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[Hempuli‽]

Hello!
So, unfortunately, it's time for yet another experimental "platformer-with-a-twist", as I call them. This one is much shorter than the earlier ones, though, so don't worry, the pain is soon over! I'm not quite happy with the presentation, but let's just say it's "artsy". I don't usually have the guts to work on this kinda experiments for a very long time, this piece was done in 2 days.

I wanted to test what would happen if the playable character actively disobeyed the player's commands and tried to break the given rules. The result isn't very enjoyable, I fear, but I think the idea is there.

Your mission is to guide our little drug-addict through 5 levels, each filled with tasty-looking white pills. The druggist tries to desperately get any pills available, even though they just make his condition worse. So, naturally, you have to force him to go to the goal and prevent him from taking those drugs! Also avoiding innocent people might be good.

CONTROLS:
Left & Right arrow: move. Your movement speed may sometimes slow down, if the druggist wants to go to the opposite direction. Also, if you let go of an arrow button, the druggist will take command!

Down arrow: if the druggist jumps to get a pill, you can make the jump lower by holding down. Very useful in certain situations!

S: Jump. The druggist can jump also by himself, so be ready for strange situations.

I apologise for the small size and stupid idea of this game.
The music was composed by Konsta Mikkonen at Modarchive!

Screenshots:



Download the game here!

[agj]

Why do you apologize so much? It's really interesting to play. The struggle against the will of the character one's controlling is really tense all the way through.

[Hempuli‽]

Why do you apologize so much? It's really interesting to play. The struggle against the will of the character one's controlling is really tense all the way through.

I apologize so much because I don't feel that these experiments are worth of a new thread everytime.

[increpare]

spent a while figuring out controls

nice idea, though

[Hempuli‽]

spent a while figuring out controls

nice idea, though

They should be listed in the first level and the readme. Though I guess it may be confusing to learn the controls when the character actively fights back.

[allen]

I vaguely remember you talking about this in IRC.

The game is interesting, very disorienting as well. Wonder if it's possible for a 'perfect' run? I was having trouble on the last 2 rooms...hm

[14113]

Wow, really cool, you need to stop insulting yourself, the game is magnificent.

[Kicks]

Cool idea. I liked letting him beat the level by himself. I liked the screen shakes as he consumed more pills. Music was totally rockin' too. Finally I am a fan of most things against drug abuse.

[Captain_404]

Stop apologizing, I always enjoy your experiments.

I've seen this basic idea pop up a few times before, maybe not with the theme of drug addiction, but the notion of having the character with a will independent of the player's is something I've seen kicked around. As far as I know though, no one actually tried to make a game with the feature in it (perhaps for fear of it sucking?)

I think you've done it really successfully though, there's a sense of struggle here, rather than just being annoying.


Also, it seemed like the addict had certain spike-oriented suicidal tendencies, is that true? Maybe I'm just crazy...

EDIT: I just noticed the text in the tutorial changes, neat!

[Vanguard]

Creative idea.  I like how crazy it gets when you intentionally get drugged up, and the little things like the opening level's text changing, and the civilians turning into monsters.

I do have to agree though, that it's better as a concept than as a game.

[Almost]

It`s a cool idea, and pretty well done. I liked the opening text message changing.

Why apologize so much?

[Kegluneq]

I see someone has been reading the design forum.

Neat stuff, no need to apologize. We all love your platformers-with-a-twist!

[genericuser]

I tried to pick up as many pills as possible. Hilarity ensued.

(I got 27.)

[sergiocornaga]

I also tried as many as possible, resulting in 39.

[Nikica]

I love those little games from you . Can't wait to play it. I'll tell you later how it is.