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[Platy]

http://indiegames.com/2012/04/ludum_dare_23_yields_over_1100.html

In an impressive showing for its 10-year anniversary, over 1100 "tiny world" themed games were developed for Ludum Dare 23, with more to come from the 72-hour Jam. We'll be picking out lots of great gems over the next few weeks, and I'm already fond of several titles below.

Studio Miniboss (Out There Somehwere) produced Planet 161 a multi-weapon, puzzle-platformer with a "small and claustrophobic level design." Andrew Morrish (Super Puzzle Platformer) created puzzler Scape, where players must watch their steps as they plant trees and later turn terrain fertile.

Matt Thorson pits tiny world versus tiny world in the two-player galactic fighter Ra Ra: Extreme Star Boxing. Finally, I recommend the above-pictured metroidvania Recluse, whose "expanding" mechanic was neat to experience, despite the overuse of white flashes.

Judging will end in 20 days, which just doesn't seem like enough time to play all of the Ludum Dare 23 games. Be sure to email us if you stumble across any particularly awesome titles or suggest some others in the comments below. Once again Happy 10th Birthday, Ludum Dare!

Only game listed that I found an OT for was Out There Somewhere ...but you can play Super Puzzle Platformer and Fat Wizard (a game by Matt Thorson for Adult Swim) on those links since they are browser games.

Previous Ludum Dare posts :
22
21
20 ( Results )
19

-----edit ---------

WINNERS ARE IN !

Top 10 overal :

1-

Fracuum - TylerGlaiel

2- Memento XII - deepnight

3- Super Strict Farmer - Benjamin

4- Soul Searchin' - MaximSchoemaker

5- Lonely Hated Rock - Xion

6- This Precious Land - Ishisoft

7- Planet 161 - saint11

8 and 9 tie- Astro Break - hulahulahest and Recluse - chambers

10- Pocket Planet - MoltenMustafa

http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-23/

 

[Toma]

For how much we pride ourselves in playing Indie games its quite a shame that this thread doesnt get more attention.

Going to test a few games and report about a few that seem interesting to me.

First up:

Tiny Civilization

http://danmckinnon.net/tiny_world/tiny_civ_colour/index.html

I really like the idea and style of this game. You start off with 3 men and women and need to take care of cutting wood, buying lodgings, exercising their bodies, giving them rest, etc. to build and explore your small world.

Its a long game since it is rather slow and you need to manage every individual in your civilization. Which is also somewhat my biggest gripe. You can't leave anyone alone. You need to make sure they stop working or they die from exhaustion. That makes it a bit tedious. But I encourage you to at least try it since I really like the idea the creator was going for.

 

[Toma]

Next one!

Memento12

http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/2012/04/22/memento12-done-at-last/

Cute and short adventure game. The art style is fantastic, though the screen real estate really is indeed tiny. Fitting to the Ludum Dare 23 theme I suppose. The puzzles werent that hard, but its definitely worth the 10 minutes or so experiencing the atmosphere and art style.

 

[flkk]

101 game reviews from LD23 in 15 minutes

I had a lot of fun watching this, and have been slowing working my way through the best looking ones to actually play. (Links to most games are in the video description). Even if you don't play it still gives you a neat overview of all the creativity involved!

 

[Toma]

101 game reviews from LD23 in 15 minutes

I had a lot of fun watching this, and have been slowing working my way through the best looking ones to actually play. (Links to most games are in the video description). Even if you don't play it still gives you a neat overview of all the creativity involved!

Thanks for posting! Watching it now

 

[Toma]

This Precious Land

http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-23/?action=preview&uid=8804

This ones seems to be getting quite a bit of coverage already, so it probably doesnt hurt me chiming in. With simple building blocks that you can set on the grid you build the world by combining two of the same block into a better block. The whole thing doesnt really have a clear set goal, and is more of a sandbox to see your own small world evolving and really has a rather mesmerizing character.

Easy to just lose a few minutes of time to this game, trying to figure out which surprise in building your world is around the next corner. Recommended.

 

[Toma]

Inside My Radio

http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-23/?action=preview&uid=5611

Another entry that gathered some attention. Cool concept. Its basically a platformer where you are only allowed to jump (and do other actions) with the beat of the music. It took me a while to get the timing done, but definitely worth checking out.

 

[Ranger X]

Looks like I am bookmarking this thread. First time I notice it. Are all Ludum games free and available to play like in Gamecon?

 

[Toma]

Looks like I am bookmarking this thread. First time I notice it. Are all Ludum games free and available to play like in Gamecon?

Yep. Most are playable from the browser since its advised by the Ludum Dare guys, but there are quite a few with downloadable options if you prefer that.

 

[Toma]

Tiny Journey

http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-23/?action=preview&uid=12700

Another adventure with a ridiculously cool art style, considering its made in 48 hours by one guy. The setting is interesting and makes you want to finish the game. The puzzles arent bad either, but I had more problems with the UI than the actual puzzles, especially in the beginning. Still its a neat to see a text parser as input for an adventure game and the setting/atmosphere are very well done. Worth checking out.

 

[Toma]

Bottlecolonies

http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-23/?action=preview&uid=4834

Its a puzzle game with a scribble artstyle. You got exactly the amount of buildings to fill the board, and by adhering to the games rules you need to maximize your points in each level. Its a neat concept, especially if you consider the Highscore potential of those levels. Every time you place a building next to one of the same color, you'll get +1, and every time you place one next to a building of a different color -4. By considering those rules you need to maximize the points you can get from these levels. Cute.

 

[Tiktaalik]

For how much we pride ourselves in playing Indie games its quite a shame that this thread doesnt get more attention.

Going to test a few games and report about a few that seem interesting to me.

First up:

Tiny Civilization

http://danmckinnon.net/tiny_world/tiny_civ_colour/index.html

I really like the idea and style of this game. You start off with 3 men and women and need to take care of cutting wood, buying lodgings, exercising their bodies, giving them rest, etc. to build and explore your small world.

Its a long game since it is rather slow and you need to manage every individual in your civilization. Which is also somewhat my biggest gripe. You can't leave anyone alone. You need to make sure they stop working or they die from exhaustion. That makes it a bit tedious. But I encourage you to at least try it since I really like the idea the creator was going for.

Do I have to run this in a certain browser? Just a black screen...

 

[Toma]

Tiny Stomp

http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-23/?action=preview&uid=4460

Another highscore game. Not a big or ambitious game by any means, but overall surprisingly well done with a pleasing art style and cute animations. You goal is to stomp the ants, which is more fun than it sounds. Only played it once, but in case anyone wants to beat my record:
3,012,000

 

[Toma]

Do I have to run this in a certain browser? Just a black screen...

Works on FF for me. Tried the link, and immediately shows me the start screen.

 

[Toma]

Anyone else lucky with finding another interesting one? Bad luck with my last few dozen.

 

[Toma]

Mirror Rays

http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-23/?action=preview&uid=5729

Its been a while since a puzzle platformer genuinely surprised me. Won't spoil you the mechanics for this game, finding out what it does was a cool "aha"-moment. Very clean and nice art style and good puzzle mechanics. First puzzle platformer I can think of since quite a while that I want more of after finishing it. Unfortunately no sounds, but def. worth checking out.

Edit: Finding the solution to the "dont press D"-level almost melted my brain. Haha. Awesome little game. Probably the best I've found so far, although waaaay too short. I want more!

 

[Toma]

Muniverse

http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-23/?action=preview&uid=12236

Ambitious game. Basically a space trading sim where you collect minerals and stuff from the planets (every dot in the screenshot is a planet) and will change to an asteroid kind of control scheme for your spaceship when actually collecting minerals/fighting enemies. Its not that polished yet, but I can easily see this becoming a fun, little game. The dev said he'll work on it post Ludum Dare.

 

[Toma]

Pale Blue Dot

http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-23/?action=preview&uid=11790

Miniature tower defense of sorts. You build energy cells to build more defense lasers. Playing a round takes about 2 minutes, and doesnt have as many ambitious features as some other games mentioned on this page. But its a well implemented idea and neat for some highscore hunting.

Mine:
Ships saved: 31
Asteroids destroyed: 764

 

[Toma]

Planet 161

http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-23/?action=preview&uid=7981

Another interesting puzzle platformer. You got 3 different weapons with which you can either traverse the surroundings, push or pull blocks. You need to figure out which weapon to use when to get to the goal in each level. Basic system is nothing new, but its very well done.

 

[Blizzard]

I started making a little ecology simulator thing, but I didn't spend enough time on it and didn't finish. There are some sweet ones though. I think I heard there was a good one about a snail?

 

[Platy]

I started making a little ecology simulator thing, but I didn't spend enough time on it and didn't finish. There are some sweet ones though. I think I heard there was a good one about a snail?

It is called Recluse and it is in the OP.

It has some cool "Mind blown" mechanics

 

[Toma]

It is called Recluse and it is in the OP.

It has some cool "Mind blown" mechanics

Ah yeah right. I was so caught up over which games to try that I didnt try the ones in the OP yet. Oh well. Since I started going through all of them, I might as well continue going from 1st to 1402nd

Edit: done with page 5 of 59... Oh boy.

 

[Karkador]

This Precious Land is awesome, having a lot of fun with it

 

[Toma]

This Precious Land is awesome, having a lot of fun with it

Yep, definitely one of my favorites so far too.

 

[Toma]

Omg, this one is a BRILLIANT idea for theme. Haha.

Its a tab

http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-23/?action=preview&uid=7465

Gets my vote for cleverest use of the theme so far. Don't want to spoil it, just click it and use the web version.

 

[Platy]

Omg, this one is a BRILLIANT idea for theme. Haha.

Its a tab

http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-23/?action=preview&uid=7465

Gets my vote for cleverest use of the theme so far. Don't want to spoil it, just click it and use the web version.

AWESOME !

Not the first game with that spoiler that I saw ( this was the first one ) but ... I would NEVER think of using that for this theme !

It even kinda impresses me that this is not by the same person xD

 

[Toma]

Found 11 interesting games in the first 5 pages, and only 1 interesting game on page 6-10. Kinda demotivating.

 

[Toma]

Tiny Words

http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-23/?action=preview&uid=10889

Not much of a game, but a cute idea for a Twitter visualizer. I enjoyed doing the light platforming while reading random tweets about stuff I put in.

Recommended:

Neogaf
FML
Random game/developer/publisher/console manufacturer you are interested about

Ludum Dare 23 (if you want to be super meta):

 

[Toma]

Finally a good game again:

Soul Searchin'

http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-23/?action=preview&uid=11306

Its a platformer with a clever use of a shrinking mechanic. Good level design too and perfect length for what it was.

 

[DSix]

Oh, I didn't know we were also following Ludum Dare.
I would've pimped my previous games which were way much better than this one (if this sort of thing is tolerated (is it?)).

LD is a great way to interpret the themes in the least straightforward way possible, and to make video games that can hardly be qualified as such. My game making endeavors are usually way more mainstream, and that's why I enjoy LD so much.

Hopeless
http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-23/?action=preview&uid=5454

For sake of completeness I'm gonna also post link to my previous entries, which are part of the same series and "universe".
Faceless: http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-21/?action=preview&uid=5454
Lifeless: http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-22/?action=preview&uid=5454

 

[Toma]

Microscopia

http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-23/?action=preview&uid=12119

Interesting puzzle game with the twist that it relies more on perception than on thinking. Really clever idea and use of its mechanics. Not too long either if you arent stuck on how to find yourself.

 

[Toma]

Oh, I didn't know we were also following Ludum Dare.

Why wouldnt we?

Those are games, so they deserve some attention

Hopeless is more an experience kinda thing. Great style. And l liked the communication with the other "isles". Neat touch.

 

[Gileadxv]

Omg, this one is a BRILLIANT idea for theme. Haha.

Its a tab

http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-23/?action=preview&uid=7465

Gets my vote for cleverest use of the theme so far. Don't want to spoil it, just click it and use the web version.

This one cracked me up. It took me a while to "get it".

Microscopia

http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-23/?action=preview&uid=12119

Interesting puzzle game with the twist that it relies more on perception than on thinking. Really clever idea and use of its mechanics. Not too long either if you arent stuck on how to find yourself.

This was pretty interesting as well. It starts off pretty simple, but then starts introducing new ways to really trip you up.

 

[Acosta]

Subscribed, thanks, I always wanted to get into a Ludum Dare and I think I will be able to put some solid hours this weekend. It helps that I really like the theme.

 

[catapult37]

For how much we pride ourselves in playing Indie games its quite a shame that this thread doesnt get more attention.

It's the thread title. I have seen this thread go by a few times and finally thought to myself, "okay, i'm just gonna click and see what the hell this is." Surprise, it really is an awesome thread with tons of cool stuff inside. Just get a mod to add some kind of detail about what on earth "Ludum Dare 23" is to the title, and I bet it'll get lots more views.

 

[Toma]

It's the thread title. I have seen this thread go by a few times and finally thought to myself, "okay, i'm just gonna click and see what the hell this is." Surprise, it really is an awesome thread with tons of cool stuff inside. Just get a mod to add some kind of detail about what on earth "Ludum Dare 23" is to the title, and I bet it'll get lots more views.

Yeah, sort of the reason why I keep bumping it with Quadruple Posts about games. I was hoping to lure some people in here. Wrote the OP a pm, maybe he'll ask for a title change.

 

[Haunted]

Good man, Toma.

I've checked out a couple Ludum Dare 23 games (Memento was my favourite but I see you already covered that one), but honestly, there are just too many (and too many shitty ones) to commit more time. I need the recommendations from RPS and other places.

You're one of those places now. Good job keeping at it.

 

[Toma]

Good man, Toma.

I've checked out a couple Ludum Dare 23 games (Memento was my favourite but I see you already covered that one), but honestly, there are just too many (and too many shitty ones) to commit more time. I need the recommendations from RPS and other places.

You're one of those places now. Good job keeping at it.

Fighting the good fight! Out of the 59 pages listed, I finished looking through 13 or 14. Since there are about 9 days left, I decided that I want to go through 5 pages of games each day at least to be finished before the voting ends. If we gather some interest in this thread, maybe even doing a small Gaf voting or something.

 

[kassatsu]

Still no love for Fracuum in this thread?

http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/2012/04/23/fracuum/

Made by the guy that did Closure on PSN

 

[Toma]

Still no love for Fracuum in this thread?



http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/594354

Made by the guy that did Closure on PSN

Just tried it, definitely a good game too, and an entertaining use of a shrinking mechanic in what is basically a Shmup lite.

Could you add some own impressions to your post? Easier to get people interested with impressions.

 

[Toma]

New Thread title bump.

 

[Good Job Bob]

Microscopia

http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-23/?action=preview&uid=12119

Interesting puzzle game with the twist that it relies more on perception than on thinking. Really clever idea and use of its mechanics. Not too long either if you arent stuck on how to find yourself.

What are the controls for Microscopia?

 

[flkk]

Omg, this one is a BRILLIANT idea for theme. Haha.

Its a tab

http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-23/?action=preview&uid=7465

Gets my vote for cleverest use of the theme so far. Don't want to spoil it, just click it and use the web version.

Brilliant indeed! Reminds me of Favris, a tetris version based on the same idea. Click the 'F' on the right hand side to play.

http://favris.info/

 

[Toma]

What are the controls for Microscopia?

Just Arrow Keys.

 

[Toma]

Finally found a new interesting one:

Nina Nueve

http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-23/?action=preview&uid=527

Basically a Zelda dungeon in miniature form. Everything is on a 9x9 grid. I love the transitions between the rooms, very nice effect. Also doesn't hurt that there is plenty of levels and variety. Clever game.

 

[Toma]

Rambros - Black Ships Fill the Sky

http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-23/?action=preview&uid=3041

An SP or COOP Contra style shooter with outstanding graphics for a Ludum Dare game. First coop game I saw here. Would be worth mentioning for that alone, but its also fun with satisfying animations and a few different weapons. Hard though (which is a plus in my book).

 

[Toma]

Shrunkit

http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-23/?action=preview&uid=3595

Not the best puzzle platformer I played so far from the Ludum Dare games, but some of its uses for the shrinking/growing mechanic are rather clever. I enjoyed the puzzle design. There is more to the puzzles/levels than it seems at first.

 

[Toma]

Lililput

http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-23/?action=preview&uid=12165

Good execution and style for a typing game. Enjoyable graphics, sound and the twist of writing words that are similar to the ones you actually want to write is quite the mind twist. If anyone likes giving it a go, my record:

1:59:16

 

[Toma]

Where do all these awesome games come from now?

Cloud Realm

http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-23/?action=preview&uid=491

This game feels a bit like Shadow of the Collossus. In the Sky. With great 2D Pixel art... :-o
Took me a while to get used to the controls, but after it clicked, the game truly felt great.

 

[Toma]

Quest^3

http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-23/?action=preview&uid=3641

One of the best "concepts that don't yet make a full game" I've tried so far. Its a bit missing in the fun department for now since it is way too unbalanced and you'll die a lot from trial and error, but the core gameplay could be really fun. I like the changing world, text based combat and sense of exploration a lot.