Game & Map Screenshots 10

[Kes]

@IguanaGuy A video of nearly 10 minutes is not going to be viewed to the finish by many people. If you want to show your maps and get feedback on them, we don't need to sit through dialogue etc. If you do another one, I would like to suggest you make it much more focused.

 

[IguanaGuy]

@IguanaGuy I haven't watched the full video as I have to go to work now, but one thing I've noticed at first: the absence of shadows on the maps makes them look flat.

@cabfe - Thanks for taking some time to view my video. I am sorry for the length of it. Most of my demo ones are shorter - I guess I got carried away on this one. Your suggestion of the shadows is quite valid. I also need to sharpen the edges of the deck as that adds to the flat appearance as well. I may try making a shadow on the water for the right side of the ship to give more depth.

 

[Awesomejr44]

These are three maps I've made and I'd like them to be critiqued by more experienced map makers who might be able to point out a few flaws. Please make sure the criticism is constructive. If it isn't, then you aren't really helping. Also, I am using the original MV tilesets, so please don't complain about the tilesets without offering a new one that blends well with the original.

This first one is a path leading to a mountain cave system where a ferocious bear lives.



This next one is a bridge where you come face to face with your greatest enemy and have a one on one duel with him. The dragon statue may end up being a secret boss if you fulfil the right conditions before approaching it.


And finally, this is an ancient temple where an evil dragon that terrorized the continent was put to rest.



So what do you guys think? Can you find anything I could do better? (Other than not using the original tilesets)

 

[XIIIthHarbinger]

There is a thread for this already.

https://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?threads/game-map-screenshots-10.90080/

 

[Finnuval]

Hi there!
Okay let's see... Let me first mention that I look for logic and semi-realism in my games and maps so keep that in mind when reading my advice/feedback/critique

Map 1) I really like the overall design, simple but feels like a dense forest...
However I see some fields growing crop near the cave...If this bear you speak of has been living it that cave for a longer time there is no way anyone would go near it to tend the fields...They would be more abandoned by now.
A second thing is the road leading to the west... It leads the player directly to the treasure and seems to have no other function... I would personally have it turn south and disappear into the woods so as to guide the player to the vicinity of the chest but not directly to it.

Map 2) Again liking this one...a lot. Simple, basic but (due to coloring) very atmospheric. Throw in an epic battle-tune there and it'll stick into the player's mind Only point I can make is perhaps have a few tree-tops or mountain faces just pup-in on the bottom of the screen to make it just that tad bit more visually appealing as now it does seem a bit barren.

Map 3) I'll be brutally honest... I like this one the least. The robustness of the building and color does not fit the surroundings in my opinion. It kinda sticks out like a soar thumb (unless this is your intention then; great job) Slightly changing the color by changing the lighting could already fix this and adding some fallen leaves or branches on the pavement. a banner on both sides of the door would help too.

All in all though these map-designs are not bad in any event and you should take everything I've said with a grain of salt cause I'm no expert either
And if you think they are good and are satisfied with them then they are and you should ignore anyone else's opinion all together

 

[bgillisp]

@Awesomejr44 : I merged your thread over here, as we already have a spot for that.

 

[Awesomejr44]

Thank you for responding!

Map 1) I really like the overall design, simple but feels like a dense forest...
However I see some fields growing crop near the cave...If this bear you speak of has been living it that cave for a longer time there is no way anyone would go near it to tend the fields...They would be more abandoned by now.

I didn't think of that as the bear lives very high up the mountain, but now that I'm thinking about it, I wouldn't leave my crops there if I was a farmer, so I might move those or just remove them completely.

A second thing is the road leading to the west... It leads the player directly to the treasure and seems to have no other function... I would personally have it turn south and disappear into the woods so as to guide the player to the vicinity of the chest but not directly to it.

I like this idea a lot. I'm probably gonna do that. Maybe a fallen tree is blocking the south exit on that road so you can't leave that way.

Map 2) Again liking this one...a lot. Simple, basic but (due to coloring) very atmospheric. Throw in an epic battle-tune there and it'll stick into the player's mind Only point I can make is perhaps have a few tree-tops or mountain faces just pup-in on the bottom of the screen to make it just that tad bit more visually appealing as now it does seem a bit barren.

The bridge is rather high up and is in a wasteland area, so I probably won't make any trees. I should have given a little more context.

Map 3) I'll be brutally honest... I like this one the least. The robustness of the building and color does not fit the surroundings in my opinion. It kinda sticks out like a sore thumb (unless this is your intention then; great job) Slightly changing the color by changing the lighting could already fix this and adding some fallen leaves or branches on the pavement. a banner on both sides of the door would help too.

I had figured that the land, through erosion and weathering, would have absorbed the back of the temple, leaving part of it sticking out. It does look rather odd though. What do mean with the lighting? Do you mean the shading tool? Also, I like the idea of some banners near the door and maybe at either side at the bottom of the stairs.

Thank you for the feedback! This will help a lot!



​

@Awesomejr44 : I merged your thread over here, as we already have a spot for that.

I kind of wanted a thread where I could read just my feedback, but this is ok too.

 

[Prescott]

@Awesomejr44

1. Avoid putting trees on the corners of cliffs, because it looks really awkward and trees don't really grow on rocks. There's a mapping error with one of the cliff walls on the top left where you used the wrong tile, just go over it again and it should fix itself. Be consistent with your auto shadows. Either use them everywhere, or don't use them at all. I prefer not using them at all because I think it looks a little bit cheap but it can add some needed depth to your game if you decide to use them. You managed to make the foliage appear decently natural, and despite you not using the 3 tile rule it looks pretty good still. In case you didn't know, the 3 tile rule means that you should never use the same 3 tiles in a row, and it is normally used for more natural-looking cave/cliff walls. Basically, make a lot of variation. It is already pretty good-looking though and I don't think anyone would notice unless they were looking at it while also understanding that rule, and even then they might not care, like me. A little bit can go a long way, though.

2. It looks like the pillars on top are taller than the pillars on the bottom because they poke up a bit more. It does look a bit empty and I think maybe putting some torches along the walls or a couple more outcroppings could help break up the monotony a bit.

3. I don't have too much to say about this one than what I've already said. If I were you I would change the color of the brown parts on the building. It also looks a little weird where it's at right now. Try experimenting with extending those brick wall tiles on the sides out by one or moving the whole building down by one. You also need to realize that they would likely have flattened the earth before building something there unless it was meant to be temporary, so consider doing that instead of expecting that they would just build around what was already there.

All in all, the mapping is pretty good for an RM game using RTP so keep it up!

 

[Finnuval]

Thank you for responding!

You're welcome

The bridge is rather high up and is in a wasteland area, so I probably won't make any trees. I should have given a little more context.

Ah okay, yes that does change it a bit... but perhaps a banner of sorts decorating the wall itself would break it up just that little bit... then again wasteland is barren so this would do pretty well.

What do mean with the lighting?

I mean by using the tint screen event. Should've clarified that

@Awesomejr44 Prescott makes a good point about the bridge-towers, they do look different sizes (missed that one lol)

 

[Awesomejr44]

A second thing is the road leading to the west... It leads the player directly to the treasure and seems to have no other function... I would personally have it turn south and disappear into the woods so as to guide the player to the vicinity of the chest but not directly to it.

Just remembered why the road leads to a chest. There's actually a second one in the forest and the first one has a bad item that's mean to trick the player into thinking that's the only thing over there. The second chest is a reward for observant players who pay attention to the surroundings

 

[Finnuval]

Just remembered why the road leads to a chest. There's actually a second one in the forest and the first one has a bad item that's mean to trick the player into thinking that's the only thing over there. The second chest is a reward for observant players who pay attention to the surroundings

Lol okay well then it would work as charm I guess

 

[numituwi]

This got popular on my twitter account so I thought I'd post it here too

(Everything except the player sprite and font is a placeholder)

 

[Lee Sang]

My tileset and the characters on testing.

 

[Finnuval]

So I tried my hand at a desert themed watering hole/settlement using only basic RTP resources...

Upper part : The large building functions as a makeshift Inn, trade hub and tavern, the other buildings are storage/temp. sleeping accommodations.

Lower part : some housing and a shop.

Found it real difficult to create the barren feel of a desert and yet make it not look like a blank canvas so any feedback would be hugely appreciated!

 

[Prescott]

@Finnuval very minor thing, but the building that is facing upwards instead of down, the path should go into it. so, instead of using an ending piece just replace it with a middle piece. perspective-wise, it makes more sense since the door is technically a tile lower. otherwise, it looks great imo.

edit: also, with the first screenshot, the autoshadows from the wall on the left shouldn't be on top of the buildings because the buildings are 2 tiles and the wall is only 1 tile high.

 

[Finnuval]

@Prescott Yeah I see what you mean. I kinda was struggling with it 'cause all the other paths stop just clear of the building and I wasn't sure if that would break the look of it all or not but you are right perspective wise it should be a tile lower. Thanks for pointing that out

(unfortunately when I make it connect which I know of doing no other then using shift-click it fills the whole tile losing the ragged edges)

And thanks for the compliment

 

[Awesomejr44]

@Prescott
(unfortunately when I make it connect which I know of doing no other then using shift-click it fills the whole tile losing the ragged edges)

If you select the path from the palette on the left, it'll fill the entire tile in, but if you right click a tile on the map with a straight path (Like the one leading into town and hold shift, you can place a copy of the straight path.



See? I right clicked on a middle portion of the path and held shift to put it somewhere else in the exact shape.

 

[Finnuval]

@Awesomejr44 Thankx!
I couldn't figure it out on my own for the life of me lol
I knew I saw it in a tutorial somewhere ages ago but completely forgot about it

 

[Ksi]

I also recommend a few edits to help it pop a bit more, as well as a slight tint to give a more sun-bright feel. Also, making buildings closer together (no need for a yard in the desert after all, but houses can provide shade and thus cool areas down a bit). Here's something I did for one of my projects to give you an idea.

@Awesomejr44 :: The third map has some height issues. On one side the wall is 4 tiles high while on the other it's only two, however they're both only two cliffs high. This would create a pretty big issue with regards to flat land for the building to be built on. Keep an eye on your heights. >.<)b

 

[Finnuval]

@Ksi Thank you for your feedback!
I haven't come around to lighting and stuff yet (planned to though) but thanks for the pointer.
And the large open space serves a purpose for an event (at least at the upper map), though you are right I should probably make it just a bit more compressed and pull it more together in the lower map.

And thanx for showing your maps, this will greatly help