.

The 2d platformers art style doesn't fit in at all with the other two games minimalist look and cool/grey colours.

I got 2/3 games done, the roofhitting platforming section was a too hard for me to bother.

Overall a good entry, well done!
🎤 b1n4ry
13. Oct 2022 · 11:04 UTC
@tinysalad 2d platformer's art style didn't fit in, because we had two people making the game :smile:
I was making 2d platformer and the main menu, and the other person have made the mouse maze and 3d platformer.