As there have been a few bugs reported since reuploading the demo, I present to you a patch to resolve these issues. Inform me if there are still any bugs I must've missed. Cheers.

Download it here.

Hello, everyone! Now that I've finally reuploaded the demo and can leave the procrastination behind for good, I'm looking for a few testers to help me out with patching the bugs for Chapter II (the upcoming release).

I have most of the maps and cutscenes done, so it won't be long until I start distributing copies to the development team (that being my writer and my composer).

Also, I'd love to read another review of my game, good or bad (I really need the healthy criticism). If you remember, earlier builds were a bit inconsistent and had their other issues, but this one is now completely stable and has a properly calibrated algorithm system in place. Battles will actually require you to THINK, rather than just spamming attacks. I will see to it that bosses will be a pimple on the ass. ;)

Just a quick announcement:

While I continue to work on the rest of Chapter II, I'm going to be uploading the entirety of Chapter I by next week. As it has been several years, expect a few significant changes since then in terms of features and visuals. A lot of cutscenes have been updated and are more presentable, too.

I also make this announcement while acknowledging that EasyRPG Player is finally stable enough to interpret the default battle system. As it's no lie that the engine itself is old and isn't easily compatible with modern systems, I can't stress enough the importance of EasyRPG Player.

This does come at a disadvantage, however, as DynRPG functionality will simply not work. The only plugins I'd enabled were the ones for faster ATB gauges and a clock function within the menu screen, but those were only for extra effects.

Hope everyone will give this game a shot (again) once I upload the latest build of the demo (still only one chapter until I finish the next one, which is getting there).

Hey everyone, this is Runic Cipher's writer checking in. I came onboard with this project a few months ago, so I'm proud that we managed to put together the first Chapter in such a short amount of time. Of course, there was a significant amount already done when I joined, but I'm happy to breathe new life into a project with so much potential.

Any plot/concept/dialogue related questions can be directed to me. A few general things:

1. Each release will encompass a chapter of the full game. We will do our best to release each chapter in a timely fashion, but at the end of the day they'll be done when they're done. I am a fairly fast writer (I already have a final draft of the plot for Chapter 2 and am now working on translating that into in-game dialogue and cutscenes) but I want to make sure the final product is flawless, and conveys the story as best as possible. I am currently anticipating a total of 8 chapters, each one being roughly 2-4 hours of play time depending on how you choose to go about it. I am not limiting myself to 8 chapters however. If I feel we have more story to tell or that we've finished everything in less, then it will be released as such.

2. I am attempting to break certain JRPG cliches with my writing style. What I am going for is a more gritty and realistic story. The typical "good vs. evil," "hero vs. villain," "light vs. dark" traditions don't really do it for me anymore. Instead, you will be presented with a story of global war and devious politics featuring morally gray protagonists and antagonists. Some of my influences include George R.R. Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire," Steven Erikson's "Malazan: Book of the Fallen," and Joe Abercrombie's "First Law" series, as well as real medieval European and Roman history, especially studies of warfare and politics. Like anyone working with a traditional JRPG medium, I'll claim some affinity for Final Fantasy (and there will be some obvious nods in that direction), but we're setting out to accomplish something different here.

3. I'll drop in every once in awhile to comment on writing progress, and maybe even drop a hint or two as to what's coming. No, I won't spoil anything outright, you'll just have to be patient and wait for the next chapter!

That's about it for now. I hope everyone enjoys the first chapter, which is simply a taste of what's to come. If you're the type of player to meticulously try and figure out the plot, make sure to pay close attention because I do drop lots of foreshadowing into many parts, and use many random town NPCs to reveal some pretty relevant information. As I stated earlier, writing is coming along smoothly for the next section, so enjoy Chapter 1: Prelude to Ruin and look out for Chapter 2: The Art of War.