[New Beginnings Contest] The Chronicles of Rune

[Skyla Doragono]

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c391/ ... tled-1.png[/img]

Story
Meet Rune, a daring, obnoxious, adventure loving thrill seeker that would do anything for the sake of a great adventure.  But when she stumbles on an ancient temple, she finds herself in the middle of an adventure that just may be a little bit too much for her to handle!

Premise
The Chronicles of Rune tell the story of Rune and her unfortunate sidekick, "Habib", as they travel through the world in search of other temples like the one Rune accidentally drops in on in the beginning of the story.  Through their travels, her attitude more often than not lands them into trouble, and it's usually Habib who has to pay for it.

However, as they find more and more of these temples, they slowly begin to learn that things are not all what they seem.  But will they realize it before it's too late?  Or will Rune's lust for adventure have horrible consequences?

Characters

Spoiler: Rune

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c391/SkylaDoragono/chrnofrune/rune_b.png[/img]
Rune
Age: 26
Height: 5'3"
Weight: For her to know and you to find out.
Hair Color: Blonde
Eye Color: Blue
History: Born into a wealthy family, Rune grew up always being told to be polite and proper, and she hated it with a passion.  As soon as she was sixteen, she stowed away on a ship, getting caught by the crew rather quickly and earning her keep by moping the deck.  Not exactly the most glamorous of starting adventures, but it earned her a headband, which she wears wherever she goes.  Since then she's traveled wherever the wind has taken her, living the life she had always dreamed of.

Spoiler: Habib

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c391/SkylaDoragono/chrnofrune/habib_b.png[/img]
"Habib"
Real Name: Hamar Jabib Anshir
Age: 28
Height: 5'7"
Weight: 170lbs
Hair Color: Dirty Blonde
Eye Color: Brown
History: Hamar was traveling through his desert homeland when he almost ran over Rune's unconscious body with his camel.  Taking her back to his quiet little village was probably one of the worst things he had ever done.  Since regaining consciousness, Rune had succeeded in making an utter fool of him more times than he could count, even going so far as to nickname him "Habib" because his real name was too hard for her to pronounce.  Most people would have given up at that point, but -- though Hamar would never admit it aloud -- he does enjoy her company, even if it does lead to him acquiring far too many bruises.

Features

• Mapping by Lisker and Sic Semper Tyrannosaurus.
• 45-degree battle system.
• Mini Games and Puzzles
• Deep storyline, complete with sidequests leading to weapons and skills that may assist you on your journey.

Screenshots

Spoiler: I'm contacting my agent about this...

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c391/SkylaDoragono/chrnofrune/rune02.png[/img]

Spoiler: Oh SHI-!!

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c391/SkylaDoragono/chrnofrune/rune03.png[/img]

Spoiler: Watch out for that first step...

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c391/SkylaDoragono/chrnofrune/rune04.png[/img]

Spoiler: Hmm... could we be coming back here some day?

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c391/SkylaDoragono/chrnofrune/rune05.png[/img]

Spoiler: Some of Lisker's beautiful mapping.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c391/SkylaDoragono/chrnofrune/rune06.png[/img]

Spoiler: Rollin' rollin' rollin'...

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c391/SkylaDoragono/chrnofrune/rune07.png[/img]

Spoiler: And that was when they made me their chief...

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c391/SkylaDoragono/chrnofrune/rune08.png[/img]

Spoiler: Just another day in a simple desert village.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c391/SkylaDoragono/chrnofrune/rune09.png[/img]

Downloads
None until after the contest.  Keep an eye out!

 

[incandescent]

This looks great!
That means... I have to wait till February... right?

 

[Sonata]

This looks promising. There Is almost no detail whatsoever on the story, but that's not a problem as I believe this will be more focused on the gameplay. From what I see in the screenshots It looks like It will be chock-filled with cool puzzles.

Good luck!

 

[bartolon]

The game looks nice and the screens to (this is gonna be a good game)

 

[Skyla Doragono]

There Is almost no detail whatsoever on the story...

Yeah, I know, and I apologize for that, especially 'cause it makes me look like a fucking hypocrite.  I was hesitant to even post this early because of that, but I realized that even if I had posted later, there wasn't much about the story I could say other than "they find mysterious temples" without grossly giving away the whole plot.  I hope you all forgive me for that.

More screenshots will probably come later today.

 

[punched2death]

This looks really really good. I'm looking forward to after the contest! :P
Some of the puzzles look really good! Nice work!
*grumbles in jealousy*

 

[Sonata]

I hope you all forgive me for that.

No problem. I'm kinda in the same situation with my project thread. It really Is difficult to know which details to reveal.

 

[hima]

I'm interested to see the battle scene. Hope you can update more with those screenshots soon

Also, I kinda like Habib's character. Can't wait to see what Rune got in store for him haha.

 

[Skyla Doragono]

I'm going to wait on battle screenshots until I get more battle graphics.  I'm waiting on more battle graphics from Lisker -- he's assembling the graphics together, though if he doesn't reply to me soon, I may need to get someone else to help me with that.

 

[Luminier]

Oh, this looks like one to compete with Prex's contest game! And that's saying something. Most of the other contest projects I've seen have been pretty... well, not good.  :P

The story is original enough, but... Well, a main protagonist with a great sense of adventure, who ends up getting wrapped up in some grander scheme, and finds out later that there's more going on behind the curtain, than it seems... Well, I've heard that quite a few times before. Also, the various temples that you must visit?

Luckily, it seems as though the characters have enough personality to break the cliche. As well as the setting. You better throw in one hell of a plot twist! 

Mapping by Sic Semper, and Lisker?! Luck you. I'm betting that we're gonna be seeing one beautiful game! Can I expect heavily edited tilesets?

I'm liking the idea of weapon skills which have added effects outside of battle. Or did I misunderstand what you were trying to say? At any rate, having to work more than usual for skills is always nice.

I thought puzzles weren't really your forte? I hope, that aside, that you'll be able to come up with some unique puzzles/mini-games. Is there, perhaps, as puzzle that has Rune getting a piggyback ride from Habib, away from some dangerous substance? Or at least some puzzles at his expense?

I hope you'll be able to finish this in-time. If you do, I'm sure you'll get, at the very least third place. Seriously. The VERY least.

Good luck!

Oh, and it goes without saying, that Habib is an awesome name.

 

[Skyla Doragono]

The story is original enough, but... Well, a main protagonist with a great sense of adventure, who ends up getting wrapped up in some grander scheme, and finds out later that there's more going on behind the curtain, than it seems... Well, I've heard that quite a few times before. Also, the various temples that you must visit?

Yeah, I know.  Cliche as all hell.  Hopefully the way it's presented will make up for it; kinda like Grandia II made up for all it's exhausting cliches by being a fucking awesome game.

Luckily, it seems as though the characters have enough personality to break the cliche. As well as the setting. You better throw in one hell of a plot twist! 

Maaaaybe. >> <<;

Mapping by Sic Semper, and Lisker?! Luck you. I'm betting that we're gonna be seeing one beautiful game! Can I expect heavily edited tilesets?

Lisker's only done one map, which is probably going to get hacked to bits several times to be used as a base for several other maps.  I do that often with all maps, especially my own.  Sic Semper is really my "partner" on this as she'll be doing most of the other maps, or at least the ones that I don't do.  If I end up winning either prize, she'll end up with the subscription; even if I wasn't a mod.

I thought puzzles weren't really your forte? I hope, that aside, that you'll be able to come up with some unique puzzles/mini-games. Is there, perhaps, as puzzle that has Rune getting a piggyback ride from Habib, away from some dangerous substance? Or at least some puzzles at his expense?

They're not, so I'm really floundering in the dark here.  I only hope that they'll actually turn out being challenging, but not so much so that people get stuck.

Sorry I don't have the screenshots I promised; ended up going to a friend's house.  I'm trying to figure out what the hell to do for a world map right now anyway, so it might be a moment before I get more screens up.

 

[Crestfallen]

Acute and delightful character descriptions. Probably some of the best I've read thus far.

You never realize how much time and effort it takes to develop a character's personality, until you actually have to do it.

Kudos, nonetheless.

 

[Skyla Doragono]

Thanks, Crest.

As far as a world map, I've finally settled on a style for it:

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c391/ ... rune10.png[/img]

Probably not the best of choices, but I'm focusing more on the actual AREAs, and not how your characters get there.  The map is free roaming (except the water, of course) and only as big as the window, and you will encounter monsters on the map.  Each region has it's own map.

 

[Jstreet]

Somebody found a use for my temple tileset I see.

I don't know Skyla, this one(the project) seems kinda weak, but of course I have faith in you. It's just, I can't quite put my finger on what is lacking. Is this a dungeon crawler or more of a general type RPG?

Also, I'm pretty sure you realize how ugly that volcano is on your world map.

 

[Skyla Doragono]

Ugh...  o.<  I've got nothing else to use.  I've looked everywhere for volcanoes and towns and there's nothing that matches together.

 

[Skyla Doragono]

Pushing this up a little early to get some opinions on what the hell I can do for this to look at least a little better.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c391/ ... rune11.png[/img]

This is the region map for the Dormal area, the first town area you encounter in the game.  As you can see, even with the added mountains it... really doesn't change how cruddy it looks.

I really don't know what to do.  On one hand I don't want to go off and do whatever the hell I want and end up with something that looks shitty, but on the other hand I really have no clue what to replace it with that won't end up taking me all the time left to do the project.

 

[hima]

How about don't use the charset on the region map but goes for something that looks like an icon? Like in Shin Megami Tensei III nocturne.

Like this
http://ps2media.ign.com/ps2/image/artic ... 913690.jpg

See the blue person like icon in the middle? I don't know if you would like that but I think it looks better than the character walking around :S

Also, if you have GIMP or image editor program, pick the colour of the land and put it on the base of the moutain and volcano to make it look more blend to each other might be good too

 

[Injury]

love the mapping, lisker is the champ!

Love the characters! They actually have personality that plays a role in the story!

 

[Skyla Doragono]

Ugh, fuck the world map at this point.  I just want to get this thing done on time.

More screens.  This is going slow as all hell, but... eh.

Spoiler: Rune receives fine instructions on how volcanoes work

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c391/SkylaDoragono/chrnofrune/rune12.png[/img]

Spoiler: Random screen I thought looked pretty

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c391/SkylaDoragono/chrnofrune/rune13.png[/img]

 

[Queue]

Looks hawt Atemu. I'd request character facesets / offer doing them for you (There's only two main characters after all). Also, the photoshopped map looks too hmm... Photoshopped.  :P