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The Great Space Race's itch.io pageResults
| Criteria | Rank | Score* | Raw Score |
| Thematic Relevance | #2 | 4.667 | 4.667 |
| Accuracy & Authenticity | #5 | 4.083 | 4.083 |
| Overall | #6 | 3.500 | 3.500 |
| Gameplay | #6 | 3.250 | 3.250 |
| Audio | #7 | 3.417 | 3.417 |
| Visuals | #10 | 3.250 | 3.250 |
Ranked from 12 ratings. Score is adjusted from raw score by the median number of ratings per game in the jam.
Historical Accuracy
The game is based on the USA Apollo space project in the 1960s and 1970s which had the objective to putting a human on the moon and returning them to earth.
This program was in direct competition to the similar project of the Soviet Union and was a major part of the space race.
Thematic Relevance
The first moon landing was a major victory for the USA in the space race. The Soviet Union found the problem of landing very difficult and gave up their efforts once they had 'lost' the race.
The game shines a light on the complex construction and precarious nature of the project.
Disclaimers
I sourced the rocket, moon and earth images from freely available images online provided free by NASA.
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Comments
Houston, do you copy? Mission accomplished in 6:10. Astronauts Isla, John and Isla returned safely and with a payload of moon rocks.
It was a bit unclear initially how to progress after preparing the rocket sections, but once I figured that out the game was a treat! The launch and breaking off the sections of rocket was very enjoyable, though the timer in that section goes for a bit too long - Maybe if it also had a steering challenge for the last 20-30 seconds it would fill in the extra time.
Good fun!
Hey Frank, you need to flip those burger or they're gonna burn. Oh sheep-dip is this thing on?
<garbled microphone noise> This is Houston. We Copy.
We have 10-4 on your success with the mission.
You fellahs have made quite a splash! We saw the whole thing on some Australian TV station.
We have a 10-4 affirmative on your time and Astronauts: 00:06:10 (Isla, John and Isla).
I couldn’t figure out the first part but it is a fun little game nonetheless. Good job.
NASA Here:
Roger your concerns on constructing the Apollo Spacecraft.
You need to place the sections from the bottom up as indicated by the yellow flashing squares on the launch pad. There is no drag and drop - just click on the completed section.
We will add a novice section to the basic astronaut training program and an urgent review of our recruitment process is now progressing.
Thanks for including the github!
Unfortunately, I really wasn’t able to play this game. The load-in of the Apollo 11 parts was so clear and crisp, with timeframes that created tension. However, I never figured out how to drag the pieces across: a tutorial would be very much appreciated.
NASA Here:
Roger your concerns on constructing the Apollo Spacecraft.
You need to place the sections from the bottom up as indicated by the yellow flashing squares on the launch pad.
There is no drag and drop - just click on the completed section.
We though this was covered in basic astronaut training and will review same as well as our recruitment process.
Your in flavour comments everywhere are just the best. I do think there was a bug crop up, since we tried clicking and everyone else is clearly loving your mechanics. We’ll keep trying for Launch!
Broke through the bug and am thoroughly enjoying the build, jettison visuals and return loop!
It took a bit of time to get the clicking figured out, but mission accomplished. I found the take-off thruster effects to be particularly noteworthy and excellent. Moonlander was always one of my favorites. It was pretty fun to spin out of control and pummel the surface of the moon with my bits.
Zoey, King, and Isla completed their mission in 8:08.
NASA Here:
Congratulations on completing The Great Space Race.
We have a 10-4 affirmative on your time and Astronauts: 00:08:08 (Zoey, King and Isla).
Good job commander!
Many cool ideas in this game - great work!
The idea to make the race between the players is fantastic - an interesting twist on the theme!
It is nice that you give real measurements of distances, speed, etc.
Unfortunately after collecting the rocks, I could neither get the lander to attach nor make it land back (it went below the ground). So I could not reach the end.
Here are comments while I was playing:
The first level was difficult to read which means that the only way to play it was through trial and error. I'm OK with that. Just noting that some players may find it frustrating.
It would be nice to have a short tutorial, introduction that the tool triggers the construction but clicking twice stops it + all the parts need to be produced.
After "constructing" the parts at the time of assembling the rocket, maybe it would be more intuitive for the ordering to be from left to right? At least for the western audiences.
It's immersive that you included the engine fuelling because it is something which people don't see/think about. The UI would be more clear if when filling it up the button became inactive and the bar stayed green.
If you want to make it even more historically accurate you can use a recording of the actual countdown:
Why is the landing module below the exhaust??? It should be inside the third stage! Everything else is well made so this inaccuracy sticks like a sore thumb.
Firing the left / right thrusters of the landing module did not seem to work initially. After a restart of the level it worked.
Tank you for making this game!
By the way I noticed that you used a C# framework. If you are interested in making a bigger game about space you might find the BRUTAL framework useful. It was open sourced just last week :D Includes web builds.
https://ahwoo.com/brutal
The games "Kitten Space Agency" and "Icarus" have been made with this engine. "Rimworld" was ported to it.
Thanks for the very detailed feedback and thanks for playing - I'm delighted you enjoyed it!
I will start with the most important thing :) - I saw your post on discord about Brutal and have already taken a look at the webpage.
I will have a more detailed dive into it when the jam is over as I do have a different 'space game' idea kicking around.
I have been using the Monogame engine https://monogame.net/ for a very long time - it has everything I need for my projects.
All your issues are valid and mainly there due to time constraints - I only finished the rocks sections on Friday so had to simplify the last 3 sections. The issue with the lander is the worst one - it should crash when it hits the ground.
I suspect you can get the same problem with the rocket on earth takeoff if you are prepared to wait an hour or two.
Using the real sample or a parody of it would be cool - I have load of ideas for more comms / sound effects and will more than likely keep working it.
Awesome! Good luck with the next project.
Loved the sound effects! First run got 6:06, second run got 5:25!
NASA Here:
Congratulations on completing The Great Space Race.
A verifiable time requires the names of your three astronauts.
Your time has been recorded as "Unofficial".
Understood, NASA! Got it down to 5:11, Astronauts Beau, Nora, and Isla.
NASA Here again:
We have a 10-4 affirmative on your time and Astronauts: 00:05:11 (Beau, Nora and Isla).
Good job commander!
Awesome game, and a very cool way to show how the Saturn V worked. Landing was very satisfying. I got just under 7 minutes, posted my screenshot in the comments. Fun way to create competition, too. Great job!
NASA Here:
Congratulations on completing The Great Space Race.
We have a 10-4 affirmative on your time and Astronauts: 00:06:58 (Isla, King and Isla).
Good job commander!
A little obtuse at first but enjoyable!
Got it done in 08:52
NASA Here:
Congratulations on completing The Great Space Race.
A verifiable time requires the names of your three astronauts.
Your time has been recorded as "Unofficial".
Once we figured the game out, it was actually pretty fun! Really enjoyed the landing sections and the homemade sound effects.
NASA Here:
Congratulations on completing The Great Space Race.
To record your entry, we need verifiable time taken and the names of your three astronauts.
No time has been recorded.
You are roger to retry.