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A jam submission

OilstView game page

Relaxing puzzle game about reducing numbers to zero
Submitted by Zekko — 5 hours, 58 minutes before the deadline
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Oilst's itch.io page

Results

CriteriaRankScore*Raw Score
Audio#754.1954.195
Enjoyment#1044.2934.293
Creativity#1114.4634.463
Artwork#8724.0984.098
Narrative#48452.3902.390

Ranked from 41 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 goal is to reduce all numbers down to zero

(Optional) Please credit all assets you've used
Very few! All graphics are drawn by me. The music is "Deep Relaxation" by the wonderful Kevin MacLeod, and the sound effects are by Tim Kahn and Qat from freesound.org

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Comments

Viewing comments 32 to 13 of 32 · Next page · Last page
Submitted(+1)

Adore this game!

It is just so zen and captivating. I really hope you develop this further after the jam!

Submitted(+1)

Extremely zen presentation here, and the puzzles are pretty joyful to get through. Felt like I lost track of time after a while which is a really good sign for a game like this. I see from the description that this is your first time making a puzzle game and I reckon you've got a good eye for it! 

One thing I'd recommend is mapping the undo to the z key since it's usually easier to find instead of hunting for u each time I want to undo. 

Otherwise though, very elegant entry. Congrats! 

Developer (1 edit) (+1)

Thanks for the very kind words! That means a lot coming from someone whose puzzle games I very much enjoy and respect.

Totally agree on mapping Z to undo. I played another jam game that did that and facepalmed myself for not doing the same.

Submitted(+1)

This is a great example of a perfect jam puzzle game. A core mechanic that is easy to grasp presented in a simple style. Then it is explored in an interesting way through puzzle design and then by twisting the mechanic with the new shapes. Really forces you to think ahead in the best way, but without being needlessly punishing if you fail.

Brilliant! Reallly nice work with this one.

Developer

Thanks so much! I really enjoyed your game too, so that means a lot :)

Submitted(+1)

What a creative masterpiece! I like the smart puzzles, simple visuals and enjoyable music.

Submitted(+1)

Amazingly creative!!! I spent over half an HOUR on this game.

Submitted (2 edits) (+1)

Simple, but very elegant in its execution. I agree with the other commenters that this already feels like a solid mobile puzzle game, and that having the option to replay previous levels would be a much-needed improvement.

What I really like is how there are multiple ways to solve each puzzle once the player has two shapes to choose from. You could probably create massive custom grid designs and let people figure out for themselves if they're solvable with the given five shapes (maybe being a daily challenge of sorts, if the game does get officially published).

I also like how the five shapes sort of spell the game's title (even though the "i" shape is more L-shaped). It didn't have to be done, but it just makes the game all the more charming to play through.

Developer

Thanks! Yeah, level selection was next on my to-do list, but I didn't get it done in time.

I'm glad you like the cheeky name gag. That was more of a happy accident; I couldn't think of a good name, then I noticed the blocks sort-of spell out a word and I thought "that'll do"!

Submitted(+1)

Captured the jam's theme perfectly. Nice and simple mechanic to understand with plenty of ways to present it as puzzles. Good work!

Submitted(+1)

Fun puzzles and really nice presentation. I would have liked if the difficulty ramped up a bit faster, though.

Submitted(+1)

Really fun puzzles that appropriately rank up in difficulty. The audio is also extremely fitting to make a relaxing experience. Great game!

(+1)

I want this on mobileeeee!! and to be able to choose the level I last left on. No, but seriously, good job.

Submitted(+1)

really cool take on the lightbulb puzzle style of game, and super calming too! very impressively smooth difficulty ramp, i got complacent after the first few levels so it was fun to then stumble onto an incorrect solution and have to think carefully to get the right answer!

Developer(+1)

Thanks! That means a lot coming from a puzzle game veteran like you. Besides smoothness, it can be hard to balance the difficulty curve so it appeals to casual and veteran players alike.

Submitted(+1)

I spend so much time, it's so satisfying having loads of  "Aha!" moments!
The best thing you did is keeping it this minimalistic, great style choice

Developer

I'm so glad you enjoyed it! Getting "Aha!" moments is what good puzzle games are all about imo, so that's an amazing complement!

Submitted(+1)

The best game in the game jam by far. Period.
I spend an hour on it without even feeling I spent a minute on it. The UI is informative, and always the U and R coming is just a nice touch. A 10/10 game if I've ever seen one.

Developer(+1)

Wow, thanks! I'm happy you mentioned the U and R coming up. That was a last-minute change I did after a friend playtested the game and immediately forgot what the buttons were (originally they were shown only once in the tutorial levels) 😅

Submitted(+1)

Dude tried a new genre for the first time and absolutely nailed it. You know it’s a great puzzle game when the learning curve and difficulty increase at such a natural pace that everything just feels smooth and rewarding.

The UI is perfect and makes for a very smooth experience. Combined with the music, it creates a relaxing atmosphere, even when you get stuck on the later levels. Honestly, it helped me unwind after a slightly stressful day. Great job, and keep up the amazing work on your future projects!

Developer

Thank you so much! It makes me feel good to know I've helped you destress after a long day, even if just a little.

I've noticed many of the jam games I've played are themed around a clock running out, which makes sense given the theme, but it becomes draining to play many in a row. I'm glad I went with a relaxing vibe.

Submitted(+1)

Loved it! Early levels are easy but they ramp up quickly when introducing the irregular shapes, loved that. Will come back to complete the levels.

I am super curious how you designed the levels, since many of them can have multiple solutions. They play more to intuition than planning ahead, but puts them in the exact spot for them not being too difficult while enjoyable. Awesome work!

Developer

Thanks so much for the kind words!

Designing levels is actually much easier than solving them ;) I just stamp the shapes on with addition in any way I like, it's up to the player to subtract them again. It's thanks to the design of the shapes and the fact that subtraction is commutative (order of operations doesn't matter) that naturally leads to multiple possible solutions.

I did try to create interesting levels, not just random ones. I've found the truly randomly generated Unlimited mode to be much more difficult than the hand-designed levels.

Submitted(+1)

Absolutely stunning. I've played a lot of game jam games over the years, but I believe this is my favorite. It's beautiful in its mechanics, its aesthetic, its readability, its simplicity. Almost every puzzle felt so effortless and intuitive, yet impressive to solve. I audibly said "wow" many times from just appreciating the beauty in the patterns you created in your levels. I've played games in jams that have "more" of everything, but this game just feels 100% finished and explores its universe of ideas elegantly. Genuinely a triumph. If this doesn't make it into the video, it's a crime against the jam itself. Incredible job, please keep making puzzle games.

Developer(+1)

Wow, absolutely insane praise! Thank you so, so much. I'd be honored if my game makes it into GMTK's video, but honestly I'm already blown away by all the positive comments. For me, that's the real signal I've made something people really like.

Submitted(+1)

A creative twist on a "lights out" type of puzzle games. Completing levels is satisfying. It starts easy, but the introduction of new shapes and ability to rotate them ramps up the difficulty. Controls are responsive, and animations are smooth. Great game!

Developer

Thank you! I'm glad it all worked well together for you :)

Submitted(+1)

I would love to have it as mobile game! Easy concept, but really great execution ;)

Developer

Thanks! It's a wonderful compliment to say you'd like it as more than just a jam game. I'm definitely considering turning it into a full game.

Submitted(+1)

Hee-Ho. Turbo cute and cool game. Very nice mechanics, art and sound. Thanks for good experience

Developer

I don't think I've ever seen the words "turbo cute" together 😂 Thanks!

Submitted(+1)

Really a wonderfully made game. Simple to pick up and challenging as it gets deeper but at a pace that keeps you going. Amazing job to make this in such a short time.

Developer

Thank you! I'm so pleased the pacing is being well received.

Viewing comments 32 to 13 of 32 · Next page · Last page