Clanky Claw

(gmtk jam 2025 submission; also posted here but i did not update it https://www.lexaloffle.com/bbs/?tid=150712 )

sound warning; very unfinished prototype

i only made one level and it's pre-solved. don't expect much here

instructions

press directions to move the cursor
press X to reset the arm
press and hold O (Z/C) to move belt nodes
release O (Z/C) to select a belt node
once a node is selected:
        up/down to select slot
        left/right to select command
        X to exit node
commands:
Arm: out, in, wiggle out, wiggle in, reset crane
Belt: set speed to 1-9, reset crane
Claw: toggle open/close, reset crane
how much the arm extends between one node and the next depends on the speed.

tam's comments

i wanted to make a cross between a zachlike and a musical toy. i ended up compromising a lot for the sake of limitations and time, but it was still a cute experiment

that said, it was a terrible idea for me to decide one of the "instruments" should be the track's speed-based whirr. that kind of sabotaged any rhythm i meant for the game to have💦

i also wish pico-8 let me play with sound a little more easily. like, i don't think you can change sfx speed or loop points on the fly for example...

ultimately, something came up this year, so i ran out of time to do much. maybe i'll play with this more later?