What it is
Project Hail Meowy is a turn-based strategy game where Meowy must fly an old punch-card-operated fighter to take back the last tuna from the Fat Cat. Instead of direct controls, you plan moves and shots row by row on a punch card, then run the program. It is a prototype made for Ludum Dare 60.
From the developer
In the developer’s own words, from cosmicadventuresquad.itch.io.
Summary
Help Meowy take the last tuna back from the Fat Cat! Every modern ship is grounded, so you'll fly the only fighter left: an old ship that runs on punch cards. Punch out your moves and shots one row at a time, hit RUN, and blast your way to the Fat Cat's mothership.
Punch-card combat : plan every move and shot on the card, then watch your program play out.
Read more
Read their plans : every enemy shows what it will do next. Outsmart them before you hit RUN.
Build your ship : salvage and trade for new modules and upgrades across three acts and three bosses.
Created in 72 hours for Ludum Dare 60 Jam. The theme was "Old Tech". Join the Discord !
Note: The game may take a moment to load. If the game does not load you may have to enable WebGL on your browser.
Controls
Mouse, or WASD / Arrow keys - navigate menus/options
Click / Space / Enter - confirm (punch a hole, press RUN)
X - discard a mis-punched card
Esc - menu / back
0 (Zero) - full reset
** You can rebind your controls in the pause menu!
Credits
Developed by Cosmic Adventure Squad ( @squad_cosmic ) Support us on Ko-Fi ( https://ko-fi.com/cosmicadventuresquad )
Vu Ha ( @stregawolf ) - Development
This game was mainly developed by Vu using mostly assets from our previous games over the course of a few nights during the Jam period.
Changelog
v0.1.0
Jam submission
Editor takes
“Punch-card programming is a clever puzzle hook, and telegraphing enemy moves keeps it fair, but green-row firing quirks show the rules need clearer signposting.”
“Three acts and three bosses give the upgrade loop room to breathe in a jam game, but as a prototype it's too short to tell if salvage-and-trade pacing truly holds.”
“Salvaging and trading modules across a roguelike run should seed plenty of build variety, though one half-hour prototype run makes me want more seeds before chasing the Fat Cat again.”
“ASCII cats and punch-card retro vibe are charming, and the SFX already got a shoutout in comments, but with AI-assisted graphics the visual identity needs to push further.”
How to play
Plan your actions on the punch card one row at a time, choosing moves and shots before confirming to RUN. Enemies show what they will do next, so use that information to adjust your plan. Navigate menus with mouse or keyboard, and use X to discard a mis-punched card.
Tips
- Always check what each enemy plans to do next before you finalize your card.
- Use the discard option instead of running a card you punched incorrectly.
- Salvage and trade for new modules whenever you can to keep your ship competitive.
- Treat each card as a short program; decide whether to focus on moving, shooting, or both before you commit.
Questions
Is Project Hail Meowy free?
It is name-your-own-price on itch.io, so you can download it without paying or choose to support the developer.
Does it run in the browser?
Yes, the game can be played in the browser as an HTML5 build. The page notes it may take a moment to load and may require WebGL.
What platforms are supported?
The game is available as a browser version and as a downloadable Windows build.
How long is the game?
The average session is about half an hour, and the prototype spans three acts with three bosses.
Does the game save progress?
The page does not mention save support. Since this is a Ludum Dare prototype, it is best treated as a short session-length experience.
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