Ink Summoner by Custodi

[raw]
made by Custodi for Ludum Dare 55 (JAM)

Ink Summoner logo.png

Embark on an adventure with the young ink mage. Summon various things and solve unusual riddles. Let your imagination run wild - find your own way to beat this game.

Controls: - WASD - movement - Space - jump - E or Right Mouse Button - show/hide spell draw panel

Play Ink Summoner on Itch.Io: Ink Summoner

Your feedback is the most valuable, what you can do! Thanks!

Update v1.0.1:

  • Invisible walls removed

  • Level design update

  • Sticky walls bug fixed

  • Abilities summoning fixed

Screenshots

c.png

b.png

a.png

Spoilers alert!!!

### Next information has spoilers & can break your game experience! Use this paragraph when you stucked or can't solve puzzle.

Detected bugs

  • Bug: Character can stop and don't move further.
  • Solution: Walk back or jump

  • Bug: When cast rotation spell, camera does not rotate propeply (stuck on curve angle)

  • Solution: Recast spell again. Do not cast next rotation spell, until the previous one complete its effect

  • Bug: I cast ball spell, nothing happens

  • Solution: Ball does not show, but its behavior is working (you just don't see a sprite)

  • Bug:I cast any spell, nothing happens

  • Solution: Unfortunately, drawing cast system has some non-critical mistakes, but leads to skill conflict, when skill shows up over character, but no effect. Draw spell form properly, do not hit it too much)

If you find other bugs, that does not included above, you can write it in comments or PM me.


Walkthrough

Sorry, if my game is too difficult for you, some mechanics has bad introdution & tutorial.

Order of the nessesary points will be indicated next to the symbol. Points are numbered from the top left point to the bottom right point from 1 to 9.

Main menu: Draw S[3,2,1,4,5,6,9,8,7] to start game. Draw Q [1,2,3,6,9,8,7,4,1] + [5,9]. First letters of the menu are the tip.

1 level: Draw a square [1,2,3,6,9,8,7,4,1] to shoot a projectile to destroy blocks.

2 level: Draw a left arrow [6,5,2,4,8,5] to call a wind to push out the key. When the key falls, push it to the door.

3 level: Press a button (stand on it) to open the door. Then draw a box [1,2,3,6,9,8,7,4,1] + [1,5,9] + [3,5,7]. Box will be spawned if front of you. Build a ladder to the exit.

4 level: Draw a lightning [2,4,5,6,8] to illuminate the room. Then draw a square to destroy the block. Put a box/boxes, stand on them, then destroy the exit door with square.

5 level: Rotate a room clockwise [9,8,7,4,1,2,3,6,5] two times. Press a button, jump into the pit.

6 level: Jump into the pit, rotate a room counterclockwise [7,8,9,6,3,2,1,4,5], cast a "18" spell [1,4,7] + [2,5,7,9,6,3,2] + [5,6]. Come to the next box, draw a "111" spell [1,4,7] + [2,5,8] + [3,6,9]. Rotate the room clockwise. Destroy the last grey box with square spell. Come to the end, until you won't fit the space. Draw a spell of size reduction [1,5,3] + [2,8,6]. Come to the exit.

7 level: Goal: press only 1 button. Button is on protruding wall. The correct button is on the side, on the long side. To move, use A & D, room rotation and wind to push objects to push yourself. After pressing the button, come the the bottom of the room, cast the size reduction spell and come the exit.

8 level: Cast next spells: E [3,2,1,4,7,8,9] + [4,5,6] / N [7,4,1,5,9,6,3] / D [1,2,6,8,7,4,1]. After that rotate room clockwise and jump into the pit.

You are awesome.

Ratings

Overall 428th 3.708⭐ 62🧑‍⚖️
Fun 382th 3.667⭐ 62🧑‍⚖️
Innovation 51th 4.142⭐ 62🧑‍⚖️
Theme 256th 4.075⭐ 62🧑‍⚖️
Graphics 712th 3.55⭐ 62🧑‍⚖️
Humor 434th 3.298⭐ 59🧑‍⚖️
Mood 715th 3.44⭐ 60🧑‍⚖️
Given 85🗳️ 129🗨️

Feedback

🎤 Custodi
16. Apr 2024 · 18:53 UTC
Update HTML Build on Itch, now it adapted to browser resolution.
hamsel
17. Apr 2024 · 14:34 UTC
Great little game. Liked the summoning mechanic but almost didn't know how to start the game! For those a little slow like me, you need to draw and cast 'S' to start the game.
JUSTCAMH
17. Apr 2024 · 14:45 UTC
I absolutely love the central mechanic for this game, it’s simple but has a lot of potential for different spells and tools. I just wish that what you had was more fleshed out rather than piling on more stuff. I for one really loved the opening for the game where you had to write S, I felt very smart figuring that out! :heart:

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/2122044081
Lehmy
17. Apr 2024 · 23:04 UTC
Nice game loved the mechanic for summoning and the art style. I would also say that the start itself is a bit hard to understand. One problem I encountered was that you can get stuck on some of the world pieces holding barriers in place. You than have to turn the world as you are stuck midair so that you can not jump out of the gap.

It's just a minor thing but all in all great job, had fun playing it :smile:
milq
17. Apr 2024 · 23:13 UTC
What a solid game! At first, it's challenging to figure out how to start; fortunately, I found out it begins with an 'S.' That said, it means I hadn’t fully appreciated how magnificent this game is. It seems like a puzzle logic game, but a very special one. It has that unique touch that many games lack. The level design is excellent, providing just enough hints without making it too easy, challenging your own ingenuity to solve the puzzles. I must insist, great entry, spectacular game!
Lélek Hunor Kadosa
17. Apr 2024 · 23:14 UTC
Great idea nad I love how you hide the tutorial. My only problem is that the physics is a bit glitchy
jcoates
17. Apr 2024 · 23:36 UTC
Fun and interesting! I enjoyed it. It was a little tricky at points, but it felt good to figure out most of the puzzles. Also, I got stuck at one point by accidentally casting snail shell spell before the last one had finished, leaving the world partly rotated. When I restarted, I was a little sad that the spells you learn later don't work on the earlier levels, but that is fair.
Matthieu Riboulot
18. Apr 2024 · 12:58 UTC
Very neat puzzle game!
6Knowledge
18. Apr 2024 · 16:25 UTC
The game desperately called for some sound effects or background music. Other than that a unique take on the theme. Unfortunately I got completely stuck on the electricity level after I couldn't figure out how to get past the gate thing.

Almost thought the main menu was somehow supposed to be the game, but quickly figured out what the game wanted me to do.
Thomas Gelman
18. Apr 2024 · 16:28 UTC
Fun little puzzle game! Love the mechanic of drawing to cast your spells, but sometimes I did feel as though the drawing step didn't always behave exactly as I expected and I had to start over. That said, still felt very rewarding to come up with solutions to the puzzles. Good job!
🎤 Custodi
18. Apr 2024 · 16:38 UTC
@6knowledge I am lazy ass, may be sometimes add walkthrough to the description)
You need to destroy them with ball.
Tutorial a little bit overloaded on 1 level and player doesn't know that can destroy grey objects.
MontyMoneybags
18. Apr 2024 · 18:50 UTC
Making the player use your mechanic to start the game is a nice touch
Wuju
18. Apr 2024 · 20:54 UTC
I really did enjoy the idea of this game, its clever and fun to incorporate what I drew into the 2d platformer.
I had a very hard time starting the game as i was too focused on the moving parts in the bottom left to notice the S shape in the word Start.
Quinn Davis
18. Apr 2024 · 22:46 UTC
Very cool mechanic. Got stuck on the floor and invisible walls a couple times but it was fun figuring out the puzzles.
Fenix131113
18. Apr 2024 · 23:30 UTC
I love this idea but i can't normally move on non-gravity level
Chrispy977
18. Apr 2024 · 23:42 UTC
Love the idea of the puzzles, but it was really finicky and hard to get through at some parts.
Avi
19. Apr 2024 · 00:24 UTC
Cute game! intesting mechanics, im curious to see the code for recongnising the drawing shapes!
Tetracold
19. Apr 2024 · 06:07 UTC
Very interesting and creative use of mechanic and theme. I see a lot of potential in this. with a lot more polish and puzzles, I think you can turn this into a full game!

I found some of the puzzles to be quite obtuse and I had to check the walkthrough, but it didn't affect my experience too much.

Good entry!
Saryah
19. Apr 2024 · 11:55 UTC
Great fit for the theme, would like to not stick to surfaces quite as much. Difficulty was high, but obviously intended. Good entry overall.
Pusheeneiro
19. Apr 2024 · 13:17 UTC
One of the most innovative mechanics and level designs
MatthewDrake
19. Apr 2024 · 21:20 UTC
Really clever puzzle game! The way you revealed each spell was really clever, particularly liked using the snail shell for one of them. I did accidentally push the blue key through the wall at one point by landing on it as I rotated, but other than that it was really well polished. Well done.
YoYoJ
19. Apr 2024 · 21:34 UTC
I like the idea, the art is really cute. It lagged a lot, especially as I was drawing. The idea behind the puzzles are cool but as an example the lightning wasn't obvious because on the background it's more like 2,4,5,7 though good job !
UniOwl
20. Apr 2024 · 14:51 UTC
Very cool idea! Also liked the gameplay and variety of spells. One of the problems that probably were mentioned (also I said about it on the stream where I saw your game) is broken camera movement when you change gravity orientation. Also I struggled a bit with box physics that were clipping inside walls. But I already knew about some of the problems and completed the game without any issues. The gameplay has some potential!

P.S. Lack of audio is kinda sad(

Spasibo za igru!
Sariiger
20. Apr 2024 · 15:14 UTC
Really loved the game, managed to beat it! I love how it had just the right amount of challenge, where it wasn't easy, but it also wasn't frustrating either. Well, the anti grav level was a bit frustrating, but it was still fine. Very innovative mechanics, great job!
Neandi
21. Apr 2024 · 15:01 UTC
Super inventive! Love the snail as a way to to teach the rotation.
Czecze András
22. Apr 2024 · 14:25 UTC
A clever solution! The menu gives a very nice presentation of the basic mechanics of the game, which is especially good because it helps to understand it! The game looks nice and is atmospheric!
iOlis_Lui
22. Apr 2024 · 17:33 UTC
It's very cool when the gameplay is integrated into the menu!!! Trigonometry won me over. (maybe it wasn't her, but it's still very scary)
Brogan Ward
22. Apr 2024 · 20:13 UTC
Love this game! Took a bit to figure out how to start the game with the summoning square, but once that was nailed down I was on a roll. Really enjoyed all the puzzle elements and how they're integrated into the environment. Unfortunately I started getting stuck when math got involved on level 6 so I had to look into your guide, but I greatly enjoyed learning your game mechanic throughout!
samboyer276
22. Apr 2024 · 20:40 UTC
Loved solving these puzzles and finding new spells in each room! Jumping onto/navigating around boxes was a bit awkward in levels that used them, but didn't take away from the experience too much. (I also don't have any suggestions for altering that, rigidbodies are always a pain!).

I'm a little embarassed to admit that I couldn't solve the main menu challenge at first... because I didn't realise the 3x3 dot grid was a part of the UI and not part of the world!! Oops 😅 (it's obvious on later screens, just not this one. not sure what to suggest for this - maybe 'ghost lines' indicating that's where you draw? not a major issue though, I am just easily confused)

Great stuff overall!
Baluj
23. Apr 2024 · 16:49 UTC
It's an interesting concept. I love this game it's simple and nice. Good job!
WhaleJam
23. Apr 2024 · 19:09 UTC
Wow there was so much in this game! I love the way it teaches the new patterns and then drawing them in different ways to make it work in different ways. The art is cute (especially the snail ;)) One thing I'd like is to be able to cast with a keyboard key instead of clicking cast. Overall really nice job, well done ^^
Misoukun
23. Apr 2024 · 19:24 UTC
Interesting puzzle game! Original idea. It is fun to play and works fine.
Nuanda79
23. Apr 2024 · 19:55 UTC
Your game is definitely very original. I'll be honest, to overcome some points, I had to read the clues, otherwise I would have been in difficulty, but I enjoyed playing it. I had the desire to reach the end. The mechanics are really nice and innovative, congratulations on the idea!
woona
24. Apr 2024 · 07:02 UTC
Very creative! I loved all of the puzzles, I think the difficulty is just right. I really appreciate the amount of different spells and mechanics.

I would prefer is gravity rotation was a little bit faster, because I think it takes too much time at the moment. I kept confusing directions of gravity rotation...

Great job! I had a lot of fun! Good luck with your future projects!
Rentem
24. Apr 2024 · 16:41 UTC
Nice game. I love the concept and the levels are interressting. You did a great job!

Some obligatory nitpicking:

In one case I could'nt read entire text:
![borderClipp.png](///raw/6af/04/z/64c2a.png)

This pattern also produces an 18:
![18.png](///raw/6af/04/z/64c2b.png)

This one flashes the rotate but does nothing:
![rotate.png](///raw/6af/04/z/64c2c.png)

All in all greate game, you have my respect.
LLlarsO
24. Apr 2024 · 16:49 UTC
Really creative game! I really like the beginning, where you had to write "S" to get started. Like some other people here, I felt very smart. :D
The "destroy the obstacles" mechanic didn´t click with me. Maybe it´s because there is no sound effects, but it wasn`t that fun for me.
Creating a box and other mechanics felt much better. Some hints felt very nice integrated into the game. For example when you have to draw the "electricity symbol". Other hints are a little bit "lazy" like the arrow in the key room. Maybe you will come up with something more original in the future.

The summoning mechanic was easy to understand and intuitive to use. I think this game has a lot of nice features, but needs some polish at some areas. Really liked exploring this game. Good job, I had fun. :)
frozenfire92
25. Apr 2024 · 21:21 UTC
This was a really cool game! You did a good job with trying to have the levels teach you what you needed to do with the environment :smile: for the life of me I couldn't get the size reduction to work (even with your spoiler/walkthrough) so I sadly stopped my journey there. Great entry, keep on making games!
Cshep99
26. Apr 2024 · 00:51 UTC
that was really cool! i had to cheat to see how to start the game, maybe animate the letters being drawn to give a more of a hint? i thought it was just a cool font at first. and i had to cheat again to see how to pass the last equation. i had completely forgotten about the square, i laughed when i read that. but overall, that was really fun!
nsadie
27. Apr 2024 · 17:31 UTC
It was very cool! I loved figuring out all the puzzles!
Nubels
30. Apr 2024 · 07:54 UTC
I love the idea, it's very creative! I would be nice to have a restart button that resets the current level though. I got stuck in level 5. Overall great game though!

![chrome_vf2swU2oqT.png](///raw/5a5/e5/z/64e41.png)