XBUSTER'S PROFILE

Hello everyone, I have a question about something. While playing and testing my project, there was something that bothered me. Certain characters could spam so many attacks(Kiki)that they could get over 100 combos easily. Other characters were so powerful(Bai, I'm looking at you), that they could defeat certain bosses in less than 10 seconds O_O. So would an action bar be the best thing for this game?

In the past, I have noticed that games like Popful Mail used something similar and of course the famous ATB system of Final Fantasy titles use it in nearly every entry after 3.Lately, I have been playing games such as Tales of Zesteria and Final Fantasy 13: Lightning Returns and in those games, they have action bars that deplete as you do certain actions to prevent infinite attacks on your foes.

However, in this version, the Action Meter regenerates as you are doing certain actions. Not all actions will use this bar, but attacks that should require a regeneration period use it. For example, Lydia now has the ability to charge her magic spells into stronger spells similar to how Mega Man X is able to charge his obtained weapons. These attacks are strong, but will take up about 50AP(Action Points). And for Kiki(Gun based character), she can spam her base bullets like no tomorrow, but it will cost 10AP per shot which will act as a sort of reload for her.

An example of this is below


But, while the bar charges at a steady rate that is fair, there are are ways to increase the parameters of it such as speed and points. The default AP value is a solid 100, while the speed starts at 1/2 a point per step. 30 steps are in a second, so you would gain 15AP per second.

If you look below, you can see a couple of skills available in the game that will boost the bar itself.



The thing is, there is both an Action meter and a MP bar. Certain skills use MP, others will use the Action Meter, and some will use both. This increases the strategy of which characters to pick because each one uses the bar in a different way. What do you guys think of this concept?

author=jai2016
Well this was a great demo, proper nostalgic when playing this demo, maybe the best sonic fan game I've played. Can't wait for full game. keep up the good work XBuster!

Thanks a lot bud:) Its good to know that I'm doing something right. If you like Sonic fan games, I have a perfect list of fan games for you to try. Believe me, I've tried lots of them and weeded out the best of the best. If you're interested, let me know.

And I'll work as hard as I can to make this a proper adventure. Planned next are a bunch of new levels, boss battles, and past-stage replications as seen in the Sky High blue ring. All though, only 4 of the 7 chaos emeralds are available in this demo, the full game will have Super Sonic. In fact, he's already programmed into the game.

author=Dragnfly
I think you're on the right track but need more analysis as to the reason of the effect you're going for. It seems a bit weird that the foreground-most objects (the vines at the top? I'm not counting the HUD as that needs to be coloured) are the most well-lit, while the very next layer (the gameplay area) is completely black.

As is seen in the DKC screenshot, important objects in the gameplay layer have colour for tracking reasons (the characters' clothes and the enemy's eyes). It bends the natural rules of lighting for gameplay and aesthetic purpose but everything not directly needed for gameplay is still following the laws of proper lighting and where the light is coming from.

In your screenshot it's not hard to tell where there's land and objects and where there isn't, but I think it just doesn't look good because the gameplay area appears as though it should be lit from two light sources (whatever's lighting the foreground and whatever's lighting the background). So having the gameplay area in shadow, breaking the rules of lighting, is a stylistic choice (which is fine. great, even) but unlike how other games implement this (often used in factory or stormy areas) I just don't think having the foreground-most layer entirely well-lit isn't a good idea.

This is some great feedback:) I also totally see where you're coming from as far as the vines not being colored black. I have recently been playing a masterpiece of a game known as Shovel Knight.

That game had 2 silhouette stages where in one it was hard to see because the background was nearly completely black so you had to wait for a quick burst of lightning to see where you were going(unless guided by a lighter brick wall).


This one however, was a lot better because it had a brighter background


I may result in either removing the vines altogether or simply blackening them as you've described. Wait...Oh! Its because I had the vines set as bg01 rather than bg07. Its a good thing you mentioned that. As I have mentioned, I am completely new to doing this in a game, so I appreciate everything being said so far:)

Learning about lighting has always been an interest of mine. I learned so far that when there is light, things are darker as they come closer. However, when it is dark, its the exact opposite(I think).

Tell you all what, would you like to see a video of it in action? I plan on adding a blog today which will reveal new chunks of information and a video is planned for this segment to see what it looks like in action. I'll create a series of mini levels with silhouettes and compile them in a video.

Ok, here is the next update. I changed the values again to get a much brighter value. and as Kylaila said, I may want to put the bushes in front of the mountains. That much hasn't been done yet, but here it is.

Edit:I have a feeling the bottom mountain is still a bit dark though.


By the way, the RGB system isn't difficult. Have you ever changed a menu color in a Final Fantasy game before I.E.(7, 6, 1 and 2 for GBA)?