Fidus Finds Femella (A Game Made in a Week)

[BeardBro]

Introduction​

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What constitutes a week? This was the question I asked myself when I first sat down to brainstorm about this project. I'm a busy person, so being able to create a full game in a week is an unattainable accomplishment for me. I recently read an article about a guy who created a game from the ground up (he created the engine, art, and sounds from scratch) in a 'work week', so instead of spending a literal week working on the game, he spent 40 hours working on it in a timespan of Monday through Friday. After reading his article, I decided to do my own 40-hour challenge. I don't have the time to spend an entire week working on my game, so I'll fulfill the 40 hours of work at my own leisure. I'm currently 10 hours into development, and this is what I have so far:

Story​

Our story takes place in a world called 'Altearth' which, like its name suggests, is an alternate version of Earth. Instead of progressing into the Middle Ages as Earth did, Altearth entered into the 'Heroic Age' in 1500 A.D. The year is now 1507 A.D. Altearth's inhabitants are separated into four categories: Commoners, Heroes, Villains, and Counselors. Commoners spend their days toiling away at mundane tasks in order to make a meager living. Heroes and Villains are exactly what their names imply: beings capable of extraordinary feats. Heroes and Villains are often aided by Spelldrinks, which are magic-imbuing beverages that were created by the Counselors. While not much is known about the Counselors, it's commonly believed that they are angels or gods who use their strange powers to ensure that Altearth doesn't fall into chaos. When inexplicable phenomena occur, a Counselor is almost always nearby, observing and watching.

One day, at a bar in Bridgetown, a young Hero named 'Fidus' is approached by a frantic woman named 'Femella'. Femella tells Fidus that a local Villain, The Duke, is trying to kidnap her. Before Fidus can inquire further, Femella is whisked away in a beam of light, leaving Fidus to believe that she's been taken by The Duke. Fidus gathers a rag-tag band of Heroes and heads to the Castle of The Duke in search of Femella. The Castle is not all that it seems, however. Fidus and his group find themselves caught in a series of trials and challenges that will challenge their wits, skills, and loyalty to one another. Can Fidus find Femella before it's too late? Will the Duke's challenges prove too difficult for the young team of Heroes? Only time will tell...

Gameplay​

Fidus Finds Femella focuses on two elements of gameplay: character customization and loot. There are over 80 variations of each individual weapon/armor in the game, so there are hundreds of strategies to use when equipping your characters. Instead of gaining experience from battles, you'll be rewarded with gold (and only gold). You can spend your gold on upgrades for your characters via Spelldrinks (stat increases, learning new abilities, increasing the number of a character's skill slots, etc), and then use your leftover gold to outfit your characters through 'Blacksmith', the blacksmith. Each character has two unique skills - beyond that, character progression is in your hands. Want to give your mage an unrealistic amount of health, just because? You can do that. Want to give your paladin a crazy amount of defense so he can defend your other characters with ease? That's also an option. I chose to use the 'Spelldrink' system to save on time, but as the system has progressed, it has become a very powerful tool that allows the player to have complete control over strategies and leveling.

Screenshots​

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Spoiler

 (the random chests are only for playtesting)​

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Thanks for your time!​

 

[Dalph]

Nice concept and pretty good use of the RTP, looking forward to see it complete.


Good luck! Hope you will finish it before your deadline.

 

[BeardBro]

Thank you! Yes, I'm using the RTP to save on time. There are a couple of custom graphics, but they are sparse and used out of necessity.

I'm 11 hours in at this point. I hit a snag with a script, so I had to spend an hour debugging and testing to make sure it was functioning properly. My next goal is mapping, so I'll be upload some more screenshots within the next couple of weeks.

 

[eotbm]

Deceptively simple yet challenging in execution. Good concept without a lot of clutter! Good luck with your goals. I look forward to seeing the completed game.

 

[Dalph]

Thank you! Yes, I'm using the RTP to save on time. There are a couple of custom graphics, but they are sparse and used out of necessity.

I'm 11 hours in at this point. I hit a snag with a script, so I had to spend an hour debugging and testing to make sure it was functioning properly. My next goal is mapping, so I'll be upload some more screenshots within the next couple of weeks.

I see, what's the estimated game length?

 

[BeardBro]

@eotbm:

Thank you! Yes, I'm aiming for a game that has a simple premise but is equally complex in regards to character progression, player involvement, etc. 

@Lord Clarence Macdonald:

Realistically, the main storyline can be completed in 2-4 hours depending on how attentive the player is. The 'dungeons' are extremely straightforward and can be re-visited at any time; this allows the player to 'farm' certain dungeons for loot and gold. Aside from the main storyline, there are 3 optional 'Challenge Bosses' toward the end of the game that will absolutely require the player to have solid strategies and decent gear in order to succeed. I'll probably implement an achievement system so the player has some incentive for defeating the Challenge Bosses.

If the player spends time developing strategies, collecting loot, and defeating the Challenge Bosses, the game will probably take 5-7 hours to complete.

 

[veraeve1]

Sounds interesting =) like the system. Those monster sprites are neat >.<

 

[gvduck10]

is that enemy monster holding a SPORK!? haha dangerous hallway!