| Criteria | Rank | Score* | Raw Score |
| Implementation (rate the game's overall stability and functionality) | #20 | 3.319 | 3.319 |
| Theme (how well does the game fit the challenge theme?) | #26 | 3.255 | 3.255 |
| Gameplay (how good was the user experience, game design, narrative, etc?) | #28 | 2.936 | 2.936 |
| Overall | #36 | 2.983 | 2.983 |
| Presentation (rate its art, animations, sfx, music, and aesthetic appeal) | #60 | 3.043 | 3.043 |
| Creativity (how unique or innovative was this experience?) | #118 | 2.362 | 2.362 |
Ranked from 47 ratings. Score is adjusted from raw score by the median number of ratings per game in the jam.
List the Itch usernames of all official team members.
dot_rkd
How does your game fit the theme?
The player must breathe to continue swimming underwater
The game is simple yet charming, loved how it took a turn overthe endless 'flappy-bird' genre, the only gripe I have is how at times it feels like no breath-zones appear when you need them.
The ability to play in a risky manner to get more points is a great reward as well for those seeking top scores.
Some variety on the scenario would be fun as well, maybe with different 'biomes' appearing the further you progress such a glowy grotto or coral reef
Nice minimalistic game! Rotoscoped pixel character worked well visually. Thumbnail is also really appealing. Few times I wished I was able to do faster deep dives or maybe go back a little, but I can appreaciate wanting to keep the controls in minimalistic style as well. Good job!
This is a great base for a game. It's well designed, looks nice and just works. But in my opinion it has some problems.
So I guess the world is randomly generated. This makes for a lot places where you can't even catch the oxygen pockets, making it frustrating. I also like the score mechanic where you get more score with less oxygen, that is just great design wise, but is canceled out with the fact I can't really control my player and make a decision to take that risk for more score. I want to take that risk, but I can't.
If I could control my character more, I think it would work a lot better. Then I could have more decision making in the game and thus have more fun thanks to me actually doing something in the game. I also think you could add mechanics on to the game then to give it more content. Would actually see it as a really cool roguelike game, something like Downwell.
Good job, it's a good basis for an actually good game.
This is one of the highlights of this jam. The artstyle is very unique, the gameplay is simple but fun and the idea fits the theme very well. Not much to complain about here. Great job.
I agree with PrinnyBaal. Your game design is very strong. I feel like you designed certain parts of the level so the player had to make a choice between grabbing a collectible or going up for air. And if the player goes up for air, I don't think they can grab the collectible once they swim past? Nice risk/reward system.
It's pretty well balanced overall and clearly fits the theme. Great work!
As mentioned by other players, Great attention to detail & maximum use of every element playing a key role in the gameplay. Even if not a key role, a massive enough role to not disregard it. Have to pay attention to all the things but there are only 4 things to pay attention to (Air meter, Coins & Surface To Replenish Air, Obstacles) which makes things a bit challenging but not to the point where it is frustrating, A game where the more you play the better you get.
Always nice to see interesting & unique artstyles that have the artist's identity in them. This was one of those games. Well Done on the game. 😁
Some really great bits of subtle game design!
The start menu serving as a pseudo-tutorial, the breath meter being a multiplier, the placement of seaweed and coins, all of it tied together to add a lot of depth (no pun intended) to a solid pick up and play foundation.
Art has a nice comfortable retro feel and the music and SFX fit in to make it a cozy vibe to play.
Easy controls to pick up. It's like Flappy Bird, but underwater, and with limited breath. I liked that you made a global scoreboard. How do the name for the leaderboard get generated?
Very nice game that feels very polished! I think the theme is very well implemented and I like that the lower on air you are the higher the multiplier for your points get - high risk high reward! The minimalistic style also suit it very well<3
Love the art style, it feels really cohesive and works really, really well. Gameplay was tight, liked the sound direction as well. Great work!
This game is SUS! A good game, it has a replayability factor but could get repetitive if played for long. It was immersive, I found myself holding my breath when my character was underwater. It is a simple game but it is engaging. The implementation of the leaderboard was a touch of brilliance, people like competition and would like to immortalise their names on it, THIS increased the replayability by a significant amount. Not to mention the simple art and fluid (pun not intended) animation.
The transition from start screen into gameplay is great!
PROS
- The animations are quite fluid and beautiful in general.
- A menu with a quite original transition
- Good choice of color palette/SFX
- Replayable gameplay
CONS
- Feels a lot of empty space, I feel the game needs more sprites.
- The game gets repetitive quickly
- The theme of the game is literally applied, not original.
All 5 stars except for gameplay, 4 stars, the collection of oxygen mixed with the movement of the game can be annoying and cause me to bump into stuff which isnt fun.
Other than that, 5 stars everything else, love the style and art, the sounds, the up and down movement for dodging obstacles.
Collecting 02 from the bubbles is good, it allows me not to have to get rid of all my momentum to surface.
RIP the old color pallete, if you know you know!
Great little game! The music and sound effects are relaxing and the leaderboard makes you want to keep pushing a little further each time. Great minimalist aesthetic and a good use implementation of the theme. Nice work!
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