Charas-Project

Game Creation => RPG Maker => Topic started by: drenrin2120 on January 02, 2013, 08:55:32 AM

Title: Apathy of Angels, Re-Rebirth (RMVXAce) (update: Feb24th)
Post by: drenrin2120 on January 02, 2013, 08:55:32 AM
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/drenrin2120/AoA_Cast1_zps37fa378d.png)

First thing's first.
~Scripts Credits~

Anyway, I suppose it's about time I just move this thread out of the creative arts section and plop it down here. Everything I'm doing is geared towards remaking Apathy of Angels from the top down anyway. I'll cut this thread into three sections, story summary, graphics/music display and gameplay mechanics.

With school and work, I really only find maybe five or so hours a week to put into this. Still, I'll try to update once a week. If I don't have anything to show I won't be updating.

~Short Story Summary~

15 years ago, 250 people mysteriously vanished into thin air, some in the middle of their daily duties. For 15 years, there has been no rational explanation that could be found. How did this happen? Why? Now, amidst a broiling civil war, a determined young man seeks out the answer. What he finds will draw him into the middle of ancient controversy and into the heart of rebellion. Samson, just 26 years old, will stop at nothing to uncover the truth.

~Character Bios~

Here is the current cast of characters. There are many changes from this story to the previous rm2k3 version.  I’ve obviously left out any major spoilers, but the list is pretty long. Read at you own risk. And as always, details are subject to change.

I'll be posting sprites and facesets as they are made, they are not all finished yet. In regards to the PL Facemaker sets, I'm not sure how I'm going to handle these. Facesets are a bit of a problem in general.
[spoiler]
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/drenrin2120/Samson_zpsdbc17e3e.png)
Samson Drenrin
Male
Age: 26
Background: His mother was one of the so called "250", who mysteriously vanished with out a trace. His father was a world renown archeologist who made many expeditions to the northlands. He died soon after the "250" event when a cave collapsed on him in the North. Samson was then raised by the Loki Church in conjunction with Parry, an old friend of his father and a high ranking officer of the Juniper Guard. Samson chose to join the Juniper Guard when he was 16. Parry personally trained him and the two developed a close relationship thereafter. Samson left the Guard when was 23 and set out to the Northlands.

Sigma Drenrin
Male
Age: 30 at death, would be 45
Background: Famous researcher and archeologist of the north. Was contracted by many world organizations to head expeditions to varying places around the world. His last expedition took him to the ancient northland ruins, the only known remaining ruins of the ancient Mekina civilization. Father to Samson, Husband to Lita.

Lita Drenrin
Female
Age 32 at disappearance, would be 47
Background: Mother to Samson. Wife to Sigma. Used to accompany Sigma on his expeditions and was, at one point, on par with Sigma's skills. After Samson's birth, she chose to stay home. Sigma's reluctance to settle down placed incredible strain on their relationship. She was one of the "250" who mysteriously vanished 15 years ago.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/drenrin2120/Parry_zpsf5a481fc.png)
Parry Windew
Male
Age: 44
Background: Son of the famous Windew Warriors. Good friends with Hector and Sigma growing up. Helped raised Samson when he was orphaned. Strove to the top of Juniper Guard to sustain honor in his family.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/drenrin2120/Hector_zpsdc8a3f89.png)
Hector, Lord Swift IV
Male
Age: 40
Background: Lord of the City State of Juniper. Was the youngest lord to ever take the throne at the age of 25 after his father died suddenly. Maintained a tight relationship with Sigma and Parry ever since he was young.

Kasper
Old Brosef
Age: 67
Background: Was chancellor to the High Priest. Resigned and left the church after the "250" event. Never publicly explained his resignation. He had held Martha in his care since she was an infant. Kasper's daughter died during childbirth.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/drenrin2120/Martha_zps7ce15b39.png)
Martha
Female
Age: 24
Background: Granddaughter to Kasper. Learned all she knows of curative magic from him. Grew up in Juniper at the time of the "250". After Kasper's sudden resignation from his position as chancellor to the High Priest, she moved with him to the countryside of Northern Loki.

Lord Lessard V
Male
Age: 51
Background: Lord of the City State of Vimlocke. Determined to unite all city-states of Demi under one banner. Is not afraid to use military force to do so.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/drenrin2120/Elliot_zpsed38f05f.png)
Elliot Tinnen
Female
Age: 30
Background: Leader of the Durrem resistance in Demi. Was a part of a bold but failed assassination attempt on Lord Lessard. Barely escaped with her life. Fled across the ocean to Loki where she works as a sort of Diplomat of Durrem with Lord Hector.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/drenrin2120/JakeandTimber_zpsbdfc87c2.png)
Jake
Male
Age: 22
Background: Grew up in the only Northland settlement of Whitten. Befriended a wolf pup named Timber lost in the snow and abandoned by its family. Left Whitten at the age of 18 to Demi where he skirted around the continent, eventually getting caught up in the Durrem resistance.

*Jake's sprite is the only current sprite that isn't mine. His graphics are the creation of InsaneJP. I entirely intend to recreate him once I get around to it.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/drenrin2120/Seren_zpsbd0b387f.png)
Seren
Male
Age: 40
Background: Heads the research department of Vimlocke. For his research and world renown discoveries, he is constantly awarded funds to invest in personal projects. Was with Sigma on the expedition to the Northlands. Seren’s wife, Aerial, was killed in the cave-in as well.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/drenrin2120/Aerial_zps22efa092.png)
Aerial
Female
Age: 24 at death, would be 38
Background: Up and coming scientist. Killed in the same cave-in that killed Sigma.

Mimoko
Female
Age:  14
Background: a mysterious young girl who lives alone in the woods of Kinetica Forest.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/drenrin2120/Rool_zps76eec3b3.png)
Rool
Male
Age: ?
Background: A member of the race of Rooj people. Lizard-like, but highly intelligent. Not much is known about them.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/drenrin2120/Yuma_zps2c1efe87.png)
Yuma
Female
Age: 28
Background: A bounty hunter with a scar on her left cheek that draws sneers as well as fearful glances.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/drenrin2120/Jacer_zps92f71fa1.png)
Jacer
Male
Age: 34
Background: A powerful man who is never seen outside of his dapper attire.

Gambit
Male
Age: 68
Background: High Priest of the Loki Church. Made the decision to take Samson in after his father died. Was unsuccessful in convincing him to take a life of priesthood.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/drenrin2120/Mowser_zpsfb31b659.png)
Mowser
Male
Age: 32
Background: Mayor of Vitality Port and honorary member of the Juniper Guard. Known for a hostile, unpredictable temperament and for being one of the top soldiers in Loki.

Demetrius
Male
Age: 35
Background: Left hand man of Lessard V. Commands the troop of men sent in to Loki to search for rebels and refugees.







[/spoiler]


Now on to the exciting section!

~Screenshots~

[spoiler]
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/drenrin2120/Test6_zps4c8ffffd.png)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/drenrin2120/Test5_zps7abb5467.png)

The Beginnings of Juniper.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/drenrin2120/Juniper2_zps60413e65.png)

Basic overworld concept.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/drenrin2120/Test7_zps157459b7.png)

The menu with custom font.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/drenrin2120/Test_zpsaf3dbc4e.png)
[/spoiler]

~Music~
All music posted here will be in ogg format with loop tags designated for rmvx ace.

[spoiler]
Battle Themes
Fight! (https://www.box.com/files/0/f/601808506/1/f_5729759674)
The Coming Finale (https://www.box.com/files/0/f/601808506/1/f_5731352196)

Overworld Themes
Overworld 1 (https://www.box.com/s/ehk0dtwiezmhvlk7adas)

Misc.
Space Walk (https://www.box.com/s/pzrm9otwfyx04vhq9kj7)
[/spoiler]

~Gameplay Mechanics~

[spoiler]

I will flesh this out more soon.
[/spoiler]

Title: Re: Sprites!
Post by: Prpl_Mage on January 02, 2013, 09:15:25 AM
Loving the tiles and liking the chocobo. Although I believe that the legs should start a bit further back.
Title: Re: Sprites!
Post by: drenrin2120 on January 06, 2013, 08:25:21 PM
Good advice, purp, here's a quick preview of that plus a few other doodles.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/drenrin2120/Yellow_Bird_Thing_zps7d8b2e53.png)

I'm currently trying to come up with base sprites for all the cast of AoA.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/drenrin2120/AoA_Cast1_zps37fa378d.png)
Some of these I may have posted elsewhere before (including previous post) but the dog(Timber) and the guy in the suit(Jacer) I did today. You may recognize Jake's sprite, I did not make that one, that's InsaneJP's work. I'll probably replace him so the style's match. Other than that, I don't think I've revealed Seren or Aerial's concept sprites, the two holding hands.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/drenrin2120/Timber_zpse7c5a07d.png)
Here's just a pose of Timber sitting.
Title: Re: Sprites!
Post by: Moosetroop11 on January 07, 2013, 03:16:36 AM
Love the fact that you've had a go at tilesets, as almost no-one does that. Some of that stuff looks edited rather than from scratch though.  Is that so? Or are my old eyes going?
Title: Re: Sprites!
Post by: drenrin2120 on January 07, 2013, 05:05:24 AM
It's all from scratch, though I am mimicking the RTP style sprites. Also, I haven't exactly found my spriting style yet. I have a bit to learn. For instance, I'm not paying any attention to my palettes, and I'm pretty sure that's gonna come back to bite me in the ***.
Title: Re: Sprites!
Post by: drenrin2120 on January 09, 2013, 10:30:52 PM
Experimenting with a better grass tile, also, rock walls!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/drenrin2120/Test7_zps8b59bca0.png)

There's a few things I'm not happy with, for instance, some of the rocks are shaded with what looks like a different light source and the ledges aren't as well defined as they could be. Looking at now actually, I notice a pretty odd looking line going through the tiles, that can be adjusted.
Title: Re: Sprites and Music!
Post by: drenrin2120 on January 23, 2013, 02:31:24 AM
Nothing too crazy, just decided to turn this into my everything thread. Upped two song experiments. They're ogg files that loop with intros in rmvx ace and sound much better than the general midi used for rm2k3.
Title: Re: Sprites and Music!
Post by: zuhane on January 23, 2013, 04:38:50 AM
Looking pretty good! Very impressed with the time that must have gone into those sprites.
Title: Re: Sprites and Music!
Post by: drenrin2120 on January 26, 2013, 11:35:11 PM
Thanks zuhane!

Here's my attempt at overworld graphics. I know it's bland, I'll add detail when I get basic concepts done.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/drenrin2120/Test7_zps157459b7.png)
Title: Re: Sprites and Music!
Post by: drenrin2120 on February 03, 2013, 10:32:54 PM
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/drenrin2120/Test8_zps59130f36.png)

Just slowly pluggin away. I've realized that rmvvx ace graphics formats and map editor are really shitty. I wish they would've just adopted a photoshop style layers system already...
Title: Re: Sprites and Music!
Post by: Moosetroop11 on February 03, 2013, 11:05:02 PM
This is all looking lovely and congruent.  Even the world map works, although maybe you should make it so where the mountains join up the grass becomes dirt, or a different colour?  Then they wouldn't look like they were just randomly stuck onto the grass.  The last screen you posted was awesome. The log looks cooool.
Title: Re: Sprites and Music!
Post by: Meiscool on February 04, 2013, 01:10:15 AM
Looks great dren. Keep up the good work.
Title: Re: Sprites and Music!
Post by: drenrin2120 on February 04, 2013, 11:51:04 PM
Thanks guys. I think you're right about the mountains MT, I just haven't spent too much more time on the world map. The trees were a pain. I figure I'll focus on one area at a time. So right now I'm gonna turn my attention to the first city. With that, here's my first basic house concept.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/drenrin2120/test9_zps76a0080d.png)

First house I've made I'm happy with =D

Ignore the stupid blocky shadows rmace puts in

Speaking of rmace, lots of differences between the mapping in this and rm2k3. It's kind of annoying. Either I'm doing something wrong or they really dumbed it down and sacrificed a lot, even from the limitations of rm2k3.
Title: Re: Sprites and Music!
Post by: Moosetroop11 on February 04, 2013, 11:54:48 PM
Yeah, looks good! My first impression was that it was slightly too tall, which is ridiculous considering that you're working within the confines of a grid.  I'm not sure what the feeling was actually about or whether it's even worth noting.
Title: Re: Sprites and Music!
Post by: drenrin2120 on February 05, 2013, 12:22:30 AM
Hm... I just had a spurt of inspiration. I may try my hand at parallax mapping, using a parallax background and picture foreground... Hm... HUUM... I could emulate rm2k3's more coherent three layer system.

as for the too tall thing... Yeah, I noticed that too, I'm really not digging these tiled restrictions. Maybe I could use Gary's pixel movement in conjunction with parallax mapping... that'd be neat. I must ruminate.
Title: Re: Sprites and Music!
Post by: Moosetroop11 on February 05, 2013, 01:20:09 AM
The trouble is that the more complicated stuff you use, the longer each map takes to create.  Once you're about half way through a game, even making regular maps becomes painfully time consuming.
Title: Re: Sprites and Music!
Post by: drenrin2120 on February 05, 2013, 03:09:10 AM
I can see that argument, it's just that formatting all this stuff for rmvx ace is incredibly time consuming for less than stellar results. I may even be able to parallax map faster. It'll be an experiment
Title: Re: Sprites and Music!
Post by: Meiscool on February 05, 2013, 05:44:25 AM
I used parallax mapping for my game. Works great.
Title: Re: Sprites and Music!
Post by: drenrin2120 on February 18, 2013, 06:16:18 PM
I dig Parallax mapping. I think it might be a bit overkill to use it for every map, but I can definitely see uses for it. These maps are just standard tile maps.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/drenrin2120/Juniper1_zpscd829a87.png)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/drenrin2120/Juniper2_zps60413e65.png)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/drenrin2120/Juniper3_zps8fc4792f.png)

Ignore the unfinished house. lol
Title: Re: Apathy of Angels, Re-Rebirth (RMVXAce)
Post by: drenrin2120 on February 25, 2013, 02:13:20 AM
I decided Juniper needed different style buildings. Luckily, now I have the log cabin-esque buildings for another city!

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/drenrin2120/Juniper4_zps14987a92.png)

Also, first look at interior with chests! Ugly floor will be replaced.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/drenrin2120/Juniper5_zps4388e5ea.png)
Title: Re: Apathy of Angels, Re-Rebirth (RMVXAce) (update: Feb24th)
Post by: Meiscool on February 25, 2013, 03:28:47 AM
Looks like a good start. I think there should be a frame around the doors on the new house type, but it looks to be a work in progress.
Title: Re: Apathy of Angels, Re-Rebirth (RMVXAce) (update: Feb24th)
Post by: Fisherson on March 05, 2013, 09:01:20 PM
Dude! I'm am som glad this game is still around! I didn't know RPG maker VX could do such a amazing visuals. o.O Loving it! Is it stand alone? I never even finished the RM2k version but I alwasy wanted to.

"Weapon skills replace normal attack command. Without a weapon, you can only flail." <--- This is a awesome idea! I remember Bluh's Alpha Force had something like this and I had thought on it myself but yours sounds
more evolved system like in FF9?

"*Jake's sprite is the only current sprite that isn't mine. His graphics are the creation of InsaneJP. I entirely intend to recreate him once I get around to it."

Glad you used one of my "Spriting Sensei's" characters even int he VX
version and hope you keep him close to JP's style as much as possible. His Characters are what inspired me to sprite after all.