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| Criteria | Rank | Score* | Raw Score |
| Originality & Innovation | #23 | 3.905 | 3.905 |
| Audio | #50 | 3.286 | 3.286 |
| Overall | #81 | 3.276 | 3.276 |
| Fun & Game Design | #88 | 3.286 | 3.286 |
| Graphics | #148 | 3.000 | 3.000 |
| Theme | #215 | 2.905 | 2.905 |
Ranked from 21 ratings. Score is adjusted from raw score by the median number of ratings per game in the jam.
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https://gd.games/monobyte_studio/to-the-top
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Comments
This might be one of my favorite games of the jam. If not the most favorite. Firstly, I am in love in your concept. Being in the darkness and guided towards the light is an idea that really resonates with me and I feel like I would make a game about this too. Second, the way you realised your idea... is astonishing. The graphics of the game are very athmospheric, the light and dark contrast, I also love the idea of hidden texts and the sound when you find them. The audio work is overall incredible, and the art is so amazing, I love the beginning cutscene so much both for the art and text.
Thank you for this game. It's insane (to me, a beginner) how you made it yourself in these 9 days with such great and high-quality art. I'd only played the first level cause I was rushing to rate other games I had unplayed, but I will definitely come back to it. You've made an amazing job, really.
Thank you so much for your kind words!
Reading comments like this makes all the hard work worth it. I'm really happy that you enjoyed the atmosphere, the light mechanics, the hidden messages, the audio, and especially the story and opening cutscene.
If you get the chance, I would definitely recommend playing all the way to the end. I know I keep telling everyone this, but I spent a lot of time working on the ending and it's the part of the game I'm most proud of.
After the jam, I plan to update the game with some improvements. I want to adjust a few mechanics, make the experience more engaging, and add a little more motivation for players to keep going until the end. I'm also considering an Android release in the future.
Thank you again for playing and for such an amazing review!
The concept of using different colored lights to reshape reality and guide a lost soul upward between life and death is one of the most emotionally meaningful ideas in this entire jam. The mysterious yet calming atmosphere the music and darkness create together is genuinely immersive — it feels like wandering through a dream. The three light mechanic where green shows the way, white slows enemies and purple reveals hidden motivational messages adds real depth and rewards exploration. The little cat being there for a reason made me curious to see the ending! Really looking forward to the Android release with more levels and mechanics. A deeply special entry. Feel free to check out my sky platformer too 😊
Thank you so much for your kind words and for taking the time to play the game!
I'm really happy that you enjoyed the atmosphere, the light mechanics, and the story elements. It means a lot to me that the little details were noticed.
The game will continue to evolve after the jam. I have several improvements and new ideas planned, and after some time it will also be released on Android with additional content, levels, and mechanics.
Feel free to follow my social media pages so you don't miss future updates and the Android release. Thanks again for your support!
Very cool game, very good idea to use the lights.
Thank you
NICE GAME!! , YOU CAN ALSO TRY MY GAME AS WELL , HOPE YOU WILL ENJOY❣️
Thanks for the comment.
YOU CAN ALSO TRY MY GAME ❣️ HOPE YOU WILL ENJOY IT❣️
An interesting mechanic!
And the ending is even more interesting
Simple and original. Nice work. Liked the atmosphere.
Thanks for the good feedback, I tried my best.
I Really like the idea of the different lights and such , This is a creative implementation of this game mechanic
Thank you, your opinion is important to me.
The background and music of the game immediately gives it the mysterious type of vibe.. the game is nicely polished and the concept is really unique tbh.. overall really had fun playing this game:)
Thank you so much for the comment!
I’m really happy that the atmosphere, music, and mysterious vibe worked the way I wanted. I also tried hard to make the game feel unique and story-driven, so it means a lot that you had fun playing it 🙂
Ok, I didn't make it past level 2, because finding the hidden texts drove me nuts xD
Also, you mentioned that you wanted the game to feel relaxing, but for some reason the music gives me the creeps, but that might just be me.
I like the mechanics though and the fact that you turned it into a narrative game. I'm pretty sure it fits the theme, even though I didn't finish the game (yet).
Thanks for the comment and for making it to level 2 — I really appreciate it 🙂
For finding the hidden texts, try using the green light — it shows arrows that work as a direct hint system.
I actually want to increase the distance at which hidden texts become visible, but since the voting period is still active, I can’t update the game right now.
For the mobile version, I’ll definitely make the game easier and more accessible. And I think the ending is worth it in the end 🙂
i liked the Idea of switching lights to see diffrent items in the room. i would have wished that the lights be placed on the other side. the game play would have been smoother
Thanks for the comment! I’m not completely sure what you meant about placing the lights on the other side, but I appreciate the feedback.
And I’m really happy you tried the game — the ending has a very warm and satisfying final moment 🙂
Your game is very interesting. Changing color and skills with light is a good idea. Nice work!
Thanks for the comment! I also put a lot of effort into the story, and I think the ending turns out really nice and emotional.
i really enjoy the original mechanics of light in the game but i don't really see how it connects to the theme. fun game overall!!
If you follow the story and read the messages, the idea is that the boy is descending into a place between life and death. The texts on the walls are his thoughts, along with the thoughts of his friend who is trying to guide him back upward toward the light.
By the ending, everything becomes much clearer. I honestly thought that 5 levels would feel too short, but it turned out to be the opposite for many players. In my mind, the levels are actually pretty small and simple 😅
I also make more hyper-casual style games for mobile, including quizzes, tycoons, clickers, and I’m planning to make some 3D games in the future too.
ooh i get it now! awesome :)
It was a little bland for me but I like the core of the idea, very unique concept in the jam. I think with more polish in assets and music, It can be a good mechanic for a narrative game. Good work.
Thanks for your comment!
I wanted the game to feel atmospheric and relaxing. Hidden messages are there to motivate players, and the ending ties everything together.
And the cat isn’t just there for no reason 🙂
An awesome game, the mechanic is very unique of clashing the light to defeat the enemies, it's well polished, map is well done. I just feel like purple should give arrows towards where the phrases are. But that's just a personal opening. A very nice game indeed!
Thank you very much.
Did you make it to the end?
Nope, I was struggling on finding the texts, I got stuck on lap 2, if you can call it that. I cleared the part where green light makes the objects disappear though.
When I was creating the game, I honestly thought it would be too short and too easy 😅 The levels are pretty small and the main idea is simple: turn on the green light to see the direction, then switch to the purple light and look for the big fence pieces. Also, the places where the arrows say not to go usually have nothing there.
But thanks for trying the game and sharing your feedback!
But please do consider my suggestion of adding purple arrows though after the jam. It will make it better, trust me.
Okay, in the Android version I’ll take another look at the controls, gameplay, and tutorial.
And I still recommend finishing the game — the ending is very emotional and meaningful.
I'll try my best ;)
I believe in you. Avoid enemies and try to find the hidden motivational messages. I wanted this game to give motivation to everyone, and the ending is meant to reinforce that. And the little cat is there for a reason 🙂
This was very interesting, I liked how you from simple shapes and lights made an elegant feeling of a game. I felt first a little trapped between the walls but then I was playing around and saw that with the green light you see the arrows and it opens some blockage walls too. I still was not sure for what is the blue light for...maybe you can tell me, I would like to try it again :)) In general I gave you 5 stars, you managed to balance it in those 9 days very well!
Thank you very much for the comment!
Try going through the tutorial again carefully — it takes about a minute.
Green light shows the way, reveals healing lights, and opens hidden paths.
White light slows down enemies and helps you avoid danger.
Purple light reveals hidden texts needed to complete the level.
Your current objective is shown in the top-left corner.
And by the way, make sure to reach the end — there’s a good ending and an explanation of the game’s true meaning :)
great and awesome game!
Very grateful
Did you finish the game?
There's a good ending there
great and awesome game brother!
Very grateful
Did you finish the game?
There's a good ending there
This game feels like wandering through a dream between life and death.
The atmosphere is incredibly mysterious and calming at the same time — the darkness, glowing lights, and minimalistic visuals create a really unique mood.
I especially liked the mechanic where you switch between different light colors to change reality itself. Revealing hidden paths and messages while exploring the darkness feels satisfying and creative. It makes every level feel more alive and symbolic instead of just being another puzzle.
The concept of climbing upward toward the light while searching for the lost soul gives the whole experience emotional depth. It feels more like an atmospheric journey than a simple game.
Would love to see even more levels, secrets, and interactions with the light mechanics in the future.
Thank you very much for the detailed answer
The game will be released on Android devices soon and there will probably be more levels and game mechanics.
Great music and atmosphere, I liked it
Thank you.
I love it! The music is super immersive and the gameplay is really fluid.
Thank you.
I wanted to make the game atmospheric and give it a meaningful story.
Did you reach the end? There is a nice ending waiting for you.