If At First (GMTK GameJam 2025 Submission)

(NB The game has no audio)

Gameplay Basics

- Talk to the Blacksmith, Alchemist and Hunter.

- Place them in locations to defend the village

- Learn from the outcome, ask more questions, and try, try, try again

Controls

W, D - Move left and right

E or Space - Interact with Villagers, advance text

Left mouse button - Select questions, interact with locations

If At First

You approach a village. In a short time, an army will sweep across the land - this village is the first in its path.  The village must survive long enough for reinforcements to arrive.

Barricades must be built, traps laid, villagers trained and led.  But you know nothing of these people. Nothing of the Blacksmith, the Alchemist, nor the Hunter. Who is a leader? Who is a fighter? Who will stay to the bitter end? Who will flee their post before the fighting begins?

Your choices are life and death. Knowing so little, how could you expect to make the right ones? With only once chance, how can you hope to succeed.

But what if you could go back, knowing all that you know now?  You could make different decisions.  You could change the outcome (for good or ill). And if you try, try, try again. Could you save them all?
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Talk to the villagers and learn about them. Choose what locations of the village they should each defend and the learn the outcome.  With each attempt come new questions. With their answers come better decisions (you hope)
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The game made some use of the following purchased asset packs
https://craftpix.net/product/people-in-medieval-avatar-icons-pixel-art/
https://craftpix.net/product/blacksmith-craft-asset-pixel-art-pack
https://craftpix.net/product/farming-pixel-art-game-assets-pack
Go give the creaters some love - they are beautiful packs. I wanted to use the packs more fully (no, really, my dream game wasn't just disembodied heads!!) But I am a person easily overwhelmed. By decisions. Loud noises. Strong breezes. And anything to do with sprites.
Icons were the best I could manage without overloading my tiny squirrel brain.