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Not QUITE there!

  • Marrend
  • 01/02/2015 01:47 PM
  • 2087 views
The demo is shaping up! However, it could still use a bit of work. Some observations that were made by my testers (you guys are awesome, by the way) were things I sorta already knew about. Such as various NPCs not having dialog at all. However, the most striking comment that was made was the ability to move during cut-scenes? They should be Parallel Processes, which usually prevents player movement, however, I'll have to double-check that.

One thing I wanted to experiment with was having actions use Stamina. Perhaps a bit of Soul Sunder influence with this train of thought, but, I wanted the Guard command to be more than what it typically is. Now, as this stands, maybe players use Guard, but I never saw an enemy do it. Which puts a damper on the plan of Oharu's "Puncture" skill, and it's evolutions, applying a status that reduces the amount of damage Guard absorbs. If enemies don't guard, the status is useless!

Okay, well, maybe I'll need to change what gets debuffed with "Puncture", and what-not. Or change the Stamina cost of stuff in general so that enemies would guard more. I dunno where my thoughts are on this right now.

Anyway, I sorta want to concentrate on the NPCs that don't have dialog yet, and getting in more character-defining moments through them. Ironically enough, the biggest issue that one tester has in regards to character development is the Oracle, herself! I mean, sure, there are things about the Oracle that I want to keep hidden for a while. However, players should have some sense of what kind of person she is!

Aside from that, I really need to set up the Temple of the Body with some freaking treasure already! Geeze! My thoughts concerning this usually drift to Ethers (High Ethers?), as the assumption is that players would go through MP Stamina like a fiend. Also, I think I need to do something about that odd door in the puzzle room. Like, either remove it entirely, or... I dunno, something.

I'm not sure what to make of the enemies in the Askigagan-Hachisukan border. They're pretty weak, thus don't provide much in the way of rewards. Yet, maybe I want to "upgrade" them after clearing the Temple of the Body? I dunno. It's a thought.

Posts

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unity
You're magical to me.
12540
I thought Auto was the one that stopped everything else, while Parallel Process didn't? Otherwise any events I've used where Parallel Processes check the hero's location would have had a much different effect in-game XD

I didn't even really notice the Stamina system until I healed and then fought an enemy party with just regular attacks, and noticed that my Stamina had decreased. I like the fact that you can use Guard to replenish, as I'm all for anything that makes Guard more useful, but it doesn't feel anything like Soul Sunder's stamina system as running out of stamina in SS was something that could easily happen in the course of one battle where in Oracle that's not generally going to be the case, except maybe with bosses. It isn't bad, the way it is here, it just doesn't feel like SS at all.
Marrend
Guardian of the Description Thread
21781
I'm perfectly okay with this game's stamina system not feeling like Soul Sunder's! Though, it worked great for that game, because it's about survival, and managing resources effectively. This game... isn't about that.

Which makes me think that I should toss it altogether.
Red_Nova
Sir Redd of Novus: He who made Prayer of the Faithless that one time, and that was pretty dang rad! :D
9192
It's rather easy to run out of stamina. I'd recommend removing the stamina cost for attack, but keep the stamina restoration upon guard. If anything, I'd boost the amount of stamina restored by guard to at least 10%. Preferably more.

Since skills evolve, players have lots of incentive to use lots of skills, which means that stamina will be a constant resource struggle. That's what I think, anyway.
unity
You're magical to me.
12540
I agree with Red's assessment. The guard to restore stamina mechanic is a welcome one. :D
Marrend
Guardian of the Description Thread
21781
Hrm. Yeah, removing the Stamina requirement for physical attacks is fine by me. Also, a 10% restoration of Stamina per Guard sounds good. Maybe 15%, but I probably wouldn't go higher than that.

Though, I probably still want something different for "Puncture" (and it's evolutions). Thoughts include either a reduced DEF for the damage formula, or mess with the target's PDR (To quote Mr. Help File, "Percentage of physical damage received").
Marrend
Guardian of the Description Thread
21781
Okay, I've got, like, six dialogs left to write. I also re-wrote a few more generic dialogs for good measure. I definitely want to put some manner of treasure in the Temple of the Body. The things I'm debating on is whither or not to have treasure in the Askigagan-Hachisukan border, and on how much money players start the game with.
unity
You're magical to me.
12540
Maybe just enough money to buy a few potions? You could also give some money in a chest on the border if you wanted to!
Marrend
Guardian of the Description Thread
21781
Hrm. Players start the game with 5 Potions and 5 Ethers already. Though, I guess having them start with money to buy more consumables to be able to dungeon-delve longer is an option. Let's start players with 1000, and see how that works.

*Edit: Okay, the dialogs are now done! I hope! Now's all that's left do to is take down the damage and cost of the Oracle's attack spell, throw some chests down, and... crap, would it be repackage time again?

*Edit2: Forgot that unity wanted me to change the music for the Hachisukan half of the Askigagan-Hachisukan border. My first thought was a track from Might and Magic 6 (Which I don't see any videos to link to), but, it seemed a tad on the slow side. I might chose something different, but, I may want to leave the track in the Audio/BGM folder as a comparison.

Talking about music, I cut down on the number of songs that were in the Audio/BGM directory! There were songs in there that the demo wasn't using, and I'm not even sure if I'll ever use them at this point.
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