Itsy Bitsy Cuffs

Itsy Bitsy Cuffs is a frantic lightweight fighting game about tiny critters having a tiny fight. Duke it out with up to four critters, and call in powerful supporting strikes from your human companions!
Play as the mighty warriors ANT, SPIDER, MANTIS, STAG... and more???

This game was originally made for LOWREZJAM 2021 with the theme "Minibeasts", and the challenge being made to make a game with 64x64 pixels. I've blown it up a bit so that you can tell what's going on, I hope that's alright.

Understandably Itsy Bitsy Cuffs had some limits to its screenspace and it got a bit frantic. I still think it's very quick, good fun, anyway.

Directions on how to play are included below. Unfortunately re-binding controls was completely out of scope for this project, so I recommend playing with a gamepad.

Supports up to 2 players on the same keyboard, and up to 4 players total.

Music is AI-generated so don't judge it too harshly please, it's doing its best.

Stag STRONG.

///CONTROLS///

-MOVE
Gamepad:
Left Stick / D-Pad
Keyboard 1:
WASD
Keyboard 2:
Arrow Keys

-PRIMARY ATTACK
Gamepad: A / Y
Keyboard 1: Spacebar / J / Q
Keyboard 2: Numpad 0 / Z / Enter

-SECONDARY ATTACK
Gamepad: B / X
Keyboard 1: E / K
Keyboard 2: Numpad Enter / X

-HUMAN ASSIST
Gamepad: Select
Keyboard 1: R / U
Keyboard 2: Numpad + / C

///BASE ROSTER///

-ANT
Primary: Rock Toss.
You can move while throwing rocks and keep throwing in the same direction.
Secondary: Rock Block.
You can attack in melee with your rock, or hold it in to guard against attacks in front of you. If you drop your rock after blocking a hit, you can counter quickly!

-SPIDER
Primary: Web Sling.
Low damage but stuns for an extended period of time.
Secondary: Bite.
An unwieldy but strong attack. Takes time to use, but you can move before and after attacking.

-MANTIS
Primary: Supersonic Slice.
A simple and reliable projectile.
Secondary: Double Slice.
Step into a rapid melee attack.

-STAG
Primary: Stomp.
Fly over enemy attacks, then crash back down with a powerful melee attack.
Secondary: Charging Toss.
Rush forwards and throw enemies over your back. During your initial dash you're immune to projectiles.

///HUMAN ASSISTS///

-FLYSWATTER
A powerful attack that takes a long time to recharge. Deals heavy damage on your position, but it can hurt you too!

-SLAP
A sweeping attack that deals average damage but stuns effectively. Average recharge time.

-POKE
A quick jab attack that recharges quickly. Deals little damage, but if it connects with you, it cancels your current action and frees you from combos.