One Way Heroics (now available) $

[getter77]

http://playism-games.com/games/onewayheroics/  $1.99 or more, pay what you want!  Win

Overview

Across all dimensions, the only constant is Darkness!
A procedurally generated RPG journey across the multiverse!

 In One Way Heroics, you take on the role of an intrepid adventurer who must travel across the land and face the Demon Lord before a mysterious darkness engulfs everything.

Darkness always approaches from the left, and with each movement, attack and action you take, the darkness creeps ever closer. Forced to run right, you'll encounter any number of monsters, allies, thieves and shops on your desperate journey to stop the end of everything.

Dimensional Travel

The good news is that you don't just have access to one world. You have access to all of them. Born with the mysterious power to travel to other dimensions, you can choose which dimension you wish to travel to in order to get to the Demon Lord.

Dimensions vary based on their name. One might be full of lush forest landscapes full of adorable animals and cunning thieves, while another might be full of corrupted hellscapes infested with demons. You might find likeminded heroes willing to journey with you, or you might meet no one and be forced to venture into the unknown alone.

Like a dimension you previously visited? Simply input the name at the Dimensional selection screen before you begin your journey. Want to try your luck with a random dimension? Type any word that pops into your head, and watch as One Way Heroics builds you a world based on the name you chose.

Infinite permutations. Infinite worlds. Infinite adventure.

 Unlocking The World

Most journeys in One Way Heroics end in death, but it's not the end. Even if death means losing everything you've earned in your adventure, you still earn points, depending on your performance, that you can use as currency to purchase all manner of upgrades, from new skills to new classes.

The world of One Way Heroics unfolds and expands as you play. The more you put in, the more you get out of it.

 The Connected World

One Way Heroics does not require an internet connection, but being connected will add all new features that only serve to enhance the experience. Every time you enter a new dimension, you'll have constant access to a live leaderboard that documents the trials and tribulations of all the heroes trying to their hand at the same dimension.

Every time your journey ends, you can use the in-game interface to quickly post about your untimely demise on Twitter. In just a few clicks you can warn your friends about the golem that killed you, and be right back in the game getting your revenge.

 The Classes

Fight for the glory of the Multiverse!

When you first begin playing, you will only be able to access two classes, each skilled in a different combat discipline, changing how you approach every encounter.

Swordsman

The swordsman/swordswoman is the perfect offensive melee class built around the principle that every problem can be solved by hitting it hard enough. They specialize in attacking individual enemies for considerable damage. In a pinch, they can enter a "Berserk" state, turning them into an unbeatable force.

Knight

Having sworn an oath to defend and protect the weak, the Knights have devoted their lives to improving their defensive capabilities. Still quite capable at wounding their foes, Knights are trained to endure. Using their Great Wall ability, Knights can greatly reduce incoming damage, making it easier to take on considerably stronger enemies.

More to See

As you play the game, you will earn points based on your performance to unlock more classes, new skills, and new ways to conquer the ever-looming Darkness. You will even earn points if die. Defeat is not the end. It is only the beginning.

 One Way Heroics' classes each offer a refreshing new way to play the game. Unlock new skills like improved swimming and lockpicking. Hundreds of options are open to you and it's up to you to choose the one that fits your playstyle.

 
About the Engine

One Way Heroics was developed using the Wolf RPG Editor, built from the ground up by developer Smoking WOLF himself. Wolf RPG Editor, heralded for its ease of use and wide functionality, was also used in the development of a number of other titles, including freeware horror game Mad Father.

Wolf RPG Editor is free to download and use, but is currently only available in Japanese.

Awards
Casual Connect Asia 2013 Indie Showcase Official Selection

Smoking WOLF's Creator's Voice
The strange sounding concept of a “Forced-Scrolling RPG” first came to me in December 2011.
 
The concept of mixing a “Forced-Scroller” and an RPG sounded like some sort of absurd joke. I checked to see if games that mixed the two genres had been made before, and it looks like it’s an incredibly niche idea. Knowing this genre was rather undeveloped actually inspired me. Over time the belief that I could create a fun Forced-Scrolling RPG got stronger, and I decided I’d give developing it a go. The result of that attempt is this game: One Way Heroics.

Looks rather promising and interesting, and definitely a bit different approach on an omnipresent and inexorable "hunger clock".   Vids and pics onsite, of course---nice graphical work and whatnot to boot.

[Septa]

I play the game a few hours this morning, it's seem quite good.

I don't know if there is enough content in it to make the game really replayable, but it works well.
The gameplay is very shiren-like ( Except for the your always have to run from the dark ) and work well.
The unlock seems to add more variety than grind.
The online functions are simple but fun.

It's not the next big roguelike but it's a fun and cheap little one.

[jim]

Seconded. This is definitely worth $1.99. The basic mechanic of the game actually works quite well in its favor. You're always considering whether darting in one direction or another is worth the risk; you are always under pressure to pick your poison. This is the perfect antidote to the main problem in traditional roguelikes: rewarding obsessive compulsive disorder through the ability to indefinitely grind. And while, yes, this is probably not the "next big roguelike," there are more than enough features and hidden aspects to keep hardcore players entertained. Recommended without reservation.

Actually, the one reservation: after I've finished playing, I end up with this optical illusion messing with my eyes - as though everything were about to slip off the left edge of my vision. It's weirdly unnerving when I'm trying to read an article online.