LOOKING BACK: HERO'S REALM

A look back at some classic Rpg Maker games.

  • Tau
  • 04/12/2012 02:18 AM
  • 9349 views

What is Looking Back? A series of articles talking about those classic Rpg Maker games from the past.







Created by: Kenton Anderson Aka Kentona, Our Admin.
Made With: Rpg Maker 2003
Gamepage: Here


Today's Looking Back is about one of the most downloaded, viewed, critically acclaimed games on RMN, Hero's Realm. If you haven't heard of this game and you are currently on this website reading this article.. Where the hell have you been!?
The game takes on a very traditional, and old school RPG feel right off the bat. You play the role of a heroine off to save the land from impending doom. When you first start, you will quickly see striking resemblances to the old RPG entitled Dragon Quest. While the plot is very linear and simple, the air of simplicity is overshadowed by the welcome, concrete nature of everything else.

But enough from me, why don't we see what Kentona had to say when he went.. Looking Back ;)

How did the idea of Hero's Realm come into place?
Like I mention in my tagline, this game is an homage to the RPGs I enjoyed playing growing up. Dragon Warrior III and IV were obviously huge influences, as I used the Hero + 3 generics with classes for the parties, and went with a 5 chapter format for the game itself. The style and the classes themselves were largely influenced by Final Fantasy IV and V. But the driving question I was trying to answer was "What would an RPG be like if the mechanics from those multiparty dungeons from Final Fantasy VI were applied to a whole game?" The entire final chaper (about half the game) is exploring that mechanic, and the first 4 chapters build up to that. I also have a great love for creating custom parties with character classes and in Hero's Realm you get to do that four times. I admit that simply managing 16 heroes and their equipment is an overwhelming experience at first, but you get used to it.

Now, the catalyst for the creation of this project was a 1 month game making event held at GamingW in April of 2006. I wanted to make a straightforward RPG for it. I was nowhere near ready and didn't end up submitting anything, but the project started and grew from that.


How has the huge reception and, well success of the game impacted you?
It's gone straight to my head. It also got me involved to a greater degree in the communities I've joined, most recently RMN, but before GamingW, IGP and Ghostlight. I am still humbled (and baffled) that this game is well received. I mean, it's a 2k3 game that was released in 2009, filled with rips from FF and RTP (and using RTP is the greatest sin, you know), references to Dragonball Z and Wheel of Time and Disney movies and FF and DW games, with an admittedly generic plot and near-zero characterization. Yet it gained a following at GamingW despite all that. I am secretly proud that Hero's Realm is used as a counterexample in so many of those recurring debates you see on RM sites.

I am super stoked that it has a TVTropes page.


Did you have anything that was cut out/replaced during the games development?
Not as much as you might think. I managed to get pretty much everything I wanted into this game (no wonder it's so long). I actually have to struggle to think of significant things I cut out. I mean, I managed to implement the multiparty mechanics that I wanted; I got New Game+ in there; I got the fancy class selection menus; I got my giant statue that you get to walk around in and stomp dinosaurs; I got my airship; I got my huge worldmap. There isn't much I didn't put into this game. (That might be why I haven't made much since then - I'm out of ideas!)

The original class list and their implementations from the first demo are barely recognizable. The final dungeon was a little rushed and smaller than it probably should be (but by that time I just wanted the project to be done). I was going to include a secret bonus dungeon accessible through a mirror stand in the Chosen One's room, but never got around to it.

Craze even started working on custom graphics for the game, back in 2006. But that was never really pursued.


What do you personally think of Hero's Realm?
I sure you've already gathered that I am very proud of this game. Almost to the point where I feel like I am resting on my laurels. I honestly haven't attempted to make a serious RPG since late 2010. You might notice that I now just make SMBX levels/games for the most part, or small minigames for projects like Befuddle Quest. Hero's Realm, followed by Hellion, kind of burnt me out of RPG making.

I like the game, too. I enjoyed making it and enjoy playing it. I think I need to go back and fix a bunch of bugs and do some more balancing, but I also think I will never actually go back and do it. This project is done and I am satisfied with it as is.


The obvious question, what's next for you & Hero's Realm?
Remaking the game in a legitimate engine and custom resources and selling it, making cashmoneys. But that is very unlikely to actually happen. But it will always be the dream....


Any advice to your fellow game makers out their?
Finishing a large project is a revealing and self-actualizing experience that I encourage everyone to try to do. I was amazed at how different my perspective on it all (the game making process, the design debates, the community) changed after I completed Hero's Realm (my first completed project). Finishing isn't something that just happens - it is a skill that you have to work at and devote time and effort to. There will be (many) times where just working on your game is a huge tedious process, but you just gotta sit down and tackle those tedious parts and chip away at it. Eventually you will get through.

Also, don't try to incorporate new game ideas/mechanics late into your projects. Shelf them and use them in your next game.

Lastly, play your game A LOT and TEST THE SHIT OUT OF IT. Bugs suck.

Thank you Kentona for answering those questions, for creating a great game & providing us all a place to come and experience that. There we have it, another Looking Back. I know I said this week would be about The Legend of the Philosopher's Stone, but I felt I should do this one first, don't worry though next week is going to be TLOTPS. Thanks for reading!




(Created by Bloodrose, this game blew people away with it's overuse of pictures and remixed midis)

Galandria has fallen, the Orders have scattered throughout the Northlands under the belief that their honored Knightmaster is long dead. In the midst of the turmoil is thrust a young slave girl named Thelanea, who knows of nothing else but how to survive on her own. She is thrown into a series of unfortunate events that eventually lead to a meeting with a woman who claims to be the missing Knightmaster. Before long, events are set in motion and the search for the lost Orders begins. Will the fabled Orders rally under a single banner once more?

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Posts

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I am so full of myself it is sickening.
author=kentona
I am so full of myself it is sickening.


Just don't explode. <_<
NOACCEPTANCE772
And the ability to summon the "Office Whores" to deal damage to the enemies.
553
author=kentona
I am so full of myself it is sickening.

Oh my god!
He finally noticed!(jk)
=O Someone implied RPG Maker is not a "legitimate engine" and there's no flame wars in the comments!

Could it be? Have we finally evolved?!
Tau
RMN sex symbol
3293
No, it's just not enough people are commenting on it yet. Just give it a minute.. Oh yeah, some random information. Over a 112 downloads for Devil Hunter! To think, I only uploaded it for the last Looking Back. Maybe I should have a Gamepage for these articles with all the downloads of the games that don't have Gamepages?
I didn't play Hero's Realm until just last week. I am very slow to the party. It's very enjoyable though!

I mean, it's a 2k3 game that was released in 2009, filled with rips from FF and RTP (and using RTP is the greatest sin, you know)

I think the reason why the Final Fantasy rips and RTP works so well in this game's favour is because the game really does have a personality and style that is all it's own, and the rips/RTP compliment it really well rather than detract from it.

Plus whenever uses the RTP well and in a very creative manner such as you did in Hero's Realm, it's like this huge breath of fresh air and it's fantastic to see.
dragonheartman
Developer, Starless Umbra / Heroes of Umbra
2966
Also, don't try to incorporate new game ideas/mechanics late into your projects. Shelf them and use them in your next game

I have a really hard time following this. It's still wonderful advice, nonetheless, but it's probably the reason I'm taking so long to finish my own project.

I enjoyed reading this and found it very insightful. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
I played Hero's Realm, 5 years ago; back when it was first released on the forums of gaming world and the game has just never really appealed to me. I could never get past the initial stages of the game, because there are some things I’ve always, oddly felt, just shouldn’t be in rpgmaker.

But that’s not the point.

Hero's Realm in many ways has sort of become the focal point of rpgmaker.net. Whenever I think of rpgmaker.net, I immediately think of Hero's Realm. It’s helped create our community and perhaps even helped establish the identity of our community as well.

This idea of the hobbyist rpgmaker; that you don’t need necessarily need an extraordinary amount of graphics or an incredible story in order to make a good game. All you really need is passion, maybe a bit of determination and this genuine love for the medium that all we grew up with.

It’s funny how time changes everything.
I wonder if that was a good or bad thing...
LEECH
who am i and how did i get in here
2599
author=Sam
=O Someone implied RPG Maker is not a "legitimate engine" and there's no flame wars in the comments!

Could it be? Have we finally evolved?!


He might be meaning legal. Thats the way i read it anyway.
NOACCEPTANCE772
And the ability to summon the "Office Whores" to deal damage to the enemies.
553
How do I unsubscribe from this?
author=NOACCEPTANCE772
How do I unsubscribe from this?


You don't!
The obvious question, what's next for you & Hero's Realm?
Remaking the game in a legitimate engine and custom resources and selling it, making cashmoneys. But that is very unlikely to actually happen. But it will always be the dream....


lol
dragonheartman
Developer, Starless Umbra / Heroes of Umbra
2966
author=kentona
The obvious question, what's next for you & Hero's Realm?
Remaking the game in a legitimate engine and custom resources and selling it, making cashmoneys. But that is very unlikely to actually happen. But it will always be the dream....
lol

Well at least 2k3 is a legitimate engine now, right?
Craze even started working on custom graphics for the game, back in 2006. But that was never really pursued.

Craze REALLY IS the RPG Maker Utada Hikaru. Can't help but wonder what the game'd've looked like.

Alas, the new version satisfies that itch deliciously. Can't wait to see how it looks in its entirety too!
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