Shawn's Story-A thousand years' journey, To live a thousand years is to live with a thousand farewells... Options

[AphidRuin]

Platform
RPG Maker XP(RTP needed)
Genre: Fantasy Fiction(Fan-fic)
Tone of Story: Light-hearted at the first chapter, serious as gameplay goes further
Demo Size: 91 MB
Gameplay Difficulty: Medium-Hard

They said that I've died, a thousand of years ago.

Download the demo here
Shawn's Story Demo v2.03

*According to popular request, I have shrinked the demo size by half*
This is the newly released demo, ready for download. Do give it a try!

[Show/Hide] The Capital City of Ehira

Established in a flavorable environment 3400 years ago, the Capital City of Ehira, or commonly referred as Ehira City, became the one of the world's most renowned and populated cities. Ehira City is located far west, where the weather is said to be the best among all the states.

Ehira emphasised greatly on the production of Magic Energy, especially after the research of Mana Power(MP)became popular and the ascension of Town Council Minister Regias. It shared bitter rivalry with Kanth to become the most flourished city in the world. Their production of magical instruments and even regular daily needs became their main marketing product soon. Until today, Ehira City continues to expand its magical industry and encourage the expansion of military power.

[Show/Hide] The Advanced Technological Capital of Kanth

Unlike Ehira, Kanth was built slowly from the eventual efforts of villagers that once hoped for better lives. Its relation with Ehira City is seen as paradoxical and contrasting. When Ehira City had a great environment to start with, Kanth people had to suffer from harsh winters throughout the seasons. Plants were scarce, but this paved way to their advanced research in food stocks, in which they produce artificial food that are palatable --- enough for emaciated and malnourished citizens. Due to their rivalry with Ehira City, Kanth has invested most of its money on military development and research instead of looking after the people. Prostitution, corruption, theft, broad daylight robbery were frequent.

Life was bitter in Kanth. The citizens rarely felt the warm sunlight bathing on them. And yet, they never wanted to abandon the work of their ancestors.

[Show/Hide] History

2000 years ago, 5 humans from another planet came to this planet to check on the progress. It was said that they can live up to millenium, and they will not die in spite of any injuries. These godlike people were assigned to different places to survey the planet, but on the day of their departure, came the legendary Ehivan War. Kanth attacked Ehira for some particular reasons, and with the most advanced technology, they were no match for the Ehira troops.

But war, does it even have rules?

[Show/Hide] The Five Immortals

It was heard that the technology progression of this people's planet are a few thousand times more advanced than on the planet's.

The Five Immortal had some sort of position and were considered the Upper Class of the people in their planet. They were ordered to take note of the progress in the other planet(The game world). But there was much of a conflict before the mission started. Some ministers, who opposed to the plan just because they thought the Five Immortals would betray the emporer and not come back, launched a mutiny and caused the mission to be delayed although the rebellion was put out soon.

In order not to spoil the fun, I am not going to explain why the Five Immortals could not die.

[Show/Hide] Shawn Manorga

The main character of the game.He was the immortal assigned to Ehira and fought gallantly with the Kanth troops despite how heavily outnumbered his army is. His skills earned him several promotions, but when he was only promoted to 6th Lieutenant, he mysteriously disappeared. The people of Ehira thought he was devoured by a huge beast, because they could not find his body. However, that's not it. Not that simple. Shawn's Legend does not end here.

[Show/Hide] The Story Begins

The game starts showing Shawn in the internal world of him, struggling very hard to wake up until a person known as Memory helped him. He later learns that he had slept 1500 years with his memories all sealed up by an unknown sorcerer. He then departs on a journey to find answers to his past, and the rest is up to you to play in the game.

[Show/Hide] Characters

[Show/Hide] Shawn Manorga

Name:Shawn Manorga
Age: Immortal
Weapon: Sword
[Talented Swordsman] Uses deadly Technic skills to deliver heavy blows.
Description: After 1500 years, Shawn has fallen from a wartime hero into an average man without official identity. He takes extreme pride of his rank although he was only promoted to 6th Lieutenant. Shawn's memory was erased completely when he woke up. Main character of the game, he is a happy-go-lucky person, but he can get cold and serious when he blows his top. He is an aggressive attacker and he never leaves mercy on people who harmed his friends.

[Show/Hide] Reas Brexter

Name:Reas Brexter
Age: 23
Weapon: Claw
[Bashing Brawler] Dazzles foes with series of punches, kicks and slashes
Description: Reas excels in both studies and martial arts, making him one of the most famous generals in Ehira currently. His father is Regias, Minister of Town Council, and he is his 72nd child. Although he looked reticent and truculent, he is, deep down, a very socible person. Shawn's most trusted sidekick.

[Show/Hide] Shamaine

Name:Shamaine
Age: Unknown
Weapon: Wands & Staffs
[Cheerful Medic] Manipulates healing and boosting spells to keep other members fighting.
Description: No one knows Shamaine's surname and she is not sure herself too, but she often heard Regias calling her "Mrs Manorga". She is the Princess of Ehira, but not from the loyal bloodline as she was adopted when one of the king's knights found her standing on the streets on a snowing night. Mischievious and spoiled, she is a brat that loves to get out of her room using the magic she learnt secretly. Despite of his untamed nature, she is a very caring and selfless cleric who is willing to sacrifise anything for her allies. She has a very strong liking for Shawn and would do anything just to get closer to him.

[Show/Hide] Khoven Lernfet

Name:Khoven Lernfet
Age: Immortal
Weapon: Greatsword
[Peerless Warrior] Makes use of large amounts of MP to deal great damages on the foe.
Description: Khoven looks like Cloud of Final Fantasy 7 and behaves exactly like him. A cold and calculative person, Khoven nevers bothers much about his allies(explaining why he doesn't have any buffs for his allies). He is one of the members in the Ashoira Investigation Team(AIT)and had solved many cases. Like Shawn, he is also an immortal, but blessed with great strength and endurance instead. There is a rumour within the palace that the Queen of Ashoira has lain eyes on him since after he rescued her from a bandit raid.

[Show/Hide] Aloysius Manorga

Name:Aloysius Manorga
Age: 19
Weapon: Long Bow
[Magical Ravenger] Uses combinations of spells and arrows to surprise foes.
Description: Aloysius is the last survivor of the Manorga clan. A young lad who lost both of his parents at the age of 15, he lives alone near the sea and takes up the job of protecting Epsylon and hunting for raw materials. When he was younger, his father used to tell him about Shawn being their ancestor, immortal and still living, but he doesn't believe the fact until othe day Shawn came to his door. A very joyous person, Aloysius is said to have inherited Shawn's happy-go-lucky attitude and his love for adventure. He has a secret crush on a purple-haired girl of his age that he never dared to admit.

[Show/Hide] Lanion Nal Jackhem

Name:Lanion Nal Jackhem
Age: 27
Weapon: Staff or books (rare equip)
[Elemental Wizard] Blasts out variable elements of spells, targeting their weaknesses.
Description: A mysterious magician that claimed to be the last traditional Nal, a tribal race. With a long history of 2100 years, the Nal people had long gave up their traditions and went to live in modern cities, except for Lanion's family. Lanion is a straightforward person; if he wants to point out something, he will cut straight into it unlike Shawn. Honest and dilligent, his greatest wish is to find a wife and settle down and live traditionally. But upon hearing of Regias' evil intentions on Ashoira and Kanth, he casted his dream aside to solve the crisis once and for all.

Side Characters
Name:Memory
Age: Not Applicable
Weapon:Does not fight
Description: Memory is the overall in charge of the memories we have. For example, he helps you when you want to recall what you have planned to eat for lunch. Shawn's Memory was sealed in a cage with 100 locks. With every lock that opens, Shawn will be able to remember certain things about his past, but the sudden effect give tremendous pain and sometimes even blow him unconscious. Memory helps by navigating Shawn to his cage, and explains everything that can be found from a broken lock, and also, you are able to use facilities like blacksmith and skill shop to get special weapons and learn skills that a character cannot learn automatically. Memory takes form over a person from real-life, and the person's real identity and relationship with Shawn, is that he is his (CENSORED).

Name:V.I.R.U.S
Age: Not Applicable
Weapon:Does not fight
Description: Virus corrupts the memory of one person, whether he's an immortal or a mortal. And if the Virus successfully evades the brain system, the victim would forget everything they know depending on how much Virus attacked him. Only immortals are able to save themselves by entering the subconscious state and exterminate them before it's too late. Virus can take form of any being as long as the victim recognise him or her. Virus plays a very vital part in understanding the storyline.

[/spoiler]

[Show/Hide] Screenshots

Battle screen.

One of the puzzles in Shawn's Story

Level up screen

Save & Load screen

Skill selection screen

Start up screen

The Menu System.

[Show/Hide] Features

[Show/Hide] Aphid-Edition Default Battle System(ADBS)

An originally customised default battle system by AphidRuin. Experience the thrill and enjoyment of just ulitising little amount of add-ons to beautify the battle system! All encounters have well-balanced stats to give you a full-time challenging but enjoying battles and experience rate to provide you the just right time of leveling up.

[spoiler=Blizzard's Stormtronics Menu] A total new out look and fully original edition of the default menu by Blizzard, the menu system has been highly regarded as one of the best in RMXP. With several add-ons like the Quest Log and also using Moghunter's custom menu screens(status,skill,item), gameplay is maximised to the fullest and players will have a great time with the menu.

[Show/Hide] Quest Log

Need something to keep track of side-quests available in the game? Then here is a good function for you! Implemented along with the menu system, you can keep track of quests accepted, and also review quests that are completed sometime ago.

[Show/Hide] Pseudo 3D Camara

Are you having a boring time looking straight at the screen with seeing it move? Well, with the fantasic add-on, no worries! You can experience life-like 3D zooms to bring out the best of the graphics during battles.

Blizzard's Easy Party Switcher
Start Up Screen(Still pending,so I'm using the given materials)
Night_Runner's Item Exchanging script and item-skill learning script
Musics from Nobuo Uematsu(Is that counted?)
THERE'S A LOT MORE!

Estimated playtime:
It's about 2 hours for the current demo. Sit back and enjoy the music too.

Known Errors
There is an issue with Ccoa's UMS. Some parts of the text could not be seen though. Please bear with me until I find a feasible solution.
Please inform me if there is anymore errors. Thank you.
There is no playtesters for the new demo yet. It would be much appreciated if someone would give me a hand.

Credits
For battle system add-ons, menu system, and most for the party changer, thanks to Blizzard the master scripter.
Title Screen: Moghunter
Transition Script and Save & Load System: Fantasist
Blacksmith and skill shop: Legacy, NightRunner(He left the forum, sadly ), ForeverZer0
Quest Log System: game_guy
Dialogue System: Ccoa

And other staffs who had helped me in recolouring pictures and teaching me how to make a game,

Thank you Ladies and Gentlemen!

Hope you guys and have a try on the demo and give some comments. If you have any questions about the storyline, please do ask.

This post has been edited by AphidRuin: Nov 22 2012, 09:36 PM

[AphidRuin]

The Full Beta Tested Version has arrived!

Please download the new version of the demo.

Demo playtime is still the same. 3h-5h of gameplay.

[AphidRuin]

Erm, sorry, but it has been 2 weeks? Is this how I bump?

Please give me some feedbacks...
And yes, the world map has been improved and I'll be using Inquitsitor's,that will definitely look better.

[AphidRuin]

Fixed starting point error that lasted for 3 weeks. Please download the demo again. Sorry for taking so long....I was too busy at a moment to check again on the demo. By the way, I've updated the world map with the new one. For those who downloaded the error demo, it would be appreciated that you download again. (Especially for Reviewers....so sorry about that. I just want to say a thousand times of apologies to you.)

Thank you can hope you leave some comments.


This post has been edited by AphidRuin: Jan 21 2011, 11:02 PM

[Harryb412]

The sprite for Reas, his head seems a little wonky. I'd suggest moving it one or two or three pixels right and maybe two pixels up.
Could we see more screenshots of the mapping too? Right now it's only really the menu and the battle system, and everyone kinda already knows what they look like.

Also, a list of credits is needed.

[AphidRuin]

The sprite for Reas, his head seems a little wonky. I'd suggest moving it one or two or three pixels right and maybe two pixels up.
Could we see more screenshots of the mapping too? Right now it's only really the menu and the battle system, and everyone kinda already knows what they look like.

Also, a list of credits is needed.

WAHHHHHH THANK YOU MAN I LOVE YOU YOU ARE THE FIRST ONE TO COMMENT ON MY GAME!

Also, a list of credits is needed.

I am currently trying to remember and search back the script and all those resources in order to find out the authors. You will have to wait for a while then.

Could we see more screenshots of the mapping too?

Sure...I will get some of my nicer mappings(Maybe Sea of Baus). But my save just corrupted, so once again, I need to clear the whole thing first.

The sprite for Reas, his head seems a little wonky. I'd suggest moving it one or two or three pixels right and maybe two pixels up.

Sorry, but can I ask how do I do that? I got it from my best friend(Google). I don't even know how to sprite too. Your help will be appreciated.

[AphidRuin]

I uploaded the wrong file last time...
Sorry guys, my bad. I was too busy with school stuff.
Anyway,try it!

[se7en]

Interesting story, though I might suggest a few grammatical corrections and a more refined story, you kind of jump into these immortals and the Ehira and Kanth, without exactly explaining who and what they are. If you would like any help, I would be more then happy to offer my assistance, I would also suggest recruiting some other people to work on this project, as it is extremely hard to work on a project alone.

[AphidRuin]

Interesting story, though I might suggest a few grammatical corrections and a more refined story, you kind of jump into these immortals and the Ehira and Kanth, without exactly explaining who and what they are. If you would like any help, I would be more than happy to offer my assistance, I would also suggest recruiting some other people to work on this project, as it is extremely hard to work on a project alone.

Finally someone understands my storyline! I'm so damn happy! WOOTTS!

Character backgrounds are revealed in the game alone. And yes, I also agree with you that it is really difficult to work on a project just by me alone and I am really having a slow progress, but I would rather choose to do it alone because my friends are really expecting much of it after playing my demo, everyday asking 'Is your Shawn's Story done?'. But some of them suspected I had actually stole other people's project because simply they did not know about RMXP and they think that a 13-year-old kid couldn't do that much. Thus, I want to just prove them right that I made it. (YES I MADE IT!)

Thank you very much for your kind offer! By the way, do you have any spriting or basic picture skills (Like removing white background) because if you see Aloysius's character, it's just horrible. Thus, in future can I ask for some help on the sprites and characters later in the game? (There are 8 characters and I only made 5 right now)

Expect good music, and have a try on the demo too! Thanks!

Interesting story, though I might suggest a few grammatical corrections and a more refined story, you kind of jump into these immortals and the Ehira and Kanth, without exactly explaining who and what they are. If you would like any help, I would be more than happy to offer my assistance, I would also suggest recruiting some other people to work on this project, as it is extremely hard to work on a project alone.

Finally someone understands my storyline! I'm so damn happy! WOOTTS!

Character backgrounds are revealed in the game alone. And yes, I also agree with you that it is really difficult to work on a project just by me alone and I am really having a slow progress, but I would rather choose to do it alone because my friends are really expecting much of it after playing my demo, everyday asking 'Is your Shawn's Story done?'. But some of them suspected I had actually stole other people's project because simply they did not know about RMXP and they think that a 13-year-old kid couldn't do that much. Thus, I want to just prove them right that I made it. (YES I MADE IT!)

Thank you very much for your kind offer! By the way, do you have any spriting or basic picture skills (Like removing white background) because if you see Aloysius's character, it's just horrible. Thus, in future can I ask for some help on the sprites and characters later in the game? (There are 8 characters and I only made 5 right now)

Expect good music! Thanks!

~Merged double post, Harryb412

This post has been edited by Harryb412: Jan 28 2011, 06:25 AM

[TheBen]

As for moving that wonky sprite, I would suggest you familiarize yourself with GIMP (open-source Photoshop, essentially) or, if you're into spriting, Graphics Gale. Trust me, you'll go from taking out ugly white backgrounds to recoloring sprites in no time.
And by "no time", I mean anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, but you've got skill enough for it. And if you don't have the time, I can definitely help you with image editing.

[se7en]

I can do sprite editing, recoloring and etc. But I cannot, for the life of me make a decent sprite from scratch. However, I'd be more then happy to help you with some editing if you need it.

BTW:
I love you're title screen and Reas they're really good!

[bulmabriefs144]

Okay then, I'm not the only one who has to really work to get comments on their forums page. Although I'd kinda like more views (hint hint) so I can find out any problems to work on, if this is what it's like for everyone, I'll just bump whenever I have a major update, and hope for the best.

For recoloring, here's what I did after alot of mistakes. You can use too, of course. I used the eyedrop thingy on iDraw, which just selected the color and nothing but. Click on the solid black square, and cover it with the new one. Choose another color of the same hue (reds or greens, each shade all the way down) and move up a shade of the new hue, and cover that too until you're done.

[AphidRuin]

As for moving that wonky sprite, I would suggest you familiarize yourself with GIMP (open-source Photoshop, essentially) or, if you're into spriting, Graphics Gale. Trust me, you'll go from taking out ugly white backgrounds to recoloring sprites in no time.
And by "no time", I mean anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, but you've got skill enough for it. And if you don't have the time, I can definitely help you with image editing.

I used GIMP for sometime before I started changing into Paint.NET. I have recoloured battlers and sprites before, but they are really really ugly. Yeah, I think with enough time, I should be able to get better with practise, of course. Thanks

I can do sprite editing, recoloring and etc. But I cannot, for the life of me make a decent sprite from scratch. However, I'd be more then happy to help you with some editing if you need it.

BTW:
I love you're title screen and Reas they're really good!

Glad that you like my title screen and Reas....you actually went to try on the demo? Anyway, I appreciate your offer. Thanks

For recoloring, here's what I did after alot of mistakes. You can use too, of course. I used the eyedrop thingy on iDraw, which just selected the color and nothing but. Click on the solid black square, and cover it with the new one. Choose another color of the same hue (reds or greens, each shade all the way down) and move up a shade of the new hue, and cover that too until you're done.

I'l go take a look on iDraw....thanks for your recommandation although I never heard of it before.

I will get the credits up soon...

[bulmabriefs144]

Any playtesters for this game?

[LaDestitute]

Also, I think your mapping could use work. It's decent but not the best.

[AphidRuin]

Any playtesters for this game?

My friends have playtested it and it is okay...and the introduction, one thing to take note, is incomplete. The full starting cutscene I will add in later and I will do a patch for that.

Also, I think your mapping could use work. It's decent but not the best.

Expected to have better mappings after Ehira Dungeon...I know it's bad but those front few areas are just 'results' after a 2 weeks lesson, experiment and research. It's definitely not my best, I agree with that.

[Milonar]

I've downloaded your game and played it for one hour. There are so many things I want to say but I will cover some important things.

You need to improve your Mapping A LOT! I mean... Well, those maps in your game looks pretty... "empty". It doesn't look good. In my opinion, it looks BORED with very few color. But I think I won't say much about it because this is your first game! I just hope you will improve your Mapping if you want to make your second game .

Of course I've read the story in this topic. But in game, I think you make the story too fast! I can't understand clearly some facts. I like the idea that we need to unlock 99 seals for our main character memories (Poor him). And because you made the story a little too fast, I was a little confuse about Reas and Memory. If you can, make it clearer and slower.

I also have a complain with the grammar... Well, I guess you need someone to check about it.

I don't have any complain with the battle system and music. It's good.

You have done with your best for your first game . You should complete your study first and focus on this project more. This isn't a complete game, right?

[AphidRuin]

Thanks for your comments. Yes, I will definitely improve on my mapping. Chapter 1 was not so focused because I have my End of Year exam coming, but for Chapter 2, the mapping will look much better. For the grammar, I will try to find an editor to help me correct my mistakes and errors.

The storyline, if you are not clear it's "backward" storyline. Basiclly it means that at the start of the game or in Chapter 1, it is very confusing because a lot of facts hasn't been pointed out, like the Immortals, Shawn's previous life, who the heck is Memory etc. But I will try to make it clearer and slower. Thanks for pointing out

Glad that you like my battle system and music...by the way, hae you completed the demo?

And yes, I still have a long way before I graduate .

Thanks for appreciating!

[AphidRuin]

New patch has arrived!

Please do follow the instructions for a smooth gaming experience.

Thank you!

[AphidRuin]

[Updates]
-I have decided to give Aloysius a haircut and had redone it. I need some help here because his battler look smaller than the others and there are patches of 'accidentally erased' portion of the photo. Can someone lend me a hand?

-Added a new character in the game.