Play game
The Count is Down's itch.io pageResults
| Criteria | Rank | Score* | Raw Score |
| Narrative | #1513 | 3.240 | 3.240 |
| Creativity | #2923 | 3.600 | 3.600 |
| Enjoyment | #2962 | 3.280 | 3.280 |
| Artwork | #4157 | 3.160 | 3.160 |
| Audio | #5586 | 2.560 | 2.560 |
Ranked from 25 ratings. Score is adjusted from raw score by the median number of ratings per game in the jam.
How does your game fit the theme?
The Count is feeling down. You need to cheer him up.
(Optional) Please credit all assets you've used
See description for full credits.
(Optional) What would you like to be called if GMTK features your game?
Damyan Momchev
Leave a comment
Log in with itch.io to leave a comment.





Comments
A game with a simple premise that become a lot more complicated (and surprisingly frustrating) once you understand how the mechanics works. Similar to what the commenter "kk2012001" said, I couldn't get past Day 3 (even after managing to buy two modifier cards) because the RNG of the Count's shifting mood screwed my cards over (i.e. positive mood cards becoming negative). Knowing that each card not played subtracts two (and not one, as initially expected) points to the Count's mood means that having at least two or three unplayed cards by the end of the day can lead to a game over since all the other cards would have likely brought the Count's mood down by a lot.
The game is still a very interesting/challenging premise since the player is effectively always on the disadvantage at the start of each day, trying to raise the count's mood up while earning enough money to (hopefully) afford better cards/modifiers to make succeeding days easier (while also trying to avoid screwing themselves over). I don't know if there's a difficulty spike the longer the player manages to survive, but the game in its current state is already very hard/borderline unwinnable (to the point that a balance/mercy update could help players like me get pass Day 3).
Also, being forced to watch the Jester get his head cut off because the "Menu" button is barred is a very cruel jab at the player. I like it (even if it always/completely upsets me).
Thank you for the detailed review and putting in so much time into it! The balance definitely needs some TLC, I agree.
This was an interesting concept that could definitely go far with some work. I enjoyed playing through a few times to see if I could get any firther but I never made it past the first few days. The aesthetic is nice, the different simple poses showing the mood state were good and the basic icons made things easily readable.
There was some jankiness with how the cards came onto the screen but nothing that affected playability. Also the whole thing could do with some polish. things like some soft tweening when the cards are interacted with, and the default engine buttons being replaced etc. Again this is a good concept and I think it could go far with a bunch of work. Well done.
All the things you mentioned were on the to do list. I just ran out of time. :D
Thanks for playing!
Nice idea! I still couldn't get past Day 3
fun idea! the art suppoorted it well. With some polish, balancing and a little bit clearer communication of how the player's doing this could be really great. In three days no less.
Feels balatro inspired, and a really interesting take on the theme! Enjoyed being the jester, although had my head chopped off too many times, felt a bit unfair at times with what you get dealt!
I haven't seen a game yet where the "down" was meaning emotion!!! Very original!! Love the overall aesthetics and strategy
I like the twist on the theme! Felt like there were some cases where I couldn't play cards I should have been able to (I noticed it on the Ode cards) and sometimes mood going up on negative mood cards? Looking forward to playing it again with those things ironed out!
Interesting take on the theme, the management part was engaging and I do love me some card-based theming. Thanks for the game!
It's fun to play as a true to history court jester having to balance entertaining your boss and breaking out bad news to them.
Nice submission! I like the art, the sound and the overall narrative. The card system is cool as well and I see a lot of potential. Unfortunately there were a few bugs (didn't progress to the next level when the counts mood was 10/10 and failed on the counts mood being above 0) if these weren't present I would've played quite a few rounds haha. Good work!
Not progressing at 10/10 is actually by design. The round ends when you cannot play any more cards or his mood hits 0.
ahhh my bad! I'll give it another go
I like the concept, but the game balance made it hard to figure out any sort of strategy. From what I gather, mostly I found no reason to use time for something that already brings his mood down, even if it's supposedly something he likes, when you should just pick that positive cards. Also, I know it's a losing game, but at least let me feel like I'm winning sometimes. Is that too much to ask?
I also dig it lol
Fun concept and good execution - game balance could use some tweaks though, it's a bit too easy to get into a position where it feels impossible to win.
The art is hilarious and I really like how you made the music stop right before you get beheaded haha
Lol I dig it