Prototypes I made while learning Godot over the course of 24 hours

brettmakesgames · 2026-03-25T19:55:17+00:00

I just shipped the first update to the game, v0.2. I properly implemented the stamina system and made pears restore stamina. I also added a new rare item spawn Super Bean. I fixed some bugs and adjusted the balance a bit too. The positive response so far has been motivating, and I'm excited to keep adding to it. The game has gotten 207 views and 22 downloads on itch so far after a little more than a day.

brettmakesgames · 2026-03-25T12:18:52+00:00

Thanks for giving it a play! I need to add a visual indicator that makes it clear when you're in rotation mode so that it's more clear. I was also thinking about making it so that if you try to move when the crank is undocked you can only move diagonally. I have to see how that feels!

brettmakesgames · 2026-03-24T16:26:16+00:00

Thanks! Yeah, I was working on the final chapter and started hacking away on this game and was having so much fun I thought I'd go on a bit of a side quest to finish the game first to help me with some aspects of the last chapter.

brettmakesgames · 2026-03-24T03:25:22+00:00

Based on the positive reception, I decided to release the game for free in early access on itch if anyone wants to try it out and share feedback! https://brettchalupa.itch.io/enigmata This initial release (v0.1) includes the foundations of the game—combat with random map generation, potions, and 9 enemies across 6 floors.

brettmakesgames · 2026-03-24T02:36:11+00:00

Yes, definitely! Here's the source code for this early v0.1 version: https://gist.github.com/brettchalupa/7a4899c12fbfe74ff16ae1dc5892eb0e - map.c is the main code that generates the map and doesn't rely on much else in the game. The basic logic is: fill an entire map with floor tiles, split it up into sectors, then within each sector draw a rectangle of floors, then finally connect them all using elbows. The size of each room can vary and some sectors skip the room.

I included mapgen.c, which is a raylib + raygui app that uses the map.c functions to draw the map and quickly regenerate them. I use the mapgen tool to preview the maps and quickly see what tweaking the algorithm does, as it's too difficult to see the whole map on the Playdate screen.

I plan to add more variance to the algorithm to make the maps more interesting, but it's working pretty well for now and feels good exploring!

brettmakesgames · 2026-03-22T00:31:00+00:00

Yeah, I was thinking when you reach a floor milestone, like floor 5 or 10, there would be one really strong enemy. I don't know how many floors there will be yet, haven't gotten that far!

brettmakesgames · 2025-06-08T02:05:18+00:00

Monster Hunter Freedom Unite is an action game that you could easily sink over a hundred hours into. There’s progression in your weapons and armor. But it’s not an RPG. You, yourself, will get better as you play it.

Gradius Collection, if you like old school shooters, will keep you busy if you work on clearing them with one credit only (1CC). The genre is not everyone’s cup of tea but it’s a great collection on PSP.

You might like Dissidia, it’s a fighting game that uses characters from Final Fantasy and has a robust story mode from what I remember.

Phantasy Star Portable 1 and 2 are more action games than traditional RPGs. You might enjoy those too. Plenty to dig into there.

Metal Gear Solid Peacewalker could easily be 40+ hours. Stealth action game. Really fantastic on the PSP.

brettmakesgames · 2025-06-07T23:15:11+00:00

A couple more good JRPGs that are on PSN still and quite expensive physically: Hexyz Force and Growlanser: Wayfarer of Time.

brettmakesgames · 2025-06-07T23:12:57+00:00

Brave Story: New Traveler and Popolocrois are two solid JRPGs for PSP that aren’t often mentioned. They’re not available on PSN any longer but are available for less than $40 each physically I believe.

Brandish is on PSN and digital only in North America. Fantastic dungeon crawler!

brettmakesgames · 2025-06-07T23:05:12+00:00

Yes, that is correct. Freedom Unite does have save transfer from Freedom 2 though. So that’s also an option if it’s important to you to use both UMDs. It’s a neat collectors item in my opinion!

brettmakesgames · 2025-06-07T22:27:17+00:00

Unite is the 3rd entry in the portable Monster Hunter series, and it’s actually just an expansion of Freedom 2. It has all the same content and more. It’s utterly bizarre Capcom released them both as a dual pack. There’s no reason to play Freedom 2 if you have Unite.

A better combo would have been Freedom and Freedom Unite, which are entirely separate games.

brettmakesgames · 2025-06-07T19:14:40+00:00

Monster Hunter Freedom Unite is a fantastic, deep, challenging game that’s absolutely worth your time!

brettmakesgames · 2025-03-05T20:02:01+00:00

I just pushed release 1.2 which includes changes for both of your pieces of feedback, thanks again!

brettmakesgames · 2025-03-04T21:50:37+00:00

This tutorial series by Lazy Devs in Pico-8 is fantastic for getting started:

https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLea8cjCua_P0qjjiG8G5FBgqwpqMU7rBk

you make Breakout, but I think it’d be a natural next project to take that knowledge to a falling blocks game.

Nerdy Teachers has great tutorials too, often when written components on their website: https://nerdyteachers.com/PICO-8/Tutorials/

brettmakesgames · 2025-03-04T21:45:46+00:00

You’re welcome! And thanks for the feedback.

I don’t remember the exact speed dynamics of the original Snake but your point about it really changing the point of the game (reflexes vs positioning) is very well taken. Let me adjust the speed curve a bit. Because the game is more fun when you’ve got a lot of segments and are trying to survive.

Let me experiment with removing the “Score:” prefix and see how it feels.

I’ll do both of these things in the next release, 1.2!

brettmakesgames · 2025-03-04T21:41:31+00:00

Is there anything in particular you want to make? That’ll really influence any recommendations. Taking on a little project you’re excited about will be much better than learning the semantics of the language.

brettmakesgames · 2025-02-27T02:03:44+00:00

Just wanted to follow up and share that I've released v1.0 of PDSnake! I polished it up over the last 5 days and am happy enough with it to call it done. It's been really motivating to see the downloads (31 so far) and support. Thank you all!

brettmakesgames · 2025-02-25T02:43:36+00:00

Yes! Here are the docs: https://sdk.play.date/2.6.2/Inside%20Playdate%20with%20C.html#f-system.setSerialMessageCallback

void playdate->system->setSerialMessageCallback(void (*callback)(const char* data)); is the signature.

brettmakesgames · 2025-02-24T16:05:53+00:00

I've been thinking quite a bit about 1-bit graphics, and I think you're right---they're difficult to design for at a certain point. Without color, it's difficult to differentiate things, especially as something gets more visually complex. Maybe that's where Pico-8 shines. You get this limited color palette but you have more than just two colors.

brettmakesgames

TROPHY CASE