Maps for my project (RTP only)

[merdouille 21]

Hey guys!

Here are a few maps from my current projects. Please, be rude and hard on me. I know my mapping skills are bellow average, and I really want to improve them.

Please keep in mind that I hate scripts, and I want to keep my game RTP only.

 

1. "Lost" Woods

2. Great Fields

3. A part of a dungeon/cave

4. A small village

5. Crossroads where 4 large regions meet

 

http://imgur.com/a/gRRMd

 

EDIT: For the 5th map, the bush and three problem in the north part is normal. It shows correctly in-game.

 

MAP 5 UPDATE: http://imgur.com/TvB9Y4B

MAP 2 UPDATE: (still many details I'll do later, but what do you think about the new look?) http://imgur.com/GYXjNq6

Edited May 20, 2014 by merdouille44

[TheoAllen 830]

1) The forest map is fine. However, I found the water is somewhat odd.

Try this how to map with water tiles.

http://theolized.blogspot.com/2013/06/tips-mapping-air-dengan-tileset-rtp.html

I knew it's not in English. But you might understand just only by watching on those screenshots

 

2) Don't mix the overworld tileset with ordinary field tileset.

Also there're too many plaid style mapping. Make it more natural. Randomize them

 

3) I don't have problem with this kind of dungeon. But, what is actually you want to make? Natural dungeon? abandoned mine?

 

4) This is good. But I prefer one-tile tall style for houses.

 

5) Same as the 2nd. Do not mix overworld tile with field ._.

[Euphoria 147]

Why do you hate scripts? That's dumb. There's no reason for anyone to hate scripts, they are extremely useful tools for building game systems and effects. If you don't understand scripting that's one thing, but what reason do you have for hating them?

 

And the maps are really generic and boring. They look too "square" and the only one I found decent was 4. 5 is just ridiculous, I see a good idea but bad design.

 

Edit: and on 4 the houses look weird. Some have no windows others have 1 oddly placed one...

Edited May 19, 2014 by Euphoria

[merdouille 21]

Thanks a lot for the feedback! Here are my thoughts:

 

1) Yeah I've seen that use of the water tiles before... I personally don't like it that much. I simply changed the water to deep water though, and I have to admit it looks better.

 

2) I agree it looks pretty empty... I'll try to add more details, and randomize more the existent ones. Also, the reason why I mixed a bit "Outside" and "World" tiles is that using only one of them I feel is too restraining... I mean, if you look at my map, I would have to either remove the high pass/plateau (which would really suck) and the big trees (which I don't mind that much, but still...) if I choose the Field tileset only, or I would have to remove the small trees, the mountain, the small town, the nice water, etc. if I chose to use only the Exterior tileset.... Which doesn't make sense. That's why I mixed the tilesets...

 

3) It's a man-modified natural cave. I made it so you can jump a certain distance in my game, so the player is able to jump on the ledges you see and go through the entrances to find items and explore a bit more.

 

4) Thanks

 

5) This one I could easily remove the Field stuff without much problem. I wanted to mix a bit so it looked smoother, but I guess it doesn't :wacko:

 

Again, thank you very much

 

EDIT: @Euphoria: I always seem to have trouble with them, so I try to keep them as few as possible. I've had so much issues with them I got tired Mainly because I know nothing about scripts....

Edited May 19, 2014 by merdouille44

[«Skeith» 12]

The map that is made with the world map tiles seems too "geometric", has theo said, try to make it more irregular, and the last picture. the one with that stone like entrace looks very caotic with those mountains from the field map on the right. Just my opinion c:

[Euphoria 147]

I have 80 scripts working perfectly fine together in my project. Don't hate and avoid them just because a few of them mess up, just don't use those messed up ones! You'll find making your game stand out is much easier with scripted systems and such.

[TheoAllen 830]

Don't worry, I knew well what you feel. I've been there before. I was really HATE scripts before and I was thinking to minimalize scripts as few as I could. But, now. I really enjoy scripting @.@

 

Just, carry on ~

[merdouille 21]

I guess I'll try to look a bit more into scripts...

 

@Skeith sorry I don't understand what you mean... Which part seems chaotic?

Thanks for your thoughts guys.

[Euphoria 147]

If you ever need help with some PM me

[ihartrpgs 148]

It's understandable if you do not like scripts.   Some scripts are really helpful though, and maybe you could just try out really simple ones to get used to the idea of a script?

Since this is a mapping post, I will put a couple of tiny scripts in a spoiler if you want to test them out:

 

 

Scene Credits

Skip Title Screen

More Choices

Message Box Size and Positions

Gradient Text

Test Edit

 

 

These are just if you want to try scripts and do not want to do anything too complex yet. If you feel that scripts are not for you, then that is fine. Everyone has their preferences and it is your game.

 

Now, to be ontopic.

Your maps are quite big. I know for me personally, I do not do well with big maps since it's hard to fill up the space. It might be less overwhelming to have them as smaller maps to work on at first. You can use this transfer event and have it not fade and it will have the transitions smoother. Another idea might be to use events to help map. An example of this would be like this image here.

 

Are you sticking with the RPG Maker ACE RTP, or are you going to experiment with custom tilesets?

There are also a few tutorials that you might like over at the VX forum too:

 

 

Dark Forests

Mapping in Five Easy Steps

Valley Tutorial

City Mapping

Creating Dungeons

Realistic World Mapping

Simple Caves

Castle Exteriors

Simple Yet Effective Mapping Tricks

Simple Shops

Simple Houses

Cliffs and Mountains

Simple Field

Smart Tiles Tutorial

 

 

 

Your mapping is not as bad as you think though.   I hope at least one of those tutorials help you out. My favorites are the simple X tutorials and the smart tiles and simple yet effective mapping tricks.

[merdouille 21]

Thanks for the little tutorials there. I've checked a few, but some more won't hurt. And yes, I'm sticking to RTP. That's for sure. Not debatable.

 

And I'll check out these scripts to get me started... Maybe I'll like them, who knows?

 

NOTE: I've updated the crossroads

[ihartrpgs 148]

That looks much better!

Also, tinting helps with the scenes too. Is your game going to be 100% RTP, or are you going to add custom characters, music, etc?

[merdouille 21]

Characters are a maybe, I'll see when my game is near completed, as it is a small detail I think (how they look, I mean, not characters) and for music I'm really open to other stuff (cuz RTP music suck imo).