baghead_jackson
Member
The working title is Kyojin Killer Jack and it is a bareboned 8-bit style RPG based on (you guessed it!) the tale of Jack and The beanstalk.
I have been dabbling in the various different makers for a long while now but regrettably i'm yet to complete anything substantial, i lose interest or teammates do.
One of the main Obstacles i come across is Scope. Someone, somewhere (and i'm not saying i'm innocent here) gets their wires crossed and a simple game becomes a complex one. This has happened so many times i've lost count.
So recently as i was playing through a version of the Original Phantasy Star online with the assistance of The Shrine over at RPGClassics.com. I realized what a great game it was whilst maintaining a relatively low amount of content and i decided to set out making a similar game (a nes style clone). Jack and The Beanstalk was decided upon as a basis from which to work.
One of the main Obstacles i come across is Scope. Someone, somewhere (and i'm not saying i'm innocent here) gets their wires crossed and a simple game becomes a complex one. This has happened so many times i've lost count.
So recently as i was playing through a version of the Original Phantasy Star online with the assistance of The Shrine over at RPGClassics.com. I realized what a great game it was whilst maintaining a relatively low amount of content and i decided to set out making a similar game (a nes style clone). Jack and The Beanstalk was decided upon as a basis from which to work.
The Game starts in the traditional JRPG way but with a tongue in cheek attitude. The Eponymous Jack as Awoken by his mother and told he has been summoned by the King, He is dumbfounded. Waiting on the Landing of his stairs are Men in Black Types and at the front of his house a car with tinted windows and flags swinging from the bonnet.
Jack is carted off to the palace where he is put before the King and told of a Great prophesy and threat (The Giant) that looms over the kingdom every hundred or somesuch amount of years that can only be vanquished by a Young man named Jack born in the kingdom during that generation. Unfortunately for Jack he is the only person in the Kingdom with such a name.
Whilst Jack asks why the Army or some other more qualified party undertake the task, His protests are swatted away. The King must follow the Counsel of his spiritual advisors or risk upsetting the Divine (whose form in this world i'm yet to figure out) and anyway he informs you that should you fail, the Kings Army (renowned throughout the world) will step in. 'So don't let a fear of failure deter you from walking into almost certain doom.'
I was thinking about having this all take place in the intro so that as in the more retro entries in the Genre i can plonk the player somewhere and get started with the quest
After This Point Jack's quest lacks details other than that he must explore the world and Find the Magic Cape, Cap and Sword from the original tale of Jack the Giant-Killer and then find a way to have the beanstalk appear before going on to kill the giant. What details i have worked out will elaborate on in a smaller section a bit further down.
World
Kyojin Killer Jack is set in a Fantasy world where the principals of happily ever after are ever present, so much so that people can be blind to the reality of situations.
Also modern day technology will make random appearances within the fantasy setting not just for humours sake but to also promote a lack of realism and the nonsensical.
The World of Kyojin Killer Jack is not just meant to be one confined by the characters of Jack and The Beanstalk and i intend for other English Fairytale characters to coexist in the world. Think 'A Wolf Among us' by Telltale Games and the way that they tie fairy tale characters in, i will be using the events of fairy tales and the characters as the basis for many of the adventures in KKJ. These are some of the things i would like to get opinions about as time goes on.
Jack is carted off to the palace where he is put before the King and told of a Great prophesy and threat (The Giant) that looms over the kingdom every hundred or somesuch amount of years that can only be vanquished by a Young man named Jack born in the kingdom during that generation. Unfortunately for Jack he is the only person in the Kingdom with such a name.
Whilst Jack asks why the Army or some other more qualified party undertake the task, His protests are swatted away. The King must follow the Counsel of his spiritual advisors or risk upsetting the Divine (whose form in this world i'm yet to figure out) and anyway he informs you that should you fail, the Kings Army (renowned throughout the world) will step in. 'So don't let a fear of failure deter you from walking into almost certain doom.'
I was thinking about having this all take place in the intro so that as in the more retro entries in the Genre i can plonk the player somewhere and get started with the quest
After This Point Jack's quest lacks details other than that he must explore the world and Find the Magic Cape, Cap and Sword from the original tale of Jack the Giant-Killer and then find a way to have the beanstalk appear before going on to kill the giant. What details i have worked out will elaborate on in a smaller section a bit further down.
Kyojin Killer Jack is set in a Fantasy world where the principals of happily ever after are ever present, so much so that people can be blind to the reality of situations.
Also modern day technology will make random appearances within the fantasy setting not just for humours sake but to also promote a lack of realism and the nonsensical.
The World of Kyojin Killer Jack is not just meant to be one confined by the characters of Jack and The Beanstalk and i intend for other English Fairytale characters to coexist in the world. Think 'A Wolf Among us' by Telltale Games and the way that they tie fairy tale characters in, i will be using the events of fairy tales and the characters as the basis for many of the adventures in KKJ. These are some of the things i would like to get opinions about as time goes on.
Jack
Age: Young Man
Play Style: Jack will play like Alis from Phantasy Star or a Hero from the dragon quest series. He will learn some minor heals early and some buffs later. He can equip most items but is the only one who can wield the Magical Giantslaying attire.
Personality
At this time i see Jack as a silent protagonist (think Ryu from Breath of Fire series, or Link from Zelda) but dialogue options will become available at points. Nonetheless i see Jack as an unwilling hero, who understands his lack of qualification to be handed such great responsibility. However it is when he is forced into situations that Jack truly reaches his potential, shying away from them otherwise.
Goldie The Harp
Goldie is a golden Harp that talks and plays on its own Jack finds this through still undecided means.
Play Style
Goldie is a Playable character in Battle where he plays songs to Apply Status effects, Buffs and Debuffs to all on the field. I would like different Songs to effect different monsters in different ways but using VXAce im not sure how doable this will be and am conscious of planning beyond my scope. If i can i would like to have the harp as just a feature of battle but for now he remains a character.
Personality
The Harp is a Haughty Character who loves the sound of his own voice and music, quick to snap at people who push his buttons and put down others for their failings rather than lift them up. Nonetheless the fact he is finally carted around after years being hoarded in some dark dusty corner makes him more grateful to Jack than he would have you believe.
Additional
I Intend for There to be Master Stringers around the World that will boost the potency of Goldies songs as well as Songs to be found around the world. Secrets of sorts.
Age: Young Man
Play Style: Jack will play like Alis from Phantasy Star or a Hero from the dragon quest series. He will learn some minor heals early and some buffs later. He can equip most items but is the only one who can wield the Magical Giantslaying attire.
Personality
At this time i see Jack as a silent protagonist (think Ryu from Breath of Fire series, or Link from Zelda) but dialogue options will become available at points. Nonetheless i see Jack as an unwilling hero, who understands his lack of qualification to be handed such great responsibility. However it is when he is forced into situations that Jack truly reaches his potential, shying away from them otherwise.
Goldie The Harp
Goldie is a golden Harp that talks and plays on its own Jack finds this through still undecided means.
Play Style
Goldie is a Playable character in Battle where he plays songs to Apply Status effects, Buffs and Debuffs to all on the field. I would like different Songs to effect different monsters in different ways but using VXAce im not sure how doable this will be and am conscious of planning beyond my scope. If i can i would like to have the harp as just a feature of battle but for now he remains a character.
Personality
The Harp is a Haughty Character who loves the sound of his own voice and music, quick to snap at people who push his buttons and put down others for their failings rather than lift them up. Nonetheless the fact he is finally carted around after years being hoarded in some dark dusty corner makes him more grateful to Jack than he would have you believe.
Additional
I Intend for There to be Master Stringers around the World that will boost the potency of Goldies songs as well as Songs to be found around the world. Secrets of sorts.
I want the game to have an 8-bit Nes/Master System visual style. as a further indication of the visual style i want, think the Vibrance in colour of Phantasy Star 1
But Mixed with the Dimensions and scales used in the original metal gear...
With Sprites Twice as tall as standard and with generally more realistic proportions something I feel wasn't done enough in the 8-bit era.
Also it is worth noting here that the game will incorporate much Celtic imagery and symbolism in the Art Style, a Quick google search of 'Celtic Imagery' will show you a few examples of the sort of thing i mean.
But Mixed with the Dimensions and scales used in the original metal gear...
With Sprites Twice as tall as standard and with generally more realistic proportions something I feel wasn't done enough in the 8-bit era.
Also it is worth noting here that the game will incorporate much Celtic imagery and symbolism in the Art Style, a Quick google search of 'Celtic Imagery' will show you a few examples of the sort of thing i mean.
These are some of the ideas that i have for the game for goings on which must be fleshed out. But i am throwing all down here for concepts sake.
Giantslayer: Jack on his quest must find a Magical sword for killing giants, i have an idea that when he initially finds the sword that it is huge, big enough for a giant himself to wield. Think The Blue Whale Exhibit in the Natural History museum in London in terms of scale but hanging vertically from the ceiling the sword will be. When Jack Touches the Sword it shrinks to his size.
The Buried Moon: The idea of Jack saving the Moon from a Bog environment fighting of 'Bogies' in order to gain access to sea travel or some other important item has been running around my mind. I like the notion of the Moon in Human female form waiting to be freed from the bog to rise up and take the form of the moon. The Return of the moon and its various outcomes is something id like to explore and discuss.
Heres some of the bogies designs:
King of The Cats: Another british fairy tale. At some Point Jack is going to stumble upon the burial of the Cat King. When he does he can then inform the heir to the cat kings throne and then go and join him in successfully reclaiming it Before being rewarded with Treasures that are important to his quest. Furthermore, i'm contemplating borrowing from the childrens book Carbonel with in turns borrows from the original source material.
Suits: The suits are essentially the Secret service, assumedly working for Jack's Home kingdom but whether this is true noone knows. Agents from this organisation are the ones who initiallty are called to summon the Main character to meet the King. Whilst they look very modern in there attire there equipment still befits the fantasy setting outside of the odd Car and Escalator. They carry a sword and a small selection of potions that aid them in there job. (truth potions, suicide potions etc.)
Giantslayer: Jack on his quest must find a Magical sword for killing giants, i have an idea that when he initially finds the sword that it is huge, big enough for a giant himself to wield. Think The Blue Whale Exhibit in the Natural History museum in London in terms of scale but hanging vertically from the ceiling the sword will be. When Jack Touches the Sword it shrinks to his size.
The Buried Moon: The idea of Jack saving the Moon from a Bog environment fighting of 'Bogies' in order to gain access to sea travel or some other important item has been running around my mind. I like the notion of the Moon in Human female form waiting to be freed from the bog to rise up and take the form of the moon. The Return of the moon and its various outcomes is something id like to explore and discuss.
Heres some of the bogies designs:
King of The Cats: Another british fairy tale. At some Point Jack is going to stumble upon the burial of the Cat King. When he does he can then inform the heir to the cat kings throne and then go and join him in successfully reclaiming it Before being rewarded with Treasures that are important to his quest. Furthermore, i'm contemplating borrowing from the childrens book Carbonel with in turns borrows from the original source material.
Suits: The suits are essentially the Secret service, assumedly working for Jack's Home kingdom but whether this is true noone knows. Agents from this organisation are the ones who initiallty are called to summon the Main character to meet the King. Whilst they look very modern in there attire there equipment still befits the fantasy setting outside of the odd Car and Escalator. They carry a sword and a small selection of potions that aid them in there job. (truth potions, suicide potions etc.)
Edit: Added some concept sketches up, will be adding more over the next couple days as im stuck in the office at work for 18 hours. As well as some extra details.
