ALTEREGO'S PROFILE

Hey there... having played the demo I can say the stealth sections make more sense to me now. I understand better how the character have to move around the enemies and stuff. In the video I didn't even notice that there were vision cones. In-game, however, it's not as lenient as I thought it was. In fact I found it a bit unfair how you can be spotted and shot at from outside the screen.

Another thing that bothered me a little were some "passability" issues. Sometimes trying to run away from the enemies I would get stuck behind things like signs or garbage. Things that at first you don't mind or notice until they screw with you. You should be able to knock over, kick, or walk past most of this stuff... It's silly when a cardboard box can stop you dead in your tracks.

Also, I remember this time I tried to sneak past an enemy by walking between a car and the back of a building but I couldn't, even when it looked like I could fit just fine. Then I realized you cannot walk behind anything... You should be able to walk behind things, like cars or fences, and specially poles. Including buildings, even if just by "one tile" in depth if you know what I mean.

Btw, I found a little exploit. I killed a bad guy as it was turning around a corner and the bad guy behind it had to push the corpse in order to get through. I killed a bunch of guys this way, as they were sitting ducks while they were pushing the corpses of their fallen comrades. I guess this is related to the same passability issues. Enemies should be able to just walk over the dead bodies.

The only other bit of criticism I can offer you is related to the cut-scene graphics. I don't know if they're place-holders or if you're after some kind of nostalgic 8-bit look, but the difference in resolution between the cut-scene graphics and the rest of the game's is a bit jarring.

Those portraits look amazing! Specially the girl's. The guy's looks good too, but I think the colors were better in the old version. See how his hair and jacket were of two different shades of blue? That's lost on the new version and is less "visually interesting" if you ask me...

inb4: "nobody asked you" xD

I'd like to couple what Mawk said with this romantic notion I have about this place actually being a community, besides being being a private space... So really, just ask yourself: Is this the kind of speech that is worth championing in a space that you share with women and children? And I don't mean to sound moralizing to you, or condescending to them; It's just the truth of the situation.

Up until the day the site actually implements content filters, or raises the minimum age limit, or grows so big and detached that we don't care about alienating our fellow members, I think is in everyone's bests interest to find some common ground.

...But all in all I'm just glad you're actually considering the issue. That's more than can be asked from other 'stubborn' types around here.

First of all, kudos on the menu design! =) ...Just one question. Do you need to select 'use item' to browse the items on the right?

Anyway, as for the skills... Well, I don't know much about balancing a game, nor I'm sure if I fully understand your mechanics, but here are some thoughts: Maybe regular rpgs have spoiled me on the subject of battles, because for some reason, the lack of AoE skills worries me (specially early on the game). And it's not just that having such options can make battles easier, but also faster.

For example, let's say that I want to get over a regular battle quickly? What's the average number of turns you think that would take me early on the game? Would skills like 'Big attack' make a difference? (I'm guessing this is the first AoE skill you learn) ...Or what if I'm really in a pickle in the middle of battle and I need to heal all my team ASAP? Could 'Cure' or 'Mend' alone save the day? Btw, 10% doesn't sound like much, even if it can be used many times per turn. I'd make it at least 20% so you could fully heal one character in one turn.

Ok, I saw that the inventory outside battle had two columns of items, that's why I suggested that. It only made sense to me that it would be the same on battle... Also, if you used two columns, you could probably fit both skills and items on the same page without the need to scroll up/down or using that Q/W switch idea. (Btw, if you decide to do that, why don't you make the change using one single key? (Shift, maybe?) Depending on which window you are in, it just takes you to the other one.)

About the names, I see what you mean. All the essential information is on a single spot; That's good. It's just that we read things from left to right, so the first thing I noticed were those red sphere thingies. In any case, wouldn't the AP icons be more useful for the player to be on the right? (From your previous attempts I think the last one wasn't too bad.)

Obviously I like the changes you made incorporating my suggestions. xD But I also like the first of your mock-ups. To improve it, try centering the menu a little more (If you can really keep the descriptions that short, that is) because there's a bit of wasted space on the right. Also, instead of one big, single shadow behind it, maybe make it a series of lines?

Let's hope more people pitches in with their own ideas... ;P