I nearly quit because the first scene took soo long but I tried it again out of curiosity and I'm glad I did. There's always a way. The flappy bird level was especially cool.
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Only One Way [GMTK JAM 2019]'s itch.io pageResults
| Criteria | Rank | Score* | Raw Score |
| Originality | #288 | 4.143 | 4.143 |
| Overall | #505 | 3.803 | 3.803 |
| Adherence to the Theme | #563 | 4.061 | 4.061 |
| Design | #872 | 3.204 | 3.204 |
Ranked from 49 ratings. Score is adjusted from raw score by the median number of ratings per game in the jam.
Comments
At first I thought it was somewhat similar to The Stanley Parable. I jumped too early and I was put back into the scene. Next I did not jump at all and nothing happened. This really disappointed me, It was clear to me that I had to jump and kill the robot dude. But the lack of choice made me feel like there was that infamous ludo narrative dissonance. When I tried to do things my way I couldn't, which goes against the games core message. Apart from this, I think the pacing was too slow, that is my personal preference, but it felt like the 1st one took forever! And the next 2 ended instantly. There was no real climax to the experience.
The art is weird but charming. The English was a bit weird too but again charming.
Please check out my game when you get the chance.
https://itch.io/jam/gmtk-2019/rate/460992
Submitted
I existThanks for playing and your comment^_^
Agree that the 1st scene has slow pace problem and the game itself is too short and no climax problem.
The "game designer me" want to fix it. But the "programmer me" and "artist me" really feel exhausted. : (
I agree that these problems must be fixed if I am going to make it more enjoyable or publish it as my next commercial game. But I think I am going to leave it what it is. And maybe somehow bring the ideas in it to my next game.
The Stanley Parable is way too good to be a GameJam Game. However, what I am trying to tell is more simple and I don't think giving more choices to players will help me telling the point. It do helps making the game more enjoyable though.
And please let me paste a conversation with another guy to explain myself.
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Well, about what a narrative game is trying to tell never have an only answer. And as the author of it, I will give my interpretation, but it's just as important as a player like you I think. So if you don't agree with this, that should be my responsibility^_^ "This game has Only One way to clear, but many things(in the real world) are not like that." is the best English I can find to describe what I am trying to tell. I imagine that the player will figure that out by 4 steps.
Step 1: Players do not know what happens in this game, do what he is told to.
Step 2: Players find out only do the opposite of what he is told to can move forward. And beat the game.
Step 3: Like the Begining, the player was told that this game only has one way to be clear and it really is. Just maybe not the same way as players thought. Players never jump out the frame of this game(Of crouse, it's a game.)
Step 4: "or, really?" To let more players get the message, I think I probably should say something like "Is it the same in your life?" But I just don't feel that is cool. Or I actually don't want to make that so clear. Especially when it's a gamejam game(￣▽￣)
Agree that if it has branches, it will be a more enjoyable game. I think the main reason is the gameplay itself will be more enjoyable. But not so sure that helps to deliver the message I was trying to tell.
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Of crouse, I will try your game.
PS: Sorry about the bad English, obiviously, I'm not a narrative speaker, but I would say I am getting better^_^
I like the core idea of the game but the events/scenes of the game are so disconnected from one another. After the first scene, I understood the game and I felt like I wasn't doing anything new. If plant the seed of rebellion in the player's mind and allow them to act on it in different ways, the player will feel more engaged. My goal in this game was to do the opposite of what I was told, directly. If I had the option to explore something else, I'd enjoy the game much more.
You kinda proved your own concept wrong. "Only one way, but is there?" yeah kinda. Just that one way is the opposite of the text on the screen. If you want to subvert that, make the game branch based on different interactions. Now that's a lot for a game jam game but just saying, if you go forward with this keep that in consideration.
Submitted
Messier's BridgeFirst of all, thanks for playing my game and giving valuable advice on it^_^
Well, about what a narrative game is trying to tell never have an only answer. And as the author of it, I will give my interpretation, but it's just as important as a player like you I think. So if you don't agree with this, that should be my responsibility^_^
"This game has Only One way to clear, but many things(in the real world) are not like that." is the best English I can find to describe what I am trying to tell. I imagine that the player will figure that out by 4 steps.
Step 1:
Players do not know what happens in this game, do what he is told to.
Step 2:
Players find out only do the opposite of what he is told to can move forward. And beat the game.
Step 3:
Like the Begining, the player was told that this game only has one way to be clear and it really is. Just maybe not the same way as players thought. Players never jump out the frame of this game(Of crouse, it's a game.)
Step 4:
"or, really?" To let more players get the message, I think I probably should say something like "Is it the same in your life?" But I just don't feel that is cool. Or I actually don't want to make that so clear. Especially when it's a gamejam game(￣▽￣)
Agree that if it has branches, it will be a more enjoyable game. I think the main reason is the gameplay itself will be more enjoyable. But not so sure that helps to deliver the message I was trying to tell.
PS: if you are interested, I made a game named "LoveChoice" on Steam, which does have branches and be similar to this game in some ways.
Very interesting and though provoking game. Also, VERY original! Great job!
Submitted
4-ShadowedGreat analogy of the society and full of hidden political/social criticism. It definitely stands out for making you feel like a brainless sheep :)
Here's mine if you can spare some time playing it. Many Thanks:
https://itch.io/jam/gmtk-2019/rate/463337
Submitted
Lazy DriverVery interesting game. I was a little confused with the first level, because the robot was angry when I jumped early so I waited to times until the coin. Then I jumped every time and killed it. So finally I was able to go to the next level.
It was very interesting to see that there is always another way.
The graphics are not that bad and the music is reall chill :D
Maybe change the first level, because I was so close to just quitting the game and giving it a bad rating :D
Submitted
One Shot GladiatorThanks for playing and the feedback.
Yeah, I agree that the 1st level was too slow and kind of hard to figure out. Even compare with other levels in this game. It should be designed more easier and let more people more likey to get the point of this game, which "designer me" said. However, "artist me" and "programer me" said "Please don't we are exhausted!" : )
Overall, It's a gamejam game and I will take the concepts and experience with me. Maybe use them in my next game.
Thank you again for your kind words and advice!
"artist me": "I will take "not that bad" as good! Thank you! hahaha !"
Nice game, interesting idea.
Check mine too : https://itch.io/jam/gmtk-2019/rate/463391
Submitted
Slimes SlayerVery simple, nicely clear but full of good meaning question for life (If I don't misinterpret its haha).
I really like the quote from the robot that said to me.
Actually I jump before the right point a lot because of the message lmao. that kinda fun tho.
Nice work!
Submitted
Cube IslandI remenbered my childhood
Please check our game toó: https://itch.io/jam/gmtk-2019/rate/461656
Submitted
Book SlimeHi ,thanks for playing and comment.
If you mean "don't listen the game told you to do", many meta games share the same concept. And many of them release earlier than Stanley Parable. Stanley Parable is so good because it is way more complicated than this and contains so many ideas and great designs.
As a gamejam game, compared with Stanley Parable would be my honor though : )
As I writed in the credit, this game is inspired by the game "Inside" and a game developer name "拼命玩三郎" in my country.
If let me say which game is the most similar game of this, I would say that is another game of mine on Steam, names "LoveChoice" if you are interested.
Impressive! Amazing game! I loved to play it, and its message is really meaningful. Congratulations for your originality! I think you could finish it and sell. It's an inspiring game!
5/5
Here is my entry, if you would like to play it :https://itch.io/jam/gmtk-2019/rate/460644
Submitted
BalloOneGlad you like my game!
I think I will leave this game just like this but will use it's ideas in my future game, maybe. I already have a game on Steam, if you are interested, name "LoveChoice", which has totally different context but shares the "think out of the box" concept like this one.
I hope I can make sth more different than this.
Anyway, thanks for you feedback and comment! Oh, yeah, and you high rate : )
Ps:Played your game and left comment :
Thats the first time I was insulted by a robot since Portal. :D Cool game.
Submitted
space for thrustDeep, I was thoroughly inspired by the end, felt like I've learnt an important lesson! The art style is very effective, I love it. The piano music is so relaxing, it distracted me on my way to success. Great job! :)
Submitted
One Click Sandwich HeroQuite clever. Funny bug -- I jumped early for the coin, desyncing my position when the suits moved. But when I jumped at the end, even though i was no where near the coin it still counted.
Submitted
Strike True
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