Shaola

[Eric_SD-RPG-Studio]

[SIZE=12pt]Synopsis[/SIZE]


[SIZE=12pt]The story follows the painful and bittersweet journey of a young herbalist who is afraid of violence.[/SIZE]


[SIZE=12pt]All he ever wanted is a peaceful life with his father in Paula Village.[/SIZE]


[SIZE=12pt]However, life can be cruel, as circumstances push him into the world of lies, betrayals and… violence.[/SIZE]


[SIZE=12pt]The only thing that keeps him alive is love! Love helps him to survive and overcome countless obstacles on his adventure.[/SIZE]


[SIZE=12pt]Sometime a hero can create circumstances. Sometime circumstances can create a hero.[/SIZE]


[SIZE=12pt]He keeps on growing up, learns, improves, matures and stronger over time.[/SIZE]


[SIZE=12pt]Gameplay[/SIZE]


[SIZE=12pt]The gameplay features:[/SIZE]


[SIZE=12pt]★ A lot of tools and gadgets to explore secrets and find treasures. Ex: Bombs, spade, magical crystals and stones, maps, animal trap.[/SIZE]


[SIZE=12pt]★ Event-based Lock-picking systems. This episode features a simple system. Other episodes will features more complex systems.[/SIZE]


[SIZE=12pt]★ A more diverse and non-linear boulder system for puzzles. You need some strength to push the boulder. You'll need more strength to pull it.[/SIZE]


[SIZE=12pt]★ Event-based Day & Night system (In progress...)[/SIZE]


[SIZE=12pt]★ Two simple event-based Quest systems. One for Story Quests and one for Side Quests.[/SIZE]


[SIZE=12pt]★ A more realistic script-based Party management system.[/SIZE]


[SIZE=12pt]★ Special treasure chests that require special tokens.[/SIZE]


[SIZE=12pt]★ Random cheat codes at the end of the game final credits for multiple play through (for this episode). Other episodes will features a script-based New Game Plus (+) system.[/SIZE]


[SIZE=12pt]★ A simple event-based blacksmith/weapons maker system.[/SIZE]


[SIZE=12pt]★ Fun minigames to collect your treasures. Ex: Racing, riddles solving.[/SIZE]


[SIZE=12pt]★ Grinding is not necessary for level advancement. However, there are grind areas if you want to grind. Grinding is boring![/SIZE]


[SIZE=12pt]★ Simple event-based mining system and gathers natural resources.[/SIZE]


[SIZE=12pt]★ Simple event-based jumping and climbing systems.[/SIZE]


[SIZE=12pt]★ Script-based side-view battle system with visible opponents. No random forced battles. No invisible opponents.[/SIZE]


[SIZE=12pt]★ A more realistic spoils system. You won't see a hero walks into a man/women's house, opens a chest and takes the gold away right in front of him/her. Beasts and some monsters don't drop gold. Why would a wolf carry around gold? How could it carry gold, anyway? [/SIZE]


[SIZE=12pt]★ Shaola features a loosely classes system. The game focuses on characters, every character is unique and different from each other, depends on their figure, appearance, schools, profession, orientation and career path, as well as fighting style and cultural background.[/SIZE]


[SIZE=12pt]You don't need to do any complex mathematical calculation on each class or grind it out to advance to higher levels. All you need to do to conquer this game is to be careful with each decision from the multiple choices, looks out for quests and secrets, managing your money wisely and using your skills, potions and items precisely. And please don't forget to saves the game, especially before each important event. [/SIZE]


[SIZE=12pt]We try to make this game and our upcoming games unique and different. We make many small tweaks to make it different from other previous RPGs and hopefully better experience for you.

★[/SIZE] Good replay value. Multiple endings. Multiple dialogues depends on various game progress and party member availability.

The endings will be decide by many variables, including multiple choices and subtle triggers. For examples: When you go out of your house in the morning, who did you go to see first? Which house did you go to first? After you got the quest to gather the party, which party member will you come to see first?

[SIZE=12pt]★[/SIZE] We focus on the growth of the characters, not only on levels and skills but also intelligent, maturity, confidence, mental toughness. Not only on game parameters, but also on the changing of personality over time. So, the story, plots and dialogues must be managed carefully.

[SIZE=12pt]★[/SIZE] More valuable “Guard” option during battle. No longer useless, now it's become a useful tactical option. In fact, in some tough battles you’ll have to “Guard” 95% of the time. Plays the game to find out! (Hint: Focus on Victor in the ealier stages of the game.)


[SIZE=12pt]Characters[/SIZE]


[SIZE=12pt]This episode has 18 playable characters, including 2 main characters (Eli, Naomi), 4 important characters, 12 mercenaries and a... tiger.[/SIZE]


[SIZE=12pt]There are 2 types of character: Story characters and mercenaries.[/SIZE]


[SIZE=12pt]Story characters relate to the main plots and storyline. While mercenaries are characters that is not really relate to the story. It's beneficial but not necessary to find and hire them to add to your team. This is similar to the "Story Quests and Side Quests" concept.[/SIZE]


Main article: Story characters


[SIZE=12pt]More to come...[/SIZE]


[SIZE=12pt]The world of Shaola[/SIZE]


[SIZE=12pt]The world of Shaola includes 1 empire (Zenman)[/SIZE], 8 kingdoms ([SIZE=12pt]Martia, Ankania, Amazail, Zuda[/SIZE][SIZE=12pt], [/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]Kazen[/SIZE], [SIZE=12pt]Zokang and Greendom)[/SIZE], 1 republic ([SIZE=12pt]Aquilon)[/SIZE], 25 other factions, 4 main races (Human, Elves, Dwarves, Orcs).


[SIZE=12pt]The setting of this episode is mostly in Zokang Kingdom, one of the two far-east kingdoms in Everland.[/SIZE]


[SIZE=12pt]More to come...[/SIZE]


[SIZE=12pt]Screenshots[/SIZE]

More screenshots:

Spoiler

Spoiler

Video


























Please disregard the sound quality of the video. The sound and music in the actual game are absolutely fine.


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Developer: Smiling Dragon RPG Studios
Engine: Enterbrain/Degica
Download: Version 0.3


Visit our blog for more news and information: rpgfaction.com

 

[Eric_SD-RPG-Studio]

I really hate bumping but I just uploaded 2 Youtube videos on some gameplays and battles for this first project of the Shaola series. Please don't pay attention to the sound quality of the Youtube videos. The sound and music quality in the game are absolutely fine.

 

[aliensalmon]

I've only watched the videos so far...but the game looks pretty interesting. I like the focus on puzzles and interactivity. I noticed some grammar mistakes in the text and some glitches, though. Battles were okay, I guess.

 

[Eric_SD-RPG-Studio]

I've only watched the videos so far...but the game looks pretty interesting. I like the focus on puzzles and interactivity. I noticed some grammar mistakes in the text and some glitches, though. Battles were okay, I guess.

Try out the demo when you have time. I think you'll enjoy it.


We'll improve the grammar over time. But for now, I'm confidence that the dialogues, plots and story are clear and easy to understand. Players should understand clearly what the characters said, as well as the quest instructions etc. Players should understand fully the game contents.


If you see any big error please PM me. I'll fix it right away.

 

[aliensalmon]

Try out the demo when you have time. I think you'll enjoy it.


We'll improve the grammar over time. But for now, I'm confidence that the dialogues, plots and story are clear and easy to understand. Players should understand clearly what the characters said, as well as the quest instructions etc. Players should understand fully the game contents.


If you see any big error please PM me. I'll fix it right away.

Okay, I'm going to download the demo now.


Edit:


I played it and I thought it was a pretty engaging game. I liked the humor in the game, especially from the fairy and angel in the tutorial. Like I said, there were some grammar issues (e.g. "Crystal:Takes me!" should be "Crystal: Take me!") but I've already acknowledged that.


I know you probably don't want to "hold the players hand", but I think you should remind the players what to do through the NPCs. (Although looking back I probably should have looked through the quest cards. I know, I'm stupid.) I stopped playing the game when I had to summon the three other characters because I couldn't find two of them. I will resume playing, but these are my impressions so far.

 

[Eric_SD-RPG-Studio]

Thanks for the feedback. I'll fix the grammar ASAP.

 I stopped playing the game when I had to summon the three other characters because I couldn't find two of them. I will resume playing, but these are my impressions so far.

Have you found them yet? There are some houses that have doors facing north instead of south.

 

[aliensalmon]

Thanks for the feedback. I'll fix the grammar ASAP.


Have you found them yet? There are some houses that have doors facing north instead of south.

Ah....clever guy! Never even thought of that! I'll continue playing later.

 

[Eric_SD-RPG-Studio]

I have uploaded a more polished teaser that demonstrate some basic gameplay and music in the game. Y'all can watch it here in the 1st post of this topic.


We also have a new domain that should be easy to remember. Y'all can straight to http://rpgfaction.com to read about the factions in Shaola.

 

[Kumo]

I watched the teaser and I must say the gameplay is certainly not boring, it seems like there is always something to do! And I really like how when you open chests you don't have to read any text the item you receive is shown over your head as well as the amount! I do enjoy the combat-system also! I also really like how you added things like puzzles like with the bombs and the boots! (Kinda like how in order to progress in "The Legend Of Zelda" you need certain tools/items to get to a certain area or weapons to defeat a certain enemy) Over all I thing it looks like it will be a fun game and look forward to the progression! Keep up the good work! 

 

[txtk]

I watched the teaser and I must say the gameplay is certainly not boring, it seems like there is always something to do! And I really like how when you open chests you don't have to read any text the item you receive is shown over your head as well as the amount! I do enjoy the combat-system also! I also really like how you added things like puzzles like with the bombs and the boots! (Kinda like how in order to progress in "The Legend Of Zelda" you need certain tools/items to get to a certain area or weapons to defeat a certain enemy) Over all I thing it looks like it will be a fun game and look forward to the progression! Keep up the good work! 

Thanks for your encouragement. If you watch the teaser you might as well play the demo. Why not.

 

[AceOfAces_Mod]

Pretty interesting. However, before I couldn't find the others on the village at the beginning. A bit of hinting wouldn't hurt.

 

[txtk]

You're right. The more I think about it, I think I'll just put the doors back in front, lol. It's really surprise me that so many people have said the same thing: Couldn't find the other party members in the village. This is like a game breaking bug. If players can't advance the game, they'll just drop the game. The "secret" element in this case just wasn't worth it.