Crystal of Destiny [IIAW4 Winner]

[Tarq 746]

Spam hidden. Warn administered.

Sorry for the disruption JacobM.

[Whiona 310]

So, I gave this a shot today, and thought I'd share my impressions with you!

 

First off, congratulations on the IIAW win. It's very impressive that you put something like this out in only a week! It's honestly better than some RM demos I've tried that had no such limitations.

 

I was unfortunately not able to play the entire game (or at least I'm pretty sure I didn't reach the end?) because I couldn't leave the forest area. After I saw that rabbit hop away in the clearing where Leanne was sleeping, I tried following it down the pathway, but I couldn't leave the map. Unless I am supposed to head somewhere else, I don't think I can progress. (I had a similar issue with leaving that map to the south when I first found Leanne, but eventually it did let me transfer after a few tries.)

 

The maps were the highlight of this demo for me. They seemed very cool in the screenshots and I liked them even better when I was actually playing. The look is unlike any other RPG Maker game I've played, so great work there! In terms of other visuals, I thought the character portraits on the main menu looked great, and I really liked Leanne's sprite animations when she was waking up.

 

The combat seems fine. I wouldn't say it's anything special, but there's nothing really wrong with it, either.

 

The forest music is very nice - did you compose it yourself? If so, great work with that! It would be nice to hear a sound effect when you get an item, though.

 

The story needs work. The intro felt rushed and strange; there's a meteor and some cryptic text, but then we cut straight to the hero waking up with basically no hook. Unless I just wasn't paying attention (which may be the case - I'm pretty tired right now) the old man seems to be yelling at him to get up for no apparent reason, and we have no idea why he's heading into the forest. I realize that you only had a week to make this thing, so it's forgivable, but since you're continuing with the project, be sure to flesh that out. The plot itself did seem a tad on the cliche side as well, but maybe things got more interesting after the eight minute mark where I had to stop playing. Who knows.

 

A couple of typo fixes:

• Old man: "Don't make saving you a waist by getting yourself killed out there." Should be: "Don't make saving you a waste by getting yourself killed out there."
• Sorel: "You got me, old man! I'm a lazy, good for nothing." Should be: "You got me, old man! I'm a lazy good-for-nothing."

Good luck continuing with this project! If this is what you can manage to put out in a week, then I'm excited to see the version with no time constraints applied.

Edited June 28, 2016 by Whiona

[DrassRay-Jacob 183]

@Whiona

 

Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed what I have so far!

Some responses for you:

1) You should be able to leave that particular forest map by going south and return to the town. Was this right after she woke up in the woods, or did you return to the map after another point?

2) Thanks, I wrote all of the music except for the title music, and one other piece once you get towards the end of the demo.

3) I have a lot of plans for the story. I hope once it's fleshed out more it will be one of the more enjoyable aspects of the game!
4) Thanks for the typo report! I need that stuff, I don't always check my spelling and grammar if I'm rushing through things.

I'm excited as well, this project has helped me realize something like this is possible. Hopefully I can live up to the expectations I'm setting.

[Whiona 310]

You should be able to leave that particular forest map by going south and return to the town. Was this right after she woke up in the woods, or did you return to the map after another point?

 

No, this was after I took her back to the town and she told me she's the princess. Was I not supposed to head back into the woods? I can't seem to figure out where I'm supposed to go next.

Edited June 28, 2016 by Whiona

[KaisoAri 78]

No, this was after I took her back to the town and she told me she's the princess. Was I not supposed to head back into the woods? I can't seem to figure out where I'm supposed to go next.

 

If I remember right, I think you have to head up to the top right-hand corner of the town. There should be an exit up to the next area where it's kinda hidden by trees.

 

Also, congrats on winning IIAW4, JacobM!

Edited June 28, 2016 by KaisoAri

[DrassRay-Jacob 183]

 

No, this was after I took her back to the town and she told me she's the princess. Was I not supposed to head back into the woods? I can't seem to figure out where I'm supposed to go next.

 

If I remember right, I think you have to head up to the top right-hand corner of the town. There should be an exit up to the next area where it's kinda hidden by trees.

 

Also, congrats on winning IIAW4, JacobM!

 

Thanks! Yes, that is correct, sorry it is not directly obvious. the only clue is to head "north" in the dialogue. 

Edited June 30, 2016 by JacobM

[lianderson 122]

Congrats on winning! And also... murda.