Wife Is Life

by ancientpears

co-authored: @osgood

Overall★★★★★★★★★★2.73

Fun★★★★★★★★★★2.38

Innovation★★★★★★★★★★3.25

Theme★★★★★★★★★★3.55

Graphics★★★★★★★★★★3.14

Audio★★★★★★★★★★2.02

Humor★★★★★★★★★★2.56

Mood★★★★★★★★★★2.56

Wife is Life

Z key to start at the first page

Description

"I don't know what happened my wife. She is obviously not well and I am afraid the sight she is running toward me. At least she could get rid of the monsters. I will find the cure for her"

This is a prototype of resource managing (your and your wife's health) action game.

Only sample stage and basic function is provided now.

Controls

* arrow keys to move

* x key to heal

* z key to start at the main page

Added 20/04/25 (yy/mm/dd)

I read some comment saying they didn't get the game play. This is a bit of more explanation

this is you (controlled with arrow keys)

this is your wife (she will get to you and will heart you on contact). She is losing her life continuously.
* you can heal her with x key when she is within the red circle around you

this is the monster you want to get rid of it with your wife's aid

this is health pack

When you get rid of all the monsters, you will get a new item that will clear the game.
I hope this helps. Thanks guys

updates

20/04/26

* added key instruction in main page
* added tutorial stages

Genres: action

Tools: PICO-8

Comments18

Terrykk23 Apr 2020, 16:34

Interesting idea. Keep it up!

SageWare24 Apr 2020, 07:53

Tried the HTML and Windows versions. Cannot get past the start screen. Arrow keys and X did nothing.

BluShine24 Apr 2020, 07:55

This is the start of something fun. I like that you decided to make a game about keeping something alive while it's also trying to kill you. The knockback and acceleration helped make it interesting. Nice title screen, too. I think this could really have a creepy-cute vibe, especially if you added some sound effects and background art.

The current version of this is a very basic prototype, but I can see you had some cool ideas and I would be interested in seeing it expanded.

SimanSimon24 Apr 2020, 07:58

It was weird, but good job

SimanSimon24 Apr 2020, 07:58

It was weird, but good job

Gnocchi24 Apr 2020, 08:07

The prototype shows some good ideas, the dev looks clean with no bugs, everything that is submitted functions properly. As you call it a prototype I guess you didn't have time to finish your project.
Indeed In the level I don't know what to do or where to go. Hearts give life, the wife can kill monsters but takes damage but I can't figure out how to heal her. Maybe you didn't have time to finish the gamplay or maybe I just didn't understand.

The idea looks good and shows potential. The graphics are well done too, cute pixel art, although I am not a fan of the thumbnail

Papaver24 Apr 2020, 21:42

I tried many times, and I think I finished the game, although I still don't fully understand her movements. :sweat_smile:
I think it's quite an interesting mechanic that you have to keep her close to heal her, but not too close. The graphics are quite nice. I think you could develop it further into a bigger game. Congrats :smile:

SageWare25 Apr 2020, 10:24

Thanks for reporting the update about Z button and detailed instructions, and thanks for playing my game. I replayed yours and found it unique in both its mechanics and art. It was a real challenge to have your wife help you while she can also hurt you. I hope you continue with this game, as I really enjoyed this prototype. I had a different opinion as others here, I like you game's thumbnail. Well done.

milano2325 Apr 2020, 16:32

I was not able to play the web version or windows version of this game. The web version start but nothing happened when i pressed the arrows keys or x key. The windows version said it was missing a file.

AncientPearsauthor25 Apr 2020, 16:33

@milano23 you need to press z key to start. :thumbsup:

sndr25 Apr 2020, 16:34

I find it very interesting the fact that you're trying to save someone that at the same time will hurt you! That is quite a unique take on the theme, a bit different from the usual. Cool entry!

dilauraba25 Apr 2020, 16:39

I think this is the start of something great! Fantastic job
++ very well developed theme. Love the idea of the thing you are trying to save is also the thing killing you

++ the art style is great. Very unified across the game and seems to be well thought out

++ The fact this is PICO-8 is amazing all on its own

-- A little bit of instruction could be helpful here. Just a flash screen saying how to play would be great

-- I feel like it needs balancing. My tries all ended up lasting less than a minute, and I wasn't sure what I was doing wrong.

GOD COLO25 Apr 2020, 16:45

Plus points for using PICO-8! I really liked the art style! The concept is unique - trying to save something that is killing you!

Greato Jobu! :smile:

PicusBGames25 Apr 2020, 17:09

Couldn't quite win the game, but interesting and unique for sure :) Yep some in game instructions like people said might be good as you start (even how to start the game!).

AncientPearsauthor25 Apr 2020, 17:50

@dilauraba @picusbgames I added key instruction and tutorial stages as you suggested. Thanks for your opinion

nick0124 creator1 May 2020, 17:24

good idea

gamebuilder1 May 2020, 23:01

I love the graphics in this game. The screen shot really caught my attention, and I spent some time just staring at it. You have talent as a visual artist.

pee-thief7 May 2020, 22:03

good arts. but instructions are unclear