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A jam submission

Follow the blackbirdView game page

Hand-drawn game made in a form of comics with lovely illustrations
Submitted by ana.merzlaya (@AnaMerzlaya) — 4 hours, 30 minutes before the deadline
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Play followtheblackbird

Follow the blackbird's itch.io page

Results

CriteriaRankScore*Raw Score
Visual#14.8394.839
Originality#14.4844.484
Design#14.4194.419
Overall#24.3234.323
Audio#24.3234.323
Fun#83.6453.645

Ranked from 31 ratings. Score is adjusted from raw score by the median number of ratings per game in the jam.

What was the most challenging part of making your entry?
major part of the time I spend on making drawings - each tree or bush took a lot of time

What was the most fun part?
following the story - when I started on the game I didn't know myself yet what will happen. so for me it felt like i am reading the story and looking forward to see what will happen on the next page:)

Anything else to add? (important controls, assets used, special mentions, etc)
Controllers: up/down to move the camera view; mouse click to interact/open the next pad
Better play on full screen to be sure nothing is cutted out

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Comments

Submitted

A very pleasant experience playing your game. I like the art style and music very much. Puzzles were satisfying and fun. A great interactive story experience.

Developer

thank you so much!

Submitted

I had to wait to play this - I think traffic was crazy the first couple days after the jam and things were choppy. Glad I came back to it though - this is amazing! The little details like plant rotations when you interact with them are perfect. I wouldn't mind a slightly faster scroll speed and longer audio track but I also feel really nitpicky saying that. You have a wonderful product and, as an educator, I see so much potential in something like this. Keep it up!

Developer

thank you so much! i really means a lot to me that you see a potential!

Submitted

This is now my favorite game of the jam!  I really loved the interaction with the shapes! Really like the art as well. 

Developer(+1)

thank you! i am so pleased to hear that!

Submitted(+1)

The hand drawn style is so good!

Submitted

really like the art on your game very good job on that. And as for your fears of people not noticing the leaves being drawn differently( like you said on discord) I don't think you need to worry about that very cute game :) And I enjoyed the story.

Developer(+1)

thank you! i appriciate you noticed that - then my efforts were worth it :)

HostSubmitted

This was fantastic! I love all the artwork, I'm impressed you managed to get so much done in the time! The music fit very well and helped enhance the atmosphere of the game. I feel like it had a very good balance of the small interactive puzzles combined with the narrative elements.

I could definitely see more stories like this working very well as interactive apps for parents to read and play with children! Great work!

Developer(+1)

thank you so much! I am really pleased that you liked the game!

Submitted (1 edit)

*Don't follow it, DONT FOLOW IT*

For some reason, i am used to cute stories end up in suffering for me, so in some moments i was really chill and in others i was like that embarrasing way.

This game is like, the most close to being a little piece of art in games, i dont know about art but i would say it enters in that genre.

It was constantly cute, and wierdly sad and beautiful emotions. I think the music made the best of it, also the drawer.

Nice as bird. Also, btw, the bird puzzle made me take attention to the bird's shape and now i cannot stop remembering him very well, it is like you introduced him to my hearth, it is a very clever move that you should explore. Remembering characters is crucial part of games and any media!

Developer(+1)

Oh, that's a soo nice review! I am really delighted that you liked the game! I guess I really liked the charachters myself and thus was trying to give some warmness to the game

Submitted

AAAWWWW, thanks, you did so!

Submitted

Watercolors! I don't see that often. Nice drawing btw :)

Developer(+2)

thanks:) i really love watercolours:)

Submitted

Well done!  I never play games like this, but really enjoyed it.  This was such a pleasant way to spend 15 minutes.  Thank you!

Developer(+1)

thank you so much!

Submitted

Absolutely beautiful art and music.  I also tried hand-draw art for my game, and it's really hard, so gg!


My only problem:

It didn't feel much like a game sadly, I would've loved more game, instead of just a story.

Developer

So - I should add more interactions/puzzles?

Submitted

Yes! A few more puzzles and interactions would be perfect!

Submitted

Beautiful! :) 

Developer

thank you!

Submitted(+1)

Excellent work! The game does a great job with story and aesthetics. While there aren't a large amount of puzzles, they are fun, yet simple. The artwork is amazing, and the game itself is very polished! It oozed with charm and personality. I do wish there was one more small puzzle, but regardless the game was great!

Developer(+1)

thank you! i am really happy that you liked that! well, of course it would be great to make more puzzles, but the time is limited.....

Submitted(+1)

What a pleasant experience. You're obviously a very gifted artist. I enjoyed the "match" section with the tree branches.

Developer

thank you! initially this puzzle was more difficult, i tried to make it easier but still getting comments that it is too difficult. so i am happy you liked that!

Submitted(+1)

I love your art style!

Developer

thank you!

Wow, this was so beautiful and calming. I like the way you added movement to the artwork. You created amazing artwork and the music blended in so well. Thank you for posting. 

Developer(+1)

thank you so much!

Submitted(+1)

Anastasia, this is a really remarkable entry. I am someone who absolutely adores more narratively driven and expressionistic games, and this really resonated with me.

The level of polish that you put into the presentation of the story, the visuals/effects, and the puzzles was absolutely astonishing!

Thank you for making this beautiful piece.

Developer

thank you so much! i am really pleased you enjoyed the game!

Submitted(+1)

This is beautiful! A calm and amazing experience, awesome art and very playful narrative! I really enjoyed playing it, definitely feels like I'm reading a picture book, and the interactivity and animations are really clever.

I enjoy a good narrative game so this soothes my soul, thanks for making the game!

Developer(+1)

thank you so much for kind words!

Submitted(+1)

Wow, this was relaxing. It is definitely not a challenging game, but that has nothing to do with having fun at it. I liked the way it makes you feel relaxed, like if you didn't have something to be worried about.

It also reminded me of my childhood whenever I tried to make my mom happy. Great draws and brilliant music. 

Developer(+1)

thank you! relaxing game for cosy evening is what i was aiming for

Submitted

I almost dropped a tear. Not so close, but yes, tear.