Jam submission

This is a game done for the Ludum Dare 57 game jam, with the theme Depths.

This post is to keep a record of the jam version, as I plan to keep working on it after the game jam.

What is the concept?

A game where you have to go more in depth to solve puzzles and complete the levels*.

In this case the theme Depths is interpreted as the third dimension (width, height and depth). Then, the game plays with the idea of switching between 2D and 3D, inspired by games like "Paper Mario".

At the visual level, I wanted something simple and cozy so the main focus is on the puzzles.

*I say it in plural but there is only one level. I didn’t have time to integrate everything and packed only what was working so I could submit it in time.

Jam experience

The game is made with Godot Engine. My first time using it, and I am surprisingly pleased. I will use it more from now on. The audio is made with Acid Pro 11 and Audacity. And the cover was done the last minute with Gimp.

As usual, the jam didn’t go as expected. Initially I started thinking in different meanings of depth: depth of the sea, deep feelings, depth as something meaningful/thoughtful, depth as third dimension, etc.

I had different ideas for plots and mechanics, but none convinced me. Then I planed to make an adventure/platformer game with a main plot based on the exploration of the depths (being it a forest, or the sea) with the mechanic of changing the perspective (going from 2D to 3D) as another way to explore.  

Finally I ended up with something quite different (though the main mechanic is more or less the same).

Overall I’m satisfied as this time I submitted a “full” game, with menus, audio and a whole level. Good enough for the first Ludum Dare. Let’s see if I can make it better the next time. 

Future development

After the jam I plan to keep polishing and updating the game. In any case, I will keep the original jam version here on itch and in the Ludum Dare website.