Carpe Diem: The Living Flame

[aboutasoandthis]

...this kind of thing. I've been working to keep my grades up and to actually try so now I don't have the downloading time.

I kind of agree with Meis. I think it's because that chipset is overused. I'd focus more on the dark green and have it cover more of the forest than the grass. Either that, or a new chipset.

I guess I'll give a review. I like this game.

Story: 7/10.
It was a little too split up for me. It felt like different storylines were mashed together at random points. Each storyline was nice, but it didn't really flow. Remember, I did not read your original site's game synopsis, and I think it's important that it be easy to understand without having to read it. Think about the first time players who have never even heard of your site. Just give more background details to everything. Answer why more.

From what I got of the story, a governmental force has been using an invention to find the "Soul Flames." They are important people. I don't know why they're important, but they just are. This government thinks they have found another one. This same government has been experimenting to create super-soldiers as well. They want to use them in a war against this one kingdom.

Under all of that mess, A guy after disappearing for four years decides to go visit his hometown and runs into several annoying blockades.

Each character had an interesting story, that could make their own game. They need to unify somehow, and much earlier in the game. There is too much I don't know that I need to know, and they need to be introduced earlier.

Sound 9.5/10
Well deserved. This part counts both music and the sound effects.

The sound effects were clean and not annoying. They always matched their background. I could've used a few more though. The battle sound effects were awesome. The sword slashes, the killing sound, everything just flowed.

The music was good, but you can do better. The music was overall very pleasant to the ears. Some were even hard to recognize. I took a point off because of a few annoying situations.

Sometimes I heard a single song too much and I needed a break from it. I remember being in the castle and wanting the soldier cutscenes to turn off or turn down the music, and to use goofy sound effects instead.

There were some parts that were missing music, like the bard and the woman Nandez was talking about. I also would've liked to have heard a victory song. The battle song was kind of annoying to me.

Graphics: 7.5/10
There were some parts that just looked ugly, and some parts that looked cool. I count "out of battle graphics" and "in battle graphics."

Out of battle: You could've used more "matching" graphics in part one. Maybe from the same game. The maps could've been a bit better. No, I'm not counting the one Meis did. The charasets looked a little funny. Especially the princess. I did like the use of lighting effects in the game. The sun rays looked almost real, which is creepy since a few were just 2 colors...
The world map was okay.

In Battle: For the most part, I liked it. You had a lot of poses in your characters. I wish they could move a little more as some of them look "stiff." Maybe you should try having each character move a different part of their body by one pixel for all three frames. This is just to keep it interesting. The battle animations were smooth. I only remember one real monster sprite, and it wasn't very exciting. I think you'd be much better off with a new one.

Gameplay:?/10
There wasn't much. Level up, get 50 potions, press enter really really fast. I'll just skip this section.

Averaged Together: 8/10

Final Thoughts:
More unity to the storyline for first timers. Otherwise, it's a little confusing. A few pixel edits so the poses to the characters don't look so stiff. More battle gameplay.

 

[Linkforce]

Thanks for the review Aboutaso.

But as to what you said about the story, it is split up in the beggining, because if I unified them early, it would make the game shorter.  This game is very long, so everything goes at a normal pace.  No need to rush things.

And you don't have to read my site to know whats going on.  Yes, alot of things aren't explained and it is very confusing, but everything will be explained in due time.  If all your questions would be answered right away, there would be no fun in playing it.  Because you would want to keep playing to find out what things mean and what things are and etc.  Know what I mean?

Anywho, I'm glad you liked it and thanks again for the review.  

[Linkforce]

Well, it's been a little over a week, and Carpe Diem is going very strong.  I've been working alot for the past two weeks, and I have accomplished alot.  Chapter 3 is well under way, and it is going alot faster than previously thought.  Nothing else to really update on.  Nothing has changed, but as far as progress goes, it's great.  Here are a couple of screens from Chapter 3.



^Sky and crew are taken to Tomuras house unconcious^


^The "dungeon" that Ledron must go through.


^A flashback that Ledron has while in the forest^


^A fairy explains to Ledron that he is stuck in a mirage that the forest produces^


^Ledron doesn't believe it and goes back to find that the mirage has closed him in^

Enjoy!!  

[Meiscool-2]

I know it's supposed to look like a forest or something... but you really need to not spam that one auto tile.

Adding anything would make it look a lot better.

[Dragonium]

I disagree, I actually think it looks great. I'd say that it does need a bit more life, but you can add some bugs and frogs and things for that.

I'm very impressed with your screens, you're great at making good, fuctional maps (ie. Maps that suit their purpose and aren't over-complicated with scenery and detail). And it's great to hear that everything's going so strongly.

Keep it up, good luck.

[Linkforce]

Wow, lost track of how long ago I updated.  

Well, Meis, I may add some life to it.  Drag has the right idea.  Thanks to both of you though.  ^^'

Been awhile, but progress is till good guys.  I'll update when I have more screens and info.

[Sqoad]

I can't wait until I can try the demo!
(can't now as I'm using another computer...)
Way to go!