First, I'd like to point out that I am FAR from being able to attempting this game, I'm just posting this for fun and in the hopes that someone will refine this idea and create something of it. More likely, this has already been done and I've never heard of it, or the game isn't freeware so even if I've heard of it I can't play it. Ok, my idea is to patch up shortcomings in the RPG genre. I enjoy the great level of character customization and environment exploration available in RPGs, but where I believe RPGs fall short is the combat. Usually your ability to kill something is based simply by the roll of some invisible dice. Action RPGs just make the dice-rolling real-time. So, leave exploration in an overhead view, but switch to a side-scrolling view when encountering a monster (assuming the game is 2d, 3d would be another matter) and make the player able to use combos and such, more like action games. When using a skill (cast spell, craft item, etc.), make it more puzzle-like and make your skill level just make it easier.

Case in point, Oblivion, where increase in skill level unlocks new combat abilities, and combat is actually determined by hit and miss detection rather than dice rolls. The upcoming Elveon should be delivering something similar, too.

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Original post by lightbringer Case in point, Oblivion, where increase in skill level unlocks new combat abilities, and combat is actually determined by hit and miss detection rather than dice rolls. The upcoming Elveon should be delivering something similar, too.

Right, nevermind then. I might have that one if the damn thing wasn't rated M.

I've played Elder Scrolls Arena, but combat consists of you swinging your sword franticly, hoping for a hit.

Xenallure (no longer in production) was a single-player RPG with a design that called for side-scrolling MK-style combat, and crafting that was done by playing minigames. So obviously I think it's a good idea if I put it in one of my designs, lol. More recently I've been thinking along the lines of an MMORPG where there are several types of combat which are all treated as optional mini-games, and again, crafting carried out by playing minigames. But I'm in somewhat the same position, as a non-programmer I really have no businesses trying to start/run a game project.

The Sidescrolling part reminds me of Zelda 2 for the NES but it worked a bit different (and more boring) as there were not combos.

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Original post by sunandshadow Xenallure (no longer in production) was a single-player RPG with a design that called for side-scrolling MK-style combat, and crafting that was done by playing minigames. So obviously I think it's a good idea if I put it in one of my designs, lol. More recently I've been thinking along the lines of an MMORPG where there are several types of combat which are all treated as optional mini-games, and again, crafting carried out by playing minigames. But I'm in somewhat the same position, as a non-programmer I really have no businesses trying to start/run a game project.

Exactly what I was talking about. I've never heard of this 'Xenallure' though. Sounds Japanese... they creep me out!

o_O That sounds dangerously close to bigotry/racism...


_Xenallure_ is my own design, and as I said it is no longer in production (due mainly to me not being either a programmer or a 3D artist and also not having the funding to hire these). The design doc is publicly available. I suppose the game might seem Japanese - I'm American, but its design was inspired by the Harvest Moon and Final Fantasy series, as well as various anime series.

[Edited by - sunandshadow on April 2, 2007 2:56:45 PM]

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Original post by Erik Wartooth Exactly what I was talking about. I've never heard of this 'Xenallure' though. Sounds Japanese... they creep me out!

Sorry about that. It was only a matter of time before I made a fool of myself. My sincerest apologies to everyone.