A really cool platformer!
I’m always a bit apprehensive about starting games like this—the limited field of view, the gloomy 8-bit music... plus the presence of an HP bar, which implies I’ll have to fight something lurking in the dark. That suspicion was confirmed once I got the sword and encountered the skulls. Still, I didn't expect it to happen so suddenly. I’d had the moment slightly spoiled for me by reading reviews, but the first time the player picks up the "old gold," it really delivers a "wow" factor.
To be honest, though, it’s very easy to get lost in the levels. By the time I reached the area with the ice and barrels, I was barely keeping track of where I was going or where I needed to return to. Wandering through large areas gets a bit tiring.
On the plus side, the game has great sound design; the soundtrack is varied and doesn't get repetitive.
The graphics are solid.
The interpretation of the game jam theme is really interesting, though the game lacks an opening cutscene or anything similar to explain what's going on. Because of that, the item doesn't really feel like "old gold"—it feels more like a magic gem or something of that sort.
All in all, it’s a fantastic game for this jam and deserves plenty of attention.