15 replies to this topic

[Lüt]

Hey everybody!

After a slight delay, I'm happy to announce the first beta for The Third Legacy is ready for testing. Hopefully, it's also the final beta, as I've accomplished nearly everything I wanted to, and tweaked nearly everything I could think of.

Of course, when working on a project this size, you always miss the obvious things that everybody else catches. Plus, everybody has their own way of playing, which may be totally different than mine. So, if anybody wants to give it the once-over sometime in the next week or two (or more if needed), I'd much appreciate it.

What I'm looking for:

• Feedback on the general gameplay/difficulty
• Any game-breaking designs or situations
• Any glitches or fatal bugs

What isn't necessary, but could be nice anyway:

• More detailed feedback on things like design consistency and overall layout, things you would have done differently if you were me, etc.

Really, I'm just looking to add the finishing touches. I'm afraid I don't have the time to rip out and redesign entire chunks of overworlds or dungeons. I just need to make the most of what I have now, and to incorporate as many suggestions for gameplay improvements and functionality fixes as possible.

No need for huge reports - just say stuff like "that passage in x dungeon got way too hard way too fast," "I kept running out of ammo at this boss," "boss key chamber in x dungeon is WAY too hidden," "I broke the reflection room in Treasure Vault #3 by doing this..." etc.

Again, if you want to be more thorough, feel free, but bear in mind I'm running out of time to make any major changes in the layout and progression of the quest, so all I can say is I'll keep such suggestions in mind for possible future quests.

The quest is largely classic-NES-based gameplay, with many of the additional items and enemies that ZC provides, so it should be a fairly straight-forward endeavor - no convoluted puzzles, nothing meant to hang or trick the player. I'm an explorer, and I don't like things that get in the way of my exploration. I tried to make this fun and entertaining rather than annoying, while still providing a gradually-increasing challenge. So, let me know how I'm doing!

No need for application essays or anything. Just say you want in, and I'll put you on the project contributor list and get you hooked up with the quest!

[Kivitoe]

I could beta-test if you still need someone.

[Kivitoe]

Umm... Can I be a beta tester?

[Lüt]

Yeah!

 

Sorry, I'm trying to get the replacement for my job at school ready, but the staff isn't cooperating.

 

Anyway, I think I've got everything set up. The file's posted, I believe the download permissions are correct, and you should be on the project staff list.

 

So there you go. Let me know if anything's not working.

 

And... I guess we either discuss here, or I start a dev topic? (Still new, heh.)

[Kivitoe]

Yeah!

 

Sorry, I'm trying to get the replacement for my job at school ready, but the staff isn't cooperating.

 

Anyway, I think I've got everything set up. The file's posted, I believe the download permissions are correct, and you should be on the project staff list.

 

So there you go. Let me know if anything's not working.

 

And... I guess we either discuss here, or I start a dev topic? (Still new, heh.)

Thank you! I think I will start a dev topic because only staff can see those I think.

[Kivitoe]

Please look at the dev topic I made, it will show you all of the stuff I found.

[Anarchy_Balsac]

I'd be very interested if I didn't see Like Likes in the screenshots.  Is it possible those will be gone by the full build?  Or at least that they can't east items?

[Shane]

I say keep the Like Likes, they're a traditional enemy and they're meant to eat your shield - it's what makes us love to hate them. It's what makes them dangerous and a good enemy too. Just be sure not to abuse them and you're good in my books.

 

That said, I wish I could test, but I haven't got the time. This quest looks really promising.

[Joelmacool]

I'd be very interested if I didn't see Like Likes in the screenshots.  Is it possible those will be gone by the full build?  Or at least that they can't east items?

Ummm... why? LikeLike's shouldn't change your view in a quest. I'd say that the creator should keep them in the game to prevent the game from being too easy. Or probably those LikeLike's are in a late game dungeon, meaning you are well equipped for the LikeLike's.

Edited by Joelmacool12, 27 August 2015 - 12:00 PM.

[Anarchy_Balsac]

Ummm... why? LikeLike's shouldn't change your view in a quest. I'd say that the creator should keep them in the game to prevent the game from being too easy. Or probably those LikeLike's are in a late game dungeon, meaning you are well equipped for the LikeLike's.

There are far less annoying ways to make your game challenging.  People can do what they want, but I don't see why dealing with an annoyance is desirable.

[Joelmacool]

There are far less annoying ways to make your game challenging.  People can do what they want, but I don't see why dealing with an annoyance is desirable.

Here is an idea, why don't you not play the quest when it comes out. So other people can enjoy the quest the way it is supposed to be made. If you don't like it good for you but other people have their own opinions and if you don't like it just walk away. Its the way the world works. Sorry.

[Anarchy_Balsac]

Here is an idea, why don't you not play the quest when it comes out. So other people can enjoy the quest the way it is supposed to be made. If you don't like it good for you but other people have their own opinions and if you don't like it just walk away. Its the way the world works. Sorry.

 

Yes but your hostility is unnecessary.  I can respect if your opinion differs from mine, but getting angry about it does nothing.

[Lüt]

Eh? They're in like 1 shot heh.

 

Admittedly, I've never liked those things much either (Ham Sandwiches, as I used to call them). That's why I made an optional side-dungeon to pick up the mirror shield (and some other goodies) before any significant amount of them ever show up.

 

Of course, you've got to fight hard for those things, but if you ask me, they're quite worth it.

 

I also have my own list of annoyances I generally refrain from doing - excessive bubbles being one of them. There's a few here and there, but I save most of the red ones until after I offer the whisp ring. Shooting statues are another. I use those rather sparingly, except for side-dungeons and the last level.

 

So, I do try to make it more fun than annoying, as I do see a big difference between challenges and annoyances - but in the end, it's a matter of preferences, and we all have our own. It's inevitable that mine are going to clash with others. I just want it to remain accessible enough that nobody's completely put off by anything I put in it, even if it's not the way they'd make it themselves.

[Anarchy_Balsac]

Eh? They're in like 1 shot heh.

 

Admittedly, I've never liked those things much either (Ham Sandwiches, as I used to call them). That's why I made an optional side-dungeon to pick up the mirror shield (and some other goodies) before any significant amount of them ever show up.

 

Of course, you've got to fight hard for those things, but if you ask me, they're quite worth it.

 

I also have my own list of annoyances I generally refrain from doing - excessive bubbles being one of them. There's a few here and there, but I save most of the red ones until after I offer the whisp ring. Shooting statues are another. I use those rather sparingly, except for side-dungeons and the last level.

 

So, I do try to make it more fun than annoying, as I do see a big difference between challenges and annoyances - but in the end, it's a matter of preferences, and we all have our own. It's inevitable that mine are going to clash with others. I just want it to remain accessible enough that nobody's completely put off by anything I put in it, even if it's not the way they'd make it themselves.

 

I see your point there, an option to get the mirror shield before encountering them certainly makes them feel less like an annoyance, and more like an obstacle to be overcome.

[Shane]

I say don't be afraid of including Like Likes before obtaining a mirror shield. The whole point of Like Likes are meant to be a mild annoyance in which you have to be cautious about. It stops people from mindlessly button mashing and tanking, and getting people on alert which is not bad design. If Like Likes don't cater your interest, that's fine, but I don't think one should threaten to not play over the sake of their inclusion nor should the developer change his harmless decisions in including them in the first place. We all have our annoyances - I prefer staying away from mindless enemy/boss spam on every screen. But if people like that, that's fine by me. My final two cents.

 

So on another note, is this quest planned to be released soon? That's cool because while I don't intend to become a tester, I'll definitely add this on my "to play" list.