The RPG Maker Resource Kit

[spoiler=Storyline Synopsis]
In a land of which was said to be entirely protected, security has been breached.

Forcia, a man so powerful and evil that none could ever match his power, sent from a nearby continent to the land of Castorvia has stopped the barrier which prevents monsters from enterring our world and chaos has begun.

A soldier, Zusae, in service of the King volunteers himself for the mission of retrieving information about the bringer of chaos.  After the dramatic murder of his wife some time ago, he believes that keeping himself occupied with such a huge task will help him.

The King tells Zusae to meet up with an associate of his; Solmn.  But after their meeting, things become dramatically worse.  Solmn begins to explain to Zusae how the King is involved in Forcia's plans, and how he has actually been working against his own continent the whole time.......
[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Characters]
Zusae
Class: Fighter
Weapon: Sword
Age: 31
Synopsis: Zusae has worked in service of the king for over ten years.  At the age of 29, he lost his wife after a mission of his went horribly wrong, and the continent's enemies began to use emotional blackmail against all who opposed them. 

Solmn
Class: Dark Mage
Weapon: Mace
Age: 37
Synopsis: Originally from the continent of Sindra, Solmn came to Castorvia following someone who was associated with a known enemy of the Sindrian Lords.  After completing the mission, he remained in Castorvia after he realised the chaos that was taking place in Forcia's wake.

Athrika
Class: Light Mage
Weapon: Staff
Age: 28
Synopsis: Daughter to the founder of a grand Sindrian city that Athrika never got to see.  She was born in Castorvia, and her mother never wanted her to leave the continent which was supposedly safer than any other.  She met Solmn shortly after he finished the mission that the Sindrian Lords sent him on.

Ariku
Class: Gunner
Weapon: Gun
Age: 33
Synopsis: ?????

Vaune
Class: Lancer
Weapon: Spear
Age: 32
Synopsis: Worked under the King's order in a unit called the Zephyr Group.  He worked with Zusae for many years and so has a friendship with him, and knows how he acts and thinks. 

[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Screenies]
The menu system:
(https://rmrk.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.shadowruby.co.uk%2Fcastorvia%2Fscreens%2Fmenu.PNG&hash=22057773de772552e8757591a5d9163e1e4b883e)

The menu system during a dungeoni:
(https://rmrk.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.shadowruby.co.uk%2Fcastorvia%2Fscreens%2Fdungeon_menu.PNG&hash=db8ab695438a6facd9f2ecf7e8bbfa8894a80da1)

The world map, complete with moving head depending on location:
(https://rmrk.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.shadowruby.co.uk%2Fcastorvia%2Fscreens%2Fworldmap.PNG&hash=56ffc27e5dd613355823c2cb507340235acf7142)

The RTAB:
(https://rmrk.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.shadowruby.co.uk%2Fcastorvia%2Fscreens%2Fbattle_system.PNG&hash=18bf0f91e7f11d140930f76e92815a76839c20e6)

The Skill Grid (Explained below)
(https://rmrk.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.shadowruby.co.uk%2Fcastorvia%2Fscreens%2Fskill_grid.PNG&hash=0aae3591cc73acecc254aaa711738bf404a95bfd)
[/spoiler]

[spoiler=The Skill Grid]
This is the most complicated form of the skill grid you'll ever come accross.

At the end of a battle, you gain four different sets of points.

• An amount of AP, different for every monster.
• An amount of SP, different for every monster.
• An amount of NP, 1 point per monster.
• An amount of LP, 1 point per monster.

AP (Ability Points) used to learn new abilities.
SP (Stat Points) are used to upgrade stats.
NP (Node Points) are used to gain abilities and upgrade stats.
LP (Lock Points) are used to open Lock Nodes.

Each character has a different Skill Grid, with different abilities and stat upgrades.  However, characters do not have their own point amounts.  All of the points (explained above) are shared by the entire party, thus creating strategy of who you want to learn abilities / upgrade stats.

It's probably easier just for you to try it rather than to explain it...

[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Credits]
Script Credits
- Cogwheel
- Moghunter
- Minkoff
- KGC
- Near Fantastica
- ccoa
- Gamebaker
- Raziel
- Dargor
- Blizzard
- Cowlol
- Sephirothspawn
- Momomo
- Rubymatt
- DerVVulfman
- Squall


Graphics Credits
- RPG Vortex

Gameplay
  Creator
    - Rubymatt
  Testers
    - LiziLOSER
    - Mikeyboy
    - Invincible_Jesskins
  Concept / Advisors
    - Invincible_Jesskins
    - Mikeyboy

Music Credits
- Rubymatt
- Takeharu Ishimoto
- Mikeyboy (Conversion)

Advertising
Trailer
    - Mikeyboy

[/spoiler]

Trailer: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=bp8lJYdmvA8

Demo v0.23 download: (FileFactory)
Full Game (http://www.filefactory.com/file/81e59b/n/Castorvian_Legends_rar) (Rar file, 40mb)
Latest Additions Only (http://www.filefactory.com/file/ccf2f5/n/Game_rgssad) (4mb)

*Latest additions in 0.23 contains only the RGSS archive.

Dibs on first post!! XD!
I like the idea :), but I've got a game I need to play & finish before I download anything else...
The Skill Grid sounds like the Sphere Grid from FFX. I'm guessing that's where you got the idea from...??
I've been looking for a game that implemented that system, I liked FFX's systems a lot...I think it's better than FF12's licence system, which was too easy to complete, especially with the equipment that doubled your ability points.

The screens look great :D d/l now

You should add PickleStudios for the Battlers Pictures. =X Even if one of them is a Mod.

Thx for the comments.

Also, yes I did take the skill grid idea from FFX, but tweaked it, to make it better.  And more complicated.

I already played this. Awesome. Especially your mapping in caves.

I guess the difficulty depends on your actions on the skill grid. It's challenging, to say the least. I really enjoyed it, and can't wait for the rest :D

Thanks.

=D

Pickle is a mod here? O_O

daaaang, thats awesome XD

*Goes off to search*

anyways, I gave it a try, the town map was pretty bad as there was just a bunch of identical houses pasted everywhere with all their doors locked...

The battle system, i used to use it, and so I likes it, plain and simple, the idea of monsters dropping items to sell for profit is always a good wind for me, I'd say just work on your mapping I guess, I didn't play past 3 fights or so in the forest, but the menus were pretty enjoyable.

Thanks.

And I know.  I'm not great at town maps, though my field maps are somewhat better.

This looks pretty cool!  :o

Big update: 0.20.

Story has been advanced by two whole dungeons.  I've removed as many bugs as I can from the entire game, along with editing the difficulty curve and an extension of the Skill Grid so that people don't run out of nodes too early. 

I also replaced HP and MP Pool abilities with "SelfHeal" and "SelfRestore" as the original abilities effects weren't working at all. 

The new demo can be downloaded at http://www.shadowruby.co.uk/castorvia/CL.zip

Very interesting, ^_^ 

I do like the Skill Node System; it's rather ingenious and simple at the same time.  Kudos ^^

The game runs a little slow on my computer, which isn't all that great, but I do enjoy the game thus far.  I can only take so much lag though, so I'll play it a half hour or so here and there and let you know what I think as I go along.

So far:

I agree with the town mapping that the others have stated, but I do like the insides of the buildings.  Makes them seem more like an actual house, rather than one huge room. 

The initial plot is a little confusing, to be honest.  I really don't have much of an idea what's going on up until the scene with the king, and it just seems a little...jumpy in general.

I had my own music on, so I can't comment on that at the moment, ^_^;  I'll run through it at a later time without my music though and let you know what I think about it.

The battle system is nice and very straight-forward.  ATB with 'wait' selected, ;)  Might there be a possible 'active' option in the future where the gauge still fills up and enemies keep attacking whilst you decide your action?

I made it to the forest and killed some things, but that's about all for now.  I'll update when I play further ^^  I'm giving it a 8.3/10 so far, though I"m sure the rating would go up if my computer didn't suck, XD  I'm not sure if it lags on other computers though, so that's why I'm withholding points.

Very fun so far ^^

I will fer sures have to download this!

Thanks to both.  Leave comments when you play / get further ^_^

New Download link (v0.22)
Rapidshare (http://"http://rapidshare.com/files/126867247/Castorvian_Legends.rar")
Megaupload (http://www.megaupload.com/?d=0FEXIMEW)

Trailer: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=bp8lJYdmvA8

Updates

• Extension to gameplay
• Added some items into the drawer where you get the money at the game's start.  Players who already obtained the money the first time round will be able to now obtain it again, along with the items they missed the first time round.
• Removed the arena (It was getting overly complicated, and began to bug, stupidly, however, those who've already done some of the arena challenges may still have the number displayed in the Stats Screen.
• Reduced lag at start of map when music begins
• A few minor, unimportant edits placed generally around the game.

*downloads*
Hope it works on my computer this time :P

Also, I thought your computer and Megaupload didn't get on well with each other?

QuoteAlso, I thought your computer and Megaupload didn't get on well with each other?

They don't.  Someone's uploading it there for me with a premium account (I know some people hate rapidshare.)

Ah, I see.

Anyways, just to let you know, when your Zephyr robot selfdestructs, miraculously, it stays intact and the battle continues. Just thought you should know.

Damnit...

Reuploading shortly.  Anybody else who's downloaded the old demo will neeed to download this NEW ONE as well.

The whole thing was caused when my computer crashed.  Half my data files were corrupt, including common events, and so the selfdestruct common event was accidentally removed when I used my backup (from about a week earlier)

To sum up, it's fixed in the new demo I'm uploading.  I'll edit the links upon their upload.

Edit: Reuploaded
Rapidshare (http://"http://rapidshare.com/files/126867247/Castorvian_Legends.rar")
Megaupload (http://www.megaupload.com/?d=0FEXIMEW)

Sweet! Will download later.

alrighty.  Big bug in the forest village, the theme for it was missing from the audio folder (And I don't know why.)

Anyway, here's the audio file on its own.
Village Theme 2 (http://www.shadowruby.co.uk/castorvia/Village%20Theme%202.mid)

Right click > save as, or it'll just play it.  Put it in the Audio > BGM folder.

Additionally, another bugfix update will be uploaded soon.  For those who've already downloaded, I'll upload the RGSS archive seperately so you don't have to download all the audio over again.

Regards,
~Ruby

Update: Version 0.23 Release
Click Here (http://www.filefactory.com/file/ccf2f5/n/Game_rgssad) if you already downloaded a previous version.  This download simply contains the RGSS Archive.
New full download link coming soon.

Version Additions:

• Fixed all bugs in the Sorvacia Town Hall.
• Fixed Oldrae passability bug
• Mapping improvements in Slinturi.
• Fixed various problems with the second and third dungeons
• Fixed various skill grid and worldmap related errors

I didn't get too far, but I like it. I thin the maps could be improved, but it's not crucial. I really love the skill nod system, it';s really cool. I think it's a pretty cool game!

I'll try to dl and play it within the next few days.

Had an actual review on the game now, at hbgames.org (Hope nobody'll attack me for linkin')

Got a review from "Doctor" (It's ironic, considering this forum's current trend :P), who made some good points overall about the game, and...

[spoiler=If you don't want me to spoil it, don't look.]
He gave me a 5.5 / 10, overall, which I'm happy enough with.[/spoiler]

Anyway: Linky: http://www.hbgames.org/forums/index.php?topic=51351.0

To be honest, I agree with him.  Some of his points I didn't agree with (Like a character called Max), but I'm working to improve most of them, starting with the storyline that I've been working like a penis to make it better :P

Like I said, the maps could use some work. I tend to skip over dialog in RPGs, so...can't say anything about story.
But overall, I think you're going kind of hard on yourself; it's still work in progress. You always have time to go back, plus, you're actually working on it! That's more than I can say...  ;8

working like a penis eh? I spent like 5 minutes looking to see if there was a filter on some word that turned it into penis, but nope - apparently that was what you intended to write :P

Anyway, good luck.

This isn't bad, one of the better RPGs I've seen. I haven't yet downloaded it, but from what I'm seeing in the screenshots, I like it. Can't wait to play it, the skill grid intrigues me :).
But from what I've seen in the screenshots, something is just missing in the mapping. Maybe it's too bare, except for the walls themselves, but I need to first try the game, then think what's missing there.

Thanks for all your comments, guys, it really spurs me on to continue.

After the review, I haven't made an awful lot more.  I've started over in the game, redone a lot of the maps and dialoguey events, added about 10 mins to the intro, and I'm quite pleased with what I have, now.  So, for anyone who's interested, the new version will be up as 0.30 soon, with improved mapping and stuffs, improved storyline and eventing, a much more prominent approach to Party Effects, and a lot more NPCs.

Hey, I've tried it, and here's my real feedback.
The game is great, except if somebody wouldn't read the first post about Zusae's wife dying, they wouldn't understand the introduction at all. The maps... Slinturi ticks me off. It looks very... well, you know. Rectangle shape houses that have difference only by the roof's color, huge houses lining the edges of the map except the pathways to other maps... it looks like Slinturi is separated into several small districts. But everything else is fine. Possibly lessening the count of armor in the castle would help.
The battles, well, that's one system I've seen elsewhere, where you can use certain techniques only when you get attacked a certain number of times. I love it. :P The only complaint on battles is that either make them easier, add other types of potions(you know, High/Full/whatever) or make the healing item cost lower. I died while fighting Forcia, and I had little potions to heal myself.
By the way, how do you jump? I didn't manage to find anything in the tutorial about it.
Anyway, this game is amazing. All I can say. Fix some things, and you'll get a really, REALLY great game.

Thanks for the feedback.

The jumping was one thing that Doctor mentioned in his review, along with the idea of the tutorial.  I've removed the tutorial, and added numerous more places for party effects such as jump and strength to be used.

The mapping in Slinturi is slowly being improved (Although I suck at town mapping). 

The battles are in places difficult, I know.  I'm gonna reduce the difficulty slightly, but not an awful lot, as just a few skill grid moves can really make the diifference between a win and a lose.

Then the potions... I know they're expensive for the amount of money you actually find in-game.  But did you think about selling the items enemies drop that you can't use? :P  Rogue leaves, teardrops, etc can all be sold at shops for money to buy healing items, as they have very little other use for now (Some can be traded for new equipment and stuffs).

The introduction's been completely redone now, so it makes it a bit more obvious about what happened.

And, overall, thanks for saying it's an amazing game ^_^

Yeah, I've been selling items to get money, but I didn't get enough of those items. :\ See, I didn't face the required monsters as much as I wanted to.
Town mapping... well, generally, you began great with the houses. They're not bad, you can keep the rectangle shape, but add some uniqueness to several as well. And the sides of the map... you can, instead of using huge houses to line the sides, use, let's say, grass or something that stands out from the streets.

It's a big city, though, and I had no other way of making a huge wall.  I plan to change it now, and use the auutotile for that instead.

Cannot wait for 0.30! 0.29 was very good.

Quote from: modern algebra II on July 16, 2008, 03:30:01 AM
working like a penis eh? I spent like 5 minutes looking to see if there was a filter on some word that turned it into penis, but nope - apparently that was what you intended to write :P

Anyway, good luck.

XD

Wasn't actually 0.29, it was 0.23, but I'm doing a big jump after revamping everything.

But thanks =D