Whisper of a Rose

[Twin Matrix]

I'm proud to present (lol) two last main characters:

The fourth main protagonist, and IMO the most interesting of the four, is Christina. She can be seen wearing her hospital clothes at the top-left of the screenshot. Hospital clothes in a castle?! What the? (No, this is not her normal outfit. :d)

The game's most powerful antagonist has a direct connection to her, which more or less makes her either the most or second-to-most important character.

Once she enters the dreamworld, her right arm becomes a robot arm (she's left-handed). Her two Skill categories are:
- Robot arm skills (lasers, shooting nails, terminator blade, smoke bombs, etc.)
- Charging up her electric hair to give herself various power boosts that benefit her role as the main tank (tank = the character who should and can take the most damage).

To the left of Melrose, you can see the game's second main antagonist: Hellena's mother. She's a witch that lives in an invisible hut in Witch Way. Or lived, rather. Until she got murdered and her soul locked in a pendant. But of course she came back alive otherwise she wouldn't be much of an antagonist. :d

Spoilars:

Spoiler

Her goal is to seek revenge on the man who murdered her, which happens to be her husband and Hellena's father. Hellena obviously protects her father, and so do the others, as they need Hellena's father for a certain goal. Hellena's mother can't have this, so she sends her goons after the protagonists and teams up with two special agents from the real world. :3

Anyways. 'nuf said.

Spoiler

Something that I have not mentioned before, and which is the main 'drive' behind replaying the game, is that at the start you can pick one of three specializations for Melrose: Warrior, Paladin or Summoner. Paladin is the 'main' class, as in: it is the graphic used for the cover art, facesets, etc. Warrior and Paladin aren't much different. The Warrior starts out with a Sharp Slash skill, and the Paladin with the Paladin-exclusive Prayer skill. The Summoner, however, can only be picked upon second playthrough. Being a Summoner allows you to get ALL the summonings from the game. Whilst if you are a Warrior or Paladin, you can only get 3-4 basic ones (no unicorns or dragons :d).

Spoiler

Notice how each main character has different eyes to match his/her personality. :d Oh yeah, I love details like that. Lol.

 

[ultimaodin]

Hey twin just letting you know I'm still here working.
The map hasn't been comming along that great as I've been sick the last week. (My map making ability seems to fall when I'm sick so I tend o avoid doing anything then to stop crap quality)

I did get a chance to start playing our first beta and I'v noticed a couple of mapping errors. The first is a passability error just outside of the computer library room. The big blue windows on the walls can be walked up. Just need to cross the passability on the tileset there. Don't want players walking up windows and walls.
Next one was this chest:

It is impossible to get to and I gather it isn't purposeful as there are two wolves there also.


If you like I can post a pic of some of the map if you need me to.^_^

 

[Twin Matrix]

Yea, a pic of the map would be great. ^_^

Thanks for finding out the bugs.~ *fixes*

How do you like the game so far? It's been made easier since that demo, so please tell me that it's not too easy. =p

Oh, and are you experiences any lag whatsoever (other than occasional 1-second 'hic-ups')?

 

[ultimaodin]

That is the small little groove the player will "land" in. (so to speak)
To be totally honest I'm having dificulty creating detail with this detailed tileset.o_O
Without events etc...
Hopefully when you add the events and fogs in it will help combat the monotony. (is that spelt right, I so cannot think at the moment)

Ha yeah I've done some bug tests before so I tend to test ever tile in a map.:P

Actually I think it was a bit too easy up until you enter the mountain like area. (i keep thinking those wolves are rocks at first and getting attacked)
I think after that the battles get a little bit too difficult with the low running items making health a major point of observation.

As for lag, I haven't noticed anything yet except the irritable battle lag where you can't press defend just before the nemy hits you, well you can but it becomes pointless.


EDIT: Also just to let you know almost directly vertically below on the y-axis there is another chest at higher ground that also appears to be unreachable.
Another thing, the battle system actually is rather easy. It seems to consist of a very wash and repeat strategy of defend, attack, defend, attack...
Still I want to keep playing so it's not a horrid game, just a few more strtegy based fight would respected.^_^

 

[Twin Matrix]

I think the map looks great? o.o

Let's review your review. :3

Too easy up until the mountains. So that means that.. just the Dreamworld and the school are too easy, correct? I'm not sure if a first area can be too easy, 'cause if you get killed there most players stop playing all together. :X And there needs to be space for retards that think that the Defend button deals damage.

All right, yea. I had added 6-10 additional potions from the Dreamworld up to and including the Misty Hills, after that demo. :3

Well that's not lag, concerning the Defend thing. It's just that once an enemy is running to you, battle calculations have already been made. :>

Oh, that chest is reachable.

Defend, Attack, Defend, Attack seems rather good to me. xD At least better than Attack Attack Attack Attack RPGs, no? I mean, I don't know any XP game where you actually have to USE the Defend button. But with the enemies charging skills, it's highly suggested that you do. Then throw in a load of skills later, and items (you forgot those? :X) and summonings, I'm not sure how the battle system is too repetitive?

Though in the beginning when you're just with Melrose, I can imagine it being somewhat boring, but I can't help that without cutting out an area that is before you get the first party member. Actually, I did think about that and made a clear path that goes through the Crystal Hills, so the player can just follow that and go through it faster until they get the first party member. In a later quest they have to backtrack there anyway.

As for strategy: how? Keeping in mind that the difficulty gradually increases and that the game is aimed at non-RPG players. So the state Poisoned is only introduced further into the game.

Actually, I have a question: do you remember if when you fought the Portal Demon, it had already been suggested to use Defend? 'Cause I know that is mentioned when you fight the worms, but I dunno about the Demon. Did you use Defend when fighting him?

 

[ultimaodin]

No I don't think defend was mentioned back then but it was a pretty simple method to me to use the defend option.

Also it's not really boring just rather easy. (though my friend jiki over at neo can't seem to be able to pass your portal demon so maybe I seem to be lucky)
Hmm bummer I couldn't figure out how to get to that chest, maybe that comes later...?

Bummer on the pre calculation thing, it anoyes my reaction speed to move so quickly to defend when it is innevitable to be a failure however thinking of my own attempts at scripting, scripting the battle calculation on when attack animation is played seems rather difficult so I understand.

The forest is a nice change in that the dragonflys are to fst to use the defend attack rutine so I'm glad now. Actually it's done rather well, it just borders repetition without getting boring.

though about dragonfly's, their eggs can't be used as an item from the menu, is that purposeful?
Anothing is that your armour options seem to be in the wrong order as mittens come under body and etc...

And there needs to be space for retards that think that the Defend button deals damage.

Sorry I found that quote worthy! :D

Oh yeah I fought one of those Ice birds, 3 hits and I was dead. T_T

EDIT: Hi I just got the skill tree and I have this horrid black blur around it so I have to take a random choie which skill to grab as I can't read it nor can I read the requirements and etc...
Just thought you may want to know.

 

[Twin Matrix]

Thank you so much for your detailed posts. ^_^

May I ask you what lv you are after you meet Hellena and your playtime?

Now let's go over what you said. ^^

Hmm, yea, difficulty seems to range a lot. :/ Since your demo I added a few items, and made it more obvious where to get equipment and to equip it (did your friend forget this?) before the Portal Demon fight. I'll leave it at that. xD

Yea, I know, it annoys me too. T_T But I don't get it a lot that the player characters get a turn while the enemy is running to them, so hopefully it isn't that annoying? Otherwise I'd have to delay the characters' turns completely until an enemy takes one and I dunno about that. Actually it's probably better but I didn't get it to work. Though I'll look into it if it's REALLY annoying?

Yea, I understand. Glad to hear the Dragonflies give variation. :3 But..I don't understand..The dragonflies don't use special attacks, so what do you mean with your comment regarding Defend? You can only really use Defend to block against an enemy's special attack, 'cause those take charging times. o_o

The eggs; I forgot to put the scope. ^^; Fixed. Sorry. Um, where did you get their eggs? o.o You can only get those in the cave, and the cave has FOUR Dragonflies. Did you beat those before getting Hellena?

Armour order: Body is more important, so I put that first. Is that weird? how? o.o

'Sorry I found that quote worthy! :D' haha. XD

'Oh yeah I fought one of those Ice birds, 3 hits and I was dead. T_T'
THREE hits? Wow, you survived pretty long. You can't kill them until like level 25. :d It's for when you get sent there later to get an item.

The blur, that's been fixed. Thanks for telling me. ^^ Also added descriptions, etc.

 

[ultimaodin]

As far as my friend went I'm not sure as before the fight I forgot to equipt the armour myself and as I said I had no issues.

I tend to defend agains ordinary attacks from wolves and that as well, made those hills much easier.
The Baslisk though are pointless to use defend as they only hit 1 or 2 points.

Yes I did beat those dragonflys before getting her however I think there may have only be three, though could have been, can't remember. Yeah I noticed the eggs didn't have any effect ven in battle. I so could have used them on many an occasion but I survived.

Also for the armour I meant this:

See how mittens falls under the body armour category.

Also I'm level 7 and playtime is 4:48:37 though that includes time spent earching for glitches. ^_^

Also just outside the cave and slightly north thre is a dragonfly that has an rtp dragonfly looking chrset on map but becoms the thin yellow onevwhen you fight it in battle.

 

[Kodakami]

Can we keep the in-game material in spoilers please? Just don't want anything important to slip out.

(Yes, yes. That's what she said.)

 

[Twin Matrix]

@ultima:

All right @ the armor issue.

Hmm, made the Basilisk a little stronger. But you ARE overleveled. :P By the way, I have a question: does your demo have a Memory Orb Vendor in the western map of Anatta Woods at the transport map edge?

I'll just leave the Dragonflies like that. Right? No need to make it more difficult?

Fixed the armor issue. Thanks for spotting!

Level 7 is overleveled lol. I'll decrease given exp by 1 point per Dragonfly.

I can't for the LIFE of me find that RTP dragonfly. Which cave?

@Koda: Oh, you've got a point! :O Any things I've said that are better spoilered?

 

[Kodakami]

Not yet. I'm just giving a preemptive warning.

 

[Twin Matrix]

o.o

All right, boss.

Now I'm curious as to what sort of material shouldn't leak out? :x

Do PM an example to me. o.o

 

[seven]

If you're really so worried about spoilers, why not just communicate through a private subforum or chat service or whatever?

 

[Twin Matrix]

Eh, a private subforum = cashies. :C

I doubt a chat service will work out.

I personally don't see what kind of bad material information could leak out yet, though. Except the occasional plot twist. : d

 

[Kodakami]

Perfect example. Plot twists, solutions to minigames/puzzles, etc... I don't know what the sudden harsh fellings are for, but I'm just looking at the big picture. Carry on with your lives, people.

 

[crazymew]

I must say, glimpsing through here, this game is looking awesome. I'm loving the use of characters, very promising, ^^

I'd love to beta test for you, but I don't think I would be able to thoroughly run through in only five days, ^^;;

 

[Twin Matrix]

Perfect example. Plot twists, solutions to minigames/puzzles, etc... I don't know what the sudden harsh fellings are for, but I'm just looking at the big picture. Carry on with your lives, people.

I don't have any harsh feelings.. ;;

*hug* xD

@crazymew: Thank you. ^^ Do you think you could be able to play it through in 5 days? Not thoroughly; just through.

 

[hellhound]

Interesting, A Girl wanting to go to a dreamworl because of being bullied and beat up by her own parents? am I right or am I right? anyway, did I just see a mouse system? cause that's way awesome, and the mappings were neat, since you made the tilesets all by yourselves... I'll wait for an official demo. ^^

 

[ultimaodin]

Above thecave you meet whats-her-name in is where I found the dragonfly but after going back to that map it wasn't there anymore.
As for the vendor, I think that gets introduced into the lovelymushroom area where the bees poison is really giving me a run for my money. To be honest I'd keep the experience where it is and just up the Baslisks attack as you have.
The extra experience comes in helpful wile being poisoned by bees.
I'm level 8 now ad just beat a few bees. Note I do like to level my characters up before I move on to make any bosses easier.

I don't think I've given anything away, I try to avoid doing that. ^_^

Holy damn those mushrooms suck!
Wahhhh I lost. Definatly keep the dragonflys xp up.

The armour issue was anything to major but it did so to speak bug me.

EDIT: also I don't know much about your scripts but is it possible to have defend naught the chance of poison and status targeting attacks as poison really makes it hard to beat those little bees ad shrooms. I might go do some more training.
Also the vendor appears once you have hellena I'd say as it's there now.

 

[Makasu]

I loved the beta. It was excellent. I don't know if its been mentioned or not but an 8-way directional movement script would be my only gripe. I hated having to press four commands just to go down and right with something that could've easily been been solved with a press of two arrows. Other than that its great.

There were some spelling errors here and there but I didn't write them down.