Okay, I've got this idea for a game mechanic.

The default battle engine's escape is kinda crappy, so I've decided to modify it a little:
when you select the Escape command, a time bar makes her appearance:



Pressing Right and Left arrows alternately, you'll fill the escape bar.



In order to escape, you have to fill the bar before the time runs out.

Time is calculated on the enemies total speed parameter: the more the enemies are quick, the less time you have.
If enemies are present in a large number, time is even less than before.
Again, if there are too many enemies, you won't be allowed to escape, unless you kill some of them.

I'd be glad to have some feedback on this idea...

Jens

I like it better than having an unknown random chance of fleeing.

Perhaps you shouldn't have to fill the bar all the way, but the more you fill it the higher your chance is of escaping once time runs out.
Some players aren't willing to do rapid command inputs, so maybe it's up to the player how well their escape chances are.

Let me explain how this system works:
running away from full-health enemies should be really difficult in my game.
Fortunately, escape time increases if enemies lost some hp or you kill one of them.
In that case, escapeing would be easier: you don't have to keep on pressing keys like mad, I calculated you have just to press'em something like 15 to 20 times to run away.

Thanks for feedback, anyway.

Jens

Is it the same keys everytime? Also what about bosses, perhaps you could use this same engine for a similar thing with bosses, perhaps you could have an evade option for bosses, So that once you take your turn to use this option. You gain the ability to either block or evade the boss' attack?

Escaping is something I always find slightly underdeveloped when it comes to RPG's. I am all for this idea, it gives something new to the standard escape

I assume this system is scripted?

Yes, it's completely scripted, and at the moment is developed only for escapes.
To fill the bar, you have to quickly press RIGHT and LEFT alternately, but keys could be modified...

Anyway, that's not a bad idea... blocking/evading boss attacks with the same engine could be amusing, even if I don't need it at the moment.
If there will be a request, maybe I'll post the script / develop the idea...

Jens

Jens while the script would be good I don't think you should base the chance of total time you have on speed but have it check some difficulty (Could be added into the enemies names) and calculated like that.

I don't know the stats of the monsters in your game but keep in mind that not all monsters would be fast in speed so basing escape chance on speed is kinda limited.

Well, you're right, but remember that escaping from an enemy should be easier if they're wounded and/or slow.

If there are (for example) six enemies, then the escape will be impossible until you kill some of them.
In certain case, escapes would be impossible as well (es. story battle).

In my project, there are no random encounters, you see the monsters on the map and if you succesfully escape, the monster makes a couple of steps back, in order to let you try avoiding it, so I wouldn't make it harsher than it actually is.

Thanks for the idea, BTW, I'll think well 'bout it and see how can I modify that system.

Jens

Awesome idea! I really like it.

I've actually fully implemented it on my project and now works at full efficency
If in Day 4 you select Laese as your partner... well, you'll see this system working.

Anyway, let's add some more info, from the last update.
Since in my games there aren't random encounters (i.e. you see every enemy on the map), when escape is successful, both you and the enemy event move two squares away from each other, letting the player escape the monster.

I'd like to know if anyone of you have some idea on how to improve this last feature...

Jens

I like your idea as a whole. Having to work a bit for your escape instead of just basically flipping a coin, that's so much better. Your idea reminds me of Paper Mario a little bit, which is awesome... If I were you, I'd make the enemy and player move a little further apart, like three tiles each or five total, something like that. If it were possible to prevent the enemy you escaped from from initiating a battle for maybe three seconds or so, that'd work well too, I'd think...

If you ever feel like putting your script out, er, I'd love to use it.

(I also really like your battle menus and stuff too.)

To be honest, when you escape an enemy, both you and it are distanced by five-six tiles, to let you escape
This was implemented in the event page.

BTW, as regards the HUD I can't post the resources/script because they belong the to project I'm working on (see the signature) and I'm a bit jealous
I could PM you the escape script if you like it, anyway.

Just ask via PM and I'll provide a working version of it

Jens