First attempt at parallaxing

[Shaddura 1]

I've recently seen a lot of people attempting parallaxing, but it always had one thing bothering me.

Why create the whole map when tilesets are fine to begin with?

 

So I used parallaxing to turn empty auto-tiled maps into not-so-empty maps.

What do you think?

 

Pictures

 

 

The Inn

The Alchemy Store

The Forge

The Tailor

 

 

[Tsarmina 2,612]

To be honest, I think they look fairly similar to regular maps. I guess that is your intention? This effect can be done using clumped tiles instead as well. 

 

Also, I think your shadows should probably be only facing one direction, instead of rimming the entire map. ^-^ I'd also either suggest shrinking your map size or adding more interesting bits and pieces of clutter to make the map more interesting to the eye.

[Euphoria 147]

I agree with Tsar! They don't look bad, but they could definitely be improved by filling some of the empty space! And unless your intentions are to keep an editor-made style of look, try experimenting with stuff! Like clumping different tiles together and maybe adding in some of your own stuff, if you are capable of that!

[Allusion 398]

Parallaxing is most useful to the dev that wants to add exceptional detail to their game. Something like hills, curved walls, specific lighting, or an extremely visual edge. You definitely do not need to feel pressured to get into it~ It's a lot of work, and (as the other two above me said) your map is really nice, but nothing the engine couldn't do. If you're going to go that extra mile, do it because you truly want to. It will certainly add to the time it takes to make a single map.

 

For the map above, you could maybe clip the sprites a little to look like they're sitting, and add chairs under them? Or add an array of unique things to the shelves, like adjusting the hue/saturation of the potions to make them seem a little different. 

[Shaddura 1]

To be honest, I think they look fairly similar to regular maps. I guess that is your intention?

 

Yes, I went for a regular map feeling so I could spend more time on the maps themselves rather than finding a style I could manage with my horrible artistic skills.

 

And unless your intentions are to keep an editor-made style of look, try experimenting with stuff! Like clumping different tiles together and maybe adding in some of your own stuff, if you are capable of that!

 

I did intend to have it look similarly to something made in the editor, but with subtle details to bring it more to life.

 

Parallaxing is most useful to the dev that wants to add exceptional detail to their game. You definitely do not need to feel pressured to get into it~ It's a lot of work, and (as the other two above me said) your map is really nice, but nothing the engine couldn't do. If you're going to go that extra mile, do it because you truly want to.

 

I did originally intend to stick to the editor, but I decided to try something new.

I mostly did this to see if I could even manage that "extra mile", and not only has this been fun and a great time spender, it has ended with pleasing results. (For a first-timer, that is.)

 

---

 

Also, thank you all for the feedback.

I've been working hard while trying to take all of your suggestions in consideration, and I've also attempted a new shadowing method for objects and walls.

 

Once again, please tell me your opinions.

 

Pictures

 

 

I made the inn smaller and tried to spread out the characters. I also removed the candles from the tables and replaced them with objects. The inn isn't very populated because it's daytime. If I ever make a nighttime version, i'll populate it with a lot of drunk people and... Well, things you would find at an inn/pub/whatever? Oh, and I added some very crude stairs going up to the rooms.

 

 

I also made the tailor a bit smaller, and added another robe. I moved the black haired woman further away from the line so that she would not be mixed in with the other customers in the line.

 

 

I changed some of the potions on the shelves like Allusion suggested, but otherwise it's not so different. The alchemy shop is very empty because the alchemy "industry" is being taken over by other more practical methods, which has led to a sharp decrease in customers.

 

 

The forge is a bit smaller, but otherwise it's still very empty. Customers are few because of an increase in the popularity of magic. The lady standing there is the smiths wife by the way, who argues a lot with his husband. And I'm sure she alone is going to make my whole project NSFW.