57 replies to this topic

[Mitchfork]

It's here. Nearly 4 years after the first - Demo 2.0 of Crucible Crest has released. Enjoy.
 
>>UPDATE 2.3 (2/27/25): Demo 2.3 has (shamefully) released, fixing a small number of bugs introduced in demo 2.2. All links on this page have been updated to point to the new file. 
>>UPDATE 2.2 (2/19/25): Demo 2.2 has released, fixing several more bugs and making rebalance modifications, especially around level 2. 
>>UPDATE 2.1 (1/20/25): Demo 2.1 has released, fixing several bugs and making other slight changes. 
You can view a spoilered changelog of each version at the end of this post.

>>WINDOWS USERS - You can download a standalone .exe version of the demo here!
>>NON-WINDOWS USERS - You can download the quest and music here!

• Use ZQuest Classic 2.55.8 or later.
• Mac: The ZQuest Classic downloads page has up-to-date Mac releases.
• Linux: The flatpack for version 2.55.8 is the best way to play.

>>FOR PLAYERS NEW TO ZQUEST CLASSIC

• Clicking the window with the mouse shows the application menu.
• Controls: Settings > Controls > Keyboard/Gamepad will allow you to customize controls. Crucible Crest is best played on a controller with a DPad, 4 face buttons, 2 menu buttons (Start/Map), and 2 shoulder buttons. The subscreen can be configured from the Start Menu in-game to use 2 face buttons for primary action and rearrange the controller layout.
• Resolution: ZC > Video Mode will allow you to customize the application resolution.
• Starting the Quest: How To Start Guide

>>STORY / CONCEPT
Crucible Crest is a Zelda 1 "remake" in a very loose sense. It's really a "reinterpretation" (and in fact that was the working title for the project). This is a critically-minded response to Zelda 1, but also Zelda as a series - the way that the story of Zelda is continually retold and repeated in an endless cycle.

You can play this as if it's a Zelda 1 style quest - wandering the world and checking off your boxes. If you want or need more guidance, there are NPC's who can directly instruct you. We've designed a quest state system that allows them to update their dialog based on what you've accomplished so far in the game and what they've already told you so that this is dynamic and always helpful.

The rest of the story is best left to the game - so get in there and play it!

>>WORLD
Sheik has designed the overworld for the demo and has done some superb sprite work for the project as a whole. This quest is planned to be a full 16x13 overworld, of which over 50% is explorable in this demo. Locations are basically the same as they are in Zelda 1, but you can already tell by the demo that things have been remixed in subtle and not-subtle ways to help the world flow a little bit better.

>>GAMEPLAY
The gameplay in Crucible Crest is highly scripted to resemble the Game Boy Zelda games in feel. The following features are just some of the changes made:
Enemy and player knockback is completely rebuilt to depend on the angle of the hit. This completely changes the feel of combat from Z1's grid-based system. The terrain also factors into combat more - enemies can be pushed into pits, water, and lava just like in the GB games.
All enemies are completely scripted from the ground-up. Existing enemies now much more closely resemble their GB counterparts, and all-new enemies have been added as well.
Many familiar items are now expanded in their role and usefulness to encourage a variety of play. Try relying on the candle especially - I think you'll find it's really fun!
Visual effects - bombs, switches, shutters, warps, etc. - have all been slightly or significantly revamped.
New save point, continue, and warping system.

>>DEMO NOTES

• The GBS files are REQUIRED for music. This quest does not include or support MIDI's.
• The demo is roughly 5-10 hours in scope, depending on completion level.
• The demo includes three main dungeons and two mini-dungeons. The main dungeons can be completed in any order.
• Areas on the overworld that are not accessible have been blocked off.
• You cannot get to every cave, chest, and item that are visible in the demo - but you can get to most.
• Not all item portraits are completed yet, so some will show a ? icon.
• Anything can change between now and full release!
• Credits are included with the download. If we missed you or someone you know, let us know and we’ll make it right.
• Please report any bugs, issues, or just post about your experience and let us know what you liked and didn't like!

>>SPECIAL THANKS
I want to extend a sincere thank you to our testers in the alsoLIONsoft Discord - Aslion, Taco Chopper, Ether, Hubydweyer, Rambly, and Colin. Without each of them, this demo would not be nearly as good as it is.
 
>>COLLECTIBLE LOCATIONS
"Spoiler-free" maps of where key collectibles are located are provided below. This will reveal the in-game map, but there are no spoilers for names or how collectibles are acquired - just their location on the main overworld.

Heart Container Pieces

Stray Fairies

Jewels

Jewel locations denoted by a "?" indicate randomized jewels, which are different per-playthrough. There are four different pools denoted by white, green, blue, and red question marks. Note that as of Demo 2.2, level 3 random jewels (indicated by the blue question mark) now have fixed locations - but are found at the same two locations as before.

Other Collectibles and Trading Sequence

Note that the last item in the trading sequence can be used to gain access to a final reward not shown on the map.

 
 
>>DEMO 2.3 CHANGELOG

Spoiler

Bug Fixes:

• Fixed bug where certain enemies (Green/Red Zols especially) would delay their death animation when killed. Bug introduced in Demo 2.2.
• Fixed bug where some Armos were not solid. Bug introduced in Demo 2.2.
• Fixed bug where some Armos would spawn invisible. This bug was present in Demo 2.0 and 2.1, but Demo 2.2 made it much more common.
• Fixed bug where picking up rocks on certain Fortress Ruins screens would trigger the screen secret sound effect. Bug introduced in Demo 2.2.
• Fixed bug where Spiked Beetle defenses would sometimes not reset properly, making it unkillable after recovering from stun.

 
>>DEMO 2.2 CHANGELOG
The below list includes spoilers and is intended for players that have completed the demo.

Spoiler

Demo 2.2 requires ZQuest Classic version 2.55.8 instead of 2.55.7.
Alterations:

• Changed direction of ladder in post-miniboss room in Coupled Crescent to better tutorialize the push ability of the Gale Boomerang.
• Re-detailed Coupled Crescent screen with respawning zombies and arrow traps, increasing walkable space. Zombies now spawn further from the center of the screen.
• Reduced number of Goriyas in dark big blade trap room from 2 to 1. Redetailed screen to accommodate.
• Changed enemy layout on Moonview Mire log screen, north of campfire (was 2 Blue Goriyas, now 1 Red Sword Goriya).
• The Strongarm Chip jewel’s amplified effect (don’t drop held objects when taking damage) now applies to held bombs and bomb flowers. Flavor text updated to explicitly state this.
• Changed jewel chest in Truesilver Trove from a random level 3 jewel to be fixed to Arcand’s Demise.
• Added interaction text to the grave outside of Ergon’s house.

Visual Changes:

• Updated wall tiles, details used for the Fortress Ruins area. In general, walkable area has increased, and enemy positions are the same. Rocks blocking paths are now permanently removed once lifted once.
• Re-detailed screens in Hyrule Castle (Overworld) in minor, non-gameplay ways.
• Renamed Castle Town Sewers to Serpentsmaw Sewer.
• Re-detailed screens in Serpentsmaw Sewer in minor, non-gameplay ways.
• Updated appearance of step switches. These are now slightly visible when under liftable objects. Reduced amount step switches push the player up visually.
• Updated cave exits to have more consistent styling.
• Added item portrait for Flippers on the subscreen and in item collection text box.
• Fixed inconsistent deep water tiles with two rooms in Forlorn Fountain.
• Removed liftable rock in non-gameplay area of Minigame Hut screen.

Enemies:

• Added more Link’s Awakening-accurate idle animation for large Goponga Flowers. These now also telegraph when shooting fireballs.
• Increased Mudoran Zombie underground timer and respawn timer (was 3s, now 5s).
• Decreased Red/Blue Goriya fire chance (was 50% after each walk cycle, now 25%).
• Increased pause length after each walk/fire cycle for Red Goriyas (was 0.5s, now 1s).
• Increased movement speed of Red/Blue Moblins (was 0.5px/frame, now 0.75px/frame). This does not apply to sword-wielding Moblins or Boarblins.
• Enemies which burn when hit by a flame-type weapon have more consistent handling. They now require being hit by the weapon (previously they only had to overlap hitboxes which had some inconsistent handling with other hit events) and now burn in the correct color of the flame source (previously this was always blue).
• Armos enemies can now be damaged and/or killed before triggered by proximity with the player.
• Rebalanced Aquamentus boss fight.
  • Reduced health (was 80, now 60).
  • Reduced delay between attacks (now approx. 75% of original delay).
  • When Aquamentus is on the second cycle and onwards, it gains new attacks.

Bug Fixes:

• Fixed bug where player could hardlock inside Coupled Crescent by using a small key in an unintended way.
  • Altered screen with four switches + Spiked Beetles so that this is not possible to complete without the Gale Boomerang. Additionally, reduced number of switches from 4 to 2.
  • Altered screen with Vaccum Mouth + Ropes to eliminate pit on right side of room. This prevents unintentional access to certain areas of the dungeon without the Gale Boomerang.
• Fixed bug where player could get stuck in shutters in certain situations.
• Fixed bug where rain would flash pink when loading the game at Agitha’s Castle.
• Fixed bug where flames created by the Daruk’s Retaliation jewel were not properly centered around the player.
• Fixed bug where water-based enemies (Zoras, Spumes, and Minimentus) were able to be knocked back into shallow water.
• Fixed bug where lava-based Spumes were unable to be knocked back.
• Fixed bug where Jed in the Castle Town sewers would have improper meeting dialog if he was not talked to at Rotgrip Isle.
• Fixed bug where candle embers would disappear when too close to the screen edge.
• Fixed bug where rain/droplets would create splashes on bottomless pits.
• Fixed bug where stray fairies used the incorrect portrait in the subscreen.
• Fixed bug where non-green player palettes would not draw correctly when a fairy revival takes place.
• Fixed bug where holding bombs/bomb flowers and jumping off downwards ledges would cause bomb to move its Y position.
• Fixed bug where the Pitch Black Rupoor jewel would not allow firing arrows if arrows were depleted, even if the player had rupees.
• Fixed bug where flames spreading over tall grass could wrap around on certain screens.

 
>>DEMO 2.1 CHANGELOG
The below list includes spoilers and is intended for players that have completed the demo.

Spoiler

Alterations:

• Removed one bush tile from Moonview Mire which caused confusion with frog sidequest.
• Made the solidity of layered pots more consistent across the quest.
• Fixed various tile errors with overhangs in Moonview Mire.
• Fixed tile error with tree on campfire screen in Moonview Mire.
• Fixed tile errors with bush undercombos in Coupled Crescent.
• Removed 1 pixel from Zora sitting tile.
• Enemies:
  • Slightly reduced enemy density on certain Coupled Crescent screens.
  • Reduced speed/range of boomerangs from red and blue Goriyas.
  • Enemies falling from ceilings in Coupled Crescent now follow normal spawn logic instead of always returning.
• Subscreen:
  • Added portrait graphics for bomb bag expansions and viewing the bomb bag in the inventory screen.
  • Updated flavor text for the bomb bag in the inventory screen.
  • Added ability to press A while hovering over the Blue Ring in the inventory screen to enable or disable its palette modification.
• Text/Dialog:
  • Added minor dialog for the trading sequence Goriya in Moonview Mire if you talk to him after obtaining the Gale Boomerang.
  • Made hint note in Elder Gor Primod’s chamber in Darunia’s Refuge more clear.
  • Added gossip stone to Coupled Crescent making pre-miniboss progression more clear.

Bug Fixes:

• Fixed bug where A button item would deselect itself sometimes when loading a save file.
• Fixed bug where Jed would not leave a note after speaking to him on Rotgrip Isle in certain situations.
• Fixed bug where Western Woods campfire could become glitched graphically in certain situations.
• Fixed bug where opening the map immediately after a screen transition would crash the game on certain screens.
• Fixed bug where dying or warping during phase 2 of the Armos Armory boss would cause it to permanently re-enter phase 2 on subsequent fights.
• Fixed bug where torch secrets in zombie room in Coupled Crescent would sometimes trigger prematurely.
• Fixed bug where the player could not use their sword on top of the falling platform in Truesilver Trove.
• Fixed bug where pots would fall through the falling platform in Truesilver Trove.
• Fixed bug where frogs released from bottles would not fall in pits or drown in liquid.

Edited by Mitchfork, 28 February 2025 - 12:29 AM.

[Rambly]

first

[Taco Chopper]

i cannot tell everyone enough to play this demo as it is the only demo you will ever need to play in your lifetime

 

mitch and sheik have shifted heaven and earth and the fact that something like this exists in zc will always impress and astound me. playing the first demo made me return to zc after realising just how much could be done in such a small scope; this demo is a flex of how much can be done in the engine too. particularly as something that's approximately a quarter complete.

[Shoshon the Elegant]

i cannot tell everyone enough to play this demo as it is the only demo you will ever need to play in your lifetime

 

mitch and sheik have shifted heaven and earth and the fact that something like this exists in zc will always impress and astound me. playing the first demo made me return to zc after realising just how much could be done in such a small scope; this demo is a flex of how much can be done in the engine too. particularly as something that's approximately a quarter complete.

 

Please don't tell people not to play my demos Chocolate Topper.

 

 

Also, I need to remember to play this after I finish the Retro Quest Entries.

[Professor Bedwetter]

first

[Anthus]

I played a fair chunk of this demo and I just gotta say it is top notch. Feels very legit and polished. Keep it up!

[Professor Bedwetter]

nice quest

[Mitchfork]

i cannot tell everyone enough to play this demo as it is the only demo you will ever need to play in your lifetime

 

mitch and sheik have shifted heaven and earth and the fact that something like this exists in zc will always impress and astound me. playing the first demo made me return to zc after realising just how much could be done in such a small scope; this demo is a flex of how much can be done in the engine too. particularly as something that's approximately a quarter complete.

You're too kind. You should also play the MGS2 demo that came with Zone of the Enders.

[telepot]

I have several questions about level 2, which I'm currently at a loss how to move forward:

 

Spoiler

What do I need to do to get the second key? How do I kill the blue turtle enemies? What am I supposed to do with them? What happens if they're all killed?

Edited by telepot, 17 January 2025 - 06:39 PM.

[Mitchfork]

I have several questions about level 2, which I'm currently at a loss how to move forward:

 

Spoiler

What do I need to do to get the second key? How do I kill the blue turtle enemies? What am I supposed to do with them? What happens if they're all killed?

Hey Telepot, sorry I missed this for a couple days, I'm not at home so haven't been checking the forums.

 

If you don't have the dungeon item, you need to get the dungeon crystal switches in the right state to get to the south-east-most room on F2. There is a way to do this that involves some weird room traversal. Remember you can jump down ledges in this game.

 

If you do have the item, use it to kill the spiked beetles. One of these rooms has the Compass, which will point to the key locations.

 

Let me know if you have any other questions!

Edited by Mitchfork, 19 January 2025 - 09:26 AM.

[telepot]

Hey Telepot, sorry I missed this for a couple days, I'm not at home so haven't been checking the forums.

 

If you don't have the dungeon item, you need to get the dungeon crystal switches in the right state to get to the south-east-most room on F2. There is a way to do this that involves some weird room traversal. Remember you can jump down ledges in this game.

 

If you do have the item, use it to kill the spiked beetles. One of these rooms has the Compass, which will point to the key locations.

 

Let me know if you have any other questions!

 

Many thanks for the dungeon hint, it helped me see the solution to the whole thing!

 

Man, this quest, this demo, I honestly expected only about the 5-10 hours advertised, and maybe it was only 5-10 hours, but it felt like 30!

There were so many secrets and interesting things I kept finding as I combed over the whole map 6-7 times over!

People will be in for a seminal experience once the full quest comes out!

 

There is one more question related to Hylia Beach:

 

Spoiler

Is the skull button password meant to be found, or is it not completely implemented yet?

[Mitchfork]

Many thanks for the dungeon hint, it helped me see the solution to the whole thing!

 

Man, this quest, this demo, I honestly expected only about the 5-10 hours advertised, and maybe it was only 5-10 hours, but it felt like 30!

There were so many secrets and interesting things I kept finding as I combed over the whole map 6-7 times over!

People will be in for a seminal experience once the full quest comes out!

 

There is one more question related to Hylia Beach:

 

Spoiler

Is the skull button password meant to be found, or is it not completely implemented yet?

Awesome! For what it's worth, several players have gotten mildly stuck here. I don't think that the puzzle is too challenging, but there's a failure to communicate the goal clearly so people don't realize what the intention of the puzzle is. It's something I'll probably try to tackle somehow without changing the puzzle itself.

 

The skull password is fully in the game.

Spoiler

You may have found a bottle (the second one in your inventory) - it has a note inside and you can read it if the bottle's empty. This is one of the hints for the code, and there are others hidden around Hylia Bay and Moonview Mire.

[Mitchfork]

Sorry for the double post - I wanted to note that the links in the post have been updated to a new 2.1 release which fixes a few bugs and makes slight balance alterations to the quest. Normally, I would not release such a small update, but there was one easily triggered game crash found by Matthew which didn't get caught during the private playtesting - this has now been fixed.

 

Unfortunately, this is not save-compatible with demo 2.0, but there is no new content added here so please do not feel encouraged to reset your progress to update.

 

A spoilered changelog has also been added to the first post, for those who played but are curious about the changes.

[Demonlink]

SPOILERS! Did I get 100%?

 

 

As for the Stray Fairies, I found a total of 13, not sure if there are more out there.

 

All I can say is, this is a pretty amazing quest so far. I truly hope you guys get this finished. Kudos to the team!

Edited by Demonlink, 23 January 2025 - 01:49 AM.

[Ether]

Not 100%. Without spoilers I'll say there's more heart pieces, more stray fairies, at least one more quiver upgrade, at least one more recipe, at least one more bottle, and one very big reward outside of those. (I'm not sure about jewels off the top of my head!) I can elaborate if you want.

 

(With that said, congrats!)

Edited by Ether, 23 January 2025 - 10:42 AM.