RPG Maker Forums

OVERVIEW
I’ve always wanted to put elements of tabletop RPGs such as Dungeons&Dragons or Pathfinder into an RPG Maker game. Shadow Song is my first major effort in this direction.


You will notice it is a hybrid in that the game uses a Final Fantasy like side view battle as opposed to strategic grid battles. However, tabletop rules are implemented in the battle calculations. So under the hood your heroes are rolling 1d20’s vs the enemy’s AC. This makes for a much different battle flow than traditional JRPG battles. First of all, missing attacks is normal. Second, this game has a lot less battles but each battle (or “encounter”) counts a whole lot more. Third, the unseen dice rolls will rule your world, as a series of bad rolls can turn a seemingly easy encounter into a bloodbath.


A simple skill check system has also been implemented for non-combat challenges. I don’t think I’ve used it very well yet, but I believe it has potential.


DEMO
The demo should take your party to level 6. So in tabletop rpg length, that’s about 2~3 adventures. I am thinking of eventually making the game covering an entire campaign taking your characters to level 20. Download the demo here:


http://www.watermarkrpg.com/shadow-song.html


SCREENSHOTS



STORY
“Seek the Shadow Song. Begin in Ithredain.” 


The cryptic final words of your murdered parents was what brought you to the ruins of Ithredain, on the edge of the Great Wastes. When you arrived, you were surprised to meet two other strangers with the exact same fate, with each of you bearing the exact same tattoo on your left arm. Seeking to unravel the mystery of your birth, the three of you form a team to track down this Shadow Song. And thus your adventure begins…


CHARACTERS
Create your own unique team from 4 fantasy races and 5 classes. Then customize each hero with powers and feats using a Job Point system.



CRITIQUE
Try the demo and feel free to criticize and suggest. I am interested in hearing your thoughts on the game, whether you are a veteran tabletop RPG player or someone who’s never, ever touched D&D. I am guessing the responses would be very different, with non-tabletop players confused over what AC means while veterans will prob. roast me for not implementing certain rules correctly.


For the record, I only played D&D a few times so I am by far NOT an expert of any sort. But I really enjoyed the experience. And I read lots of rule books.


So. It would be nice if you can answer these questions in your critique:
1. How long did you play Shadow Song? Were you able to beat it? If not at what point did you lose interest?
2. What team did you use? (e.g. Human fighter, Elven mage & Dwarven cleric)
3. How’s the difficulty? Is the game too hard? Too easy?
4. What’s your experience with tabletop RPGs such as D&D? (Anywhere from hardcore DM’s to purely FF people.)
 


Thanks. Happy gaming!