Hey!

Thanks for making this game!

The idea seems fun and it's a nice interpretation of the jam's theme.

Overall, the game feels a bit unfinished and lacking of a core gameplay loop to keep the player engaged. I got two flood warnings and after surviving those, there didn't come anything else. I could keep picking up stones and sticks, but the music had ended and nothing really happened in the game either. Also, walking into the sea didn't really do anything?

I would've loved to see the player having to use the stones and sticks to actually build the city and wall somehow and having to replenish them as waves from the water keeps removing them. Currently there isn't really anything to do in the game except walking around on the two screens.

The start menu is also offset a bit weird, it's not centered and the options button doesn't do anything.

Hey!

Thanks for making this game!

The idea seems fun and it's a nice interpretation of the jam's theme.

Overall, the game feels a bit unfinished and lacking of a core gameplay loop to keep the player engaged. I got two flood warnings and after surviving those, there didn't come anything else. I could keep picking up stones and sticks, but the music had ended and nothing really happened in the game either. Also, walking into the sea didn't really do anything?

I would've loved to see the player having to use the stones and sticks to actually build the city and wall somehow and having to replenish them as waves from the water keeps removing them. Currently there isn't really anything to do in the game except walking around on the two screens.

The start menu is also offset a bit weird, it's not centered and the options button doesn't do anything.

🎮 Gameplay

The core idea is charming, but the gameplay still feels very limited. There is no tutorial or explanation, and I couldn’t find any interactions beyond moving with WASD. Collecting items by touching them works fine, but when returning to the town, the sticks and stones are automatically placed without any feedback or indication that you can arrange them strategically.

Because of that, the loop ends up becoming:

go right → collect stones → go left → collect sticks → return to town,

with no clear way to influence the strategy.

If the player loses, it’s not possible to restart from inside the game — you must close and reopen it.

These are common issues in game jams, but addressing them in future versions would greatly improve the experience.

🎨 Graphics

The entire game uses pixel art. While it’s simple, the visuals are very clear, and the color choices for items, sand, and ocean are excellent. Some UI elements, such as the HUD and menu buttons, seem unfinished — which is normal for a jam timeframe.

Highlight: the game’s cover art is beautiful and extremely well made. It really stands out.

🔊 Audio

The music is pleasant and fits the relaxing beach atmosphere. The siren sound that warns the player about incoming waves works very well and provides great feedback.

There are no sound effects when interacting with objects and no menu button sounds, but again, this is understandable given jam constraints.

💡 Innovation

The concept of turning a child’s beach play activity into a functional game mechanic is genuinely creative. It’s a fun and unique idea.

🌊 Theme Interpretation

Excellent interpretation of the theme. The waves are not only thematic — they are a literal and central part of the gameplay. Very well integrated.

✅ Summary

A charming concept with great thematic integration and lovely cover art. With more time for polishing interactions, feedback, and progression, this idea could grow into something much stronger.