So I just put up the download. I'll be making a few changes over the next few weeks, sort out any leftover bugs and whatnot. Like the first game, I've porbably accidentally created more bugs while fixing ones pointed out by my testers, so this will go up to version 1.1 or 1.2 before I'm completely finished with it. As long as there are no game breaking bugs left I'll be moderately happy :P

Anyway, just waiting for it to be approved. Here's the download link in the meantime:

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=1U0R7COZ

Just send me a msg with any problems you are having. I included the rtp packs needed to play, hopefully I'm not breaking any rules there. I'll put up the official soundtrack links sometime this weekend, but right now I need to merge two essays together and add a whole new section to make a roundabout, new essay :S don't ask lol.

Amerikevicius came up with some great ideas for this version, some of which I decided to include int he "Supreme" Edition instead, but there's still hope for it in the 1.1 version as well. Hope you enjoy!

Well, it seems over the last few months I've lost contact with a few testers, so I'm calling for some new ones.

I should state right now that although the game is very different in atmosphere from the first, and there are some very different dungeon designs (smaller, involving puzzles), if you didn't like the first game you most likely won't like this one either. The gameplay is quite similar, the world map is smaller, but still quite large (and yes, probably larger than it needed to be).

However, if you enjoyed the first game, my hope is you'll like this one just as much or even better. I added another dungeon since I last posted as well, just to take up some more world map space, so I may add another one or two before the final release. I'm going to do what my beta testers think is best.

Unfortunately, at this time, I do not have a walkthrough prepared, so problems will have to be addressed via email. I'll be here until Thursday night, then I'm gone on a trip until Sunday night. After that I'll be here for the foreseeable future to help resolve any issues.

Thanks ahead of time for any interest in testing!

I finished playing through another whole area of the game today, and as always, a crapload of bug fixing went along with it. It's a good thing I'm nearly finished with this game, 'cause I'm out of ideas for it and I'm losing the gas to keep fixing all these minor bugs.

I probably made the targeted release at the worst possible time, as I only have 2 weeks of school left before I'm done for good. Six major papers to write, and I am supposed to go on a camping trip next weekend. Nevertheless, it'd be great to be completely ready to send out the beta by next Friday. My guess is that it will undergo many changes during the beta, as in the last game, so I'll say it now:

Official Target Release of version 1.0:
September 1, 2010

It may well be earlier than this, but we'll see how it goes. While there's a lot more to do in the fourth area of Valhalla, it wasn't as gripping as the previous caverns... I may have to add some more after all.

I should mention, the final dungeon is finished as well. Only certain character choices will feature a final boss, so that's kinda cool, I suppose. Tomorrow I aim to finish placing all of the sidequest gems, and then I'll be able to finish my play through to the end. I'm creating the intro screens right now, so I'll update the main game page to mimic those very soon.

Well, I've beaten four dungeons, and I'm about to start on the fifth. So far, I've run into a few REALLY annoying bugs with the level system, but I've managed to fix them easily enough (though it took forever).
Things are running pretty smoothly, and I think that the balancing progression has been a lot less difficult than it was with the first game.

I'm going to divide the walkthrough into separate parts this time around. I feel that each character needs some writing on, for those who actually care about their second party member. Miria's the perfect fit for mine, but I suppose it'd be more difficult using a non-healing member anyway. On the plus side, I think other party members will get through battles a whole lot quicker, and they won't lose as much HP... so hopefully it all evens out.

I'm getting excited for this next release. While it is very different than the first, it has its own strange flavor (thank you ugly Valhalla caverns). I foresee a shitload of complaints about that, but oh well. They aren't meant to be pretty, they're supposed to make the atmosphere very desolate. Luckily there are no random battles on (most) parts of it, and when there are monsters lurking about, you'll know ahead of time.

I want to get a good chunk done again tomorrow, but I don't think that will pan out. I gotta get started on another essay pronto. Nevertheless, if I can keep doing this one or two times during the week, I may very well be finished sometime late next week! And then beta goes out! And I start #3! Who knew deadlines would actually work for me?

I should also note that I am mere seconds away from trying to rip all my old projects off my OLD computer. It probably won't work, as I've tried it before, but here's hoping. With any luck, I may be playing games I made ten years ago very soon. I may even consider releasing them, although many have tried this and been ripped apart for it. I hope people take it easy on "Final Tear", that one intrigues me. And the dude is brave for revamping it and re-releasing it. I suppose it's what inspired me to try (yet again). Anyway, we shall see very soon.

This week has been total hell once again, so not much got done on the game until tonight.

Progression
A lot got done tonight, actually. The level system is complete, just gotta past it all into the other maps and it's dunzo. Just about finished with the main side quest, just 50 more gemstones to put in place. I made ending scenes for all 10 characters as well. I also placed all the monster parties throughout the game. Yes, I've come quite a way in a mere five and a half hours.

What's left
As soon as I paste in the level ups, I'm gonna start beta testing. Actually, I'll probably tinker with the music a bit first. After that, all that's left are a few intro slides, still gotta finish that damn last town, and then throw in some random events. It may sound like I'm reaching my deadline, but we'll wait and see how long beta testing goes on... who knows how that'll go. My plan is to do a good job of it myself this time, something I didn't do in my three plays of the first game.

Deluxe
I was pondering the deluxe edition of this again. I think I'll call it the "Enhanced Edition". Since I won't be getting around the those optional mazes like I wanted to, I'll be adding those. I'm thinking about upgrading the chipsets to RTP, as I think they'll still keep the original feel of the Valhallan dungeons. Of course it will include all the cheats and directors cut stuff like the last deluxe edition did, but I'll aim for 2 or 3 demos instead of just the 1. Oh, and battle anims, I'll put those in as well.

EL III
Yeah, I thought about this as well. I'm gonna implement DW3 and 4's day and night system through the INNs. My aim with this game is to make it non-linear, something I tried and failed to do with the first one... and the second. I'll get it right someday... Anyway, I also figured out a nice new party system for it as well. I'm thinking about a recruit system, but I don't want one like Suikoden's... gotta do something half-original here.

So that's everything, I think. I'll have a better idea how soon I can get this thing released once I start testing. Considering I have another hell week coming up, all I can do now is cross my fingers I'll find more time for this.