[com2kid]

The trailer tells me nothing about the game. The description "non-linear 2D exploration game" is much more enticing than anything on the site, how is this game non-linear? I was expecting some sort of insight (or at least hint at) on the website, but I didn't see any. Then again maybe if I had gone even further into the trailer than however long I did (a couple of minutes?) I would have found something.

Either way, not a good way to sell something. :(

[nddrylliog]

Ah well, I'm still working out my marketing skills - a field which I hate with a passion, but there's two of us and, well, someone has to do it.

Basically — environments to explore, set to an original soundtrack. That's really the selling point. The actual gameplay, so far, is mostly finding items, bringing them to characters, in exchange for other items, so that you can find your way to the exit!

Since the Christmas update, there are two separate worlds with different 'quests' - the latter being a snow/winter/Santa-themed world.

We definitely plan to add other gameplay mechanics, but we think the "charm" of the game is already there. We're happy with how Early Access is working, and totally understand if people don't like that niche and/or want to wait until there is more content / gameplay arcs.

To shed some light on the "non-linear" qualifier I used in the submission, allow me to refer you to the Ludum Dare Postmortem for Lestac: http://amos.me/blog/2013/lestac-the-making-of/ — which explains some of it.

As a side note, to anyone on HN who is interested in following the development of Lestac right from the devs' mouths, let me know, I can totally give out a few http://devsofa.cc keys for the Lestac channel.

[RyanZAG]

You realize this game is the very definition of linear gaming...?

[DanBC]

> The actual gameplay, so far, is mostly finding items, bringing them to characters, in exchange for other items, so that you can find your way to the exit!

Finding items that you can collect would be a useful feature for some people.

Finding items that you can collect, and use to modify your "home" or similar would be cool too.

[ido]

I assume I can pick up the items somehow? The "tutorial screen" only tells me of the arrows, space and enter, none of which pick up items.

[nddrylliog]

As mentioned, Shift-Down will do. (Also, while holding an item, Shift will use if the item is usable, throw otherwise. Usable items can be put down with Shift-Down as well).

These controls are actually explained in the LD levels (door on the right in the very first screen of the game), which you're encouraged to play first!

Still early access, thanks for bearing with us.

[pawn]

Shift+Down is how you pick up items. It's a little finicky though. I think it could stand to be more forgiving on where you're standing to pick them up.