[WIP] Project FOX - A NES/SNES-era platformer and Metroidvania-like adventure

[vSv]

Project FOX (this will change, it's just a project name for now).


Brief description
Your main character is FOX (this name will also change later).
FOX has three main ways to hurt enemies. FOX can either jump on them, use different ranged attacks or attack them in four different directions using his claws as a melee weapon.

The game is heavily inspired by a wide mix of different games from the NES era and by the Metroidvania genre.

As FOX, you will be able to find many different animals that will help you in your quest. Some animals will lend you their powers which enables you to progress further in the world and find upgrades.
Some upgrades that you find might be necessary to proceed in the game while most of them will be optional and only improve FOX's overall abilities.

The player will navigate the different levels through a world map that has many hidden routes and stages.
Some levels will be pretty large while some levels will be similar in size with regular Super Mario Bros. levels.


The game will mainly focus on three different level types:
Normal levels
Levels similar in length and height to those that of Super Mario and similar games. These levels will normally have a time limit and be sparse on secrets. These levels will mainly use a Mega Man like camera system.

Branching/Open levels
These levels will be similar in length and height to an area in Super Metroid. These levels will not have a time limit and there will be multiple secrets in these levels. The player will have a less restricted camera as both the X and Y axis will be unlocked. To reach all the secrets and/or exits, you will need upgrades from the same and other levels.

Challenge levels
These levels will be pretty varied and there will not be any defined rules that applies to all of these levels. Some levels might be similar to the "Murder Wall"-levels from Kid Chameleon while others might be something entirely different.



Images
https://i.imgur.com/UNOSu1M.png
https://i.imgur.com/7O3PjZd.png



For more information, status, devlog and images
https://www.create-games.com/project...w=main&id=2612

[Vetmora]

Looking great. Would be good to see some gameplay footage.

[vSv]

Thanks!

I'll see what I can do about that. I'm thinking about doing either YouTube videos or high quality gifs. I will try to fix this in a not to distant future!

[vSv]

Just thought I should share some visual updates since my last post.


I updated the old backgrounds.
https://i.imgur.com/DfP98tB.png

I created a background for a maze-like level called The Bottomless Pond.
https://i.imgur.com/yoDwSYH.png

I created some checkpoint graphics for the water levels.
https://i.imgur.com/fKaCPjK.png
https://vimeo.com/517459491

Finally, a small work in progress preview of a secret level
https://i.imgur.com/ySTJBVr.png
https://i.imgur.com/3jeTG5M.png

[vSv]

I've made way too many changes since the last update to be able to list them, but some of the major things are:
- Implemented Volnaiskra's volCAMERA and made some necessary tweaks to it.
- Enemies now have this "Getting Hurt" effect, which is made from a shader. Earlier, there were no "Getting Hurt" effect.
- There are now three different graphic layouts for the menus and dialogue boxes.
- Character portraits (although, just a placeholder for the Cub's portrait in the video further down).
- New graphics for the Checkpoints in the land levels. Checkpoints now also restore full HP on contact.
- If the player is hurt, there's a new "Restore HP" effect when coming in contact with HP restoring items/checkpoints.
- Lots of different smaller sound effects.


Also, a video update from one of the branching levels, The Dark Forest:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imMy9vShKSQ

[Vetmora]

Looks awesome. Nice to see some footage too. Didn't realise this update until now... hope it's still progressing and hasn't been abandoned!

[vSv]

Thanks Vetmora! Didn't notice your comment until now either, haha...

The project is not abandoned, but I haven't worked on it just as much as I'd wished because of studying, taking care of the children and such! Even though I haven't updated this thread in a long time, some updates can always be found on my "The Daily Click"-link, some other updates are posted on Reddit and Twitter.


Since my last post, there's been plenty of big and small updates, here are some of the more noteworthy changes:
• Added healthy and poisonous mushrooms which the hedgehog can eat to restore health or gain Voxerite.
• Added a poison system which allows the player to take damage in intervals. Poison can also be stacked.
• Added treasure chests, which at the moment only contains Voxerite gems.
• Added a breath system which allows the player to hold their breath when underwater. When the breath meter is empty, the player will take damage until either dead or above water.
• New ability for the fox: Ravens Escape. This allows the player to boost upwards while also damaging enemies.
• Added trampolines.
• Added a Slow debuff.
• Added a Cold/Heat system which slowly makes the player freeze to death unless they find warmth sources.
• Added many new animations to all playable characters and some additional effects such as a transfer screen effect.
• Added a magical Whistle ability for the fox. This is working kind of like the ocarina in Zelda and will also allow the player to do similar magical things.
• Added two Quick Menus. One for items and one for character swapping.
• Added a working map.
• Added a guide NPC that will tell the player where to go in case the player can't figure it out themselves.
• Updated tileset for the Dark Forest and the Toxic Bog.
• Added a graphic option which lets the player use a NES palette instead of the default custom palette.
• Tweaked and improved the camera system a lot. It will now also scout ahead if the player is running or falling.
• Added the third playable character, the bear cub Ai. This is the games fighter and instead of jumping on enemies to kill them he can attack them with his claws.
• New ability for the hedgehog: Extended Spines. The player can now extend the hedgehogs spines. This will hurt enemies and is a great counter for enemies that attack from above.
• New ability for the fox: Glide. This allows the player to soar through the sky and reach new places.
• Added a small store in the swamp where the player can purchase some things for Voxerite.