Dungeon Delver

[Marston]

Dungeon Delver
​

Hello there, forum folks! I present to you a new demo of this game. The game exists since late 2016, but I haven't worked on it since early 20.17. Well, that changed and I started to do some stuff again and now, a wild new version appears! Whoo! So, here it is: Dungeon Delver 0.45!


This game is a Roguelike. Or, well, my spin on the idea of a Roguelike. The story is barely there, as you just traverse a dungeon, again and again and again. Oh, and the screens are a bit old, but still show the important things.

Spoiler

At the start of each dungeon run, you decide which class you want to pick. After you've chosen a class you enter the "Shop Area". No matter if you finish a dungeon run or fail midway: You will lose everything. Except your money. Your money can be used here, either to get an early start or to fully equip yourself and not be dependant on the randomness of the dungeon. However, those things are pretty expensive, so you probably can't do that every run.

Spoiler

Each class gets access to 10 skills, 1 of them they have already learned. You get 1 JP per level up and need them to learn these skills. Each class has 5 regular skills (1 JP), 2 stronger skills (2 JP) and 3 passive skills (3 JP). Later on you also get access to brown chests which can give you skill scrolls. Skill scrolls can teach you new skills, so a mage could learn healing spells or a warrior could get access to magic.

Spoiler

The dungeon itself is semi random. The rooms itself always look the same, but what's in there may change. Take the screen above for example. The enemy you see there will always appear. However, 2 more enemies could spawn in this room. Also, the chest there? May not be there when you enter this room. Or it may spawn a second chest. Also, one other important aspect:


You can never return to a previous map. You can only move forward. Sometimes you may get access to more than 1 path, so you have to choose which one you want to take. And other times, one of those paths may be blocked, so you are forced to take the one that is not blocked.

Spoiler

Last but not least, the game offers many achievements, which unlock stuff similar to The Binding of Isaac. You can unlock pretty much everything with them:


New classes, new items, new enemies or even completely new game mechanics. Because the game is currently so short you probably won't see that much, but I have plans for some really interesting things to unlock.


Here is the download of the current version:


Dungeon Delver 0.45


The game is now at least at a stage that it could be called a small game. With 12 classes and 3 areas, a single dungeon run through both areas takes ~20-40+ minutes, depending on the class and your experience. So it already has quite a bit of content! I doubt anything fundamental will change anymore though, but I am open for feedback. On that note, I would appreciate some specific feedback:

- How is the beginning of the game? To slow, to fast? Do you unlock new things quick enough or does it take to long? How is the pacing?
- What about the difficulty? Is the game to hard or to easy? Do new areas provide new interesting encounters or does nothing really change? How do Affixes and Lost Souls (a new mechanic in 0.4) help with the difficulty?
- Should I add another save point somewhere, maybe after area 3 or is it okay to do everything in one sitting (I prefer that to prevent abuse)?

Also, if some played the previous version, I am not sure if the saves still work. It could lead to some wonky variables and achievements, so I would appreciate it if you would start a new file (also to answer to the above questions).


So, that's it. Thanks in advance and have fun!


Finally, here are the credits:

Scripts:
DreamX
HIME
Iavra
SkottyTV / DragonPC
Yanfly


Graphics:
Avery
chalkdust
@ENCOUNTERED!!
hiddenone
tyeki
whtdrago


Music:
Wingless Seraph

 

[Marston]

Aaaaand *bump*


Even though I already changed a few things, most of what can be seen in here is still relevant. So I would still like some feedback, if possible :3

 

[Dutch Power Creations]

My computer red flags your download link. So I will not download it. Could be the provider that adds certain stuff. Maybe just use drop box or something else? Or is there something in your game folder that gives that error?


From reading your post, I do not like the 'no story' part at all. Even if the story is weak, I prefer you come up with at least something.


I think the concept will work as I know a few games that have that (like Lufia has a dungeon thing build in it 2 with a full story line around it). I would test it out once you have a other provider. 


Cheers and gl till then. 

 

[Marston]

I actually can't use dropbox because my account is so old that they closed my public linking because of traffic years ago... xD


And aside from the one in the OP, I don't know any other free upload sites for files with that filesize.

 

[The_Trinity]

You could always probably upload to Gamejolt.

 

[Kes]

A lot of people use mediafire.com to distribute their demos. 190Mb is not that big.

There is no story or anything. You just traverse a dungeon, again and again and again.

This for me would be an absolute turn off.  Even rogue like games have some story framework, even if it is sometimes pretty minimal. 

 

[Marston]

I can definitly add some sort of mini story, I just don't think it's really necessary or would be adressed at all except for the intro and ending. As for the upload, I may give Mediafire a go later on then.


--------------------


Alright, here is a Mediafire link:


http://www.mediafire.com/file/ttmrrq0t9i8qwv7/Dungeon_Delver_0.1.rar


As for my current progress, since this version is really, really short:


- 4 more classes (7 out of 12) have alle their skills.


- The second area has over half of it's maps mapped, events are still missing.


- I started with a few new enemies, but they still lack skills.


- I also added a minimal backstory to the intro. 


I am also not completely sure if I may change the enemy/weapon system or keep the current one. 

 

[Marston]

I present you Dungeon Delver 0.2.


Demo Download:


https://www.mediafire.com/?1q6yi3dc3aprli2


Changes and Additions:


- The game got a really tiny story, but it should satisfy those who don't like that the game had none at all before.
- The second area has been added, which increases the length of a single dungeon run from ~5+ to ~10-15+ minutes.
- 7 out of 12 classes are now playable (previous version had 3).
- A intro has been added and the tutorial can now be skipped. The tutorial also had a few changes with the dialogue.
- 7 new enemies have been added (1 to the first area, 6 in the second).
- 5 new bosses have been added (all in the second area)
- Affixes have been implemented. At the moment 5 exist and all can be unlocked. Once all 5 have been unlocked you also get the ability to deactive them for gold.
- Many new achievements have been added. Nearly all can already be unlocked (only exceptions are the ones where you have to finish an area with all 12 classes).


This version now actually can be called a small game. There are several things I am not that happy with in this version, but some of my fears may actually disappear when I add even more areas and the difficulty increases with more and stronger affixes. What I am not happy with:


- Armor seems to strong. I may have to change it so that the first few armos give HP instead of DEF.
- Weapons feel either to weak or to strong, depending on what weapon you get and when. Got a strong weapon early on? Enemies pose no threat. Don't get an upgrade? Enemies and especially bosses live way to long. Maybe change the weapon system so that I only have unique weapons? That would come with a whole bunch of other problems though.
- Many enemies seem weak if you get some gear, but could prove unkillable if RNG fricks you over. Affixes help making them not so weak, but I am not completely sure if I should maybe change the whole system similar to the weapon system. At the moment each area has unique enemies, the farther you get the stronger and more complex enemies become. With more and more gear unlocked as well as permanent stat boost the first enemies turn into no threats though.


Anyways, if anyone of you guys has maybe an hour or two, I would appreciate some feedback.


------------------


Edit:


Found a bug, that may lead to a blocked path, so you are forced to reset. Please replace the maps 29 and 34 with these two, they can be found in the www/data folder:


http://share.cherrytree.at/showfile-26740/map029.json


http://share.cherrytree.at/showfile-26739/map034.json

 

[Marston]

Alright, let's try this again. I present you guys with:


Dungeon Delver 0.3


If you played before you can simply use your old save, but an achievement where you had to unlock 5 different affixes was buggy, I need to fix that manually, so send me your save if you don't want to begin a new one.


This version now contains:


- All 12 classes


- 2 areas, which increases the time for a single dungeon run to 15-25+ minutes, depening on your class and experience


- Several new items and Achievements compared to the last version


- Several bug fixes and some rebalanced items/older classes


- Rebalancing with higher stats


The next version will definitly have more content. Bigger area 1 and 2, new shop categories, the skill scroll shop, new enemies etc. As well as maybe the third area. I am not sure how much of that will come with the next version, but stuff will definitly come. xD


So, have fun!

 

[Canini]

Looks interesting, I´ll probably have a go at this in the future. May I ask, what is the story? In my experience even a barebone-story/excuse-plot can drive people in, so I´d be interested in knowing. 

 

[Marston]

Looks interesting, I´ll probably have a go at this in the future. May I ask, what is the story? In my experience even a barebone-story/excuse-plot can drive people in, so I´d be interested in knowing. 

It previously had nothing. Now it's basically this:


You are a lonely soul, stuck in purgatory, forced to traverse a dungeon over and over. You may change things. The dungeon may look different. But no matter what you do, you can't escape.


...or can you?


--------


Since the game doesn't end at the moment (only 2 of at least 3-4 areas are done) there is nothing more to it at the moment though.

 

[Freank]

nice menu!

 

[Nessuno]

Stray Thoughts on this~ 


From a design perspective the dungeons are awesome and the winding paths are brilliant- It's awesome that you can never go back, and every decision feels like a tense roll of the dice. From a personal perspective this game gave me that "Aw this is so cool" feeling from getting lucky or just barely surviving a risky battle and getting that Level Up. Also really appreciate the simple double digit health bars. The game opens up quite naturally and is challenging without being unforgiving (though there is the occasional fight you know you'll probably lose going into it, but that's kind of the charm).


Also as far as the story goes, I think the minimalist story honestly adds to the game's charm and mystique, honestly reminded me a lot of when I first dived into Demon's Souls (if you're familiar with the series) and was trying to put together the lore in my head and use my imagination to fill in the gaps.


Some constructive critiques- Combat tends to drag a bit, especially in the early fights. No idea if there's any plugins to fast-forward combat animations, but that may be something to consider when you get to a polishing phase, especially for when fights become a matter of mash the attack button until you win or inevitably kick the bucket. 


All in all, definitely a good formula you've got going and I really liked what you've got completed! Interested to see how this develops and how you chose to expand!

 

[Marston]

There are still several things I am not completely happy with. The length of the combat is definitly one of them. I am not sure if I could maybe improve the duration if I use Yanfly's Action Sequences or if that would increase it even further. A change to the front view Battle System may also improve combat length and may be an alternative, even though I prefer the sideview one simply for the fact that you see your party and the enemy.


The game also becomes rather easy quickly, which is probably because only 2 areas exist (so you have shorter runs with easier enemies) yet still can already unlock relativly strong items and get permanent stat bonuses. I still hope this will somewhat even out when 1-2 more areas get added and I add more enemies to the first 2 without having to rebalance everything yet again. And, well, when the whole Affix system is finally there with many more affixes that the player has to take into consideration.


Thanks for the Feedback!

 

[fizzly]

Wanted tutorial - gave me error... xD
Edit: played v.0.3

Edit #2: Wanted to skip tutorial, same error, unplayable "undefined is not a function"

 

[Marston]

I present to you, after a year of nothingness:


Dungeon Delver 0.4


Changes since the last version, which was released over a year ago:

- Area 3 has been implemented.
- I added a Skill Shop.
- Many new items, skills and achievements have been added.
- Lost Souls have been implement (only area 1 so far, area 2 and 3 will follow)
- Several bugs have been fixed.
- The 4 expert classes have been buffed a bit.


I would also appreciate some specific feedback:

- How is the beginning of the game? To slow, to fast? Do you unlock new things quick enough or does it take to long? How is the pacing?

- What about the difficulty? Is the game to hard or to easy? Do new areas provide new interesting encounters or does nothing really change? How do Affixes and Lost Souls (a new mechanic in 0.4) help with the difficulty?

- Should I add another save point somewhere, maybe after area 3 or is it okay to do everything in one sitting (I prefer that to prevent abuse)?


Also, if some played the previous version, I am not sure if the saves still work. It could lead to some wonky variables and achievements, so I would appreciate it if you would start a new file (also to answer to the above questions).

So, that's it. Thanks in advance and have fun!

 

[vectorinox]

A roguelike? Count me in! Can't wait to try it after I finish downloading.

 

[Marston]

Aaaaand the first bug that makes this version unplayable. Decided to encrypt the files. Seems that made the game unable to load at least the iconset.

Going to reupload the unencrypted version now.

Edit:
Fixed the downloadlink.

Edit 2:
Fixed two bugs in the third area preventing you from continuing the game. Please download and replace some maps in the www/data folder:

http://www.mediafire.com/file/y7o5t0632b87h47/Map Fix.rar

There is also a bug with Brown Chests, I already fixed it but will upload a fix tomorrow.

 

[Marston]

http://www.mediafire.com/file/totztic8lxnknkd/Dungeon+Delver+0.45.rar

New version 0.45 has been released. Aside from several bug fixes and balancing, Lost Souls have been added to the second area. I already made some other adjustments regarding the Spellblade class and the Affix Destroyer, but not so much that it warrants another new upload.