Topic: [Fan Games] Castlevania, Final Fantasy, Eggerland, Mario, Megaman

[Inccubus]

Update: This thread is going to cover all of my fangame projects. I'll be creating a Blog to go along with it as well since my friend is graciously letting me have hosting on his own Wordpress blog that I admin.

These are my projects:
*Castlevania: The Demon Castle (as is widely known by now, at least on this site.)
*Megaman: Power Up!! (Remake of the original Megaman that I've made mention of.)
*Super Mario Bros.: Adventures in the Mushroom Kingdom (A huge mash-up that will include the stages of SMB1 & SMB Special.)
*Eggerland Saga (Another huge mash up of all the different versions of all the Lolo games.)
*Final Fantasy: Soul of Chaos (8-bit remake of the anniversary edition plus some neat surprises.)

----------UPDATES----------

9/20/2013 - Progress on Eggerland Saga. Not much, but better than nothing.
http://castlevaniadungeon.net/forums/index.php/topic,2978.msg147286.html#msg147286

8/8/2013 - Got some work done on Eggerland Saga. Grab an alpha demo of the movement engine here:
http://www.mediafire.com/download/oqkmabcp42deccs/Eggerland_Saga-Alpha-0.2.0.0.exe
This is very early and very bare bones. It's really just Lolo in room with four posts. You can move around and that's pretty much it. If any of you are feeling generous please download this demo and tell me if you have any issues.

----------UPDATES----------

(click to show/hide)

As some of you know I've been planning an 8-bit megamix of all of the various incarnations of CV1 in 8-bit style.
Recently looking at the work done on the awesome CV2 hack that is in production, http://castlevaniadungeon.net/forums/index.php?topic=2922.0, I've re-evaluated some of the ideas I had for my project.

Mostly I decided that I want to stick to having the game take place within the castle only. The intent here is to save the outdoor stages for a CV2 remake of my own later on. I'd like some of your thoughts on that and some feedback on the choices for stages, BGMs, and bosses.

Code: [Select]

Stages:
1) The Entrance
2) Main Hall                                               A) ???
-path A-               -path B-
3) The Chapel        3') Inner Halls
4) Outer Wall         4') The Gallery                 B) ???
5) The Cavern        5') The Catacombs
6) Inner Courtyard   6') The Treasury             C) ???
7) Cursed Dungeon
8) Alchemy Lab                                          D) ???
9) Clock Tower
10) Castle Keep
11) Dracula's Lair

Stage Info:
1) The Entrance: This is the area immediately outside the castle leading up to the main hall.
Source stage layouts: NES, MSX, SNES, X68K, Arcade
BGM: In the Castle (SCV4)
Boss: Lesser Demon (from CV3, a.k.a. Leviathan, J version)


2) Main Hall: The classic 'entrance hall' that is known by many names.
Source stage layouts: NES, MSX, SNES, X68K, XBLA
BGM: Vampire Killer (CV/VK)
Boss: Phantom Bat (Includes both CV/VK and CV:Chronicles versions)


A) ??????? ?? ???????
Source stage layouts: NES
BGM: ???
Boss: ???
Note: This stage leads to either stage 4 or 4'.

3) The Chapel: Red bricked area that includes a chapel and a temple dedicated to Medusa.
Source stage layouts: NES, MSX, X68k, XBLA
BGM: Stalker (CV/VK)
Boss: Medusa (This iteration will include both the humanoid and head forms of the demi-goddess.)

3') Inner Halls: The castles inner chambers and passages including dining and ball rooms.
Source stage layouts: SNES, X68K, Arcade
BGM: Entrance Hall (SCV4) + Chandeliers (SCV4)
Boss: Ghost Dancers (from SCV4)

4) Outer Wall: Crumbling buildings and broken bridges along the walls of the castle make up this area.
Source stage layouts: NES, MSX, X68K, Arcade, XBLA
BGM: Wicked Child (CV/VK)
Boss: Giant Stone Golem (From Haunted Castle. Think Balore without the eye beam.)

4') The Gallery: An extensive display area for many paintings and relics of war.
Source stage layouts: NES, MSX, SNES, X68K, Arcade, XBLA
BGM: Pillared Corridor (SCV4)
Boss: Iron Crusher (from SCV4)

B) ?????? ??????????
Source stage layouts: NES
BGM: ???
Boss: ???
Note: This stage can be reached from either stage 4 or 4', and itself leads to stage 6 or 6'.

5) The Caverns: A large cavern deep beneath the castle.
Source stage layouts: NES, MSX, X68K, XBLA
BGM: Walking on the Edge (CV/VK)
Boss: Skull Dragon (from CV: Chronicles)

5') The Catacombs: Underground burial area full of human remains & an elevator leading to higher up into the castle.
Source stage layouts: NES, MSX, SNES, Arcade, XBLA
BGM: Cellar (SCV4)
Boss: The Mummies (This will include the two mummies, Imhotep & Kharis, from the original and the nastier one, Akmodan, from SCV4.)

6) Inner Courtyard: The castle's central courtyard, ruins, and a mysterious labyrinth underneath.
Source stage layouts: NES, MSX, X68K, XBLA
BGM: Basement Melody (Haunted Castle)
Boss: The Creature (...from the Black Lagoon. Might partially base it on the Giant Merman from HoD.)

6') The Treasury: The castle's vast treasure chambers with several secret areas.
Source stage layouts: SNES, X68K.
BGM: Treasury Room (SCV4)
Boss: Golden Bat (SCV4)

C) ??? ????? ?????
Source stage layouts: Arcade, SNES, PSP
BGM: ???
Boss: ???
Note: This stage can be reached from either stage 6 or 6', and itself leads to stage 8.

7) Cursed Dungeon: The castle's main prison and torture chamber.
Source stage layouts: NES, MSX, SNES, X68K, Arcade, XBLA
BGM: Heart of Fire (CV/VK)
Boss: The Monster (...as in Frankenstein's.)

8) Alchemy Lab: This area is for the sick experimentation of alchemical processes and includes an enchanted library and a tower of dolls.
Source stage layouts: NES, MSX, SNES, X68K, Arcade, XBLA
BGM: Clock Tower Beat (Haunted Castle)
Boss: Wizard (From CV:Chronicles, also featuring the Metalunan Mutant)

D) ????? ??????? ????
Source stage layouts: NES
BGM: ???
Boss: ???
Note: This stage can be reached from either stage 8, and itself leads to stage 10.

9) Clock Tower: The castle's ruined bridge and infamous clock tower.
Source stage layouts: NES, MSX, SNES, X68K, Arcade, XBLA
BGM: Out of Time (CV1)
Boss: Werewolf (from CV: Chronicles)

10) Castle Keep: Dangerous path that leads towards and into the castle's heavily defended central tower.
Source stage layouts: MSX, SNES, X68K
BGM: Don't Wait Until Night (Haunted Castle)
Boss: Slogra, Gaibon, Death (from the classic SCV4 mini-boss rush. Death will have several forms)

11) Dracula's Lair: The Dark Lord's inner sanctum.
Source stage layouts: NES, MSX, SNES, X68K, Arcade, XBLA
BGM1: Theme of Simon (SCV4)
Boss: Dracula (including all his attacks and forms from all versions of CV1)

Planned game play features:
8 way whip
Limp whip (Sounds like a penis disorder =P)
Whip swinging
Crouch walk
Outfits that change the player's appearance. (can only be changed in options)
Relics
All sub-weapons from constituent games (That means crucifix, healing herb, etc.)
Sub-weapons use multiple pick ups like in LoS
Hearts act as MP
Spell crashes, fueled by MP, are simple spells based on current sub-weapon (Not dissimilar in scope to Sonia's magic spells in CVL or the item crashes in Bloodlines.)

Planned Suits:
Vampire Hunter - Classic CV1 outfit.
Vampire Killer - MSX version of CV1 outfit.
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What do you guys think? I'm open to any suggestions and ideas you might have.



----Demo Versions----
Alpha v0.002 http://www.mediafire.com/?91uzpcyabpfcauh
Alpha v0.005 http://www.mediafire.com/file/k4a9tm5vdea44eh/CV-tDC_alpha_v0.005.exe

[Esco]

I have to ask why so many people are insistent on doing an 8 bit fan project, rather than a more current 32 bit 2-d one? 8-bit is extremely old and played out by now, but I keep seeing 8-bit Castlevania rehashes. So far I seem to be the only person doing one that is at least 16-bit, and I do not understand why with all the talent that there is out there. 

[crisis]

My guess is because some people feel intimidated by the coding it takes for the 32-bit style. I wish there were more hacks like that as well, but the 8-bit versions and 16-bit versions are still pretty great.

[Profbeanburrito]

I think this would be really cool if the levels were significantly different from their inspirations. It sounds like each level is ripped straight from one of 4 games, including the boss and music. I also agree that 16 or 32 bit would be better than 8, you could get more details, and it might make it stand out more. I hope you do go through with it, I feel like a lit of fans have good ideas for fan games, but don't do it or never finish it. I like the idea, so I hope we see some progress

[Inccubus]

My guess is because some people feel intimidated by the coding it takes for the 32-bit style. I wish there were more hacks like that as well, but the 8-bit versions and 16-bit versions are still pretty great.

I'll be programming the game with game maker, so the issue of the graphics style is completely irrelevant to the programming itself as far as fan games are concerned..
The choice of 8-bit style graphics is my preference (I'm huge into retro gaming) and it will be a lot quicker for me to work with.

I have to ask why so many people are insistent on doing an 8 bit fan project, rather than a more current 32 bit 2-d one? 8-bit is extremely old and played out by now, but I keep seeing 8-bit Castlevania rehashes. So far I seem to be the only person doing one that is at least 16-bit, and I do not understand why with all the talent that there is out there. 

Retro is 'in' right now for whatever reason. Part of it though is probably that the simple graphics are easier to work with for more ppl.

I have to point out something that I've been wanting to ask.
Lately it seems ppl are using the term fan game for hacks as well as actual fan games, why is that?
The CV2 project going on right now is a ROM hack. Your own project, Esco, is also a hack. (Excellent work, BTW.)
My project is a from-scratch fan game as far as programming is concerned.
I'm not gonna be using or modifying any code from any of the source games.

[X]

I'll be programming the game with game maker, so the issue of the graphics style is completely irrelevant to the programming itself as far as fan games are concerned..
The choice of 8-bit style graphics is my preference (I'm huge into retro gaming) and it will be a lot quicker for me to work with.

I agree about retro being the 'in' thing now. I would love to play a full fledged 8-bit CV game that isn't CV1, CV2 or CV3. I've played those game so I want to see and play something new that is still retro at it's best. There's nothing wrong about creating something that seems to be outdated by the mass' standards. working with such graphics and sprites is actually quite fun to do. Though the coding part is a pain in the @$$, the story, graphics and music are the fun parts...well...putting together music can be a bit of a challange but no less then anything else in terms of game making. 

-X

[Inccubus]

My main focus here is creating the definitive version of CV1.
The first factor affecting this goal is how the various layouts fit together. I am keeping in mind the possibility that I will have to add some transitional rooms between sections of stages that don't quite flow right. Fortunately, I have some ideas for some new bits and pieces I can add to beef up some of the shorter levels.

For example:
Ages ago I had designed a portcullis area that goes between right after the castle's drawbridge. Since I'm separating the entrance and main hall areas into two stages, I'd like to add this bit to make the entrance longer. Also, this new area will include a puzzle involving the portcullis at each side of the fortified wall that houses the drawbridge mechanism. Thus, the stage will look like this:
exterior area with drawbridge -> fortified wall with gate puzzle -> entry courtyard area with front door.

The second factor affecting the integration of the original layouts is the scale factors for the later remakes. The NES and MSX versions fit together perfectly with little editing needed to merge the rooms. However, the Haunted Castle stages are basically 2x sized in comparison to the 8-bit games and will have to be scaled down. (The 'blocks' in HC are 32x32 as opposed to the 16x16 ones used in CV.) I think what I will do for the HC stages is scale them down and then make new areas to beef up the length of the stages.

The trickier ones, then, are SCV4 and Chronicles. These two games didn't really scale up the proportions of the levels, but did make their respective Simons bigger and thus able to jump larger gaps that classic Simon could never manage. I'm thinking of three possibilities here either 1) I will edit the platforms to extend them where appropriate or 2) include an item from Vampire Killer to let Simon jump higher and farther or even give him the double jump or 3) Add more whip swing anchors where needed.

When all the layouts are done I expect the game to be 75% nostalgia and 25% wierd sense of this isn't quite the same place. And adding to that will be revised 8-bit graphics that are at least on par with CV3 that take advantage of advanced techniques from the later NES era like using multiple sprites to give the impression of more colors (like Megaman) and dark shading (like Return of the Joker).

Aside from the stage layouts, I'm also considering several game play aspects from other CV games that have been either popular or rarely used for inclusion. First, and foremost, is whip swinging. Obviously with the inclusion of SCV4 stages there comes the possibility of this much missed skill. I will plan on some minimal Metroid-vania aspects such as equipable items, relics, and a simple map feature. I'm also considering removing the timer in favor of a more heavily exploration based experience such as was with Vampire Killer. And lastly, multi-directional whipping.

Thought's?

[X]

Ages ago I had designed a portcullis area that goes between right after the castle's drawbridge. Since I'm separating the entrance and main hall areas into two stages, I'd like to add this bit to make the entrance longer. Also, this new area will include a puzzle involving the portcullis at each side of the fortified wall that houses the drawbridge mechanism. Thus, the stage will look like this:
exterior area with drawbridge -> fortified wall with gate puzzle -> entry courtyard area with front door.


This sounds like the watch tower stage in CV64.

In terms of the removal of the clock, I see no problems with it. It never added much to the games themselves in terms of challange so IMO, there really is no need of it. Or you could try this (And this is an idea that I had for my classic CV game that I wanted to make), keep the clock, but render it's function so as to help benefit with the points collected at the end of each stage rather then it being your character's limited existance. The more seconds you have on the clock by the time you get to the end, the more points you rank up. The clock would simply be a score additive.

-X

[Inccubus]

I really like that idea for the timer. It makes more sense than Simon spontaneously dying for no real reason. Thanks for suggesting it!

I'd like the points to be more meaningful too. Maybe they can be used for buying bonus content?
I'm sure ppl wouldn't mind some unlockable costumes and extra playable characters.

[Inccubus]

Here's a mock up of stage 1 - The Entrance:

Edit: Removed for not as to reveal secrets.

[Joachim]

the level design isn't very interesting. play around with the long flat rooms; add some platforms, or pits, or something of interest. maybe not necessarily the first set, before the castle, as that can be effective in building mood, but c-d strikes me as kind of pointless.

d strikes me as more of a tech demo than anything else, the level design doesn't make any sense. the whip swings anchors are ultimately inconsequential.

[X]

They look plain now, but when you apply the graphics, music, foreground obsticles and enemies, then it becomes something more exciting. These are just test blocks for Inccubus' soon-to-be levels. I can actually see how these levels would look if they were complete, but others might not. What I did (and still am) with the levels for my game is do a complete stage map in full size with all the graphics in place. While it's not very practicle for programing, it does allow you to see how you want the finished product to look like.

-X

[Inccubus]

Thanks for your input, Joachim! ^_^

I may end up shrinking c-d as it it 2 different versions of the same area doubled up for the sake of overall stage length.
As a matter of fact the first 3 rooms of a-b are another version of these rooms. Perhaps I'll merge a-b with c-d and just make that area a bit longer and spice it up with a few non-environmental surprises.
Then I'll have the gate house go directly to d.

EDIT: I have a modified version of c-d from an old hack I started years ago that might just be the thing to spice things up!

It's funny you call it tech-demo-y. That is a modified area from SCV4 and that whole game is a little tech-demo-y at times. I added the anchors in that area in order to have them in the first stage and give that set of platforms at the beginning a purpose since you can't reach it with an NES type Simon. The area makes more sense with the graphics in place and actually reminds me a bit of the castle from Bram Stoker's Dracula (movie). D, BTW, ends at the front door to the castle. The last three screens of that area is analogous with a-b & the constituent parts of c-d, but I decided it fits medieval castle design better to have a courtyard between the gate/defensive wall and the main building. Besides that it is also the most different version of these rooms in the series.

That's right, X, it'll be less plain looking once the props are in place.
I'm not dong the full blown layout thing since I'm working off mostly existing stages that I already have the maps for.

[Aridale]

how are you gonna do the whip swingin? Thats somethin Ive never had any desire to even attempt to make

[Joachim]

I was more referring to the random placement of the swing anchors than anything else. they serve no purpose other than to be there. its like something that you would make for a debug mode, to test out the physics, rather than put in any kind of level. sciv was mostly "tech-demo-y" in that it experimented with what the technology could do and played with it; but, it did so with tact and intrigue, its excursions into experimentation aren't awkward and fit well within the context of the game.

so its kind of a different kind of tech-demo-y?

i guess what i'm trying to get at is that every element in a level should be considered and should have a purpose or reason for being. the issue with the anchors is that they don't work with the rest of the level design; there's no reason for them to be there and as is they don't accomplish much. maybe instead you could build on the idea and have the anchors lead to a slightly different route in that particular room/part of the level, that you normally wouldn't be able to access? (also, try not to chain so many anchors together like that, it comes off as tacky and unnecessary).

i also don't recognize what room its edited from in sciv.