I'm going to comment on this blog as I'm reading it! I also need to work on my own end-of-the-year blog...
I think I remember that earliest concept of Belief, with the re-imagined versions of the core trio from MARDEK. I'm not really fond of the designs you came up with in 2019, I like the later designs like Dayvha and Nytsky more! These old ones seem sort of unappealing.
I do remember that short period of experimentation with dark and light swords. I think that what you've settled on since then is a lot more sensible, a system that combines plain physical damage and the light/dark conversion systems.
I liked that Belief demo! It looked interesting, and it's something I hope you return to at some point. It reminds me of Clarence RPG in a good way.
You never revealed those silhouettes you made way back then! I think you said you'd stagger the reveals, but never got around to it. I would like seeing them, maybe put them on Patreon or something? I really need to know what's up with new-Maka's weird shoulderpads!
Sad to see the GIF of Mardek eating a whole cake while his jaw dislodges like a snake's isn't part of the blog. I think that's a GIF we all need in our lives.
It's interesting to see how the map you posted combines elements from MARDEK and Taming Dreams and also has its own spin on things.
I like the 3D dioramas!
Oh, I remember when you were settling the ideas for Divine Dreams, I think it was my suggestion to use chapter 2's Gem Mines as the setting for the demo? I do like what you had going there, and I hope you can return to it at some point!
I do still like the idea of concords, it's something I'm surprised RPGs with big casts haven't explored more. Usually it's a simple system where people liking each other gives boosts, but in a pretty generic way where every relation develops the same way.
I agree with your take on the video demo, the character work is good, but the actual mechanics are janky. I think your mechanical refinements since then have really improved the game!
YEEES, GOBLIN.
I hope we get to see a 3D model with the DD-sunglasses some day. I love that design element. It's hilarious! I do think those designs are the best permutation of this group you've had thus far.
I still like that scene with Ossoum and Pierce. I want more Ossoum!!
Speaking of pages you never finished, the lore page was never finished either! The world never got to see those cute Elarna. But I sure did. Hee!
Potions were in the demo I played, but I felt like the system did seem rather superfluous and something only dedicated players would mess around with, kinda like the one in the original.
I do like Ossoum's potion spray. Is it gone?
Are Contemplato or Rexplorer still going to appear? Those were probably my favourite ones out of that list!
It feels like the version is getting very close to the one I alpha tested a while ago.
It's interesting to see how the colour palette alteration really changes how the game looks. Going from a boring, sterile Mario-like island world to a more distinct orangey look. It makes me think of how when they ported Deadly Premonition from the XBox 360 to other systems, they removed the distinct colour palettes and made the game look much more generic. [LINK][LINK]
I was one of those wonderful volunteers! So full of wonder! And volun! And tears! Did you ever actually get around to watching those feedback videos? I wonder how relevant it would even be now, given a lot has changed since then.
I do still really like the 3D model for the Beast. It looks menacing!
I think it was somewhere around here when I started commenting less. I usually tend to comments for weeks on end and then not comment for some weeks. Let's see how long this comment streak lasts!
I'll never forget Bridove, or BDSM Jesus as he is also known as.
I think I remember that earliest concept of Belief, with the re-imagined versions of the core trio from MARDEK. I'm not really fond of the designs you came up with in 2019, I like the later designs like Dayvha and Nytsky more! These old ones seem sort of unappealing.
I do remember that short period of experimentation with dark and light swords. I think that what you've settled on since then is a lot more sensible, a system that combines plain physical damage and the light/dark conversion systems.
I liked that Belief demo! It looked interesting, and it's something I hope you return to at some point. It reminds me of Clarence RPG in a good way.
You never revealed those silhouettes you made way back then! I think you said you'd stagger the reveals, but never got around to it. I would like seeing them, maybe put them on Patreon or something? I really need to know what's up with new-Maka's weird shoulderpads!
Sad to see the GIF of Mardek eating a whole cake while his jaw dislodges like a snake's isn't part of the blog. I think that's a GIF we all need in our lives.
It's interesting to see how the map you posted combines elements from MARDEK and Taming Dreams and also has its own spin on things.
I like the 3D dioramas!
Oh, I remember when you were settling the ideas for Divine Dreams, I think it was my suggestion to use chapter 2's Gem Mines as the setting for the demo? I do like what you had going there, and I hope you can return to it at some point!
I do still like the idea of concords, it's something I'm surprised RPGs with big casts haven't explored more. Usually it's a simple system where people liking each other gives boosts, but in a pretty generic way where every relation develops the same way.
I agree with your take on the video demo, the character work is good, but the actual mechanics are janky. I think your mechanical refinements since then have really improved the game!
YEEES, GOBLIN.
I hope we get to see a 3D model with the DD-sunglasses some day. I love that design element. It's hilarious! I do think those designs are the best permutation of this group you've had thus far.
I still like that scene with Ossoum and Pierce. I want more Ossoum!!
Speaking of pages you never finished, the lore page was never finished either! The world never got to see those cute Elarna. But I sure did. Hee!
Potions were in the demo I played, but I felt like the system did seem rather superfluous and something only dedicated players would mess around with, kinda like the one in the original.
I do like Ossoum's potion spray. Is it gone?
Are Contemplato or Rexplorer still going to appear? Those were probably my favourite ones out of that list!
It feels like the version is getting very close to the one I alpha tested a while ago.
It's interesting to see how the colour palette alteration really changes how the game looks. Going from a boring, sterile Mario-like island world to a more distinct orangey look. It makes me think of how when they ported Deadly Premonition from the XBox 360 to other systems, they removed the distinct colour palettes and made the game look much more generic. [LINK] [LINK]
I was one of those wonderful volunteers! So full of wonder! And volun! And tears! Did you ever actually get around to watching those feedback videos? I wonder how relevant it would even be now, given a lot has changed since then.
I do still really like the 3D model for the Beast. It looks menacing!
I think it was somewhere around here when I started commenting less. I usually tend to comments for weeks on end and then not comment for some weeks. Let's see how long this comment streak lasts!
I'll never forget Bridove, or BDSM Jesus as he is also known as.
I look forward to the next alpha!