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Hey everyone,

First, I'd like to apologize for the abruptness of my last devlog. I was not in a very good state of mind and I didn't feel like writing much. I don't feel much better now, but I figure I owe you an explanation.

As I might've mentioned before, I'm currently freelancing in the country where I did my undergrad. However, work hasn't been very fruitful lately, and neither have my finances. Going back home is the last thing I want to do right now, but it seems like it's my last option. I've told my landlord I'm ending my stay this month, sold most of my stuff, and now I'm just procrastinating on buying my flight ticket back. I'll do it after posting this. Honestly, ever since graduating, I've been miserable here. There isn't much I'm sad about leaving behind. Yet... I feel pathetic for admitting defeat like this. Still. Life goes on. One has to imagine Sisyphus happy.

As for the game. Last time, I realized I needed a change of pace and decided to throw almost everything away for a new platformer with puzzle elements. While working on the physics, I studied the excellent Pico-8-based Celeste 2, which was very helpful. The jump height varies on how long you press the button, and you can wall-jump. I decided to have buttons that move dungeon pieces around as an additional intellectual challenge, taking inspiration from the idea of Daedalus's labyrinth as an ever-shifting one. The game is also green now and Theseus is some sort of a robot which... seemed cool. I didn't want to overstuff the game with features, so I made the platforming extra-challenging to get a longer play-time.

After getting some friends' feedback though, I realized the game was actually way too difficult, so I tried to make this version easier. In counterpart, I added coins in hard-to-access spots so that I could keep some of the harder parts of the first version without forcing the player to go through them. I added vanishing platforms for a more interesting challenge and I completely restructured the maze. I added a boss: the M1n0tR. You have to avoid its attacks but the goal is not to beat it; it's to free it. I also made some music.

Anyway. Working on this has definitely been the most fun and satisfaction I've gotten for the past few weeks. I'm almost out of space in my pico-8 cartridge though, so I'm not sure where to take the next version. We'll see. Let me know if you have any thoughts. Gameplay video below.