Abstract: You awaken on a starship and it's up to you to fix the ship and figure out what happened to the original crew and to the ship. NOT a horror game.
Genre: Sci-Fi Mystery

Platform: RMXP



Patient, designated SR-18, is waken up by the starship's Hologram. The computer is unable to continue ship repairs without your help. It has constructed a hologram to interact and help you in your mission to repair it. You can choose to fix it completely or, when able, abandon it and its' sleeping cargo. You can choose to discover all its cargo and its mission, and why it's abandoned by its' original crew.


An abandoned starship dead in space.


[Starship Computer]
Age: Unknown

Bio: Has some A.I., however it is unknown how much intelligence or personality it has because it is damaged along with the ship.

(Not a major character, but you will interact with it and it will give small hints on what you need to do.)

[Hologram](Can rename it to suit what you want)
Age: Newborn?

Bio: It looks young, around the age 10-12, in construct and has some personal interaction skills. Has an interest in Earth 1920's culture.
(Can summon or prompt it for clues when unsure what to do by pressing [S] or to ask it questions as the story progresses. Interaction with it is limited to only halls or areas with a Holographic Personale Projection Unit)


[Patient SR-18]
Age: 27?

Bio: Other than being a patient she doesn't know much about herself. This could be because she just was brought out of an induced coma in stasis and it is taking a while for her functions to resume to a normal state, or she could have no memory because she didn't have one to begin with, or it was erased either willingly or unwillingly, OR it could be a psychological tool she used to forget something traumatic. (It's up to you to figure it out.)


-Alternate/Multiple Endings
-Alternate collectible uniforms from some sci-fi shows and anime.
-No battle systems, just puzzle solving and exploring.
-Original Artwork
-Some original Music
-No default RTP (if I can help it, some SE and ME's might be default but anything related to pixels and tiles and icons, are original)











-Mouse Script by Near Fantasia and SephirothSpawn
-Modified Mog's Item Scene Laura(slightly modified to suit my menu)
-All other scripting = myself

Screenshots are nice, mapping is good and the plot seems interesting (a rather complex visual novel, I hope).
When you have a Demo ready, please PM me.

Just one thing... why a health bar if there's no battle system? You are supposed to die in any way?

Jens

Thanks Jen ^^ I'll keep you in mind.

This game is the first, Phoenix Star Chronicles(chronicles meaning, in this case, more than one event to the story... hopefully it'll be a series) stress on hopefully, I'll be able to do more. As for it being a VN, as much as I'd LOVE LOVE to, it won't be. Not at this point, or at least for the first part, because I do all my artwork and VN's is a loooot of time and energy.

It is set in the same world as my main current game Aqua'os Tears of the Ocean. It's a side project that I work on when I'm too tired/lazy/bored of working on Aqua'os.

As for the health and energy... you could think of it as SIMS? I guess, that's the one where you have to eat and rest right? You will see that the HUD has a status bar. The one on the bottom where you have to press Z to use, is for tools. So far planned and implemented are Sonic Screwdriver (nod to Doctor Who), Crow bar, Hydro Tech Cannon(use to put out fires), Pyro-Tech Cannon(use to destroy/clear away overgrowth).

If you look at the very top, you can see dimly, some icons. They are the various states you can get.

Hunger = Have to eat food
Dehydration = Need to drink water, in this case H2O Cacti (I figure for deep space exploration a space faring civilization would make a hybridization of cacti to contain water for travel that gets recycled through the ship and produces Oxygen AND cleans up the CO2 makes a lot of sense.)
Exhaustion = Need to rest, or find Adrenaline. Some work will make you exhausted and some equipment will suck more energy out of you. (i.e a Hazmat suit is great, but once you've completed your task and have suitable air, it's best to unequip it because it's heavy and wearing it will make you lose energy).
Poison= Some of the greenery is poisonous and will attack you.
Gas Inhalation= There are fires on the ship, if you aren't properly equipped to fight fires or breathe the air you will have this. That and some areas might not have oxygen, so too much CO2 will also cause this status. And if a air circulatory vent is broken or have posionous gas, then the surrounding area will of course be flooded with unbreathable air.
Burn= Touching a fire or a hot fixture or vent will cause this.
Broken Bones= Falling down from a height, and in some areas, falling debris or asteroids will cause this status.

EDIT: Each of the states takes away a different amount of health. And depending on the severity of things like...the fall, the burn (1st, 2nd, 3rd degree)will effect the amount of HP that is lost. And being in poor health also effects your energy level.

Waiting too long to ammend or fix some of the statuses like, if Hunger AND Dehydration, were both inflicted you will start having ventricular fibrillation. You will have basically about 10-20 seconds to use Adrenaline or find a Med Unit or game over.

There are many ways to get a game over.
SOME areas, are so acidic or caustic that you will be prompted by a timer and you have that amount of time to leave that area or game over.
Some choices, if not executed in the right order can cause a game over. For those, each game over will be different.

Ok, ok, this seems intriguing enough.
Now I'd like to see a demo ready.
I simply can't wait

I really like sci-fi RPG ( the one I'm working on belongs to this category), since I'm pretty annoyed by classic-mediaval-punk-set-FF-like-JRPGs (though there are significant exceptions) and I like these kinds of enigm games too (I've played 999: Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors, that is the quintessence of Nintendo DS visual novels).

Jens

looks really cool

if you need help with music i could help

@Jens; Ahhh, I do love all types of sci-fi. Even the JRPG, as you call it, types. They remind me of Sci-Fi Fantasies, like Star Wars and Babylon 5 and Farscape. But I do also find appeal in dystopian-dark-n-gritty Sci-Fi like BattleStar Galactica. I see you are working on a game more like the later type. How is it going fo you in the resources category? I imagine it's not easy, yes?


@khachuchrian; Thank you^^ And double thanks for the offer but I got all the music I want for this project already.

What happened to the other game? I like this one, very simmilar mapping

I get by with KNight Blade resources, some robot sprite I found on the Internet (made by IceAxe), music from RPGVXAce RTP plus some original song, some mugs from Spriters Resources (Xenosaga)... well, it's difficult, I have to do a lot of editing and asking for help here and there, but the result it's worth the efforts
Good luck for your project, then...

Jens

@Adrien, sorry I didn't see your post earlier, I've been helping out Jens in the resource department.

I said about third post in, (I know, I wrote a lot and even I don't read all the posts in a thread so I'm just quoting it here)

"It is set in the same world as my main current game Aqua'os Tears of the Ocean. It's a side project that I work on when I'm too tired/lazy/bored of working on Aqua'os. "

I still work on Aqua'os, but lately it's been nothing but testing the second-larger-more-things-could-be-missed-chapter; This causes my eyes to glaze over and I start to find myself losing steam. When I feel that way, I switch to working on Phoenix Star Chronicles. That way I won't ever give up on Aqua'os because after a few days I feel refreshed enough to have another round of whatever (Be it testing or art or pixelling things or mapping).

I've never been a fan of space adventures but I am really digging the look and the story! The HUD just looks stunning.

With a story like this am I right to expect twists?

Thankies! I'm glad you like the look and story ^^
Yes, there are twists, but that depends on how you play and what you decide to solve or which route you choose to play.


PSC's menu.


What one of the alternate uniforms looks like when you equip/change into it. They are unlockable depending on how much you explore/ walk; hence keeping track of the pedmeter is good if you want to try to see if you can access the alternate uniforms once you find them.)

(Why, yes....yes, I'm a nerd ^^; )

The ship's transportation system.

Very nice project you got here!

I like your art style it's very matching.

Goodluck with your project.

I totally agree with Vexus.
Your spriter skills are amazing
Anyway, the 2nd screen was a Star Trek-like suite, right?
I suppose players would find something like Star Wars suites or even Metroid...

I can't wait to see the Demo.

Jens

quite possibly the most amazing tileset and map ive seen yet

didnt quite like the pcs menu character picture though guess im more of 'anime' style

Mmmm...amazing looking interface, especially the transportation system. What kind of puzzle are you employing? Are they kind of like "pick up a mousetrap to catch a mouse to freak out the elephant to stampede down a door"? Or are they like minigames? Or are they running around pressing buttons and different doodads? Or some completely different?

I love a good puzzle game so this should be great!

Just the right amount of HUD.
It's a shame you've already got all the music. I would have liked to have had a go at some futuristic style sounds.

@Vexus: Arigato ^^

@Jens: Yes, currently I'm working on a Star Wars outfit. So far it's two Star Trek uniforms (TOS and DS9) Two anime inspired (Nekocat and Sailormoon) Two alternate game uniforms(Just vary in color and style) I want to do a Babylon 5 and Battlestar Galactica uniform, as soon as I get Sai. Haven't done any videogame uniforms, but the idea of Metroid, is intriguing. Hrmm.....

@Supercow; Thankies. There are a lot of types of anime styles. This is my own style that takes inspiration from the more 'realistic anime' types. Think of Akira or Robot Carnival (some of the animes in that one) or Ghost in the Shell. The coloring is more...videogame anime; like if you think of, for instance, King of Fighters or Street Fighter.

For example;Click to view attachment
It's not an exact replica but similar as to what style I use when I do 'anime'.

@Knot; Danke! I wish I was clever enough to think along the lines of the mousetrap and elephant type of puzzle, but it's more like matching things, math patterns, color patterns, pushing buttons in sequences, arrange pieces to make a pattern, etc.

@Zackwell: Thanks about the Hud! I did implement a button that you can push to make everything but the status icons, disapear; in case the player didn't want to see it.

Awwww, I must say I'm quite tempted now, your music is fantastic!

Heya ya'll,

I'm working on a short demo that should be ready by the end of this week or the middle of the week after. I have had someone test it out and so far so good! Just a few tweaks!

*runs around in a circle, screaming gleefully*
This looks AWESOME. Send me an email when you get the demo up so I can play! Actually... JUST SEND ME AN EMAIL OR SOMETHING, WOMAN. I MISS MAH TWIN!
I love all of the ideas you've already shown and OMG THE MAPPING IS GORGEOUS. GORGEOUS. WHY AM I JUST NOW FINDING OUT ABOUT THIS?! AIYEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.

And you know of course that I love all the references~ <3 Sonic screwdriver~~~~~~

SQUEEEEEEE MAH TWIN!

I didn't know you still hanged around 'dese 'der parts! I've been only able to come to the forums really lately. Been missing ya'll and everyone in the IRC. But I'm in the middle of a HUGE move so time is sparse and in between and I've only been able to get connections in willy nilly places with my laptop. I shall indeed shoot off an email soon, hopefully with a demo and a looonger explaination and some MUCH needed catching up!


And yeeessss sonic screwdriver ~~~~<3

Not 100% sure what the rules are regarding double posting any more >_> BUT I do have significant...progress?

Here's the first few minutes or so of Phoenix Star, just to give people an idea of what I'm going for/trying to do.
So far no known issues/bugs so if you find 'em TELL ME.

And as always comments, questions, concerns, even of my sanity are welcome~!

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/60432679/PStarDemo1.2.zip

Well, if anyone's played the demo, I'd like feedback regarding something specific(Or whatever you want to feedback, but I'd like some imput on a specific scene)

If you found this in the Med Labs.




Do you think it is a good idea? Would you rather see more of that type, like having to detect and look for something specific and then reporting back to the Hologram with what you discovered? Or do you prefer mostly mathmatical unlocking computer type puzzles.

Also, do you like the fact that there is a way to get hints as to what to do next? I've been thinking about rewarding those who don't use the hints in someway...but not punishing those who do in a negative way.

I'm going to assume that things ran well and that no one's come across any bugs, since no one's commented or reported any so far.

I've uploaded to mediafire and made a new shiny button. Yay!

Slightly newer screenie.(may have seen a version of it floating around in screenshots or resources) I wanted to point out a few of the fun things I've planned. Or at least give you an idea of what the game will be like.

-One, if you don't equip a spacesuit, well you die, space isn't very friendly to organics
-Two, that little round rock below the character sprite...an asteroid, want to avoid them so watch the timing or you'll get a broken bone and bleeding status.
-Three, you need to repair the leak, just below the asteroid, to allow access into the room below. (if you enter it without repairing it you could die, unless you are wearing the space suit, but even then you could get sucked into space) Other holes without air escaping aren't so bad if they don't get repaired(The one to the far right side of the HUD) but they reinforce the integrity of the ship's hull for later if you try to move it.
-Four, the panel up above you near the HUD needs to be repaired, (yay for sonic screwdrivers!) BUT you should turn off the electricity running to the panel before you even try or you could get an electrical burn or worse electrocuted and die.

Those are just a few of the ideas I've implemented and there are more puzzles like the math ones in the demo planned, and investigative events like the one screenshot in the previous post, being implemented. If you have any suggestions, please post them here, I'd welcome them or even more ideas you might have, or preferences of puzzles, etc.

For the record this is bloody beautiful-

I love games with a sci fi theme- chuck in references to Dr Who ( the proper one in your avatar- swoon) and you got my attention within seconds.

Then your art work which is so unique it is breathtaking.

Forum is quiet at the moment - everyone has school exams but soon we will be busy again - so I hope this will be given a playthrough.

I absolutely love this so far. I've not come across any glitches. Greatly looking forward to the next update. I have to agree with kaz--this truly is bloody beautiful.

The visuals are great, and I feel like youve put alot of work into the mechanics of the game... honestly, the soundtrack at this point, is what will make or break your game...

I've finally had time to complete the Demo link you sent me something like a month ago.

Your demo is impressive as regards graphic and playability. The game flow seems truly ok, I actually enjoyed the two numeric enigmas, the whole environment, the vines room, the step counter doors...

I've found only a couple of bugs:

-when you equip an alternate suit, the image updates only when I exit the menu;
-in the last section (where you have to use sonic screwdriver to activate terminals) if you step on the ladder not exactly in the tile you arrived to, you won't be teleported up.
-Once a timer appeared (I was stupid enough to remove the Haz Suit before activating the fans), I thought I was dying so used some defribillator, but timer remained and expired nothing happened.

Another thing... when you find an instrument/item, could you make a message appear?
This way, the player won't have to open the menu and check what have they found.

Could you make the intro skippable? My dear netbook was dying in atrocious suffering while displaying all those falshing lights&pictures...
This way a new game won't be so painful...

Thanks:)

I hope this is enough. I've found no other flaw.
When you have a new demo ready, I'll surely play it:)

BTW, the screen you posted above... it reminds... Ace Attorney? Could this be?
Evidence button...
A layout similar to Miles Edgeworth Investigation...

Looks like cool

Jens

Thanks Kaz^^
I do put a lot of refs to various scifi shows as a nod to their influence on me.

AHhhhhh TWIN! thankies <3 I made it safely to my new place. Miss ya lots!
Still don't have internet T_T but I look forward to more Magin epic updates.


I thank you for your feedback, but I'm unsure what you mean about my soundtrack? Or is it just an opinon on music in games you were sharing?

[quote name='Jens of Zanicuud' date='Mar 24 2012, 08:44 AM' post='553913']
I've finally had time to complete the Demo link you sent me something like a month ago.

Your demo is impressive as regards graphic and playability. The game flow seems truly ok, I actually enjoyed the two numeric enigmas, the whole environment, the vines room, the step counter doors...

I've found only a couple of bugs:

-when you equip an alternate suit, the image updates only when I exit the menu;
-in the last section (where you have to use sonic screwdriver to activate terminals) if you step on the ladder not exactly in the tile you arrived to, you won't be teleported up.
-Once a timer appeared (I was stupid enough to remove the Haz Suit before activating the fans), I thought I was dying so used some defribillator, but timer remained and expired nothing happened.

Another thing... when you find an instrument/item, could you make a message appear?
This way, the player won't have to open the menu and check what have they found.

Could you make the intro skippable? My dear netbook was dying in atrocious suffering while displaying all those falshing lights&pictures...
This way a new game won't be so painful...

Thanks:)

I hope this is enough. I've found no other flaw.
When you have a new demo ready, I'll surely play it:)
[\quote]
Danke Jens!
- it only changes out of menu because of how I scripted it. It keeps track of the uniform variable which only changes via common event. Alas my scripting know how is limited, and that was the only way how I could get it to work.
I've already fixed some of the bugs mentioned by this newest demo and for the skippable option, I do always put that in at the point of "final"gameplay when I no longer need feedback on cut scenes
- I wishhhh I had or played that game! I hear lots of goods things...alas not in my budget ;-;
(Sorry part of your quote got cut off, responding via mobile....soooo..much....fun)

Aloha y'all
Sorry it has been awhile, moving is a lot of energy and time, so I haven't had spare time to work on my projects as much. With the move I still don't really have internet, so I can't show off any new eye candy yet, BUT trust me I have worked on this. A couple more math puzzles, a decipher puzzle AND another room exploration deal like the previous screenies. Most main ship rooms are done being mapped and I've plotted the whole ship on paper. Currently, I've made a bunch of space backgrounds that I hope to share as a resource for sci-fi games when it's finally released, (eventually I'll news the specs for vxace if I'm going to size them for it) I'm also taking any ideas for alternate uniforms or puzzle ideas and whatnot. General feedback is appreciated as well~

When new Demo is out, PM me
I really enjoyed your first demo and I'm looking forward to playing a new one.
The concept is truly intersting and I'm sure you'll create a masterpiece.

I'm really interested in your space backgrounds too, similar-looking-parallaxes are so rare on the net...
It looks like medieval-punk styled RPG have the upper hand, ATM...

Fortunately, there's still someone who prefers modern-times-to-far-future-styled-games

Good luck and best wishes for your project.

Jens