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A jam submission

Bubble JourneyView game page

Lite Puzzle Platformer
Submitted by Anxious Bug — 6 minutes, 14 seconds before the deadline
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Bubble Journey's itch.io page

Results

CriteriaRankScore*Raw Score
Concept#14.3064.306
Enjoyment#113.8893.889
Overall#293.7363.736
Use of the Limitation#533.3893.389
Presentation#573.3613.361

Ranked from 36 ratings. Score is adjusted from raw score by the median number of ratings per game in the jam.

Team members
Richard Stevenson

Software used
Unity, Visual Studios

Use of the limitation
Collectable bubbles can be burst to gain maneuverability, but landing without any bubbles left to protect you leads to death.

Cookies eaten
Zero, but had some key lime pie.

How was your experience with Mini Jam?
This was my first game jam, and solo. It was stressful, but very fun. I really poured myself into the experience, I hope it shows. : )

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Comments

Viewing comments 28 to 9 of 28 · Next page · Last page
Submitted

This is excellent! Very simple set of mechanics, which led to a very deep experience - each new concept was introduced clearly, then explored thoroughly in the levels which followed. The interplay between bubble types in the later stages was great.

The game controls well, and I particularly liked the dash, which felt snappy and highly responsive. I thought it was a very nice touch to include the skip level function - I'll admit I needed it for one of the later stages, and was grateful for it's inclusion. 

Submitted(+1)

Great game with a well-thought-out mechanic. Good job! Keep it up!

Submitted

Enjoyment 5/5
Concept 5/5
Presentation: 3/5
Use of Limitation 5/5

This game absolutely blew my expectations out of the water (... heh... blew, water). ~! Anyway, this game was masterfully crafted with such ingenious level designs and the difficulty ramp was nigh on perfect. Out of the entire selection of levels I maybe passed one (no it wasnt the last level :D).

There was some incredible thought provoking levels that allowed real thought and stratergy with not just timing/reactions but process of order in order to execute a well layed out puzzle level. What suprised me the most is how well you were able to keep layering on mechanics that not only made sense, but added so much depth to each bubble and level.

The fact you were able to craft so many head scratching and plentiful levels that (a few felt the same, maybe even duplicated) captured my emersion in a way that I did not expect!

Hand down this would be my favourite to win for sheer execution on simple mechanics done incredibly well. Even though you only have one game submitted i refuse to believe you are this good right out the game. 

Congratulations, if you dont win the gamejam, you won my heart and a follow. I'll be keeping an eye on all future work you release :) Thanks for keeping me entertained

Developer

I can't even, you're too kind!

The full picture is... I started to dabble in game design and programming when I was 11 back in the macromedia flash days, but never really published a finished project. (I just can't believe it's been 19 years since then!)

It's always been my dream, but I got caught up in an engineering career. I recently decided to take at least a year career break from that to really take a crack at publishing indie games for a while.

Given how long that detour was to get here, I can't even convey how much all the positivity I've received in this jam means to me. : )

Submitted(+1)

This was fun, cool idea and execution.

Developer

Thank you! If you are interested, I have added ten new levels involving a new bubble type that had to be cut from the original submission due to level creation time. : )

Submitted(+1)

very fun little game and great concept

Developer

Thank you! If you are interested, I have added ten new levels involving a new bubble type that had to be cut from the original submission due to level creation time. : )

Submitted

i will definitly play today

Submitted(+1)

28:08:26 D:

Developer

Then you replay and realize you can speed-run the earlier puzzles by just dashing ;). Thanks for beating all the levels. I know the last two levels especially have been tough on people : D.

Developer(+1)

If you are interested, I have added ten new levels involving a new bubble type that had to be cut from the original submission due to level creation time. 

And there is a new final level if you're game. : )

Submitted(+1)

Did it in 10 minutes now :)

Developer

You're getting it! : D

Submitted(+1)

This is a brilliant and a really imaginative game, well done! I love the movement and the controls are great when you get a good rhythm going.

Developer

Thank you! If you are interested, I have added ten new levels involving a new bubble type that had to be cut from the original submission due to level creation time. 

Submitted(+1)

This was the most fun game this jag so far! I loved it! The tutorial was just right and the difficulty increased at the perfect pace, I must say I'm really impressed by your level design skills! The core mechanic is great but only with good levels can a game like this be great, and these levels are top-notch! Amazing job! 

Developer

Thanks for your comments on the level design. I've never really taken a project to a point where I needed to design levels, so it was quite exciting. I joke about it, but I have consumed a lot of video essays on level design and player experience over the years and I was hoping they didn't fail me : ).

That said, there are still so many levels and additional features I still wanted to add! Like, bubbles that automatically pop and bounce you when they land, special ground that doesn't pop red-type bubbles, etc. : )

Developer

Actually... I had time today, so I just added the bubble type I had to cut and made ten more levels to showcase it. : )

Submitted(+1)

10/10 would die again. In all honesty really fun and challenging! 

Developer

Lol, thank you very much.

In case you didn't get to enjoy the full game due to the difficulty, I've made some changes:

Reordered the levels by difficulty, added a couple more levels to explain the dash mechanics (want to make more tomorrow), and added a key to skip levels if the player gets too stuck so everyone can enjoy the full game.

Developer

If you are interested, I have added ten new levels involving a new bubble type that had to be cut from the original submission due to level creation time.  : )

Submitted(+1)

I think its a really nice idea and really just a fin game! It was a little hard and somewhat confusing! Maybe more of a tutorial? Otherwise it was fun! Also The one with the two rows of bubbles plus that extra one I couldn't beat!

Developer

I would like to add more levels tomorrow.

I just made some difficulty changes for tonight: Reordered the levels by difficulty, added a couple more levels to explain the dash mechanics, and added a key to skip levels if the player gets too stuck so everyone can enjoy the full game.

Developer

In addition, I have just added ten new levels involving a new bubble type that had to be cut from the original submission due to level creation time.  : )

Submitted(+2)

Great game. For your first game jam, I think you nailed It. My only complaint is that the level with 7 bubbles is hard.

Developer

Your feedback was heard!

I just made some difficulty changes for tonight: Reordered the levels by difficulty, added a couple more levels to explain the dash mechanics (want to make more tomorrow), and added a key to skip levels if the player gets too stuck so everyone can enjoy the full game.

Submitted

Thanks. :)

Developer

If you are interested, I have added ten new levels involving a new bubble type that had to be cut from the original submission due to level creation time.  : )

Submitted(+1)

Sadly the controls didnt work on my file. I was stuck on the 2nd level because I couldnt jump. I was very interested in playing your game since you played mine as well. But your game seems to be pretty fun according to the comments. Maybe we will find a sollution, but I dont want you to do extra work. Nonetheless keep it up mate and have fun making future projects! :D

Developer (1 edit)

Oh no. Which version were you using? Web, Windows Executable, or the Original Panic Build?

I'm 100% on-board to do more work if there is a problem. : )

Submitted

Actually I tried everyone of your versions. I mean I cant really explain why it didnt work, because it seemed to work for everyone else, but let me know if you can think of a solution or need any further information. :D

Developer

Sorry for a potentially dumb question, but nothing at all happened when pressing Z? It's supposed to kill you if you do it without a bubble, or successfully jump if you have collected a bubble.

Submitted

Nothing happened at all.

Submitted

So I Downloaded the game again, and the Z button still doesnt work, but for some reason I can Jump with Y, I thougt that I pressed every button at the first time, but it seems that I didnt click on the Y button. Sorry for making you worry that something didnt work. I will now enjoy the game and give some feedback afterwards.

Developer

Still, that is so strange lol. Still, I appreciate the update. I'm working on an update for alternate SPACE and SHIFT bindings due to popular demand.

Submitted(+1)

Sounds good. I really liked the usage of different bubbles, which made the strategy and puzzle part really interesting. The sfx are a pretty neat addition which gives the game a nice depth.

Sadly I didnt made it past the bubble dash because it was too hard for me, but I can only Imagine, that the level design of the next levels is extremely good as well. All in all it is a very good game, unfortunately a little bit too hard for, maybe with the other controls I could make it further, but the functions worked really well and you had nice ideas.

Some new graphics would polish the game and bring it to the next level in my opinion and I am looking forward to the next updates.

Developer

I've uploaded a new version with extra alternative bindings (SHIFT and SPACE), but I'm not sure whether that will help your situation or not. : )

Developer

Since it sounds like you got stuck, I wanted to let you know of some changes I just made for tonight:

Reordered the levels by difficulty, added a couple more levels to explain the dash mechanics (want to make more tomorrow), and added a key to skip levels if the player gets too stuck so everyone can enjoy the full game.

Submitted

Sounds very good, I will try it out today and will let you know how I think about your changes. 

Submitted

The new controls really brings this game to another level, they fit perfectly into this game, as well as the skip button. Great Game!

Developer

I'm sure you have gotten your fill of my game, but I wanted to let everyone know: I have added ten new levels involving a new bubble type that had to be cut from the original submission due to level creation time.  : )

Submitted

Very interesting concept, and well exploited !! I regret that you hadn't the time to create or find more beautiful art as it would have made the game so unique <3 Nonetheless, I had fun playing it !! Good music and FX too, and the levels are interesting...well done !

Developer

Unfortunately art is my bottleneck without help : ). I would like everyone who enjoyed the mechanics that I have added ten new levels involving a new bubble type that had to be cut from the original submission.  : )

Submitted

Extremely inventive and unique concept, never seen anything like it done before! The sound effects also added so much to the experience, so great job on picking those out. For me, the most confusing part was the controls. I found it quite difficult to adapt to using the Z key as a jump button, since I'm used to using W or the spacebar for that type of ability. Other than that though, it's a great puzzle game, amazing job!

Developer

Thanks for the feedback. I've now uploaded an update that uses SPACE and SHIFT as alternative controls (as someone else requested before) if that strikes your fancy. : )

Submitted

Awesome, this should make the game a ton better! I'll check it out and update my rating :)

Developer

Thank you, I appreciate your help. There are gamepad bindings as well but WebGL can be fickle. They are working  now from my side, but I can't guarantee they will work for everyone. Still, I put the bindings in the description on the controls.

I also want to let everyone who gave feedback on the difficulty I have made some other changes already:

Reordered the levels by difficulty, added a couple more levels to explain the dash mechanics (want to make more tomorrow), and added a key to skip levels if the player gets too stuck so everyone can enjoy the full game.


P.S. When I play-test I use the shift and space bindings myself now. They felt awkward to me at first but I get the appeal now : ).

Submitted (1 edit) (+1)

The level skip button is a fantastic addition to the game, since I was having a lot of trouble on some of the more difficult levels myself. And yeah, using space bar to jump is much easier; I'm glad I could be of some help to you :)

Developer

That's great! If you are interested, I have added ten new levels involving a new bubble type that had to be cut from the original submission.  : D

Submitted (2 edits) (+1)

Very cool game mechanic! Loved the use of the Limitation.
Too hard for me though, the level with the two dash zones got me stuck!

I see this was also your first jam, good work! It was a first for me as well, doing it all by yourself is not easy!

Your time spent is very noticeable!

Developer

Thank you for your feedback.

Not sure if the difficulty is just inherent to the design, but I have updated the controls based on some feedback that SPACE and SHIFT are more comfortable if that helps. : )

Developer (1 edit)

Since you got stuck, I wanted to let you know of some changes I just made for tonight:

Reordered the levels by difficulty, added a couple more levels to explain the dash mechanics (want to make more tomorrow), and added a key to skip levels if the player gets too stuck so everyone can enjoy the full game.

Submitted(+1)

Thanks for letting me know!

I gave the game another shot and I got to play a lot more levels this time. That level with the two dash zones still got me (second to last), and even after skipping it the level after kicked my butt as well. It was cool to be able to see the rest of the game even if I couldn't beat the levels.

Great game, I had a great time playing it even the second time.

Developer

Good timing! I just added ten new levels involving a new bubble type that had to be cut from the original submission due to level creation time.  : )

Submitted(+1)

The way you used the theme and limitation is very creative and fun. Nice game!

Developer

Thank you for your review! If you are interested, I have added ten new levels involving a new bubble type that had to be cut from the original submission.  : )

Submitted

The new levels and bubbles are awesome. This is my favorite game in this jam so far, it's simple but very fun. For me, the best part is the level design. The puzzles are so well built that they make simple mechanics really, really fun.

Submitted(+1)

Great game! Love the bubble mechanics, great puzzle and platforming elements!

Developer(+1)

Thank you, if you are interested, I have added ten new levels involving a new bubble type that had to be cut from the original submission to expand both the puzzle and platforming mechanics.  : )

Submitted

Thanks for letting me know. I'm excited to check it out!!

Submitted(+1)

Interesante concepto,  y las mecánicas son divertidas aunque algo difíciles, pero están geniales, el recolectar burbujas es estupendo.

https://jhostergame.itch.io/bubble-rescue

Developer

Thank you for the kind words! I have added some things to help with the difficulty, and ten more levels with new mechanics if you are interested in trying it out. : )

Submitted

Great game! love the sfx and mechanics. The puzzles are fun and just difficult enough. I really enjoyed it.

Developer

Thank you for taking the time to play my game! I'd like to let you know there are ten new levels with a new bubble mechanic and a new final level if you are interested >:).

Submitted(+1)

Cool game! Unique use of the mechanics that wasn't water/air related. Somewhat difficult but enjoyable enough that I played it all the way through. Well done :) (Also found some neat new audio resources thanks to your credit screen!)

Developer

Thank you!

You may be interested in this Github page, as it is where I found my audio resources: https://github.com/kobitoko/Game-Jam-Tools-Resources

Developer

Btw I'm glad you made it through all the way! I just made some difficulty changes because a lot of people were getting stuck, so go you!

Developer

Since you had the courage to defeat all the levels, I'd like to let you know there are ten new levels with a new bubble mechanic and a new final level >:).

Viewing comments 28 to 9 of 28 · Next page · Last page