This is my first ludum dare. Actually, I didn't want to participate this time, but the theme seemed simple :) I tried several ideas, but none was much fun to play. So this is the best I could come up in the last few hours, a simple idea and I'm sure not very original. If I had started this earlier, then I would have tried to add sound effects, music, better graphics and especially a better level generator with branching and dead ends.
The game is controlled by one key only, to keep it minimalistic. The SPACE BAR is used to switch the direction of the flying space potato
I liked having no sound, fits the theme and setting (in space). I found the 3 second countdown at the start of each retry to break the flow really horribly. I would just start the retry maybe .2 seconds after death.
Not bad, reminds me of a game I used to have on the TI-89. Drifter, I think it was called. Fits the theme and shows you can make a game with only one input :). Felt a little unresponsive though, it seemed like you switch direction when the spacebar comes back up. Might feel a bit better if it happened when you push it down.
For a few hours and a first try very good. I actually like the graphics. Minimal game control with just the space, so fits the theme. You suggestion of different routes and dead ends could be good. 'Save the potato' will probably be seen more (I know my game is about that).
Wow, The one button control made what could have been an incredibly boring concept really fun and engaging.. I'm hooked! Would have been better with music though!
Pretty neat idea, and very challenging! I can do about as well in this game as super hexagon...haha...only about 13.9 seconds! Some audio would have added a lot to this entry. Good job :)
I liked playing your game! It reminds me of the good old "fly the copter". With a procedurally generated level and sone sfx your entry could even be as much fun as this classical coffebreak-timewaster. Nice work!
This game is perfect ! (except the 'a bit' lagging space) I thought I used the space key in a minimalistic way in my game.. but your implementation beat my illusions :D my score is only 24.28 by the way :p
I got ~95 seconds after a couple of tries. You said you didn't think this was too original but I actually think the opposite. I haven't seen a game that works like this! Maybe I just live under a rock or something, but yeah, I actually thought it was pretty innovative. A good first entry.
When it comes to fun this is my favorite so far. Because of the fixed level layout it became extremely addicting trying to get into the zone by memorizing the past and reacting to the new.
A few alternative ideas concerning the mechanic popped into mind while playing (just don't change the game, ok):
-The potato could bounce from vertical walls, and only smash into horizontal ones.
-Rather than flying in the middle the potato could travel on the side of the passage and pressing space would just reverse gravity.
Really enjoy the control scheme. Potato art is awesom