Signal Surfer

An analog-synth inspired arcade survival game built for Ludum Dare 59.

Overview

"Signal Surfer" is an arcade survival game inspired by the momentum-gathering mechanics of classics like *Tiny Wings*. Instead of pressing a button to dive, you dynamically shape the terrain itself (a carrier wave) in real-time to escort an automatic, momentum-driven SOS distress wave packet to its destination.

The Story

A spaceship is in distress and sends an SOS signal back to Earth. You must guide this desperate transmission through the interference of space to reach its destination before the signal is lost in the void.

How To Play

The core loop turns you into an analog synthesizer! You must fluidly stretch and squash the wave track to create massive downhill slopes for speed and avoid steep uphill climbs that kill momentum.

Controls

You exclusively use the Mouse to modulate the wave:

• Mouse Y-Axis (Up/Down) -> Amplitude: Moving the mouse up increases the wave's amplitude, creating towering peaks and steep slopes. Moving it down flattens the wave.
• Mouse X-Axis (Left/Right) -> Frequency: Moving the mouse left compresses the wave (high frequency), creating tight, rapid peaks. Moving it right stretches the wave out (low frequency), creating long, smooth rolling hills.

Mechanics

• Momentum Conservation & Loss: Try to line up the downhills to maintain momentum, avoid crashes.
• Airborne Speed Boosts: Launching the packet high into the air builds up a Boost Meter based on maximum altitude. Landing perfectly parallel to a downhill slope converts that built-up meter into a continuous thrust that sustains momentum! Conversely, slamming perpendicularly into a wall destroys momentum and triggers a heavy visual slam.
• Game Over: This is a pure Time Trial! The run only ends in failure if the stage's time limit expires before the packet reaches the destination antenna.

Features

• Dynamic Wave Terrain: The base carrier wave evolves as you progress, forcing you to adapt your modulation strategy over Asymmetrical rolling hills, smooth Sine waves, Enveloped waveforms, and finally endless Complex Harmonics.
• Time Trials & Leaderboards: Compete for 1-3 star ratings across multiple stages, pushing your best clear times to the online Unity UGS Leaderboard.

Playthrough Video

AI disclosure

• AI was used for parts of the Code, the Thumbnail and this description. All Art and Sound assets are, to the best of my knowledge, from Human creators.