Gaia's Garden

My entry for the 8th GoedWare Game Jam. 

The theme was: "ECOSYSTEM"

I converted that theme in an eco puzzle like game 😁.

Story

Once upon a time, off the coast of a distant continent on Earth, there existed a hidden gem of an island called Gaia's Garden Island. This island was unlike any other, a paradise where diverse ecosystems and countless species thrived in harmony. Gaia's Garden Island was a living testament to the balance and beauty of the natural world.

However, the delicate equilibrium of the island began to waver as a mysterious force threatened to unravel the intricate web of life that held the ecosystems together. The habitats that once flourished were now at risk, and the island's greenery began to fade.

The inhabitants of Gaia's Garden Island, a peaceful society in tune with nature's rhythm, recognized the impending disaster. They sought to restore the balance, mend the ecosystems, and revive the island's vibrant life force.

The Council of Gaia's Garden, an assembly of the wisest elders from various tribes, came together to devise a plan to save their beloved island. They uncovered a collection of ancient tiles, each containing the essence of a different ecosystem. These tiles held the power to restore and revitalize the fading habitats, fostering the growth of lush greenery.

As a chosen member of the Council of Gaia's Garden, you have been entrusted with the task of restoring the island's ecosystems. Using your knowledge of the island's habitats, you must strategically place the biome tiles across Gaia's Garden Island, nurturing the growth of grasslands, forests, rivers, lakes, mountains, and deserts. Your goal is to create thriving ecosystems, earning points for every flourishing green tile you place.

But be cautious, for the encroaching deserts pose a threat to the island's delicate balance. As you place tiles, you must ensure that the water sources are well-distributed and that the spreading deserts are kept in check. The key to saving Gaia's Garden Island lies in creating a harmonious blend of ecosystems that can sustain the rich biodiversity the island once knew.

With every tile placed, the fate of Gaia's Garden Island's ecosystems hangs in the balance. Will you be able to restore the island to its lush and thriving state, or will the encroaching deserts and dwindling resources prove too great a challenge?

The future of Gaia's Garden Island is in your hands.

Goal

In this tile-placement strategy game, players aim to create a thriving ecosystem on Gaia's Garden Island. They draw and place hexagonal tiles representing rivers, lakes, grass, forests, deserts, and mountains, while adhering to specific rules governing their placement. Players must carefully manage water sources to support grass and forests, and strategically position desert tiles to minimize their negative impact. The goal is to earn the highest score by maintaining a balanced and flourishing ecosystem.

Controls

Everything: Mouse

Pause Game: Escape 

Tutorial

• Rivers:
  Rivers are a vital source of water for the island's ecosystems. They provide water to hexagons up to two spaces away, allowing grass and forest tiles to survive and flourish. Rivers must be placed adjacent to another river, lake, or mountain to form a continuous waterway. If a river is placed without being connected to a river, lake, or mountain, it will turn into a desert. When rivers are connected, they double in points for every connected river, rewarding players for creating a vast network of flowing water.
  
• Lakes:
  Lakes serve as another essential water source for the island's habitats. They provide water to the hexagons directly surrounding them, ensuring the survival and growth of grass and forest tiles. Lakes become deserts when surrounded by three desert tiles, losing their ability to supply water to adjacent tiles.
• Grass:
  Grass tiles need water from rivers or lakes to survive. However, grass tiles are vulnerable to the encroaching deserts. If a grass tile is surrounded by two desert tiles, it will turn into a desert.
• Forests:
  Forest tiles require water from rivers or lakes to survive and provide the most points among the tile types. Forests face a similar threat from desert tiles as grass tiles do. When a forest tile is surrounded by three desert tiles, it will turn into a desert.
• Deserts:
  Deserts have no effect on mountains, but they can be detrimental to other tiles. When four or more deserts are connected, players lose one point for each desert tile above three. Deserts can also cause grass, forests, and lakes to lose their water-providing abilities when they surround these tiles.
• Mountains:
  Mountains do not provide points, but they serve as a source for rivers to begin. Deserts have no effect on mountains, so they remain unaffected by the desert tiles surrounding them. Mountains cannot be used to connect rivers, but they can act as a starting point for rivers to be placed without turning into deserts.Tip

Tip

There is an Easter Egg hidden in the gameplay. Let me know when you found it 😊!

Credits 

Hexagon assets by Kenney.nl

* I can not win any prices during the Game Jam as Host, but I would appreciate any feedback on the game😊!