Oceans Dream

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2012-08-01-games-must-achieve-photorealism-in-order-to-open-up-new-genres-says-2k

Here’s the link.

“but in order for this industry to truly reach the next level and expand into new genres, pure photorealism is needed, argues 2K Games boss Christoph Hartmann.

Speaking in a soon-to-be-published interview with GamesIndustry International, Hartmann noted that the film industry still has an advantage over video games in the sense that movie directors can easily portray strong emotions, like sadness or love. Because that’s difficult to do in games, many developers go back to the action and shooter games, which are safer bets.”

Yes, because early games did not have strong emotions at all. Books don’t have strong emotions at all. Animated movies or comics/mangas cannot have strong emotions at all. Only when a character looks exactly like a celebrity or a real person down the street can there be strong emotions. People are forgetting the role of writing, design, music, scenario, art styles, believability, character development, and all these things. I thought the “war to be the most realistic looking game” was supposed to be over?

Until all the AA games stop thinking that the only way to make a good game is trying to make it a Quick Time event based movie where you shoot middle easterns/save the world from dragons or demons, then they can focus on characters, unique art styles, good writing, and things which actually make strong emotions.

“ it will be very hard to create very deep emotions like sadness or love, things that drive the movies”

Most movies nowadays are just remakes or sequels of existing movies. Probably like 90% of the movies are this way. I know there are some good movies out there still, but it’s just amazing just how much AA game developers want to be movie makers nowadays. Basically, playing a movie except you are the one that presses the button to shoot the middle eastern/kill the dragon or demon instead of seeing the character on screen do it. There are some games like Uncharted where this apparently works well (it seems nice, I haven’t played it so I cannot say this with authority), but variety is good. Not every game has to be x or has to have x!

As I said before, animated movies, older games, books, comics, mangas and all these things can have different styles but still can convey these deep emotions. Perhaps it would be good to go over an example.

Final Fantasy 6. They had a character called Locke, who was a thief (self proclaimed treasure hunter). He was nearly always talking and was the one who talked the most out of the whole group. He had a lover called Rachel which he led into a cave to go treasure hunting with her, but due to an accident, she fell down and lost her memory and was injured. After that, Locke tried visiting her but her parents didn’t want him around and blamed him for what happened, and Rachel got upset at him because she doesn’t remember him and that her parents get angry when he gets around. “Go! I don’t know who you are, but ever since you came here my parents got upset!”. Pretty sad when he hears this come from the one he loved.

Later on, Rachel dies in an attack and Locke wasn’t there to visit. The last thing she said was his name, but he wasn’t there to be with her. Rachels body is still around, but she’s dead, just being kept around by a crazy old man who takes care of her body. His overprotecting quality of girls comes in because of this, he doesn’t want this to happen to anyone else.

In a late game dungeon, he goes looking for the Phoenix esper, to try to revive Rachel. He brings it to her body, hoping something would happen. You see him blink twice, nothing happens. He hangs his head down, utterly defeated. The espers gem (magicite) reacts, releases the phoenix, and then shatters. The music, Forever Rachel plays here. Rachel is revived, but she tells him it’s temporary, and is glad to see him at least for a little bit. Locke, the overly talkative character, is incapable of saying anything here other than her name during the entire scene. She she tells him that he made her happy and that’s how she left her life, and lets him be able to forgive himself and move on.

I had to watch this scene again just to make sure I got the details all right, and it is such a sad scene. There are other really good scenes in this game too. It is very effective, and knowing there’s old games with such powerful and memorable scenes despite not having Photorealistic graphics.

Posted in my tumblr, copied over for this blog.

I didn’t get to finish my previous list of RPG Maker games as I didn’t want the post to be too long. Well here we go, 2nd round of good RPG Maker games. I’m posting games that either I have personally tried and liked, or are recommended to me by people whose tastes I trust. I do not simply go by something that is popular.

Starless Umbra

A game in the works since 2002, dragonheartman has been hard at work fixing it up and remaking it. A prologue demo has been released just recently and the full game is on its way! It starts off with a raid on your town while you try to go home and rescue your sister. It was also featured in a PC Gamer magazine here: http://www.pcgamer-magazine.com/pcgamer/201110?pg=88#pg88

Yume Nikki

Now this game got a lot of exposure outside of the RPG Maker community as well. This game, made by Kikiyama, is a japanese game that was translated into english. This is a very unique game. You play as a girl who goes to sleep and explores her dreams. It is a weird journey where she discovers pieces of herself and attempts to escape her own personal hell.

Leo and Leah: a love story

Leo and Leah is a story about 2 lions by Strangeluv. The 2 cubs were raised together, but Leah was taken and Leo has to go on a big adventure to find her! A game both humorous and serious at times, it has various minigames, silly and unique characters, and simple changes to the basic systems to make it feel different as you find your way to go rescue Leah.

Balmung Cycle

This is an game made by Magi. You play as Blitz Ymir, who was sent by Loki to do a small task in exchange for your freedom. The age of the Aesir is in decline, and the gods of old have all but begun to fade from memory. Though their call does not resound throughout the nine worlds as it once had, the fate of the universe that they had created; Ragnarök, still approaches ever slowly.

Legend of the Philosophers stone

Made by Nemesis29 and Litearc, I remember playing this long ago. You play as a group of friends who end up in an unknown world. They have to find their other lost friends and find a way back home. While completely lost, there is a shimmer of hope, and that is the Philosophers stone. The custom battle and menu systems were designed by Litearc, proving that you could still do a lot with an older engine.

Naufragar Crimson

Naufragar is by Legacy001, something the following game will also share in common. This is the older work but I still enjoyed it. You play as Kyo, who is part of a ship crew when they see someone who has boarded on their ship. A girl asks to see a Hyo, and mistakes you for Hyo and is on a search for various coins. After searching for a thief, you end up having to work together to find these coins.

Rose Chronicles

Rose Chronicles is also by Legacy001. You start out as a Doctor who is trying to help a girl who is in prison. He reads her mind to find out what could be troubling her, which then starts to reveal what she had to go through and why she ended up in that prison.

RPG Maker games you should try: Part I list

http://dev.oceansdream.net/?p=1076

RPG Maker games are pretty well known for using the default graphics, having parody stories, being FF fangames, or just being generic and uninteresting in general.

There are however some RPG Maker games that are actually quality games and I’d recommend playing them! I will note on which ones I have personally played and what I thought about it, and what were just given to me as suggestions that I have heard of but not yet played. As a note, I trust their opinions as they are not 8 year olds making “My First RPG”.

This list is not arranged in any particular order, and may be subject to be added on to or subtracted from with additional input.

                             Sunset over Imdahl

Sunset over Imdahl is made by Teo. It is a story about a boy who visits his village and finds it abandoned, as everyone is dead. A man comes to him and tells him how he could go back in the past to see if he can save the village. This is not an RPG, there are no battle systems. There are some minigames but mainly you will be talking to people and finding out what happened to the village. The backgrounds are all hand drawn by Teo. I did play this one before so I can recommend it too. Teo is now working with Brandon Abley on Wilfred the Hero.

Alter Aila Genesis

Alter A.I.L.A. is made by Neok. It’s a sidescroller RPG, which was well received outside of the RPG Maker community and featured as one of the top 5 RPG Maker games in PC Gamer. It is a post apocalyptic scifi world, where Leon struggles to survive in this environment. Each character has their own skillsets and there are various fields which modify how the battles are played.

Necropolis

Necropolis is made by Jude. It has a custom battle system and custom graphics all by Jude. This turn based battle system revolves around combos and finishers. You play as an old war veteran who wakes up and finds he has become one of the undead. He has to find out what happened to him and take his vengeance against them! Another game I played, this one was made pretty recently. The gameplay really picks up once you get to Level 2 and higher, and can pick different attacks and combos to use against the enemies. Quite a nice looking old school type of game too!

Nocturne

Nocturne is made by cogwheel and Gozaru. This one is in Japanese, other than the menu commands which are in english. It’s an active turn based game with original graphics. The game deals with vampires, which are different than the ordinary (and also do not sparkle). A solid game that may be translated into english in the future!

U.S.G. ~A new beginning~

U.S.G. is made by hima. This is an RPG Maker XP game, but is not an RPG but rather a shoot em up. You are being set on a variety of missions while they question why they are being sent, what the U.S.G. mission really is, and why their friends are disappearing. You can change your elemental powers, upgrade your weapons when you level up and more.

Space Funeral

Space Funeral, by thecatamites. A very unconventional game, with custom graphics and weirdness all over. Plays with your expectations too. Phillip and the Leghorse go off to find the secret of the Space Funeral. For a very different type of game, give this one a try!

Exit Fate

Exit Fate is made by SCF. It is a Suikoden styled game with 6 party member battles, some tactical battles, 75 characters to recruit and being able to set up your castle and army. A war is breaking out between the Kirgard faction and the Zelmony one between an Island that is in a strategic position between the 2 countries.

Avarice

Avarice is by Anaryu, Solitayre and Krisanna. Actually a short 2 week game made in RPG Maker VX, It is still is well done and interesting. It is an Action RPG where you can play either the mage Vandeli or the mechanic Lexi. They have their own styles of play, from Vandelis magic and MP use to Lexis gun use. You can use the mouse to play too. You customize your characters as you gain EXP, and the treasure you find is randomized so it is different each play through. The story is about a Mage named Vandeli who is looking for a relic and will do anything to get it, and a mechanic who always seems to get into trouble somehow.

I’ll stop here for the moment though, I had about 15 more i wanted to put but this should be a good list for now. I’ll go post more later! Also, I’ll give a heads up warning, not all of these games I will post have fancy custom graphics or anything, but may be good because of their story or that they are creative. I will not post games that do not yet have a download.

Platform- RM2k3

Story
A chain game, sent from person to person, each putting in their part of the epic story in their own style.

When two mercenaries accepted an escort job–thought to be a swift and easy– they found themselves involved into a global conspiracy that would shake the very core of the earth.

Characters

Siegmund:
A mercenary for hire who was asked to escort Rise to the capital city. He’s a bit naive but has a good heart.

Reinhardt:
Siegmunds brother. He works together with Siegmund. He’s the more serious of the 2 and more organized.

Rise:
A magician girl, she needs to get to the capital city. She goes and hires some help because she knows the trip isn’t going to be so easy…

Domitian:
A warrior who is spoke of in legends. People know little about who he actually is. Domitian arrives to the capital city because of a letter.

Valeria:
A strong and calm warrior, she travels with Domitian for the same reason. While benevolent, she also has little tolerance for stupidity.

Screen Shots

Features
*New twist on the battle system: Each character is divided into 3 categories. Striker, Balance or Passive. Striker types regain MP in battle by attacking only. They’ll gain 20 MP this way, and are usually more for saving up for a big attack.
Balance types regain 10 MP regardless of what command is used. Their skills tend to cost less but are not usually focused on having a big final attack to use.
Passive types regain 30 MP when you defend. They also start with the most MP in a battle and are Mage-types.

*Encounter Gauge which fills up as you fight encounters (which are seen on the map). Once filled, you can open up a special chest in the area.

*Party changing system

Download
http://rpgmaker.net/games/3597/

Credits
It is a chaingame between:

*Dajhail
*GreatOldOne
*Jihaus
*K-hos
*Marimo
*Ocean
*Skie

Hope you enjoy it!

Platform- RMVX

Story
You are caught and accused of the murder of Sir Edmund. A trial happens which determines whether you are set free or whether you end up in Jail. Being as you aren’t the one who did it, it becomes a search to find the true murderer, and the feud between the temple and the palace.

Screen Shots

Beach map. You uncover more of the map as you explore.

Character Creation! Choose from male or female, from various hair styles/colors and initial items. Then a name.

A skippable intro!

Items you find in treasures and stores are all randomized. They vary greatly from playthrough to playthrough.

Battle system! Move your character close to the enemy so they can attack or use a spell. You can even hire a character to help if you find one.

About
You can create your character in the start. Being a roguelike, a lot of the elements are randomized. Where you go, what items you find in chests, how many chests appear in a floor, what items are sold in shops, all of that is randomized. While the areas you go to are randomized, the maps are hand designed with custom tiles.

NOTE: when selecting an item in the intro, press UP and then Z at the item.

In battle, you can move up to the enemy. Depending on what armor and what weapon you have will determine how many steps you can take and how long your weapon range is. You can hire a mercenary to join you temporarily, though they may leave after you fight the boss of the area.

You can move around up to the amount of steps you have. Press Z to bring up the attack cursor. If the enemy is in range, you can select them to attack. X to cancel out.

Press X while its your turn to bring up the submenu. You can use an item or spell (unless you have already attacked/used an item or spell in that turn), Pass your turn, Leave the battle (if you’re as far south in the battlefield as you can go or have defeated all the enemies), or view the enemy names.

You can hire a helper into battle too. So you go first, then your ally if you have one, then the enemies go.

This is an experimental game which I wanted to try when I saw the roguelike challenge!

Download
http://rpgmaker.net/games/3883/
Mirror: http://www.mediafire.com/?o15gj4d4rzra8vi

Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjuBH7DBOl8

The games page link under Navigation is now changed. I know it’s not a big update but I figured I’d mention it. So now you can see the games I have and the games in progress, which ones are complete, and their reviews. They are alphabetical rather than chronological so I will try to explain away Island Skys lower rating because that one is from 2003-2005. I have plans for that game but not in the near future.

I might as well post that I played a bit of Fortune Summoners for Rays blog. You can check it out if you’d like or if you were curious about it!

Cherry has an SDK now for RPG Maker 2003 if you use RM2k3 still and would like to see what additions it has. You can now have C++ plugins for RM2k3 if you want that and have some knowledge of C++. You might want to hold out for RPG Maker VX Ace which should be on the way soon in English.

For Adalyn, I’ve been getting some system work done. I finished the menu system so now I will be doing animations for Adalyns attacks. I would need sound effects as well, which I’ll get to. It’s nice seeing progress being made, even if I can’t show much screenshots of it because it’s backend rather than visible work for the most part.

Lately, we’ve been having workathons over at Meridian Dance. Basically, a few hours a night to work on your game while someone livestreams their own game progress. Helps you get stuff done! I was doing various commissions and wanted to take a break and work on my own projects.

I implemented the new ammo system for Adalyn. If you have played the old Adalyn demo, you had to go by ammo pickups or buying ammo because your weapons had an ammo capacity and could run out of ammo. I changed that system and now you can shoot up to a certain amount, but then you have to reload. Each weapon has a different attack speed, reload speed, amount of shots before reload, and range. This is mostly implemented, with some slight bugs upon entering the battlefield depending on which weapon you have equipped.

Also, items are implemented. I want to put a cap on them so you don’t go hoarding them all but yeah they all work fine. You have stuff like Tigre Tequila which boosts Attack power with a chance of getting Drunk, Wine for regenerating health, Blow Needles for attacking in multiple directions, Lasso for stunning, Cloak for evasion and things like that. Those effects work. Also have 5 enemies max in a field instead of 3. I won’t always use 5 in a battlefield but at least that is possible.

The sprites other than Adalyn are placeholders. I used a Poison Sack (a future enemy drop…. oh yes I forgot I have to apply enemy drops) to poison all the enemies so the damage numbers pop up for each of them.

What’s needed now is to have enemy item drops, animations, enemy AI (other than move up to the player and attack), and some fixes to the weapons (mainly when starting the battle) so then I can start placing the battles around the game. The issue is mainly that they are built onto the map so I can’t really go making lots of maps until I have the battles in because they are part of the map.

Then I will need to do tilesets, sprites, and fix up the menu system. I have a better idea for it than I had before so I’ll be getting to work on it.

EDIT- Got someone to try the newest battle demo. It doesn’t lag like the old battle system for the demo did, which is a good sign.

On non-Adalyn news, I added Broken Moon blog to the links! Also made a guest review for another blog, reviewing FF12. Also have a guest post on Final Fantasy adventure which some of you might have read already, and Threads of Fate. Have some commissions to do so I’m closing future commissions for now.

I will likely have more info soon on Alcarys Complex, a game by Pasty that I am making the graphics for. I’m a busy person!

Me and a few friends decided to do a game from Wednesday to Monday. So I released a private version to them, and went to fix it up a bit. Took a little longer to fix it up and just add the ending that I didn’t get to finish then. So it’s a total of 10 days for this game.

You play as 3 girls who are guarding a Mayor to his destination out west, where he is overseeing a war going on. After that, you can take on quests to raise up the money you need to free someone. Mina, a city Guard; Tonia, a Rune Knight; and Dylena, a Medic form the team.

Mina Mazzin
Age: 25
Personality: She’s both energetic and laidback. She tends to be hungry and comes from a rather poor family. She joined as a guard when most of the people have left to fight in the wars out west. She’s the fastest one in battle and is a decent physical attacker.

Tonia Arrison
Age: 29
Personality: She is more impulsive and more serious than Mina. She trained as a Rune Knight, which is both a powerful and magically adept warrior with high defense and can play either roles well. However, she is a lot slower than someone like Mina.

Dylena Geraci
Age: 32
Personality: She is calm but thinks the most of the group. She already has a husband who was sent out to fight as a Soldier. She is a Medic and has various ways of healing and buffing.

Feel free to comment and give suggestions for future games, but this was mainly a short break before I get back to Adalyn. Feedback is still okay though!

Credits are listed in a textfile in the project folder.

Download here

If anyone has seen my twitter or has talked to me recently, you know I’ve been talking a bit about this game. I had previously won the soundtrack free, and now I’ve purchased the game on Steam. I got to play it yesterday, and it is a really well done and fun game. I have my own playthrough of the game here on Super Adventures in Gaming if you want to check it out!

The graphics are great, the gameplay is fun with a diverse amount of weapons and enemy types, the story is good, the music is great, it’s just a great overall game so far. I have yet to finish it, and I’ve been holding back on playing (this is hard to do) so I can get some work done, but it is really good. Please support them and buy the game on Steam!