RogueArena - Looking for Feedback

[D_Rogue]

Hello,

I started a blog about my latest project: Rogue Arena
Here is the url: http://heartbeatgames.blogspot.it/

It's a coffeebreak roguelike with 3d graphics. You can read details and see screenshots on the blog. I'd really appreciate some feedback from the community!

I *must* say that I already posted about my game in another section (http://roguetemple.com/forums/index.php?topic=2310.0), I hope I'm not violating community rules...

EDIT: downloadable Windows version is now available on the blog!

[Krice]

Doesn't look that interesting. Also I think using 3D graphics for 2D map isn't worth the trouble. Actual 3D map would be something.

[D_Rogue]

Krice, thanks for taking the time to look at it!

What IMHO will make the game interesting is yet to be implemented. You and other adventurers are fighting against each other in the dungeon and each kill grants the powers of the victim... In my mind this will lead to situations where your character starts as the usual warrior but then acquires the ability to backstab or to cast spells...

Actually the purpose of 3d graphics is only to make game screenshots look appealing to mobile devices users (it's a Windows Phone 7 game)...

[guest509]

  I think it looks nifty. I don't care what graphics style is used as long as it's functional and fun. Fun factor is top priority really.

[D_Rogue]

Thanks Jo.
Even if the game is intended to be distributed (for free) on Windows Phone 7 Marketplace I decided to release a Windows-PC executable as soon as the game is reasonably playable and fun. I'll update this post when this happens (I hope less than a week).

[requerent]

Is the game multi-player and turnbased? Is it primarily PvP or is it PvE or a mix?

I like the premise of gaining powers, especially if there is no conventional leveling. Creates incentive to battle early and often at the risk of over-extension. It all depends on implementation though.

Doesn't look that interesting. Also I think using 3D graphics for 2D map isn't worth the trouble. Actual 3D map would be something.

Pfft- those graphics are cute.

[D_Rogue]

The game is PvP only. Well, actually other players are AI controlled but I will implement internet-multiplayer for sure (but it will take some time). It's turn-based of course.
The fact that also other heroes gain powers by killing each other means that you can't just hide waiting the others to do your job... You would end up fighting a super warrior-thief-mage. Also, just like hunger in other roguelikes, it doesn't allow you to just sit down and rest for 100 turns to regain all hit points after a tough battle.

Actually I'm planning 4 basic classes:
- Warrior: the classic tank with skills focused on melee
- Thief: can become invisible and backstab or poison an opponent to reduce his/her "atk" and "dmg"
- Cleric: can cure himself and power-up his stats for a limited amount of turns (by "blessing" himself)
- Mage: you know... very weak but can throw fireballs, teleport, etc.

All of the above skills can be used a limited number of times (I use the term "charges").

I want to add more classes but only after these 4 are finished and well balanced.
I regularly update my blog (http://heartbeatgames.blogspot.com) with news about the game if you are interested... I will also provide a Windows exe to test the game on PC as soon as possible.

EDIT:
I could add some weak monsters that you can kill to maximize your score... but that's just a possibility.

[getter77]

Good call on the Windows version to come---I too reckon this could be interesting as in recent times there's been far more activity in "Arena" styled Roguelikes than in years past, I would guess due to the heightened popularity of DOTA, LoL, and all the rest.

Long term, more classes after the initial 4 get locked down nicely is probably the way to go unless each class gains some manner of additional depth to keep the sense of intrigue going after a few games.

[D_Rogue]

Thanks for interesting in my game, guys. All this feedback is motivating me to invest even more time on this project!

[requerent]

One thing that may be interesting is if characters are persistent. A player who wins an arena now has absorbed all these abilities-- What if that character could be used in a subsequent arena against people of equivalent power levels?

Could become interesting to see how powerful a single player is able to become without dying.

[D_Rogue]

One thing that may be interesting is if characters are persistent. A player who wins an arena now has absorbed all these abilities-- What if that character could be used in a subsequent arena against people of equivalent power levels?

Could become interesting to see how powerful a single player is able to become without dying.

Sounds like a good idea! You may have multiple characters stored in a save file. Also, each character may have a score associated with him and this score could be used to compete in an online highscore table (a must-have for mobile games). I'd need to make the power-absorption process a little bit "slower". Maybe when you kill an enemy only a small random portion of his/her stats are absorbed and only one of the special abilities.

[D_Rogue]

As promised you can now download the Windows version on my blog (http://heartbeatgames.blogspot.com).
It's really missing a lot but it would be great if anyone could just try it and tell me if it runs OK on other machines.

WARNING: don't expect to play a fun or exciting game... at least not yet!!