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Sisyphus's itch.io pageResults
| Criteria | Rank | Score* | Raw Score |
| Presentation | #138 | 4.103 | 4.103 |
| Overall | #161 | 3.799 | 3.799 |
| Creativity | #196 | 3.776 | 3.776 |
| Fun | #228 | 3.517 | 3.517 |
Ranked from 58 ratings. Score is adjusted from raw score by the median number of ratings per game in the jam.
Preferred Name
EzPizza
Newbie?
Newbie
Yes - I'm new to game jams!
How does your game fit the theme?
Like in the myth of Sisyphus, you push a boulder up a mountain, only for it to roll back down. This task can never be completed, so you can only ever (i.e. "just") get started.
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Comments
That was a fun and clever little game, I really like how you interpreted the theme for this one and as a fan of Greek mythology, it made me like your game even more! I enjoyed the mechanics and how there were puzzles to solve and the boulder pushing was very well done. I would definitely play this game again if you choose to update it and add more to it. Well done on your first game jam!
I think you nailed excatly what you were going for. Nice pixel art and fun puzzles. Good job!
Fun and charming game, I really liked the art! I also appreciate that the boulder didn't crush me or push me back when I stopped to regain stamina 😅. Nice work!
very creative ide as well as a good puzzle game ! well done !
When i first saw the game i thought i would just be smashing space or something until i got to the top, but to see it aactually has some puzzles and actually fun level design and good gameplay was a very pleasent surprise, really nice game. Be proud of yourself :)
Also feel free to give my game a try, i would love your feedback
Really fun little game!
this is a lovely game dude, really enjoyed this one actually!
Like the pixel art, felt like there was enough on the screen for it too be interesting but not enough to become noisy or outstay its welcome
Would recommend putting the tutorial popup for attack somewhere that the boulder can "rest" so the player has chance to read it but props dude this game was a blast!
Thank you! :)
You know that's an interesting point you're making, because I actually tried to do that. I previously had the sign off to the side, but then I did some playtesting with friends and they missed the sign, because they didn't want to let go of the boulder. So then I moved the sign to the middle of the road, so you're forced to move the boulder to the side where it could rest, so you have some time to read. Could you elaborate how you would place the sign?
Came for the mythology stayed for the puzzles (although I wanted to destroy all of the bats when I first saw them)!
Great little puzzle game! And congrats on completing your first jam!
Loveed the pixel art ! the idea is simple and well executed, had fun and looked very nice, good job!
I really like the myth of Sisyphus and any game based on it wins my appreciation
i like the idea of this , simple but entertaining. You nailed it. Good job.
Hers ours if your interested.
https://itch.io/jam/shovel-jam-2025/rate/3738248
The visuals and sound design is great! A little mix up every restart might be cool.
Short and sweet, takes it central mechanic of pushing the rock up the hill and is relatively creative with it
Good little game. I would change it up every run somehow. I could see this being a fun roguelite where each run increases the amount of zones each time.
Great entry, the art and SFX fit really well together! I did not expect combat in a game about rolling a rock but it felt really good. The enemy ai got stuck quite a few times tho . Should have included a hint that there will totally be something special one the 10th or so play trough for people who dont know mythology :P
I love the art, and the retro music and sfx, the game is a bit short, but that's mostly the idea, having the ball roll down. I love the puzzles and the smoothness of the hitboxes and movement. Overall, great game!
Really great entry, never would have known it was your first ever jam! The retro pixel art is super charming and the crunchy sfx fit perfectly, as does the background track. Sisyphus was a great take on the theme. The puzzle with the bats was solid and felt satisfying to figure out. There's a good amount of polish that makes everything feel immersive like that bat animations and boulder particles when pushing it. Having the boulder slide down on you is a really interesting premise for a puzzle game and the mythology makes for some good context too. One critique is that I wish after beating the game a second time there was some kind of easter egg as a reward but I guess it stayed true to the legend lol. Very much enjoyed my playthrough, great work!!
Wow, thank you for the nice feedback and for even playing it twice!
Yeah, I wish I would have had time for more, especially the lack of a proper ending is bothering me too
I think I got stuck in the game. I rolled the rock to the top and it just resets? (j/k j/k).
Good implementation. I loved the pixel sweat beads.
Well done! Love the sprites/music. Good choice to fit theme as well
The only and most fun rock pushing simulator I played, pretty fun and liked the puzzles!