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The story takes place in a continent called Navina. Ruled by a righteous and intelligent Emperor, everything is peaceful. But there is talk amongst the people. Is the Emperor searching for something? All around the continent, there are towns "recruiting" young men for mines. What is the purpose of his activities?
You play as Marcus, an enslaved young man forced to work in the Golmar Mines. One day, after accidentally "using illegal magic", he is banished from the village. After meeting an intelligent girl called Elea and her powerful aunt, Thelma, he is offered a trip to the main continent from his island.
But before they can leave, a mysterious band kidnaps Thelma and sails away. Marc and Elea are forced to embark on a wild-goose chase after the strange foes. Along the way, they confront enemies and learn dark secrets. Tragedies and betrayal occur at every corner. As they join up with new and old friends and cross the continent, they discover horrors they've never seen or heard before-- including corrupted slavers and bloody warfare.
However, the biggest mystery they must unravel regards a powerful redgem, the Spinel. What is its purpose? Where is it located? And why is everyone in search of it? The search for these answers takes Marc and his friends on a wild adventure more dangerous than they'd ever hope for.
Spinel's Core is an interactive, cinematic project, with a combination of gameplay and storytelling.
The game has a linear plot, but also many interactive dungeons, puzzles, and mini-games along the way.
The evented title map.
It uses a heavily modified Action Battle System where you fight enemies on the map. Think Zelda, GBA: it's very simplified and involves no numbers.
An example of interaction with events on the map-- in this case, picking at a rock in the Golmar Mines.
(Note that the HUD is only temporary/placeholder, until a new one can be made.)
As you progress throughout the game, you can get up to four party members. Each has a unique weapon and skills; you can switch them out in the menu.
Elea, your novice alchemist, tries out her "Gust" skill during the Boret escape.
You also collect a variety of Tools, which all characters can use. These will be very important when solving puzzles or defeating strategic boss battles in dungeons.
There is no leveling and no exp for realism and simplicity. Battles are fought solely for Coins (the currency), items, or to advance the plot. No grinding is necessary.
And a few final screenshots:
Alchemy?
Alchemy is the art of potion-crafting. Potions and elixirs are special drinks that cure diseases and lengthen the consumer's life. These drinks must contain certain ingredients called Redgems, or special minerals mined from the earth. While they have powerful healing abilities, in the wrong hands, they can also make deadly poisons.
The Spinel is the most powerful redgem of all, and supposedly creates the Panacea, which cures the deadliest diseases and grants immortality. The last of the gems was said in the hands Ganshans, but its location is lost to the world.
The battle system controls were designed for keyboard use. If you are using a gamepad and you find the controls uncomfortable, PM me or tell me in the thread.
(Please excuse my writing; the plot may seem a little cliche, but it is much deeper than it appears, with many twists and turns. I'm working on good character development as well, so I hope you can overlook the seemingly unoriginal synopsis and give it a try
Note: I'm focusing on developing real, fleshed-out characters with complex personalities. Feedback on how to improve is always welcome.
"The Team"
Marcus: an orphaned young man raised in the small village Golmar. He's been working in the mines for as long as he can remember. One day, he accidentally "uses illegal magic" to save a friend's life. Because of this, he is banished from the village, and must use all his wit and courage to survive in the outside world.
In battle, his main weapon is an Axe. He isn't the fastest player, but his strength makes up for it.
Wayne: Marc's friend from Golmar. After his life is saved in the mines, he becomes extremely loyal to Marcus and runs away to help him. He's also very curious and funny; his jokes and positive attitude can always cheer his friends up even in a dark situation.
He fights with a sword and shield. He's light and quick on his feet, and also very sneaky.
Elea Bernavi: An intelligent girl who helps her aunt with important errands. She meets Marcus and reveals to him the secrets of Alchemy. When her aunt is kidnapped, Marcus joins her in an adventure across the continent. Marcus suspects she has a wealthy background, but she is reluctant to explain about her past and what became of her parents.
Elea is the only person in their group with magical abilities. She can alchie all four elements, depending on their location. She starts out with the Gust (air) spell, which is useful to blow away objects and enemies.
Brenna Pearlson: A taciturn and unsocial girl, Brenna keeps to herself most of the time. Her mother, a famous nurse, died in a battle when she was little. Since the death, she has remained cooped up at home, dwelling on past memories.
To ease her sadness, however, she recently took up archery, practicing her skills by shooting at trunks and animals in the forest. Her accuracy improved to the point of excellency, and she often now imagines shooting at humans-- firing at the lowly scum that took her mother away from her.
"The Baddies"
Old Man: This odd Alchemist lives in the northern Ganshan island. He owns the famous Library and leads his people separate from the Navinan Empire. However, he has been having some secretive meetings lately, trying to discover the whereabouts of the gem that was once his...
Fox: The mysterious leader of the Rebels is both cunning and deceiving. Very little is known of him or his intentions, or how he came to be the ruler of the group.
The Rebels: A group of fighters and magicians resisting the Emperor and his forces. Their motives are unclear, but they have been battling the Empire for almost a century. They reside along parts of the western continent, and have cities in the desert and the icy Gielo Mountains.
"The Team"
Marcus: an orphaned young man raised in the small village Golmar. He's been working in the mines for as long as he can remember. One day, he accidentally "uses illegal magic" to save a friend's life. Because of this, he is banished from the village, and must use all his wit and courage to survive in the outside world.
In battle, his main weapon is an Axe. He isn't the fastest player, but his strength makes up for it.
Wayne: Marc's friend from Golmar. After his life is saved in the mines, he becomes extremely loyal to Marcus and runs away to help him. He's also very curious and funny; his jokes and positive attitude can always cheer his friends up even in a dark situation.
He fights with a sword and shield. He's light and quick on his feet, and also very sneaky.
Elea Bernavi: An intelligent girl who helps her aunt with important errands. She meets Marcus and reveals to him the secrets of Alchemy. When her aunt is kidnapped, Marcus joins her in an adventure across the continent. Marcus suspects she has a wealthy background, but she is reluctant to explain about her past and what became of her parents.
Elea is the only person in their group with magical abilities. She can alchie all four elements, depending on their location. She starts out with the Gust (air) spell, which is useful to blow away objects and enemies.
Brenna Pearlson: A taciturn and unsocial girl, Brenna keeps to herself most of the time. Her mother, a famous nurse, died in a battle when she was little. Since the death, she has remained cooped up at home, dwelling on past memories.
To ease her sadness, however, she recently took up archery, practicing her skills by shooting at trunks and animals in the forest. Her accuracy improved to the point of excellency, and she often now imagines shooting at humans-- firing at the lowly scum that took her mother away from her.
"The Baddies"
Old Man: This odd Alchemist lives in the northern Ganshan island. He owns the famous Library and leads his people separate from the Navinan Empire. However, he has been having some secretive meetings lately, trying to discover the whereabouts of the gem that was once his...
Fox: The mysterious leader of the Rebels is both cunning and deceiving. Very little is known of him or his intentions, or how he came to be the ruler of the group.
The Rebels: A group of fighters and magicians resisting the Emperor and his forces. Their motives are unclear, but they have been battling the Empire for almost a century. They reside along parts of the western continent, and have cities in the desert and the icy Gielo Mountains.
Helping on our team is the talented Jimmy Harrison. Here are some pieces he's composed for the Spinel's Core OST:
Inferno
Golmar
A Bleak Future
[Sorry, these songs were composed for Spinel's Core and may not be used without permission from the composer (contact me and jtbengal if you wish to use them in your game).]
Inferno
Golmar
A Bleak Future
[Sorry, these songs were composed for Spinel's Core and may not be used without permission from the composer (contact me and jtbengal if you wish to use them in your game).]
Coming soon!
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