Iter Impius - A Noir Sci-Fi (DEMO AVAILABLE)

[+ Sughayyer 163]

       

(Evil Ways)

 

Abstract:

 

Iter Impius is a sci-fi, 2.5D dungeon crawler in the univere of Adamah. In this game, you create your character and play through various missions with a party of your choice. As the story unfolds, more missions, items and abilities become available and the correct party combination is key to get through the different situations the player will be faced with.

 

 

Story:

 

After the world of Adamah was devastated by a powerful evil, some of the people escaped to live in the moon, blessed by Selenia, Goddess of the Moon. To insure their survival, people quickly established a society where all roles are well defined and there are no interchange in the social positions.

Opet - the City of Dreams, as it's called - is a place of wonder where all the citizens live and wait for the time they can return to their homeland. This city uses the power of ancient artifacts from Adamah called moxen to sustain itself.

You play the role of a Judge - paramedic, policeman, attorney and executor all in one. Judges are prepared since birth to perform their job. But after an accident in one of the bio technology labs released a dangerous creature for the citizens, you start to think if those in power are really concerned in guiding the people back to their promissd land... or are they just feasting on the subdued people?

 

 

The World:

 

Opet is a city created in an artificial environment. Although it's a place of high technology, the power sources are the moxen. A mox is a gem that contains an enormous ammount of energy, used in olden times  by the people of Adamah. The city is ruled by a central government, whose board receives instructions directly from the Great Mother Selenia, the moon goddess.

Judges are selected from the womb, and altered before birth by the powers of the moxen. They are the government's arms and eyes, and take their orders from a Commander.

The study of the moxen made it possible to manipulate energy, an art known by the common people as "metamagic".

To make life possible, there are energy plants, domed farms, artifical forests and dams. People live and work untill the time comes to return home.

 

 

The Characters:

 

 

You are able to select the gender, name and looks of your character. Early in your journey you'll meet your friends, of whom you can choose up to two at any given time to join your party and help you in the missions.

These are your companions:

 

Cray: Cray once ascended to the highest post under the current commander, but fell from his post after successive reports of misbehavior. He is a depressed drunk who feels he failed to a person he was fond of. Since the Judge position is for lifetime and unrevokable, he was simply cast aside and forcefully retired. He is specialist in melee fighting and his movements are totally unpredictable. He has the power to use a limited form of metamagic in his attacks.

 

Lisa: Lisa is an old acquaintance of Cray. She profoundly despises him for deserting someone they know in the past. She is extremely hot-tempered, a result of her metamagical infusion gone wrong. Being more magically capable than Cray (she is able to use some defensive magics), but less experienced in battle, Lisa tries to be the perfect example of a Judge, but the lack of ability in controlling her emotions make her fail catastrophically. She has the ability of tapping into her inner self to increase her powers or to crush her enemies’ spirit.

 

Farrah: Farrah is a Judge specialised in stealthy and subversive jobs. She knows your character and often acts as an older sister. Though usually more interested in the payment she gets by performing unnoficial jobs than anything else, she's not evil at heart. She can get to places where most people can’t, and has a keen eye for finding stuff.

 

Hawk: Hawk is a Judge under surveilance for destroying government property (a war machine) in a shady incidente which was never totally revealed. Somehow the Commander interceded on his behalf, and that saved his life. The common people look up to Hawk as a hero, but most ranked government workers are suspicious of him.

 

May: May is a young agent whom you meet and guide in her training mission. She’s naive and looks up to you for guidance. May thinks everything is novel and beautiful, overwhelmed by her new job as a judge. She uses healing and disruptive magic, and has the ability to help her friends or wreak havoc on her foes’ minds.

 

Lucius: Lucius is a veteran judge specialized in metamagic. He’s acquainted to Cray and also tries to act as a conscience to Lisa. He tries to keep away from the spotlight as much as he can. He uses very powerful magic attacks.

 

 

Features:

 

A large, noir, sci-fi setting with places to explore and people to meet. Battle mutants in alien forests, war machines in abandoned plants and uncover the secrets of biotechnology labs that play with life.

 

Each character has their own skill set - unlock their abilities as you accomplish missions and gain experience. There are more than 20 party combinations! Can you assemble the best team for every situation?

 

Features TSBS Sideview Battle System with fully animated characters and enemies! 

Deep lighting effects by Khas help the player immerse in this adventure as the characters travel around the city - by foot or subway.

 

Ability to avoid combat altogether (not always a good idea).

 

Tons of itens and rendomized weapons and armor. Upgrade your equipment embedding moxen on them, and select the best armor to face the enemies - is it time to wear a refraction suit or a kevlar jacket?

 

Accomplish missions to win prizes and advance the storyline!

 

 

Screenshots: 

 

 

In the basement

 

Farrah shooting with an automatic crossbow at the ubiquitous slimey monster!

 

The Blue Note - a bar where the Judges usually gather

 

Configure different settings to your liking

 

Menu system by BlackMorning

 

Morph into different shapes to defeat your enemies!

 

Opet - the City of Dreams (not the death metal band Opeth!)

 

You select the flow of the characters' technical development

 

Status screen by BlackMorning

 

Get a full battle summary - with grading!

 

 

 

Credits:

 

 

Writing:

Sughayyer

Arrpeegeemaker

Scripting:

Black Morning

DoubleX

Cidiomar

Craze Game Asylum

Diamond Platinum3

Estriole

Falcão

Fomar

Kai Monkey

KGZ

Killo Zappit

Lecode

Neon Black

Quasi

Regendo

Shadowmaster

Skyval

Sughayyer

The Source

TheoAllen

Tsukihime

Yanfly

Vlue

 

Graphics:

Enterbrain

Lunalove

Lunarea

Naramura

Ruruga

Sughayyer

Usui (Kaduki)

Vibrato

Future Tiles

 

Music & SFX:

All SFX credits to Enterbrain.

Music and Musical effects composed by Rodrigo Sughayyer Elias and Valiria.

soundcloud.com/valiriaband

 

facebook.com/valiriaband

 

Special Thanks:

Galv

SoulPour777

The Source

Wren

 

 

Download

https://mega.co.nz/#!fUUw1KrZ!--mb4ojqgahTG5dzWUDHNpeO31WO5pm8Wl4NeIzwqug

 

 

________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Glossary:

 

Adamah – heb.: Earth. Adamah is the name of the universe where a couple games are based on.

Iter Impius – latin: Literally wicked ways or evil deeds. It’s a scenario in the fictional universe of Adamah.

Judge – Special agents of Opet. Judges are the police, task force, paramedics, judges, attorneys and executors, having full powers granted by law. They are infused with metamagical powers from the womb.

Lilium Cruentus – latin: Literally bloody lily, a flower species. Another scenario within the universe of Adamah.

Mox – latin: Panel, slab, stone, tombstone. Plural – moxen. Mysterious objects in the world of Adamah, in Lilium Cruentus they are suggested to be remains of an ancient civilization and in Iter Impius they are said to be mystic objects made by the ancestors of Adamah.

Opet – A fictional city in the Moon. Also the name of an ancient Egypt festival. In Iter Impius, Opet is the City of Dreams where a “perfectly organized society†was created.

 

KNOWN ISSUES (reserved space)

* Gotta fix a few pieces of text

 

CHANGELOG (reserved space)

 *Body Armory -type  weapons now do more damage than in the Demo.

 *Characters start with more initial AP than in the Demo.

Edited July 30, 2015 by Sughayyer

[Rikifive 3,411]

It really looks interesting!

It seems the strategy and party settings will play a big role here and I liked it! =)

I'm interested in seeing more! =>

[KainLightsworn 63]

Oooh, the look and style of this game definitely has me intrigued! I'm excited to see where you take this project!

[+ Sughayyer 163]

Hehe, thank you! I'll release a demo in a few days - I'm just working some bugs out (mainly due to my lazy coding).

[+ Sughayyer 163]

Demo is available! Please report any bugs/issues you find.

 

The demo features two "main" missions and three "sidequest" missions.

Although short, you might need around 2 hours to finish it, it allows some grinding (for those who enjoy it) and exploring. 

 

Hints:

*Don't go straight towards your first mission. Go to the bar first, you'll be able to recruit a friend.

*When you get to the second "main" mission, avoid the Aegypti (the flying bugs) - once you engage battle with them, you probably cannot escape and they can give you a hard time.

*Defense actually does things in this game. If a battle seems hard, try holding out defending and you might get a good surprise.

*Go home once in a while and check on your pet.

[+ caelumania 54]

Played it until I got Jimmy back to Uzui. Let's see, for some reason the rgss3 console runs when I run the game. I think there's should be a way to make the intro run faster. I don't know if it's because I didn't go to the bar first but with just Owen and May, I think our supply of tonics would have been depleted after maybe 3 slime troops if we used the typical "attack attack and use items when health is low" method. Defend didn't seem like it just does things but felt absolutely necessary. Fenrir is really strong while May always seems in danger of dying if she doesn't defend. Pretty solid game though. Haven't gotten a peek of the other features yet, I'll post again when I do so.

[+ Sughayyer 163]

OOPS the console running is a bug - it's due to a debug tool I forgot there! I gotta disable it!!!!

 

With a third party member it gets easier. Also, holes and things on landscape are searchable, you can get plenty of recovery items. And after the first level up you must have enough AP to learn healing skills.

 

Defend boosts your surge. When May gets into Surge she can fully recover a member.

 

To skip the intro just press X (or esc)!

 

Thank you very much for your reply, every review is important so I can improve the game!

[Rikifive 3,411]

Played your game and I managed to crash that.

Here are my impressions:

- Enemies are kinda weak comparing to that green slime. They hit for 2-25, while that slime ~100. =P

- The rest is fine so far, but I used my game-breaking skills and crashed your game.

When I added a stone into the equip slot and then tried to clear that with "s" it threw that at me:

[+ Sughayyer 163]

Ooops I gotta fix that!!

Also, the green slime's strong, I'll fix it too.

 

EDIT: This error comrs from the debug system I left active. Today I'll upload new version. Untill then don't press "s" or "a". I'll upload a new version in a couple hours.

Edited July 15, 2015 by Sughayyer

[Rikifive 3,411]

Then I'll simply wait for update and start a new game. =)

[+ Sughayyer 163]

Version 2 of the demo is UP!

 

No more console and no more crashing (at least for the old reasons!)

 

 

For those who had the old version, please update. Balance on enemy levelling algorythm was changed as well - they hit less hard now.

Edited July 15, 2015 by Sughayyer

[KainLightsworn 63]

Hey there! So I was probably playing on an old version, but from what I could see, you have some pretty solid stuff going here, man!

 

Just a few notes from my experience:

Firstly, there's a couple of little typos in the dialogue boxes and the coding. I know there was at least one instance in which I saw an improperly parsed \N[13] thing, which I think was supposed to be Owen's name. Nothing major, just a little minor nitpick.

 

Secondly, the enemies definitely hit pretty hard, but it seems you and I are of one mind when it comes to defending: use it, use it, USE IT in battle. So they didn't give me that much trouble, as I was defending with at least one person each round and didn't run out of ammo.

 

Third, the boss was a really nice challenge. I liked his spread of debuff moves. Nothing else to add, really. Just. Good boss.

 

And last, you've got a great verse and lore built up here. I'm very curious to play in this world some more tomorrow. I'll check back with a new report after I've done that. (And FYI, don't feel too bad about the console and crashing stuff. I went through probably about three versions of the demo for my game before I finally managed to catch and squish every last one of the bugs, and I think some are still wandering about.)

[+ Sughayyer 163]

Thank you for the time, compliments an encouragement.

 

To show my gratitude to all of you, I'm launching a small contest: the first two people who PM me the answer will win two exclusive soundtracks for your projects!

 

Question: There is a joke that's a direct reference to a classic old RPG. Where is it and what is it?

 

Starting now!!

[+ Takeo212 1,079]

Firstly, I've only briefly played your demo so far, but I do really enjoy it. I sort of wanted to speed run the intro a little because I really wanted to try out your battle system - but I didn't. I like the introduction.

 

I'll be playing more next week once I get back home, but in the meantime, I hope to see you developing more on this I look forward to playing it more~

Especially since you stated in your *hints* about a pet :3

[+ Sughayyer 163]

Thanks for the support! The development continues on!

 

The pet doesn't do much in the demo, but it provides you with some statistics. From the third mission on the pet becomes a bit more interesting.

If the dungeons are hard, remember to search the holes/cracks/etc. There's a chance of finding items there!

 

There's still time to join the challenge and win two exclusive soundtracks!

[+ Sughayyer 163]

This is the last week of my contest. Join in, you can earn two exclusive soundtracks for your project!

 

Question: There is a joke that's a direct reference to a classic old RPG. Where is it and what is it?

 

Remember, the first two people who send me a PM with the answer will be the winners!

[Rikifive 3,411]

How long is that demo?

I'm kinda busy with playing so many demos/games from the community ~ I need to organize my time. =P

 

I want to play your game again, because I didn't finished that yet.

 

BTW - And I'm sure I'll not get that reference, since I didn't played old RPG's. XD

[+ Sughayyer 163]

Well, the demo can take anywhere from 1.5 to 3 hours, although technically you can make it in much more time if you explore EVERYTHING. Conversely, you can also run past by it and finish in less than one hour.

 

The reference is a classic from a game who started on an 8-bit console and ended on a 16-bit console. Search thoroughly the central district.

[kaz 1,338]

Now you have a demo I will move the topic for you.

[Arrpeegeemaker 136]

So I've played about an hour in, and I'm really enjoying myself. The intro reminds me of Phantasy Star, and the music does, too. Some of the melody meanders out of key, and it doesn't quite seem intentional, but this is only during the intro. There is an instant atmosphere to the game, and nostalgia, if you're an old-head gamer like me. 

 

After the disembodied narration of the intro, you're greeted by a black screen, with text wrapping up a newscast. This too brought me back to Phantasy Star, is interesting how the storytelling seems to resonate well with that pocket of Sci-Fi without actually ripping off of Phantasy Star. 

 

The dialogue is good, although there are some parts that have a slight 'rough translation' feel, emphasis on slight. The back and forth between the characters is interesting and believable as you speak to your commander, receiving your first mission and linking up with a partner. 

 

The game utilizes Ace's follow system, and the characters tag along behind you as you move around. 

 

The tilesets aren't amazing but are very original, at least in my opinion. Reductive, clean and very white, which goes with the fact that this game takes place in Opet, a city on the moon of the 'blue planet'. The quick lore-like intro and backstory provided in the beginning set the right balance of 'this is my game's story' and 'why should you care'.    I don't like when story based RPG's are too vague, but I also don't like when they dunk your head in story before you even get a chance to play the game or care about it.      In that way, this game didn't let me down, and again was a good balance. 

 

I moved around town and spoke to people, using my clearance as a Judge, specially-bred members of Opet's government operatives to use the subway for free, which apparently costs regular citizens, according to one NPC I spoke to. Cool ^^  I tried check out two of the five main areas but there was a LOT of stuff, and you could talk to every single person. I will say that there was just a bit too much freedom, there. It was too early to let me explore all of those areas, and I get anxious thinking I might miss something, so usually I explore everywhere. That would have been a daunting task, in this demo. 

 

I moved on the Bio Domes, where Opet's food was produced. I saw some cool graphic tiles, where crops were grown in glowing tubes before being supplanted into the ground, as could be seen in the patches above. Not a bad look, altogether. I moved on to check out my primary mission. 

 

BTW, before I'd left the headquarters in the beginning, I was able to take two other quests from a receptionist up front. I love stuff like that. But that's what I mean about too much freedom. While that seemed cool, I could go to so many places that I was petrified I would miss something important, and being able to pick side-quests sort of sets that freedom-tone. Once again, I would limit the freedom in the beginning, maybe push you a little toward the main mission, especially since one of the sidequests can be done there.

 

Anyway, I make it to crater and get to battle. I had picked up another character during my exploration of Opet's central area, so that made three of us. Monsters moved around the map but did not pursue me. Overall, the AI for NPC's and Monsters on the map in this demo felt clunky. Touching a monster brought you into battle. 

 

The battle system seemed pretty ordinary at first, although I did really like the look, compact without being too finite or thematic. Kudos ^^ I got my but whooped by a slime, and my MC was knocked out in the first battle. With no revival items, I killed the slime with the other characters. Luckily, this is the type of game that gives you 1 HP after you KO in a battle. I always liked that more - it takes away the feeling that death is so inconsequential that you can buy a cure at any item shop. 

 

The second battle went over a little more interesting. I hadn't paid much attention to what I assumed was a limit-break style system building up as my MC was struck. Nor did I pay much mind when my partner asked me about 'shape shifting' earlier. Well, there were three slimes time, so I was ready to get myself killed, but then my limit(can't remember actual name right now) gauge filled up and I transformed (by selecting so, not automatically) into a beast that whooped the crap out of everyone! It was pretty fun, I didn't see it coming. I had to cut it off after that, which was easy because I could save anywhere outside of battle. Another genesis-like feature. 

 

Keep up the good work, keep on top of bugs ^^   I had a lot of nostalgia-infused fun playing Iter Impius

Edited July 22, 2015 by Arrpeegeemaker

[+ Sughayyer 163]

Thank you for the review. 

 

Since this is still a WIP, every report is important. 

 

One more thing, if the battles are difficult, remember to use the battle formation menu. Front row has more attack power, but is also targetted more.

[+ Sughayyer 163]

I am proud to announce that Arpeegeemaker is now a collaborator of this project! Cheers!

[Arrpeegeemaker 136]

Thank you, sir, its an honor! ^^

[Rikifive 3,411]

I played your demo again. I was playing that slowly, and trying to explore as much as possible. It took me ~1:40 to finish the demo.

 

Overall, the game is really good. You can talk to many people, explore things (holes etc.) and I liked battles. Everything is well done.

 

Bosses should be a little bit more difficult. For example in the second quest in forest, enemies hit me ~40 (100+++ when one of them used fire spell) and the *big creature* couldn't even hit me once. Just pressing "z z z z z z z". =P

 

Oh and the music volume - Overall it's quite quiet, but in one of the shops the volume is higher. And.. music in battle is very quiet comparing to SE, unless it's done on purpose.

---===[ END OF EDIT ]===---

 

I discovered some things I want to share with you. =P

 

 

1. Mapping errors:

And that?

 

2. Bugged event/character

 

3. Event direction is not fixed: Different colors etc. when examining from different sides.

 

4. Sunrays not disposed.

 

5. Name bug

 

6. Typo

 

 

 

But in general, I liked your game, but sadly the demo ended. Waiting to see more! =)

Edited July 29, 2015 by Rikifive

[+ Sughayyer 163]

First, thanks for the feedbak!

Yes some bugs were roaming aroin but I have (hopefully) gotten rid of them. Text has been reviewed too. Some balancing issues were changed, and the rare enemies (like Hellbuzzer, the fire-casting insect) will be rarer.

I'm trying to decide if the new demo should take players further in the game or stop where it is.