Re:creation - a top down action adventure about undeads [hiatus]

[Elias Daler]

Well you did much groundwork and I think that your devspeed might skyrocket now

Yeah, it really seems so.

For example, I was able to do lots of stuff with Cutscene system I've made recently. It's more like "scripted sequence of events", not just for cutscenes. It would take me so long to make the same without it (I previously made short cutscenes with triggers all around the map and different callbacks between entities which was pretty painful).
I'll make cool cutscene soon and I'll be able to show it's full strength.

I've spend lots of time drawing stuff in axonometric perspective and giving more volume to stuff.

Here's an old screenshot for comparison:


You may notice that I made a lot of changes in Master's sprite. One big change was making it more 3d by using colors better (I'm still not very good at this, but at least the sprite doesn't look as flat as it did before!)


I don't have much time to work on the game now, because of the exams but they'll soon be over and I'll spend lots of time making the game.

[dwarfman78]

Hi,

the hat's shadow is on a different side on the thumbnail !!!! 

I prefer the old style bed, it goes better with the style of an old hermit master.

keep up with the good work !

[Ungod]

The new style looks much better and seems to be easier to draw too. There is actually a big improvement from old to new.

How do you did the shadow of the closet on the northern wall? They seem to fall out of the regular procedure.

[Elias Daler]

Hi,
the hat's shadow is on a different side on the thumbnail !!!! 
I prefer the old style bed, it goes better with the style of an old hermit master.
keep up with the good work !

Yeah, I'll fix it
Old style bed fits better, but I how new one looks. Maybe I'll make another bed for Master and use this somewhere else.
And thanks, I will

The new style looks much better and seems to be easier to draw too. There is actually a big improvement from old to new.

How do you did the shadow of the closet on the northern wall? They seem to fall out of the regular procedure.

Thanks! Yeah, it's a lot easier to draw in this perspective.

This and other shadows which don't look like other shadows are drawn manually, since they look the best if I do this instead of relying on algorithm which only works for objects which cast their shadow on a flat surface.

[Hapax]

I prefer the new projection but that's just a personal preference 

[Elias Daler]

I prefer the new projection but that's just a personal preference 

Thanks.

Today I've figured out a way to make multi-branch scripted sequences which will allow me to change stuff based on player's actions/dialogue responses in easy way. Details will come once I implement it and make a cutscene for you to enjoy.

[icecat]

hey i tried to improve your straw hat guy:


- his hat seems less of a hat and more of a spike
- the sword on his back doesn't really add much to his character so i just removed it
- notice the feet? thats because in most asian cultures its mandatory to take off your shoes when indoors so i took that into consideration


- those 2 fire pillars should have shadows
- if this character still needs a sword, you could just make it walk towards the sword on the wall prehaps
- the dialogue says "show no empathy" but i think "show no mercy" would make more sense

anyway i attached my variation of the hat guy with this post. feel free to use it as you wish.
(might need to login to see attachments)

[Hapax]

hey i tried to improve your chinese hat guy

Unfortunately, your version looks like it is looking upwards, weirdly towards the high camera!

his hat seems less of a hat and more of a spike

It seems to be correctly "pointed". However, it maybe should be wider and less high. For example:

(maybe not this big!)

the dialogue says "show no empathy" but i think "show no mercy" would make more sense

Technically, neither makes sense since the words relate to actual people but mercy does make more sense than empathy so I agree with you here.

[icecat]

Unfortunately, your version looks like it is looking upwards, weirdly towards the high camera!

It seems to be correctly "pointed". However, it maybe should be wider and less high.

- attempted to fix the camera angle
- added a slight cut on the hat to make it more interesting
- used the exact same colors for outline and mustashe that Elias used
- trimmed the arms to make him appear less intimidating and static
- hat got slightly bigger



attached the 2nd attempt of straw hat guy. feel free to use as you wish.
(login for attachments)

[Elias Daler]

Thanks for feedback, guys.
I agree with Hapax, that icecat's version had wrong angle, but the last one is better. I'll take some notes into consideration when I try to improve the sprite again, but I won't do it exactly as you did, icecat. That's because I don't think that your interpretation fits my art style very well and the character looks a bit different from what I imagine him to be.

Meanwhile I've been redrawing stuff in Undead Cafe.
Here's how it looks now:

Old screenshot for comparison:


It feels great to redraw characters with more shading and better use of colors. Stuff looks more polished and professional. And it has more depth. 


My exams are almost over (The last one is on 25th). After that I'll rest a little and begin to work on a simple multi-branch cutscene which I'll show to you. (Multi-branch system already works well, I just need to make some art and animations for the cutscene)

[Hapax]

Icecat, your new version looks better but you made the head bigger to match the hat and it looks wrong 

Elias, seeing your improvement in the cafe makes me wonder why we didn't notice how short the walls were before!
How did the cat get even cuter? 

[SpeCter]

I don't know why, but the cat is cuter eventhough I think it would be even cuter with the legs stretched like before.
Right now it looks more like a person.
The old one gave a "mew mew" feeling

[icecat]

Icecat, your new version looks better but you made the head bigger to match the hat and it looks wrong 

- smaller head
- tried to mimic Elias's style for shading
- robe got curvier from the bottom



attached attempt 3. feel free to use.
(login for attachments)

[Hapax]

I don't know why, but the cat is cuter eventhough I think it would be even cuter with the legs stretched like before.
Right now it looks more like a person.
The old one gave a "mew mew" feeling

It's weird but now that I've seen the two together, the older one looks like it's stood on the table!

[icecat]

Meanwhile I've been redrawing stuff in Undead Cafe.
Here's how it looks now:

i have some suggestions for the cafe:


- give this guy an animation doing something casual like cleaning glasses


- instead of square stools maybe you should have bar stools here (picture for reference below)



- instead of pillars maybe use hanging lamps/lanterns for light?


- maybe some jars/glasses/cups on the tables


- local sign, could maybe say "undead cafe" on it


- would be funny to see some cats waitering, highly unnecessary though