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Name...................................... Zu
Author..... Victor Moura (Cronus)
Maker....................... VX Ace Lite
Genre................................. RPG
Theme............... Mystery,Surreal
Started..................... 01/03/2013
Finished.................. 31/03/2013
Author..... Victor Moura (Cronus)
Maker....................... VX Ace Lite
Genre................................. RPG
Theme............... Mystery,Surreal
Started..................... 01/03/2013
Finished.................. 31/03/2013
About the project
Zu is an RPG game with few Puzzle elements, originally developed in 1 month for the event "Make a Game, Win a Game" on the beginning of 2013, which the game took the first place. This event was independently hosted by a small community called "Projeto RPG Maker", inspired by the "RPG Maker VX Ace Lite Cook Off". Following the contest rules, the game was made according to the RPG Maker VX Ace Lite limitations and it was finished within a period of 30 days. The entire game has an estimated duration of 40 minutes of gameplay.
Synopsis
Allan is a young man that, after encountering a mysterious entity called Zu, submitted himself to explore his world, willing to fulfill a personal objective. In this new world formed by memories that seems to be a merging of dreams and nightmares, Allan must find his way by exploring hostile lands and interacting with odd and bizarre beings.
Images
Click on the thumbnails to see the full-sized images.
Click on the thumbnails to see the full-sized images.
Trailer
It is recommended to watch it on the highest quality available (480p)
It is recommended to watch it on the highest quality available (480p)
The game features some custom gameplay mechanics, including:
- A Skill Tree accessible through the main menu, where it is possible to learn 12 different abilities divided on the categories Astral (AP) and Energetic (EP).
- A tool used to open sealed passageways and interact with the ambient through marks on the floor. To use the Lyre (when available) you must press the S Key. To play it use the Directional and Z keys.
- A method to obtain items that aren't easily found. On the Alchemy (or crafting) you use special items of the category "Ingredients", which when combined results in more powerful and efficient items. Ingredients are obtained through chests or defeating enemies.
80 MB | RTP Independent | Decrypted | V.2.1 (English)
Click here to download the German version (V2.3)
Click here to download the Brazilian Portuguese version (V2.0)
First Update (emergency changes)
- Improvement Statuses (Attack+ and Defense+) now work correctly and raise the attributes instead of reducing them.
- Experience and e Light from the enemies was corrected, before this the enemies gave less experience than they should.
- Labels for the items "Scale" and "Fortifying Powder" where corrected (small details).
- Removed the skill category "Special", which didn't had any use.
- Abilities "Cure" and "Spiritual Force" were transfered to the right category.
- Corrected a huge number of passability errors and tiny changes made on some maps;
- Corrected various misspelling errors on text boxes and some text was improved or replaced;
- Ending dialogs remade (various lines were removed and replaced, some lines were included), also added background images on the epilogue scene;
- Changes made on the Vocab script to suit the combat text;
- New Title and Game Over screens;
- The Box menu closes automatically after saving and loading a game file;
- Corrected the necessary value to buy the lake's map;
- Corrected small bugs regarding the lake's map activation;
- Frequency of random enemy encounters on the Ruins were reduced;
- Corrected the appearance of random enemy encounters adapted to the player's level on the Ruins (weaker groups appears on weaker levels);
- Enemies gives more experience;[/li]
- Reduction on the strong values of the Bosses special abilities;
- Vampirism now uses AP, all the Astral abilities consumes less AP;
- Corrected the atributes on the Sage's Mask item;
- New item: Traveler's Mask (raises experience given by combat).
- All text translated to English(US);
- All images translated and minor improvements made on the Statues mugshots.
Author's Notes
As stated on the beginning, Zu was a game made for a small contest and I was really glad with my overall results, despite of not being able to make it the exact way I've planned on the beginning. The concept was very extensive, so much of the game was left behind, much of the story had to be cut and a lot of decisions had to be taken in order to make it happen, but I was satisfied with what was accomplished. Somehow, all the cuts contributed to enforce create an experience of mystery that enforces the symbolism. I wasn't expecting that, but it was surprising to see people sending me messages with theories and their interpretations.
Another thing that I want to say is that I had the intention to leave the game open, and I still don't plan to encrypt it. I only ask for anyone who decides to open the game and/or check the material to not grab stuff and use as you please. There's a list with the places from where I took all the material that wasn't produced by myself, so anyone can check them. If you really want to use something I made, contact me first, but I strongly recommend to produce your own stuff according to your needs.
This is also the first time I fully translate a game of mine and share it on a foreign community, something I've planned to do an year ago but was delayed until yesterday, when I decided to translate it once for all. So, sorry if you guys see any grotesque mistakes, feel free to warn about anything weird!
Fan Arts
Eurritimia
Mercia
F.A.Q
Warning: Some answers can contain spoilers regarding how to proceed on the game, so if you don't want to spoil your experience, read it with care.
1. What VX Ace Lite is?
The RMVXA Lite is a free version of the RPG Maker VX Ace, basically containing the same limitations as the Trial version. You can download the Ace Lite here.
2. What materials did you use?
You can find the materials I've edited for the game on the credits list down bellow. I've used material from these websites and material from the RTPs of RPG Maker VXA and XP aswell. Other materials like interfaces, characters and illustrations were made by myself.
3. Can I use the materials on your game?
I think that it would be more suitable if you check the fonts on my credits and look for what you want instead of using something edited to suit someone else's needs. But if you really think that you need something that I made, contact me first.
4. What do I have to do on this game?.
Zu is a game with focus on ambient and scenery exploration. You have to look for things and to deduce the places you have to go, what tasks to make and what path to follow. Don't worry though, there are just a few areas to explore. The first area recommended to check is the Lake.
5. What do I have to do on the Lake? Was it supposed for the raft to move alone?
The goal on the Lake is to defeat the 4 Sirens scattered around the map. The raft was intended to move alone, so consider it as some sort of "mini game". If you are having difficulty to navigate and can't find the Sirens or Treasures, you can get a map by talking with one of the NPCs.
6. I am REALLY stuck, I'm wandering for a long time and I don't know what to do.
Maybe you lost a song mark on the floor. Some times they blend a little bit ( mainly on rocky floor) and can be a bit hard to see if you don't pay attention. So, try to search for them on places you think you might have missed.
7. This game is too hard! How can I beat enemy or boss X?
The key to success is to develop your abilities. Try to lead your character at least to level 2 on the Ruins, and unlock some basic skills with Light points. By exploring the ruins you can find some free points to get started.
8. I can't take these random encounters anymore. Is there a way to make the battles less inconvenient?
There's an item on the Lake that makes the random encounters completely optional, so you can chose when and where you want to fight to evolve. Just search on the right side.
9. How do I get better consumable items to use?
You can craft better items with Solo. You just have to try some right combinations, and all the craftable items you find have a label containing the ingredients you can use to make it. Overall there is 8 items that you can get with 8 different ingredients, this means that there are 8 RIGHT combinations you can do.
10. I can't find a Tonic!
You must craft the Tonic using the method above. Both ingredients are plants, and one of them is a Root.
11. This game would be much better if it was a Puzzle/Adventure game. Why did you made it as an RPG game?
I decided to make the game as an RPG because I wanted to take the best advantages from limitations, trying to use the default tools on a creative manner. At certain point I thought about scrap everything and make a puzzle/adventure game, but I gave up on this idea because I had the Skill Tree completely done and the game's script were defined to work with the RPG gameplay.
12. Do you plan to expand the game? How about to make a sequel?
I didn't planned to make an extended version (with exception of the translation), nor to go back and follow my original plans with more time. I preferred to be faithful to the results I could deliver on the contest, only making some updates to fix problems. Regarding a sequel, it is something I want to do and thought a lot about, so there is a chance for me to work on something. This sequel would probably have a different story and characters, just taking place on the same universe.
More questions can be added.
The RMVXA Lite is a free version of the RPG Maker VX Ace, basically containing the same limitations as the Trial version. You can download the Ace Lite here.
2. What materials did you use?
You can find the materials I've edited for the game on the credits list down bellow. I've used material from these websites and material from the RTPs of RPG Maker VXA and XP aswell. Other materials like interfaces, characters and illustrations were made by myself.
3. Can I use the materials on your game?
I think that it would be more suitable if you check the fonts on my credits and look for what you want instead of using something edited to suit someone else's needs. But if you really think that you need something that I made, contact me first.
4. What do I have to do on this game?.
Zu is a game with focus on ambient and scenery exploration. You have to look for things and to deduce the places you have to go, what tasks to make and what path to follow. Don't worry though, there are just a few areas to explore. The first area recommended to check is the Lake.
5. What do I have to do on the Lake? Was it supposed for the raft to move alone?
The goal on the Lake is to defeat the 4 Sirens scattered around the map. The raft was intended to move alone, so consider it as some sort of "mini game". If you are having difficulty to navigate and can't find the Sirens or Treasures, you can get a map by talking with one of the NPCs.
6. I am REALLY stuck, I'm wandering for a long time and I don't know what to do.
Maybe you lost a song mark on the floor. Some times they blend a little bit ( mainly on rocky floor) and can be a bit hard to see if you don't pay attention. So, try to search for them on places you think you might have missed.
7. This game is too hard! How can I beat enemy or boss X?
The key to success is to develop your abilities. Try to lead your character at least to level 2 on the Ruins, and unlock some basic skills with Light points. By exploring the ruins you can find some free points to get started.
8. I can't take these random encounters anymore. Is there a way to make the battles less inconvenient?
There's an item on the Lake that makes the random encounters completely optional, so you can chose when and where you want to fight to evolve. Just search on the right side.
9. How do I get better consumable items to use?
You can craft better items with Solo. You just have to try some right combinations, and all the craftable items you find have a label containing the ingredients you can use to make it. Overall there is 8 items that you can get with 8 different ingredients, this means that there are 8 RIGHT combinations you can do.
10. I can't find a Tonic!
You must craft the Tonic using the method above. Both ingredients are plants, and one of them is a Root.
11. This game would be much better if it was a Puzzle/Adventure game. Why did you made it as an RPG game?
I decided to make the game as an RPG because I wanted to take the best advantages from limitations, trying to use the default tools on a creative manner. At certain point I thought about scrap everything and make a puzzle/adventure game, but I gave up on this idea because I had the Skill Tree completely done and the game's script were defined to work with the RPG gameplay.
12. Do you plan to expand the game? How about to make a sequel?
I didn't planned to make an extended version (with exception of the translation), nor to go back and follow my original plans with more time. I preferred to be faithful to the results I could deliver on the contest, only making some updates to fix problems. Regarding a sequel, it is something I want to do and thought a lot about, so there is a chance for me to work on something. This sequel would probably have a different story and characters, just taking place on the same universe.
More questions can be added.
Credits and Thanks (Material)
Tiles and Chars: First Seed Material (original site down)
Battlers: Lud.Sakura
Music: Kevin MacLeod | RMN Music Pack
Sound Effects: Freesound (various authors)
Special Thanks
To the few people and friends that tested the game and reported problems and everyone who helped with ideas and opinions during development. Huge thanks for all the people who played the released versions, writing reviews and pointing problems to be fixed or adjusted. Big thanks to Marcel Weyers (aka NoJoker) for providing the German translation. And thank you that read my words, played or commented.
Thank you!
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