The RPG Maker Resource Kit

RMRK RPG Maker Creation => Projects => Abandoned Projects => Topic started by: Alerith on December 12, 2006, 06:47:57 PM

Title: Crystal Collection
Post by: Alerith on December 12, 2006, 06:47:57 PM
This is actually a series of games I am producing, similar to the Oracles line of Zelda games.

My working titles are:

Blue Rhapsody
Red Bolero
Yellow Harmony
Light Threnody
Dark Symphony

They are meant to be played in that order, or else the story line will be completely confusing.

It it similar to Zelda: Oracle of Ages and Oracles of Seasons in that each game is password linked to the next. However, each game will have an ending unique to the character, but it will then continue into the next.

In the first 4 games, you play as one of the four main characters from the overall game.

In Blue Rhapsody, you play as the Blue Mage.
In Red Bolero, you play as the Red Mage.
In Yellow Harmony, you play as the Yellow/Time Mage.
In Light Threondy, you play as the White/Black Mage.

You play an individual storyline for each of these characters. Each line ends with the group meeting together.

All the level caps for these 4 games is locked at 50. Once you get the password for one, you move to the next.

Once you get to Dark Symphony, all the characters converge into one storyline, all level 50. From here, you play one final game with any of the 4 characters.

You will need one character to accomplish one task, while using a different character to complete another one.

The skills you develop from the prior games will help your allies complete objectives in Dark Symphony.

The choices you make in Blue Rhapsody will affect all other games from Red Bolero all the way through Dark Symphony. The passwords will change to reflect your actions.

I'v been working on this for a little over a year now, but it seems to be shaping up nicely. I don't have an active demo yet, but you can be sure I'll put it here as soon as I have one.

Don't expect the full series to be done for an insanley long time. But as I release the individual games, ill let you know.
Title: Re: Final Fantasy: Crystal Collection
Post by: nevfx on December 12, 2006, 07:08:15 PM
Cool, I'm doing this, but with only two games, my Journey to Lost Souls does have a sequel coming up.
Title: Re: Final Fantasy: Crystal Collection
Post by: Alerith on December 12, 2006, 07:11:48 PM
Cool, I'm doing this, but with only two games, my Journey to Lost Souls does have a sequel coming up.

I look forward to playing them! Let me know when they are available.
Title: Re: Final Fantasy: Crystal Collection
Post by: nevfx on December 12, 2006, 07:18:14 PM
Thanks! The demo for Journey is out all ready, just check the topic on these boards. Do you know when you might get a demo out?
Title: Re: Final Fantasy: Crystal Collection
Post by: Alerith on December 12, 2006, 07:26:46 PM
Well I hope to have a demo of Blue Rhapsody out by the end of December.

It features the Blue Mage, who has the power to learn monster abilities and is so in tuned with the monsters, he can transform into various modes Via Limit breaks, not unlike Vincent.

Right now he is set to be able to transform into Eclipse Dragon (Think Bahamut), a Dark Lord (Think Vincent's Chaos mode), Judge (Think Odin,) and Werewolf.

Im debating wheter to use my werewolf system for his werewolf mode, or just leave it as a limit break. But you can bet it will be cool as heck.

After the problems Blizzard pointed out in my DDNS, im leaning towards just leaving it as a limit break for at least the demo.
Title: Re: Final Fantasy: Crystal Collection
Post by: nevfx on December 12, 2006, 07:35:39 PM
End of December, cool, can't wait.
Title: Re: Final Fantasy: Crystal Collection
Post by: xjen0vax on December 12, 2006, 07:54:16 PM
Not liking the fact that it has the name Final Fantasy anywhere in it, as nobody can produce a good FF game but square-enix. Aside from that, it's not looking too bad. I'll be sure to check out any demos.
Title: Re: Final Fantasy: Crystal Collection
Post by: nevfx on December 12, 2006, 08:08:53 PM
I think FF is hard to compare with, but if people have a good go, they can't go to wrong.
Title: Re: Final Fantasy: Crystal Collection
Post by: :) on December 12, 2006, 11:51:24 PM
I like the idea! hope you have great success if you can pull off a great first game..maybe I will join the team If I can..anyways One thing I would persnally like:
take FF out of the title, make your own title for the series. heck CC is great, just have CC, game title
instead of:

FF CC Blue Rhapsody, CC Blue Rhapsody is wayyyy bettter

good luck!
Title: Re: Final Fantasy: Crystal Collection
Post by: xjen0vax on December 13, 2006, 12:03:46 AM
I like the idea! hope you have great success if you can pull off a great first game..maybe I will join the team If I can..anyways One thing I would persnally like:
take FF out of the title, make your own title for the series. heck CC is great, just have CC, game title
instead of:

FF CC Blue Rhapsody, CC Blue Rhapsody is wayyyy bettter

good luck!
Agreed with everything. Putting FF in the name of any RPG you make has, probably the worst factor of all, a negative effect on  how people see your game. most people will just look at it and go "OMG FFclonezzz!!! LOLZ" and not play it. Aside from that, my previous point still stands, it's hard to compare to something like FF, so I think it's better just to not bother.
Title: Re: Final Fantasy: Crystal Collection
Post by: Winged on December 13, 2006, 08:39:32 AM
Sounds good so far, but I think you don't need the FF in the front, CC is good enough!

~Winged
Title: Re: Final Fantasy: Crystal Collection
Post by: Alerith on December 13, 2006, 06:38:29 PM
Heh, no sense in arguing with the masses. Ill take FF out of the name.

But I like the spell system FF has.

Blizzard, Blizzara, Blizzaga,
Stop, Haste, Slow

And some of the mobs and items from the FF series too:

Omega Weapon (Boss)
Ultima Weapon (Boss)
Ultima Weapon (Item)

I still like using this system, but I don't want people to go "OMG, FF ripoff!"

If I had to I would change the spells to something like Blizzard I, Blizzard II, Blizzard III, etc. But I want to avoid having to do that.
Title: Re: Crystal Collection
Post by: Blizzard on December 13, 2006, 06:41:55 PM
Freezer
Snowstorm
Liquid Nitrogen Oxide

It's easy to come up with spell names, don't let yourself limit by that.
Title: Re: Crystal Collection
Post by: Alerith on December 13, 2006, 06:53:58 PM
Liquid Nitrogen Oxide

Nice lol.

Yea, your right. Ill just come up with something creative.
Title: Re: Crystal Collection
Post by: nevfx on December 13, 2006, 08:20:55 PM
Yeah, this is getting even better!
Title: Re: Crystal Collection
Post by: Silent Clarity on December 16, 2006, 01:08:08 PM
Good idea a think the last name was the greatest. Finaly a mage game not some most powerful warrior game
Title: Re: Crystal Collection
Post by: Alerith on December 16, 2006, 05:24:27 PM
Yea, in Final Fantasy XI online, I play the Warrior/Paladin/Ninja bit with some Red Mage just to spice things up.

I notice that mages don't get the respect they deserve. So this game is sort of a tribute to the mage class.
Title: Re: Crystal Collection
Post by: Red Eye Dragoon on December 17, 2006, 01:18:38 AM
I could help with mapping. or events if you need any help.
PS: This series sounds cool. Cant wait to play.
Title: Re: Crystal Collection
Post by: nevfx on December 19, 2006, 12:15:19 PM
I can't wait for the demo of one of these games, do you know when you might get one done? I can help if you want.
Title: Re: Crystal Collection
Post by: Alerith on December 19, 2006, 06:11:39 PM
I hope to have the demo of Blue Rhapsody ready by the end of December. I gave myself a deadline of Decemebr 29th. With Christmas break, that shouldn't be a problem at all.

Im working alot on Yellow Harmony as well, and expect that demo to be done by the end of January.

By the time I finish the demo for Red Bolero (In February), I should have the full version of Blue Rhapsody ready to be sent out.

I have the whole year planned out. I hope to get the entire series done by February of 2008.
Title: Re: Crystal Collection
Post by: nevfx on December 19, 2006, 07:44:38 PM
Cool! If this is really good, then it could be famous here.

If its good

Which I think it will be. :)
Title: Re: Crystal Collection
Post by: Blizzard on December 21, 2006, 12:49:57 PM
Regarding the post-reportage:

This topic can only be moved into the main section if screenshots are provided and a demo of at least half an hour of playtime. Sure, this game series looks promising, but as I said, screenies and demo are needed. Also some actual story should be posted as well as more character info. But I guess this should be in a separate topic, since it's a part of the series. IDK what the other mods think of moving this, but I'll leave it here for now.
Title: Re: Crystal Collection
Post by: nevfx on December 21, 2006, 01:01:06 PM
You are right, Blizzard. I forgot about needing screenshots ect.
Title: Re: Crystal Collection
Post by: Alerith on December 21, 2006, 03:55:34 PM
Ah certainly. I don't have any screenshots yet, but ill give you the info about the story, characters, etc.

The whole series is pretty much Final Fantasy STYLE. You go around the world completing quests, slaying monsters and performing actions to progress through the story.

The main premise of the entire series is that a Dark Lord (named later in the game) is rising in power and gathering an army of Orcs and Undead to him. The origins of this Dark Lord are (as of this momemnt) unknown. Meanwhile, the nations of Cremesia and Tal'Ashra are on the brink of war. Each character plays their role in the shaping of this world, leading up to the final conclusive battle with the Dark Lord himself.

The game will remain extremely open. You can go anywhere at anytime (assuming you've unlocked the area or have the means of transportation to get there.) and you are not forced to continue with the story right away. I think people call this Non-Linear gameplay.

There are other nations in the world of Airela. But the main story mostly takes place in Cremesia and Tal'Ashra. Each character has a side-story pertaining to them.

The story of:

Blue Mage -
Ever since birth, you have been gifted and cursed. Gifted to learn skills just by watching them. Cursed by an inner demon. The Curse of the Blue Dragon causes your people to turn into horrific demons. You alone have set out to find a way to break this curse. Your travels lead you to the Desert City of Gaaro, inhabited by the Black Mage tribe. Here you learn that to break the curse, you must slay the Blue Dragon, all the while being hunted by the Dark Lord. For some reason, he seems to fear the power of the Blue Mages.....

Red Mage-
You are an orphen. Your parents died in an attack by a mysterious Dark Lord. You have wandered back and forth between the Black Mage and White Mage tribes, attempting to master both trades and extract revenge for your parents. You have become a Hybrid class. Part White Mage, Part Black Mage...the Red Mage. When the Black Mage capital of Garro becomes occupied by the Dark Lord's servants, you are forced to begin your journey towards the defeat of the ultimate evil. But it seems you are not alone in this quest....a wandering Blue Mage too seeks to put an end to the Dark Lord's evil....

Yellow Harmony-
Your the last of the Yellow Mages. Time Mages. Able to mainpulate time and space through the use of Yellow Magic. In this way, you can prolong your life indefinitly. At this current time, you are 127 years old. But you look and feel that of 25 years. You are laid back and enjoying what you want to be the last years of your life. Until something happens....A wandering Blue Mage crosses your path, a trail of soldiers following him. You help him escape, and in doing so, draw the Dark Lord's attention to you. He is fearful of your Time Stopping abilites, and will see to it that you and the Blue Mage are eradicated. It's now a fight for your own survival, as you fight your way through the hordes of undead. Hoping to stop the Dark Lord so that the rest of the world can live in a state of peace, unaffected by time....

White Threnody-
Clerics, Healers, Saints. These are the words used to describe you as a White Mage. Your healing powers are legendary, and are the perfect defense against the hoard of undead that are sweeping the land. Your tribe has set up defensive barriers around the major cities and villages, but the enemy is constantly moving. You hear rumors of a band of Mages from other Tribes joining together to fight the Dark Lord. In the middle of the night, you sneak away from your Tribe's headquarters in Alferia, hoping to join with this band of brave mages, and put an end to the Dark Lord's tyranny.

Dark Symphony-
The world is broken. The power of the White Mages has failed, the Blue Mage tribe is scattered and the Black Mage tribe is under the control of the Dark Lord. The world has turned to darkness and the Dark Lord has erected his dark castle on the ruins of the once glorious Alexandria.... or has he? Using all your abilites you have thus gained so far; Blue Magic, Black Magic, White Magic, Yellow Magic, you must defeat the Dark Lord before his power grows any further. Alexandria is preparing her army. Tal'Ashra is preparing her Navy. The other nations of the world perpare for the final inevitable battle that will come, when the hordes of Evil face off against the Armies of Light. And your band of mages, caught in the middle, prepare for their own final offensive against the fortress of the Dark Lord himself....

----

I'll get screens up soon. The Blue Rhapsody demo will be out soon as well. Hope this peaks your interest in the series.  ;D





Title: Re: Crystal Collection
Post by: nevfx on December 21, 2006, 07:43:29 PM
Its peaked mine, I cant wait for the demo, to be honest. When you do get a demo out, what website will you upload it on?
Title: Re: Crystal Collection
Post by: Alerith on December 21, 2006, 08:43:50 PM
I'm still trying to figure that out. Got any options for me?
Title: Re: Crystal Collection
Post by: Winged on December 23, 2006, 10:58:36 AM
1. Is it just me or is there NO story about someone using a sword?

2. I like the stories for each "colour"

3. Why isn't there any swords?!

4. Sorry, I'm obsesed with "blades" (Swords, Daggers, Keyblades, Gunblades, etc)

~Winged
Title: Re: Crystal Collection
Post by: nevfx on December 23, 2006, 11:57:19 AM
^^Winged: I agree. lol
.
^^Alerith: Megaupload. Its the only one that doesnt screw my laptop up
Title: Re: Crystal Collection
Post by: Alerith on December 26, 2006, 06:56:26 PM
lol wing. Who said anything about no swords? Allow me to make you feel better.

These aren't the gimpy mages that run around beating things with sticks or staves.

These are hybrid "when my MP runs out I can still bludgeon you" and hack n slash action mages.

STR plays just as much importance as Magic and INT.

Blue Mage - Spear (Best Weapon: Zephyrus Lance)
Yellow Mage - Wand (Best Weapon: Chaosbringer)
Red Mage - Sword (Best Weapon: Ultima Weapon)
White Mage - Sword (Best Weapon: Holy Avenger)

Spoiler!!!!

Each ultimate weapon unlocks an ultimate technique:

Zephyrus Lance: Raining Thunderspark
Chaosbringer: Ultima Oblivion
Ultima Weapon: XIII Blades
Holy Avenger: Divine Judgment

So put your mind at ease.
Title: Re: Crystal Collection
Post by: Winged on December 27, 2006, 06:07:48 AM
OMG! I LOVE YOU :tpg: (not really but meh) my fav so far is the white mage, then the red and then blue and yellow

~Winged
Title: Re: Crystal Collection
Post by: nevfx on December 29, 2006, 09:49:45 AM
I want to play this game to much....
Title: Re: Crystal Collection
Post by: feildmaster on December 29, 2006, 05:16:01 PM
I want to play this game to much....

we can tell, you been watching and posting in this thread since the beginning... XD
Title: Re: Crystal Collection
Post by: Alerith on December 29, 2006, 05:20:20 PM
*UPDATE*

Im running just a little behind on the demo. I timed it and it isn't quite at the hour and a half Blizzard says it must be.

Plus, im still using some of the origonal resources that came with RMXP just as placeholders.

So now I will leave it up to you. Do you want me to:

1) Release the demo to you, even though some of the sprites and animations are still the origonals

-or-

2) Wait a few more weeks until I can get most of the resources I need.

The demo is still good even with the origonal resrouces, but just keep in mind it will be much better than the demo lets on.
Title: Re: Crystal Collection
Post by: feildmaster on December 29, 2006, 05:21:37 PM
I vote release demo! heh...
Title: Re: Crystal Collection
Post by: coolkid25344 on December 29, 2006, 06:04:28 PM
Personally I would rather wait a couple of weeks for the high quality game,
Title: Re: Crystal Collection
Post by: Alerith on December 29, 2006, 06:32:22 PM
If I can find the resources I need online or if someone can make them for me, it will only take one week. But If I have to make them myself, it could be as long as 2-3 weeks because Im horrible at it.

Maybe Ill just rip some sprites from the internet and mix em together. Hmmmmm.
Title: Re: Crystal Collection
Post by: Alerith on December 29, 2006, 09:25:14 PM
Ok, Iv been searching the internet all day for the resrouces I need and I think I found them.

I will have a demo for you all by....roughly next weekend. I still don't have ALL the resources I need, but hey, its a demo.

Update: For those of you interested, Im adding some nice rock music to the game. One of the battle themes too.  ;D
Title: Re: Crystal Collection
Post by: Winged on December 30, 2006, 04:11:03 AM
Awesome! The music always gives a big impact on players, rock should do the trick (too bad I'm never gonna find the perfect second battle theme  :tpg:)

~Winged
Title: Re: Crystal Collection
Post by: nevfx on December 30, 2006, 09:56:02 PM
Do I need to tell you what I vote for?

(If so, demo please.)
Title: Re: Crystal Collection
Post by: Irock on January 10, 2007, 04:21:47 AM
Sounds cool.
Title: Re: Crystal Collection
Post by: Alerith on January 11, 2007, 06:08:00 PM
Hey guys. Sorry to keep you waiting. My dad has been a real...pain lately and I havent had much CPU time. Ill have the demo up on Sunday or for sure on Monday. No school for MLK day so Ill have plenty of time.
Title: Re: Crystal Collection
Post by: nevfx on January 11, 2007, 08:12:35 PM
COOL. DEMO! Can't wait for it. I'll be checking.
Title: Re: Crystal Collection
Post by: Darico on January 11, 2007, 08:15:41 PM
Lol, looks good. I wnat to see this demo aswell.
Title: Re: Crystal Collection
Post by: :) on January 11, 2007, 08:31:25 PM
screenshots?
Title: Re: Crystal Collection
Post by: Alerith on January 12, 2007, 06:18:44 PM
Ill put screens up this weekend.

My dad disabled the internet in my room, so I have to put them on my flash drive, take them to the library then upload them.

Ill have to do the same with the demo, but I can just make a game disk to transfer everything.
Title: Re: Crystal Collection
Post by: nevfx on January 14, 2007, 11:08:29 AM
Why did he disable the internet in your room?
Title: Re: Crystal Collection
Post by: Winged on January 14, 2007, 11:47:07 AM
Why did he disable the internet in your room?

Maybe he did something like skip school or accidentally swear or embarrassed his dad or all of the above and under.

~Winged
Title: Re: Crystal Collection
Post by: Alerith on January 15, 2007, 06:39:26 PM
Nah, nothing that bad. I'm just failing one of my core classes and he overreacts a bit.

UPDATE: Demo will be uploaded soon. The gamedisk feature is giving me hell.
Title: Re: Crystal Collection
Post by: nevfx on January 15, 2007, 06:57:02 PM
Oh...oh! Your posting. You have a form of internet, at least. (I think you acually said what, but I can't remember)

Anyway, hows the game(s) coming along?
Title: Re: Crystal Collection
Post by: Alerith on January 17, 2007, 06:57:50 PM
Oh...oh! Your posting. You have a form of internet, at least. (I think you acually said what, but I can't remember)

Anyway, hows the game(s) coming along?

Yea, I use the school media center, the public library and some of my friends wireless to post and get resrouces as I need them.

The game (Rhapsody) is coming along nicely. Its a little slower now that I don't have the internet access I need, but as soon as I put the gamedisk on CD, ill bring it to the library to upload.

I was playing a test run and found a few bugs i need to fix, plus some timing issues.

EXCITING NOTE: I finally got a Three Part Summon animation to work. Just like in Golden Sun, you summon and the enemeis dissapear, (animation 1) the creature appears and attacks (animation 2) then the screen fades back to the enemy who gets railed by the attack. (animation 3).

I've added ONE summon to the demo for you all. Our friendly neighborhood dragon Bahamut.

The animations themselves are still in progress too, but im fairly proud of it. The only problem is that I need a script telling the game to go back to the origonal background depending on the battle. But I think I have a few triggers in mind that could do that.

Im REALLY sorry about the delay. Like REALLY REALLY sorry. Im trying to get as many of the bugs out as I can so that this demo doesnt bomb when I let you guys play it.

Ever play Dark Age of the Prophecy? EEEEWWWWWWW.
Title: Re: Crystal Collection
Post by: nevfx on January 18, 2007, 02:35:48 PM
Wahoo! I'm glad the demo's coming along. Whats a good game without it delays, eh?
Title: Re: Crystal Collection
Post by: Winged on January 21, 2007, 05:22:22 AM
Yay! Bahamut! My fav dragon! Anyway, I'd just like to say, I'm looking forward to this, no matter how long I wait, I'll still be a loyal demo player to you.

~Winged
Title: Re: Crystal Collection
Post by: Alerith on January 21, 2007, 07:03:07 PM
I have to be honest, some of the delays are due to me being paranoid about the demo.

You guys are all excited and I dont want to dissapoint! But I think I have just about every bug worked out.

Embarassing story: I made a gamedisk, then realized that I set the start location at the END of the demo.  :-\

At any rate, it should be ok. I'll make the official gamedisk after I get back from MEPS tomarrow and upload it this week.

I promise, no more delays unless I die. (Which would suck for all.)
Title: Re: Crystal Collection
Post by: nevfx on January 21, 2007, 07:04:57 PM
If you die, and I will kill myself and haunt your spirit.

Anyway, can't wait. Still.
Title: Re: Crystal Collection
Post by: Alerith on January 23, 2007, 05:20:31 PM
Ok mates. No more delays. I WILL have the demo uploaded for you this weekend. Nearly a month late....but whatever lol.

Now, I promise no more delays, so now I want a quick survey.

What are you expecting to see in this game. What are you expectations and hopes? What features are you looking for and what do you look for in a game?
Title: Re: Crystal Collection
Post by: nevfx on January 23, 2007, 07:45:14 PM
I'm just expecting a cool game, with a good plot, ect.
Title: Re: Crystal Collection
Post by: Darico on January 23, 2007, 07:47:22 PM
I think something that is gripping, fun and challanging at once. Or maybe I expect to much? lol
Title: Re: Crystal Collection
Post by: Alerith on January 29, 2007, 02:31:04 PM
Thanks for your patience. I will begin uploading the demo in a couple of hours during my free period.

Assuming the firewall doesn't counteract my hack, it should be up my 3:00 today.
Title: Re: Crystal Collection
Post by: Alerith on January 30, 2007, 05:44:22 PM
Megaupload isnt working. Is there any other way?
Title: Re: Crystal Collection
Post by: nevfx on January 30, 2007, 06:00:48 PM
FileFront

www.filefront.com
Title: Re: Crystal Collection
Post by: Blizzard on January 30, 2007, 06:11:19 PM
For God's sake, don't use the super-slow filefront!

www.savefile.com
Title: Screenshots x2
Post by: Alerith on January 31, 2007, 05:58:10 PM
Okay. I will have the file uploaded tonight! TONIGHT I SAY! Come hell or high water! Im in Computer class right now, and our internet/systems SUCK. It can barely run any RMXP games. I managed to get a couple of screenshots before it crashed so here you go. (Note that by a couple, I mean 2)

(https://rmrk.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi73.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fi231%2Fhacker_trigger%2FScreenie1.jpg&hash=3489d35dfa89cc3cbeeb2f7034ee2e59fa8c0fc3)

(https://rmrk.net/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi73.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fi231%2Fhacker_trigger%2Fscreenie2.jpg&hash=b3e57ac34bad13e651fc358d0a95f3ecbbe73a5c)
Title: Re: Crystal Collection
Post by: Alerith on January 31, 2007, 05:59:49 PM
Also keep in mind. 95% of the defualt resources will be changed in the final version. So don't worry about the current lack of individualism or whatever. Just enjoy. (Tonight!)
Title: Re: Crystal Collection
Post by: Darico on February 01, 2007, 07:27:55 AM
no demo yet?   :'(
Title: Re: Crystal Collection
Post by: Winged on February 02, 2007, 01:01:55 AM
What the blue mage says is a bit...cheesy? I dunno, but I don't mind as long as battling isn't a drag. As for the mapping, it looks a it flat and plain, try stuff like rocks and holes in the first and plants and dead grass in the second.

~Winged
Title: Re: Crystal Collection
Post by: :) on February 02, 2007, 01:03:36 AM
mapping could be a tad bit better. other then that I like the rest.
Title: Re: Crystal Collection
Post by: nevfx on February 03, 2007, 07:47:41 AM
I can't wait for the demo, as you probably know.

Nouman and Winged are right, but my mappings, er, not very good(although its getting better), so I can't really critise.
Title: Re: Crystal Collection
Post by: Alerith on February 08, 2007, 04:01:11 PM
Hey everyone. I've been snowed in and had no internet so sorry I've been MIA.

Mapping - Im doing some adjusting. I have this problem with making everything symetrical but im trying to correct that. I used to use RM2K3 and I had the exact same problem. All mountains were perfectly symetrical and all the cities had equal buildings on each side. But it will be fixed. Im slowly getting the hang of it. Just habit you know?

Battles - I guaruntee that none of these should be drawn out. Most boss fights are modified so that, even though they are longer than regular fights, they have special events in them to keep it interesting. But if your taking more than 7 minutes on the boss fights, then either your not strong enough or there is a glitch because I made sure that the regular fights shouldnt take more than 3 minutes and the boss fights more than 7.

About what the Blue Mage saying being cheesy...well...yea I guess. To be honest, that whole Blue Mage / Dragon scene was a last minute addition to the demo, so I have time to correct it. Just a simple opening.