The Daily Click

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Excavatorrr

Author:

Hempuli

Submitted:

24th October, 2009

Favourites:

Genre:

Platformer

Downloads:

364

Rated:

78th Place

(4.35 / 5)

Edited By Hempuli on 10/24/2009

Edited By Hempuli on 10/24/2009

You play as a lonely excavator, who seeks for riches from the depths of the underground world. Of course there're loads of enemies and obstacles to be passed, but who knows what lies down there, just waiting to be found?

I created Excavatorrr to participate the Ludum Dare 15 game creation competition in August 2009. This wasn't my first entry, in fact there was another fully finished game as my entrant, called "CaveFrog", but it was silly and bad in my opinion. The competition version of Excavatorrr was created in 9-11 hours, and as you can guess, it had some weird things and bugs, and the overall gameplay was confusing. Overall the biggest cons that drove people away (and made me not win!) were the confusing controls, lack of information and the fact the game'd require some learning in order to be mastered.

However, I enjoyed the game myself a lot, so I decided to create this new, better version out of it. I tried to fix most of the things people didn't like about it, though with such a complex game the controls were still left rather confusing. Also due to the way I coded the game I couldn't add a real tutorial, just a silly "Controls" help text. One of the great updates is the online scoreboard; but there're also many new items, new enemies and even some random encounters. Woo.

= HOW TO PLAY =

RIGHT / LEFT ARROW = Move

UP / DOWN ARROW = Look up/down, and use ladders.

S = Jump. Your jump is about 3 tiles high.

D = Attack/Use things you have in your hands. Usually just throw them.

D + DOWN = Pick up/Put down. THIS IS IMPORTANT! You really need those items, y'know!

D + UP = Throw upwards/2nd ability

UP = Enter shop. Very useful!

You get money by collecting money and bringing jewels to the shop. Also golden idols are welcomed to the shop, they're worth of muchos pesetas! Try to continue deeper, but keep in mind your jump height, and always ensure you can get back! It's a good idea to carry a Ladder Kit with you all the time. Look out for falling blocks, and also look if you can see tiles that have different texture than the others, they may hold secrets! Remember also the falling damage.

Be ready to try several times, for the system is roguelikely unforgiving and the controls are so confusing that you need to take your time learning them.

= ITEMS IN THE SHOP =

LADDER KIT - Most useful item in the whole game! Press D while holding to make a ladder downwards appear in front of you. Ensure that there's enough space in front of you for the ladder to continue. Hold UP and press D to make the ladder appear from where you stand, and upwards! Each ladder kit has 3 ladders.

BOMB - Throw it to explode some enemies and blocks out of the way. Doesn't have a very good range and explodes quickly, but is otherwise very usable.

DYNAMITE - Same as bomb, but you can't throw it, just set to explode and drop. Explodes with a great range. Due to the non-throwable-ness, it's clever to try to stand near a cliff or be in ladders while setting it on.

SPRINGBOARD - Throwable around, it makes enemies, items and you bounce around like crazy. Look out though - the bounce height is so big you might hurt yourself!

UMBRELLA - Slows your falling so that you don't hurt yourself. Throwable.

DRILL - You can use the drill to dig straight downwards or upwards, using D and D + UP! Useful, but remember to look out so that you can return back!

ELECTRIC STUNNER - Now this one actually kills enemies. It does great damage, and can be aimed diagonally upwards with UP + D. The electric charge can sometimes even hurt enemies through a wall!

There's also this Online Highscore board! It's meant to be watched in-game, but if you really want, you can check the obviously gorgeous webpage here: http://www.hempuli.com/score/displayscores.php

Game music was composed by Noby!

Review This Download

http://www.hempuli.com/Excavatorrr.zip (1.17 mkb )

Posted by Aden

24th October, 2009

Rated :

it was ok a bit weird the controls i think you shouldve made it a different button to pick up and drop stuff but ye it was pritty cool

Posted by Sketchy

24th October, 2009

Rated :

I guess this is what later became "Spelunky" then?

To be honest, I never really liked that either - the graphics were awesome, and I love the concept, but it just wasn't fun to play. This is kind of the same, minus the quality presentation.

Posted by UrbanMonk

24th October, 2009

Rated :

I loooved the music, who made it?

I'm not very good at this game. What's up with the controls. Oh well I got used to it.

Fun, Fun, Fun. Good Job!

Posted by Hempuli

24th October, 2009

The music was composed by Noby. Seems like I forgot it from the description.

Sketchy: I guess that's a question of taste. Though I don't think the games can be said to be similar other than thematically.

Comment edited by Hempuli on 10/24/2009

Posted by erghhhhx

24th October, 2009

Rated :

Very cool audio and graphics, but I got bored kinda' quickly.

Posted by markno2

26th October, 2009

Rated :

I deleted the music file, apart from that, this game is fun.

Posted by Va1entine

26th October, 2009

Rated :

First off can i just say what an amazing game! This is my game of 2009!!! Anyways Hempuli i was just looking for a few tips, the red devil is the biggest problem do u have an tips on beating him, 2nd how do i find the ancient gun? As buying one isn't an option because i always buy the drill! Also what do all the extra items you find do such as the hand thing and the cup? One game idea i would recomend is adding 1 medi pack to the shop as i some times i fall in areas i shouldn't due to the games unforgiveing nature, to buy one medi pack would really help especially when you get so far

Posted by UrbanMonk

26th October, 2009

Rated :

I love the shop,

Dig Dig, Build Ladder climb out, get supplies, Repeat.

I'm no good at this game sadly.

Posted by Del Duio

26th October, 2009

Rated :

First thing I thought of was Spelunky too from the description alone. Hopefully this one's not half as impossible

Comment edited by Del Duio on 10/30/2009

Posted by Sumo148

26th October, 2009

Rated :

After awhile of mastering the controls, I find the game to be quite enjoyable. The only thing bad is that this game runs really slowly on my old computer

When you fall, he takes forever!

Posted by Marko

26th October, 2009

Rated :

Love it, absolutely love it! The graphics are so faithful to the retro consoles and the music is beautiful. Gameplay wise it draws me in and offers a challenge, so i can't complain - and i wouldn't anyway because i love it!

Another classic from Hempuli

Posted by Falcon Eaglehawk

26th October, 2009

Rated :

Awesome game! Graphics and music were wonderful c64 style (I really like!). This reminded me of Amiga's classic mining game 'Diggers' which was superb.

I think that the controls were pretty easy to master after finding the right keys and the difficulty level reasonable after a couple of rounds of practicing...

A true classic!

Posted by Falcon Eaglehawk

26th October, 2009

Rated :

Oh and I think that you could add that medipack to the shop since the health policy is quite hardcore and there's no way to replenish them (or is there?).

Posted by KNPMASTER

27th October, 2009

Rated :

Wow, fantastic. very 2600, super-old-school, but with good game-play. Inspiring.

Posted by bigredron

27th October, 2009

This reminds me of a game I have on my Iphone called Gold Rush. I want to make a game like this one day (but with much better graphics than this lol) but if I ever get around to it we'll see.

Posted by Hempuli

27th October, 2009

It is a matter of taste what is better...

Oh well, thanks for the comments!
@Falcon Eaglehawk: I don't want it to be very easy to replenish health, so currently you can't do it at all. I might add some way to get some later on, though.

@Sumo148: Oh, that's sad to hear! I wonder what's with the game there...

Posted by Hayo

27th October, 2009

"I want to make a game like this one day (but with much better graphics than this lol)"

Do your parents beat you?

Posted by Ridder Florian

27th October, 2009

Rated :

Wow, great game!
I can't stop playing it haha, Haven't been al the way down yet. I like all the items and the mechanics of the game. It's just great!

Posted by Muz

28th October, 2009

Rated :

Lol, be nice, Hayo. This looks like the kind of game I'd play. Downloading

Posted by Gokotti

28th October, 2009

Rated :

Nice game, psychedelic graphics and über musics.
Only a bit frustrating. GJ.

Posted by Va1entine

28th October, 2009

Rated :

1.13 is the best version! Bit disapointed with 1.14

Posted by Hempuli

29th October, 2009

I wonder how you can be disappointed when the biggest additions were secrets that don't usually appear in the game!

Anyway, the game is now fully finished with all the content I intended. The version number should be 1.2 now.

Posted by Del Duio

29th October, 2009

Rated :

Wow this is an AMAZING game Hempuli!

First off, if you just read what it is you're thinking Spelunky. But isn't it amazing how different it really is when you play it. I can't say enough good things about your latest.

Awesome music! It's like the Atari 2600 on 'roids. Great graphics too, they are PERFECT for this type of game IMO. The controls did take a bit to get used to, but after 5 minutes it's fine. I was really impressed with the game's depth and I'm sure I haven't seen a fraction of what's in there. I found a grail and after seeing how you couldn't sell it I found out by accident that you're INVINCIBLE while carrying it- which was awesome. The ladder kits work great and you can set yourself up for an escape route back to the shop very easily.

At first I was a bit put off that you could only carry one object at a time but you get used to it and it's not bad. The enemies are all cool and I saw some huge mofo once down there that I assume is a boss (??) I got an ancient clock from that room but he killed me so I'm not sure what it did.

"Wow" moments:

Picking up the cursed idol and getting lightning bolted to death haha.

Using the drill for the first time which lets you go straight down and better still break those grey blocks. Awesome. It was cool to make strategies of regular digging to the guy's sides and then picking up the drill to go straight down.

The electric gun is awesome haha. I was killing Gorons and all kinds of stuff with that thing. Great idea.

The grail was boss.

--

Suggestion 1: Any way to make some sort of healing item in the game? Maybe there already is one but I couldn't find it yet. Even if there was an option at the shop for bandages? This might take the rouge-like aspect away though.

Suggestion 2: I don't play this on a computer that has an internet hookup so would it be possible when you die to have "no" be the default option for submitting the high score? It's not that big a deal.

Suggestion 3: The guy has no ladder animation when he's climbing it. Oh noes!

--

BUG? After playing it straight for awhile all of the game's sfx didn't work anymore. The music still did, but all the sounds didn't. I can't elaborate because it only happened the one time. I had to exit and restart in order for it to work again.

Anyhow, considering how quickly you made this I can only imagine how awesome it'd be if you had more time on it. Dare I say this could be a klick classic. It is to me. 5 stars all the way!
Comment edited by Del Duio on 10/29/2009

Posted by Hempuli

29th October, 2009

Many thanks for the in-depth comment, and thanks also for the enormous compliments!

The bug is unfamiliar to me, I have no idea what could cause that!

How strange.

I think that the first suggestion would indeed take something from the game. But indeed, there IS a way to regain health; just keep on looking!

Posted by Va1entine

30th October, 2009

Rated :

I think the big yellow creature seems oddly out of place, it looks like a big yellow teddy bear head with a werid body and totally out of sink with everything else. In my opinion it takes away some of the retro appeal/illusion, every other character in the game is so well drawn and just so well designed but when i incounter the yellow creature in just makes me cringe. Its great that you've fixed the Red Devil bug, the new spike weapon is also a great new addition. I also like that you've made the tiles abit more obvious where a secret weapon/item is hideing. Not really sure about having the 2nd shop but i guess it makes the game alittle easyer though. But i much prefer the game with out that new enemy i guess thats why version 1.13 appeals more too me. PS i Still think you should add a medpack to the shop though lol!

Comment edited by on 10/30/2009

Posted by Va1entine

30th October, 2009

Rated :

With the exception of the issues raised above, i've decided after playing this game for days on end its officially my number one click game of all time! Could you imagine Excavatorrr on Xbox Live arcade with achivements? Oh i wounder what the achivements could be...... I'd easyly pay 1000 Microsoft points on xbox arcade. It reminds me so much of the commodore 64 & Atari ST the nostalgia factor is incredible!

Excavatorrr is so up their with Flimbo's quest, Frogger,asteroids ,Mario Brothers ,Boulder Dash and Ms Pacman! Thanks for createing Excavatorrr Ham!!!!

Comment edited by Va1entine on 10/30/2009

Posted by Del Duio

30th October, 2009

Rated :

Ah dude I got so far this time. I saw a brick level with a red devil and a shitload of mummies. One of the mummies was guarding a brown gun I haven't seen before so I wanted to grab that sucker bad. It took awhile but I finally went back to the shop enough times to buy more bombs to blow them up and free the gun.. Only I friggin' fell off my ladder and died that way.

I played for about 3 hours tonight with a high score of $8100 with a bunch of stuff bought. One thing though, why can you only buy either the drill, electric gun, or umbrella but not all three? Also doesn't using the springboard kind of guarantee you're going to take falling damage when you land? I know you could use it if you were stuck in a deep pit or something but that seems like such a specific use I wonder if it's worth buying most of the time.

Seriously Hempuli, this is a hell of a game. You should keep adding to it if you're not sick of working on it yet. You could toss some armor in there to help with the guy's defense. Maybe it'd change his color or something. If you had another item like a cloak where wearing it would let you pass through those grey blocks that'd be cool too.

Posted by kode

30th October, 2009

Rated :

Great retro title its also great that your surporting this game with updates. I agree that a health pack would make the game alittle easy as i still haven't reached the bottem.

Posted by Hempuli

30th October, 2009

Thanks for the comments!

Va1entine: I hope that the other updates compensate with your dislike towards the ghost & the worm.

Posted by alastair john jack

1st November, 2009

Rated :

This is pretty cool, I found a bug though:
When I went to submit my score, it didn't show up on the high scores list.

Posted by Muz

1st November, 2009

Rated :

I got a little bored with it. Can't get any rush from it. A bit anti-addictive. Don't really like climbing back to the top to sell/buy/retrieve items.

I did love the music, though.

Posted by Hempuli

1st November, 2009

alspal: It didn't show up on the top10 list? Or it didn't show up in the full list? Are you sure you waited for the score to get sent, and are you aware that there may be problems with symbols such as @ and & while submitting?

Posted by Va1entine

1st November, 2009

Rated :

You know i can see past them small faults Hempuli as your game is a classic! A great review by Del Duio has just been added to the site by the way!!!

Posted by Tomssuli

2nd November, 2009

Rated :

Fun and very addicting game = ) ...Brings back good and bad memories of NetHack

Posted by Del Duio

2nd November, 2009

Rated :

Hempuli, it gets too hard once you hit the brick levels mostly because of the sheer amount of mummies and almost always a red devil. This wouldn't be so bad but the mummies have a projectile attack that goes through any bricks and some sort of shielding that I think you can't hit them with your pickaxe while it's up.

The only way I was able to even get that far to test it for myself was finding the grail again. Still haven't seen that big bad guy again but looking forward to it.

Also another thing: There almost seems to be no real reason to bring most jewels all the way back to the shop because you end up earning enough money just from the gold in the walls. It'd almost be better if just running into a gem gave you instant money like the gold does. I know this would be a huge gameplay change, but the only reason I ever go back to the surface is to buy ladder kits and the drill or electric gun now. There just isn't enough incentive to make the big trek back to the shop where you risk falling off a ladder and getting hurt (or worse).

Just trying to be constructive, don't take offense

Posted by Del Duio

2nd November, 2009

Rated :

Hey would there be a way for you to inclulde an item like a glove that would let the Excavatorrr push grey blocks around? A lot of times I play I see opportunities to push a grey block off a ledge and crush groups of monsters below. I think that'd rule personally.

Posted by Hempuli

2nd November, 2009

Hmm, nice idea!

The idea of getting money is more on getting score, not to get money to buy stuff; the items are anyway very cheap. My idea was to add difficulty by having to move them around; and currently you can anyway bring them to the underground shop.

I suggest spending a bomb or two on the mummies. the speed of their projectiles isn't very high, so it's easy if you lure them to a pit and then use some other path. The red devil is indeed quite a nuisance, and I can see why that block-pushing would be worthwhile against it!

I'll think about that glove, though!

Posted by Del Duio

2nd November, 2009

Rated :

Cool!

Yeah I understand the object of returning gems to the surface is for points it's just that I'd rather break up walls for gold than risk the big journey of taking 3 or 4 gems grouped together for a 5 minute trek / each.

I do like how you break up dirt for the gold so don't change that part!

Posted by Va1entine

3rd November, 2009

Rated :

The mummys are a peace of piss its the red dragon thats the problem for me!

Posted by alastair john jack

4th November, 2009

Rated :

@hempuli, It didn't show up on the top10 list, even though my score was lower.
Are you able to place it at the top?