39 replies to this topic

[metalhead_]

I am working on a platformer/adventure game to use all my old VG songs in.

Title as of DEMO 2:


Title is Four Islands because well, there are going to be four islands (worlds), and the story will most likely have something to do with the islands.

It's in the style of old mario games (as many are) but with interesting items/powerups/enemies etc. Currently there is no story. Graphic style is simple black outline pixel style.

This is going to be my first proper game (as in I am trying to make this work perfectly, actually try making decent animated sprites + various abilities). I'm not aiming for something spectacular, because by now I know what I can and can't do.

Version: 2
Category: Platformer
File Size: 5mb
GM Version: GM8.1
Vista+ Compatible: yes
Changes Screen Resolution: no

=====DOWNLOAD DEMO 2 FROM WEBSITE=====
http://magicdweedoo.com/subpages/fi.php

=====DOWNLOAD DEMO 2 FROM SANDBOX=====
http://sandbox.yoyogames.com/games/192761-four-islands-demo-2

DEMO 2








Pre-demo gameplay video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTaknFf9lxU

-----DEMO FEATURES-----

ABILITIES:
- Run + dashing
- Jump
- basic Dying
- climbing ladders

INTERFACE:
- health system
- basic menu
- run metre
- custom font
- title intro
- very basic pause
- basic world map
- textbox system

MISC:
- checkpoints
- NPC's

[DEMO version 2]
[3] Items implemented
[5] Enemies implemented
[2] Levels made

Would be good to hear feedback/thoughts or anything on it so far.

Cheers

Edited by metalhead_, 14 June 2012 - 08:52 AM.

[metalhead_]

UPDATE:

Demo 1.1 released!

NEW / CHANGED FEATURES
- checkpoints
- new level section
- crab spawner
- walking and running down hills works

[TheUltimate]

Looks cool. I might try this later.

Edit: It's pretty nice! The game works pretty smoothly and I liked the music. It’s nothing too mind-blowing in terms of gameplay, but then again, it’s still a really early version, so it probably won’t be true later on. It has this really neat overall style, though, so good work with that.
One thing I'd suggest is to at least point out that there are some jumps where you HAVE to hold Up when stomping an enemy. A lot of people (myself included) don’t play Mario games that much, so it’s not immediately obvious.

◊ TheUltimate ◊

Edited by TheUltimate, 20 January 2012 - 05:04 AM.

[metalhead_]

One thing I'd suggest is to at least point out that there are some jumps where you HAVE to hold Up when stomping an enemy. A lot of people (myself included) don’t play Mario games that much, so it’s not immediately obvious.

Yeah I am planning on making a tutorial level before you start playing the first level which will tell you about the controls etc.

Thanks for playing and giving feedback

[metalhead_]

UPDATE:

Demo 1.2 released!

NEW / CHANGED FEATURES
- climbing and ladders
- basic pausing
- balloons
- level 1-1 full



Also I'm moving these old pictures to here:

Very first screenshot of the test level to test movement animation and sprites.


First level with basic interface:


Trying out new styles, a sort of SNES style *updated*

Edited by metalhead_, 27 January 2012 - 09:42 AM.

[Pixel8ed72]

I've seen this on the sandbox, and in your sig of the forums, but haven't tried it yet.
I'll try it now.
It looks pretty good.

I'll edit in 20 minutes.
EDIT: Very nice!
The music was great, I liked the graphics, the gameplay was good, and sometimes challenging.
Very nice.
I can't wait to see the full thing.
:D

Edited by marioisawesome, 27 January 2012 - 09:44 AM.

[metalhead_]

Cheers ! I think it will be a while till it is completely finished... making the levels can be a bit tedious. Now that all of the first level is done, I'm concentrating on adding features and adjusting current ones... along with trying to polish it up a bit !

[Rossay]

It's a very cute game & the graphics have a good style. I think the platform physics would benefit from feeling smoother & some sort of in-game tutorial explaining the controls etc. would be useful.

[metalhead_]

Yeah, as I said I'm planning on making a tutorial level before level 1 which will take care of all the how-to's.

I agree with making the movement a little smoother, at the moment to me it feels a little jumpy at times. I'll definitely do something about it as I get further into this project.

Cheers !

[metalhead_]

mini update

new features since DEMO 1.2

- basic world map
- death sequence
- textbox system
- most of the tutorial level

screenshot of the tutorial level in action, notice the new 'decent' rock tiles. I intend to improve all the other 1 colour tiles in the future.

Edited by metalhead_, 03 February 2012 - 02:30 PM.

[metalhead_]

update - level 1 gameplay video

http://www.youtube.c...h?v=EDH-70q5YiY

DEMO 2 should be ready in around 2 weeks.

[Graviton Software]

I stumbled across this and just off the snes style screenies i was compelled to download ! The first thing i look for when looking at gm platform games is original character design (more importantly original graphics in a 16bit style) and somthing that makes the game stand out from the annoying mario/rockman/sonic clones with ripped graphics, which i feel you have pulled off here. I loved the chunky pixels (i advise you remove the black outlines from backgrounds) and the animation was quite well done however i feel you could put a little bit of extra detail in at a later stage. Level design was smooth and flowed well (many gm platform games irritate me with idiotic level plan-outs and blind jumps). I found some of the high jumps impossible to reach without a spawning enemy to get up there so please fix that . As for the controls i personaly prefer 'amiga-style' up for the jump which you have, as i am left handed and wads and a seperate key for jumping makes for awkward gameplay for me (i suppose you could have it on both?) Obviously it needs a more in-depth goal/plot/story but at this early stage who cares ? its still great ! The music could be lowered to make the sound effects higher (which you also need more of) other than that it seems fine.
I can't think of anything else to say at this point other than you have made a fantastic effort in creating something original and fresh, these types of gm platformers are too few and far between so i will be keeping an eye on this. I do hope you will finish this game and i look very much look forward to playing the hell out of the finished version so keep up the good work !!!
Thank you.  

Edited by Graviton Software, 11 February 2012 - 03:50 AM.

[metalhead_]

i advise you remove the black outlines from backgrounds

I agree, these backgrounds are temporary at the moment, I'm planning on making decent looking backgrounds later on... but that isn't my main focus at the moment.

i feel you could put a little bit of extra detail in at a later stage

Of course, I'm adding more/changing things constantly. Recently I made some better looking tiles that aren't just 1 colour..

I found some of the high jumps impossible to reach without a spawning enemy to get up there

Yeah that was on purpose.. although I have added a ladder at the end of 1-1-1 since it's just the first level...

i suppose you could have it on both?

Yes as of DEMO 2 there is an option to choose movement by Arrow keys or WASD, and jumping by Up or Space Bar !

it needs a more in-depth goal/plot/story

Yes to be honest I haven't thought of a decent one... but I've been having some ideas formulating in my head these past few days!

The music could be lowered to make the sound effects higher (which you also need more of)

Yeah, I'll lower the music a bit. Also I'm either going to re-do the Cactus Island song, or make a new one entirely.. I really do not like it. SFX are getting an update for DEMO 2 !

Thanks you so much for this great feedback; I'm glad you enjoyed it so far !!!!
I am still working hard on the game to get DEMO 2 ready... it will have a lot of new updates and parts of - if not an entire - 2nd level..

Cheers!

[Desert Dog]

Great graphics! Game plays well, great level design. There maay be a few issues with collisions? Sometimes the player seemed to zoom down. Nothing game breaking, and otherwise ran smoothly.

Good job! Recommended to whoever is reading!

Edited by Desert Dog, 16 February 2012 - 03:53 AM.

[metalhead_]

There maay be a few issues with collisions?

Yes the movement is a bit jumpy at times.. I'm currently redoing movement on slopes as the downwards slope movement code was the cause of the odd jumping..
There's also a glitch if you jump into a corner... still not sure on how to fix this :/

Thanks for playing and commenting ))

[metalhead_]

old screenshot dump bump






WATCH THIS SPACE - DEMO 2 COMING SOON

Edited by metalhead_, 25 February 2012 - 12:32 PM.

[metalhead_]

UPDATE - DEMO 2 RELEASED - check original post to download!

New features:
- better graphics
- basic world map
- basic death sequence
- 3 new enemies
- NPC's
- story beginning
- Main menu system (unfinished)
- simple control config options
- some new level sections
- changed backgrounds
- smooth movement
- changed music/sfx
- some level adjustments
- falling floor
- opening credits sequence and better title screen
- tutorial level
- 6 hp max

Note: movement system isn't perfect yet, and you can't save/load files yet.

Edited by metalhead_, 23 March 2012 - 01:28 PM.

[metalhead_]

check it out

Edited by metalhead_, 10 March 2012 - 02:37 AM.

[metalhead_]

still taking a break from this game while I work on some smaller ones.

DEMO 3 should be another huge update ! But don't wait up !

[metalhead_]

I've resumed work on this game, started shops: