Thanks!! We're really happy you enjoyed the vibe of the game. The ring throwing is definitely the trickiest part of the game from all the feedback we've received, something we'll want to rework more if we return to this game, but glad you found it fun and cool! - Chris
We're really happy you enjoyed the vibe of the game! Yeah, unfortunately we ran out of time for some of the additional elements we wanted to add to the game, one of which was going to be a mini-map to help locate drowning swimmers. Something we'll want to focus on as well as a fleshed out tutorial if we return to the game.
For the throwing mechanic, if you hold down E while not next to a drowning swimmer, it'll show the arch of the throw and will increase and then decrease the range of the throw, releasing E will throw the ring to the spot the arch ended at. It's a bit tricky with the forced movement of the river and some more balancing is needed so it's as usual to use as just going up to the swimmers.
There is no end game at the moment, so it will get repetitive after an amount of play, we'd love to eventually add building mechanics and river expansions, as well as a story mode to delve into the three alien races and the very silly politics between them.
Thanks for giving the game a try! Shame about the dizziness, there's a setting on the main menu that disabled the river's forced movement on the player which might help, but the mobius strip nature of the river definitely doesn't help with that sensation. We'd love to add some more map options into the game with both more simplicity and some with more complexity.
For the aiming controls, they work on the camera movement so the aim follows the direction of where you're looking, while holding the E button increases and decreases the throwing range. Once E is let go the ring is thrown.
Thanks for the feedback! It's greatly appreciated!! -- Chris
Whoo!!! Thank you! Glad you really liked the game, and absolutely, the controls will be the first thing to get reworked should we return to this concept, as well as a tutorial level to slowly introduce everything. I would also love to do more shapes now that we've figured out the core physics, there's so many different rollercoaster inspired tracks I can think off, with even more loops!! As well as a massive flood of juice! -- Chris
Thanks!! There's definitely some balancing and adjustments needed, there's a disable forced movement toggle in the settings so you can travel the river at your own pace, without it dragging you all over the map, makes the game a little easier but even then it's still quite hectic!
No way! Definitely a man of vision, best name in the jam if you ask me! I popped over to try it out and managed to get to level 9, really loved the physics and that title animation with the changing letters, that was great, a really nice touch.
Everyone who reads this comment go check out the linked game above, another great game with an amazing title! -- Chris
Managed to get to level 9 before calling it quits, great game! Really fun, absolutely loved the title animation where you switched letters about as well as all the little elements and voice acting, really drew me in!! (Also I may be slightly biased but personally I think Pool Loop might be the greatest name for any game based on the theme of loops :p ) -- Chris
The artwork really suits the vibe of this game, and puzzles were engaging and I had a great time playing it trying to work out the timing of all the puzzles. All in all a great experience! -- Chris
Great game, managed to eventually complete all the levels, I actually quite liked the music, it got a little repetitive towards the end but I think that had more to do with me constantly pushing the bodies I'd stacked off the map repeatedly towards the end and getting frustrated than strictly the music. Felt like an epic journey of futility, a real greek classic vibe with the music. -- Chris
Really like the physics on this one, found myself continuously trying until I managed to hit level 5, was a very fun experience. There's a couple small annoyances when you respawn above empty air or on top of a creature and end up in a downward spiral on hearts, but other than that the game was really engaging! -- Chris
LOVE this! The art is so cute, which is what pulled me in. The gameplay seemed fiendishly simple until it unravels an addicting loop, I spent way longer than I care to admit looping and I could go endless. A highlight of mine for the jam for sure! - Crow
Loved this, would love to see card mechanics explored more. So much room for more card chaos and big combos! The polish is so impressive with the core gameplay being really fun and there even being a great tutorial! Must have been so much work! - Crow
Incredible concept and plays so simply. Must have taken so much work to make it appear so smooth and simple! Love the little bolt bird too, so cute - Crow
Love the core loop of the game, the phoenix is an inspired choice for the theme! As someone who is not very good at platformers (so take with salt) I wish the time between loops was just that tiny bit longer to get my bearings or that ledges were a bit more forgiving so I could explore the game more - Crow
Great game! Loved the concept and the looping level ups, as well as the aesthetic. Took me a little bit of time to figure out I had to be in combat to use the weapons, was a little confused when nothing was shooting from the get go, but that's the gamer in me who wants to shoot the boss from across the map! -- Chris
Enjoyable, but does take some time to build up, would love to start with some more currency or initial set up options to speed times up at the beginning, but regardless, good job! -- Chris
Found it very captivating, loved all the little narrative elements! Will echo a couple other comments, shame it ended so soon, would love to know where the story was going! -- Chris
Great fun! Really loved the loot box drop at the start and all the additional visual elements during the races, managed to get up to day 15 on my first try.
If you ever take the concept further, some additional story elements and some form of recovery if you lose the race would really round things out, as well as some additional blockers on the race track that need to be factored into the powerup selections between races to add some extra depth to the strategy.
Thank you! The comment is greatly appreciated, I'll pass along the message to our art lead Crow, they definitely knocked it out of the park this Jam! -- Chris
Thank you! We're glad you had a good time, all art credit to Crow Mackie for our title screen art and all the core pixel art assets, they really knocked it out of the park this Jam -- Chris
Thanks! I'm glad you loved the art, our art lead Crow spent the Jam knocking out all the core 2d assets used in the game including the title screen design so all credit to them.
I wanted to also highlight the Disable Forced River Movement in the general settings, it was the only configuration setting I managed to squeeze in on time, but it allows you to ignore the river movement so you can move at your own pace, definitely makes the gameplay more manageable while you learn the controls, though even then it's still a chaotic ride! Thanks for playing!! - Chris
The mushrooms are so so cute and I love the concept. Would love to see this developed further with more ways to grow your adorable mushroom army! - Crow
