Quasi's game ideas

[Quasi 54]

So I need some feedback on a couple of things.

 

Some background~

  So I've been working on a story for over a year with some friends.  Then in December 2013, I was bored and decided to buy rmvxa and create a TRPG because I saw GTBS and it looked pretty awesome (Love isometric games~).  But the problem was that the story is mainly based around  a single person, not a party.  So rpg battle system wouldn't work out as nice since you would only have 1 player, 2 at max.  So what I have been doing was writing a side-story that happening during the main story but through the point of view of a group of adventurers, which actually fit very nice.  But recently I've been thinking of dropping Exscio;Plus, the side-story project, and going back to the original using a platformer system.  I wouldn't mind working on both, since I'm in no rush to complete a game.

 

Exscio Story Short Description:

 

 

Monsters are too strong for humans, so humans end up losing their land and have to go hide in some big cities with huge gates surrounding it.  Humans have magical ability but most of them are far to weak to be able to use it.  but Scientists begin to experiment on those that could activate it and eventually make AMPs and FRAMEs out of their data,  AMPs and FRAMEs allowed other humans to be able to boost "amplify" their magical ability.

 

The main Exscio first story takes place inside those experimentation labs.  It goes through all the harsh experimentation they have gone through, attempts to escape and when the Army comes in to shut down the labs, but instead of the experimenties being rescued they are to be wiped out because humans fear the experimenties have grown too strong.

 

Side story takes place after this, with adventurers exploring the land with their new powers that allows them to fight equally with monsters.  But one of the surviving experimenties plans to destroy the "safe" cities which humans live in and these adventurers end up crossing paths with him and try to stop him.

 

Thoughts on story ideas would be appreciated as well.  Story was originally written to be for a short 12-24 comic, not a game, so not sure if it'll work out for a game.

 

 

 

Question 1/Idea 1~

  Now I was thinking of continuing Exscio;Plus, cause TRPGs are awesome, and work on the main story project while I write Exscio;Plus's story.  But then I got to thinking, since they're both from the Exscio series, would it be ridiculous if the systems were different?  For example Exscio 1~3 (main story has 3 parts) is a platformer, then when Exscio;Plus (side story) comes out it's a trpg.  Which got me thinking if I should drop Exscio;Plus or fuse it with my project Eleven Days, and it'd have Exscio;Plus's graphics + charas + maps + different routes to reach the villain.

 

 Question 2~

  As for the platformer, I recently started by I need some ideas on graphics style / Hud.

Here's a screenshot of it atm:

 

 

 

 

The parallax are in layers and each move at a different speed, farthest back (sky) doesn't move at all.

 

For the hud, it seems really empty to me, I'm going to change the hp bar, to maybe like diamonds (Kind of like zelda has hearts), and not really sure if I should put a face portrait up there since I feel it'd be pointless since it's only 1 chara.  For the AMP, you'll be able to equip 3 before jumping into the level.  

 

Amps are my game's skill system.  You'll be able to change amps with Q, W (probably pick better keys) and cast them with Z or X depending on which one I choice for attack lol.  After you use an amp it'll enter a cooldown period and you won't be able to cast it again until it has finished, but you can change amps while one is on cooldown, might have some passive amps which can increase run speed/ jump height, but can still have a dmg casting skill, but the passive will deactivate while it's on cool down (If you've played Guild Wars 2, that'd be like Signets).

 

As for the platformer I'm not sure if I want it "flat" as it is, or add some depth and allow movement in the chara Y axis (Up, Down)

 

Also need ideas for the keybinds

Movement: LEFT, RIGHT

Run: SHIFT

Block: DOWN

Jump: UP

Atk: Z

Skill: X

Next Skill: Q

Prev Skill: W

Pause: ESC

 

And finally I can't seem to find a good style for the tiles/character lol.  I really like the parallax style because it's easy to draw since it's a flat color.  So I'm open to opinions for the graphic style!  But now that I think about it this game first story will mostly be in doors so I'm not sure if that parallax style will work.

 

Also let me know of any additional ideas for the platformer!  I feel it's a bit too simple/plain atm.

[+ Brackev 66]

Keybinds: Instead of Q and W, use A and S. It's less of a reach since you don't use WASD for movement.

Graphics: I'm fine with what you have.

 

My advice is to complete one project at a time. Finish the platformer then continue work on the TRPG. A project is 1% inspiration, and 99% perspiration. That 1% is very distracting, but try not to have a bunch of 99%s waiting for you.

[Quasi 54]

I was thinking of using WASD, since I prefer that over arrows keys.  But if I did WASD and had space for action, and q/e for changing skills, idk what key to use for the skill lol.  Well for easy access, I could play with skill being on rfvcxz shift or tab since that's pretty similar to my gw2 keybinds.  Maybe F or shift would be a good key.  Not sure, but if I did decided to put in WASD I'll leave an option for WASD or default ace keys.  But you're right A and S will be much better

 

I'm looking into different styles for the character, but can't really find an "easy" one to do lol.  I'm quite lazy when it comes to doing art which is why I began scripting instead.  I might post a few concept huds/characters, but not sure if that'd fit in here or make would that make this more of a gallery critic? 

 

And what I meant by working on both was, working on the platformer as primary, since the stories already nearly complete, and at the same thing think/write/outline the story for the TRPG.  The TRPG pretty much has all it's scripts/systems completed, just needs a story + a bunch of sprites.

 

Side Note:  I have the slightest idea on how to do good AI for bosses for platformers lol.  So if anyone knows of a good action platformer let me know so I can study up!  I haven't played an platformers since like Megaman on Gameboy color which was a loong time ago.