Final Fantasy Essence - New Trailer and Screenshots!

[Ashramaru]

Talk about Necro-Save. Honestly this does not sound bad at all. I haven't shown any real interest in a Final Fantasy game let alone a fan game in atleast 5 or 6 years but I have to say this little fan game looks very fresh and original. If you need any help on the project I am always willing to sprite or map, but I hope this gets done. Also please, please, please make the characters have realistic and original personalities, I am sick of the FFHero, love stories, etc., etc., I hope you can create something that while Traditional FF in style and graphics presents an educated and entertaining experience similar to what FFIX did to the series. Good Work :dead:

 

[Roxas]

So far this is looking to be a pretty good game. The storyline is good, and I like how you kept the classic FF elements, e.g crystals, empires, wars, etc. The mapping isn't bad either, though some of the cities feel really cold due to the tilesets. But I'm sure thats the feeling you were going for?

 

[Celesinator]

@Ashramaru

Thanks very much ^^ If I need help, I'll contact you asap, alright? And don't worry about personalities, I'm not going to be n00bish on this. Sadly Xander is a stereotype... but the other characters will make up for it XD. I've played FFVI ever since i was... 6. And I am VERY well known with FFIX and their personalities (they are stereotypes, but they work out so well its... amazing.)

@Roxas

Thank you. Yeah I tried to stay close to the FF elements as possible as I could. Most FF fangames that come out don't have many FF elements and sometimes make me wonder why it's titled FF. And since this is a really really dark game, the reason why the towns, especially Tier (Industrial town.. the city of Qaros... it's called Tier).

 

[kaB00M]

good game

 

[Celesinator]

Guy's, I'm open to questions. So please, if you have ANY questions, like why is this a Final Fantasy game or anything like that, please ask! Don't hesistate ^^.


Edit:


Present-story is completed! All I need to do is to get my friend to remake it. It sounds like something a 10 year old wrote XD.


I think I'll just post it, though. This isn't the final work.

Spoiler

12 years prior: Xyla is a scientist of The Capital, second to Salfor a kingdom of the desert. She has been interested with the legends told by her mother, grandmother, great grandmother and so on. These stories were about the essential energy called Essence. She has heard of the countless attemps of obtaining that power but past tries were failures and she was sure she could make the power of the essence work this time. She had gotten permission from the Emporer of The Capital to go to where the Essence was last seen all those years ago. He refused at first, but after Xyla explained to the emporer how he could use this power in an army and finally make The Capital the top one nation. He agreed then. She knew she had the chance to make things work. She made a brand-new mineshaft in the rock that was being pushed up by the essence. After countless days of searching she finally got down deep below enough to hit the giant blue and yellow rock they called essence.

On her way back to The Capital she had already started research. She had thought up of the ingredients needed to complete this new energy you can use.

When she got back, the formula had already been in alpha. She tested it on many animals and soldiers in the army. But they had all died, but from natural causes, such as heart attack and stroke because the power is too strong for such beings of age, though it took a while for her to figure it out. The emporer was skepical now about the whole idea. But Xyla explained the situation to him. He formed 2 armies to take the 2 northern and useless villages closest to The Capital. When the military had reached the villages, they imideatly started to plunder the old and weak. They told the families that if they were to hand over the children no one would die. Xyla was going to use the children and she was going to infuse them with the power. Although many families escaped on ships, including a boy named Xander who lost his sister Isuna and both parents.

As the children arrived, they were forced to co-operate. Every one of the children were infused but something unexpected happened. They had all lost their memories and train of thought. Xyla thought of this as a plus since they wouldn't want to try to destroy everything for everything she had done.

2 years later: A girl named Dice was one of those who were taken. She learned of what happened to her and seeked revenge on the hell that had her be put through. She had an idea of taking over the whole capital. She went to the Emperor throne room, killing everyone who stopped her with her newly found powers she named Psymancing. She arrived in front of the emporer; he was shocked and he ordered to hill her. She killed them right after they tried to attack. She looked at him, then used a Firaga attack on him and she watched him burn.

 

[Ashramaru]

My Comments

Spoiler

The basic premise of the story sounds good, however some of the actual details sound like something, as you said, a "ten year old" would right about. First and foremost the use of the crystals as an energy source is something I have always loved excellent homage to past Final Fantasies, however lets be realistic. The odds of a legend coming true, especially when it comes to a power source are a bit cliché and seem unrealistic. Sure the Nazi's spent millions trying to find the Spear of Destiny, but for an emperor to be so easily persuaded by the hunch of some scientist makes this guy seems like an idiot. I would much rather have Xyla be a scientist who has been fascinated with harnessing the Essence as a new power source. So now it doesn't seem like Xyla discovered some legend but instead seems like the Essence have been hidden within the earth, Salfor know the exact location of them and Xyla is merely someone with a plan to harness this immense power source. In terms of the rounding up of villagers, I would say that the Emperor should make it seem as if they can participate in this Infusion Testing in which the participants would be studied and rewarded money for their efforts. Never try to make the Emperor a tyrant within the eyes of the delusional people, it just creates a highly biased view, make him seem as if he will help the people, but depending on the perspective of the individual his actions can be judged both ways. You could make the study round those who want to participate up and send them to concentration camp like setting which they believe are initially beneficial but after an incident or two things go wrong. You could make Xander, Isuna, and Dice key candidates for the study in their villages and rather than have them escape have them go to the Camps where they are infused. Having Xander yield no result, Isuna yield initially positive result but eventual is poisoned by the infusion making her ill, and Dice yield the best results among all the children. One or two things can happen one night when Dice is getting infused with a more powerful dosage of Essence (Think of some catchy name) against her will and when he father tries to stop the doctors from harming his daughter, Dice's dad is accidentally killed. This causes Dice to harbor her Psymancing abilities as well as other children who are driven by fear. The soldiers at the camp would attack in defense and the entire camp would be burnt to the ground, leaving few survivors. The result of the Infusions would drive the surviving children to lose their memories, and Dice's memories to become jumbled. Basically her memories are altered as a result of the Infusion and she has no recollection that she killed some many people as she entered a "Trance" like state. Perhaps in the present Dice believes the Emperor ordered the killing of everyone with the camps and this is why she has such great hate spawned toward him. Then the conclusion of the story will follow. I just believe this is a bit more cliché story and would add some mysteries and hopefully playable flash backs.

 

[Celesinator]

Everything I agree on, except with Dice. Only because of reasons in the story. Don't worry it isn't final. Today in my literary class we were talking about people who have great ideas in their mind yet cannot release them on paper. I'm, sadly, one of those people. I'm sure if I tell my friend sinmora what to write, he'd write it better and he loves giving depth into Essence. I'll tell him to read your post.

Thanks!

 

[xSionx]

Hi there. The concept of this title looks pretty promising.
I have to ask though, what game are the graphics from?
I can't tell if it's FFIV or V it's aggravating me.

Good Luck,

~Sion

 

[Celesinator]

FFV with Live a Live since they are very similar graphics. I think I put in some FFVI in there too. But The Interiors are deffinatly Live a Live.

 

[Celesinator]

u guyz redy 4 n' updaate!!!?!!!? kool so neway

Xander and Keira

*end n00b talk*

Finally, final versions! And with only 7 days of school left and me getting my GED.... I will have all the time in the world to work on this! Woot!

Keira better not remind you of another video game character. I will kill you all.

I've also updated the main page with new screenshots! Wooo~~~

 

[xSionx]

Everything is definitely looking nice, Celes.
The custom sprites especially.

~Sion

 

[Celesinator]

Changed the TOPIC title to get more anti fangame people to see.


Edit: Changed it back >_>...

 

[Celesinator]

God when is this game gonna be out????






Anyway... finished a few maps. Lex is gone for the summer... again. I'm TRYING to work on the actual gameplay some more. Uhh- oh and... READ MY SIG! THANKS... biggies, really.

 

[Celesinator]

Um... I'm having some technical difficulties with getting an opening started. This is what I have planned but... I can't really think of what else to do with it. If I go my route, it may be too FF7-ish. I'll try something but if anyone wants to try helping, you can! Anyone good with story stuff. I -can- do it, but it just takes a long time XD...

 

[Celesinator]

Hiya all! I have posted some updated/new screenshots! Woo~ I really need to post more but I don't want to. I have about over 30 maps (I'm slow, I know XD) but progress is coming about pretty good. Spriting is probably whats bringing me down. And trying to improve the other maps. I still have to finish the NPCs because they don't match the new sprite style. Anyway, thanks for the support everyone ^^. I hope something actually new in the future!

Oh and this took about 2 mins to make

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w194 ... upport.png

if you REALLY support me, please put that in your sig so I know ^^. It makes me feel more confident and makes me want to work harder.

Thanks!

 

[Jstreet]

Hello Celes,
In regards to the composer position, I've a few questions and comments. Is it still open? I've noticed that you've decided to pace yourself at a decent speed (reading through the thread I saw that you were not expecting a demo until 2011.) If you are going at such a pace, then it wouldn't be too inconvenient for me to compose some music for you.

A few things about myself, I don't know much in theoretical terms of music, but I do study occasionally to try to improve my knowledge. I compose primarily in MP3/OGG formats as I don't have any good software for MIDI compositions. I have done music in the styles of Nobou Uematsu in the past (unfortunately due to a PC swap out I no longer have any sample music of that traditional FF style.) I've been told that I currently compose in more of a Hitoshi Sakimoto (FFT, & FFXII) style, but I've open to anything. I often have trouble with extremely happy and chirpy themes, but I can usually muster to get something out. I use primarily orchestral instruments, but sometimes I have to go outside the box with other plug-ins.

Also, I am active duty military and due to the nature of my job I can be called away for extended periods of time. Most of time I can bring my software and such with me, but there are some cases where I will be without. Just something to keep in mind if I announce a hiatus.

My Software/Hardware:
CTK - 8000 MIDI Keyboard
FL Studio XXL
Reason 3.0
East West Quantum Leap Symphonic Orchestra Silver
Edirol Orchestral

My Samples:
For Honor
Loyalty to the State
The Throne Fulfilled
Temple of the Scrolls
Conception

If you're interested in my services then you may contact me via:
PM
Email: theomen9mm@hotmail.com (Checked daily)
MSN: kolothepanda@hotmail.com (Usually On)

 

[Celesinator]

Amazing Jstreet! Truly amazing. Of course I'd love to have you aboard! You have always captured feel to FFT/FFXII to me, and that's what I like. At least FFT's music, anyway. I will deffinatly give you a MSN message.

And yes, questions and such are still open, and if you have any I would love some questions. I just updated the front page with new Screenshots, new story, and credits... sadly written by me. I really suck when it comes to full text; I can never be a book writer -.-;;...


Anyway, Jstreet, you have really brightened my day!

Thanks for everyone's support.


Oh, and the reason for the 2011 demo date is probably not true. I'll try to have a demo by 2010. My spriter, lex, is gone at the moment and I have a TON of sprites that need to be done. All I can do now is map and event what I can. I'm also waiting on dargor for the FFVI SDK to come out. The story is developing quite nicely, I think. Oh and I added you, Jstreet.

 

[Jstreet]

By the way, I forgot to mention that I am currently away from home until June 3rd. Once I get back home I will contact you and we can talk about songs for the upcoming demo and the rest of the soundtrack.

 

[Celesinator]

I'm actually away from how at the moment right now too XD! I won't be back til the first probably. I just left today and I'm on my laptop, completely away from Essence. Though it's good to be on vacation lol.

 

[Marc1k1]

(Im commenting on the thread starters first post)

Yeah, the game looks ok and looks as if you are using original sprites from the older games which is awsome or is like from the GBA or SNES games?? oh well.

The story actually does copy a few FF games :P but it isn't to bad because they are represented differently and given a nice twist, Essentialy its FF1 (and any other FF with the four warriors of light and crystles in), FF2 (because of the burning down village and FF4 because of the Kingdom that gains to much power and wants to rule over the world.

Im sure there is more referance to the other games within the game itself? But yeah I like this it looks like an alright story and game I WILL GIVE IT A GO!!... when its done ^_^'

(I decided to put the "I support FF ESSENCE" in my Sig, I would like to see this game succsed! Good luck Celes :D)