Nectar Nexus
> Web version: Play here. Play with any pointer device (mouse/touchscreen/trackpad/…).
> Optional keyboard shortcuts — Go forward: Space/Enter/Tab/N/0; Trigger blossoms: Number keys (1-9); Undo: Z/R/U/P/Backspace. Press Tab on the main scene to skip to later puzzles.
> :page_facing_up: Puzzle hints and solutions: read here.
Welcome to Nectar Nexus -- a wonderful puzzle game where a whimsical porcelain garden experience is about to unfold.
In this game, you will explore the mystery of blooming flowers. Each level is a gorgeous garden.
Your task is to use the bloom of flowers to summon bees and help them pollinate other flowers.
Bees are an important Nexus to this garden.
They create a special bond with the flowers by gathering nectar.
You need to subtly direct the movement of the bees, allowing them to pass sweet nectar between flowers.
Each successful call and pollination will add life to the garden and make it glow with even more brilliant colors.
However, there is not only beautiful flowers, but also something hidden in the plants...
Waiting for you to explore!
> :package: The local version currently requires a copy of LÖVE to work. We recommend the browser version.
> :musical_note: As music and sounds are made after the 72-hour window, we are opting out of the ratings.
> :heartbeat: For the humour aspect, please feel free to leave the rating blank. But we think you might want to change your mind if you play to the very end.
> Optional keyboard shortcuts — Go forward: Space/Enter/Tab/N/0; Trigger blossoms: Number keys (1-9); Undo: Z/R/U/P/Backspace. Press Tab on the main scene to skip to later puzzles.
> :page_facing_up: Puzzle hints and solutions: read here.
Welcome to Nectar Nexus -- a wonderful puzzle game where a whimsical porcelain garden experience is about to unfold.
In this game, you will explore the mystery of blooming flowers. Each level is a gorgeous garden.
Your task is to use the bloom of flowers to summon bees and help them pollinate other flowers.
Bees are an important Nexus to this garden.
They create a special bond with the flowers by gathering nectar.
You need to subtly direct the movement of the bees, allowing them to pass sweet nectar between flowers.
Each successful call and pollination will add life to the garden and make it glow with even more brilliant colors.
However, there is not only beautiful flowers, but also something hidden in the plants...
Waiting for you to explore!
> :package: The local version currently requires a copy of LÖVE to work. We recommend the browser version.
> :musical_note: As music and sounds are made after the 72-hour window, we are opting out of the ratings.
> :heartbeat: For the humour aspect, please feel free to leave the rating blank. But we think you might want to change your mind if you play to the very end.
Tools: LÖVE
Comments53
Looks like you got a new take on the same gameplay formula — nice job. Art and atmosphere are very will done.
I had some troubles playing in web, couldn't move the bee to the second vase, after I completed the first one.
Thanks for the feedback
Great effort, I really love the concept.
Only real criticism is to make it a bit clearer when you need to go over one of the flowers more than once, that threw me off a bit but otherwise a very good entry.
We acknowledge that the rule is presented very implicitly, so please refer to the hints if you are interested!
Would you mind clarifying the meaning of "when you need to go over one of the flowers more than once"? Because each pollinated flower only needs to be visited once. I'm not sure what's being misunderstood here ._.
In terms of gameplay, I couldn't figure out the exact rules governing the game. First I thought the bees would always turn towards the bloomed flower, but then I realised sometimes they don't. So I thought they only turned if the alternative move would move them away from the flower. But then I got to a puzzle where that wasn't the case, and I'm still confused about the exact mechanic here :/
But anyway, beautiful game, congrats!
Also, I accidentally clicked the back arrow once which kicked me out of the vase and I lost all my progress since I had to restart at the first screen.
I feel like there's an awesome puzzle game here, but you might need to either rethink the mechanics or just do a better job of communicating them with the player. Also, holy crap this might be the most content I've ever seen in a ludum dare game! Great job pumping out so many levels and unique art in such a short amount of time
And so many levels in so little time! Very impressive.
The tutorial on how the flowers worked to turn the bees showed up after I had to figure it out for one of the puzzles, not sure if on purpose or not.
Great job!
Indeed, I feel we're missing on some more grinding on the introduction of rules, as almost everyone has been mentioning. The movement rules had quite a few nuances that are tricky to describe and grasp (and I think this is what your design gets ingenious at — one straightforward (straight-backward??) action with no tricky corner cases hidden). Thanks for your feedback, I'm delighted to have another puzzle game wizard here!
The aesthetic is stunning, with a level of perfection that resonates with the game’s core. The unexpected ending was a delightful surprise, offering a chuckle after enduring the grueling gauntlet of puzzles. The attention to detail is remarkable, from the imaginative level icons and numbering to the pollen effects, adding layers of charm to the experience.
As for the game itself, it might just be the hardest puzzle game of this year’s LD competition... Playing it felt like my brain was on fire. Despite the straightforward interface and rules that avoid complexity, the level design is ingeniously crafted. You must have a very skilled level designer on your team. The initial levels (particularly the 10th!) were flawlessly designed. The introduction of new mechanisms later on slightly inflated the game’s structure, although I understand the necessity for such intricacies.
The ambiance of the game is something I particularly enjoyed :D
It’s astonishing to contemplate how all these pieces were meticulously assembled in just 72 hours. 5/5 without doubt. One of the finest entries in LD55.