Hi folks, just announcing a public engine demo of our upcoming tactical MMO:
*trumpet fanfare*
Harmonia Tactics aims to be an MMO adaptation of the turn-based tactical RPG. Shining Force III is the most prominent inspiration, but there are little bits of Final Fantasy Tactics and Fire Emblem mixed in, as well as elements of rogue-like dungeon crawlers and real-time strategy games.
HT is not exactly turn-based, but not quite real-time either. Outside of combat, players wander around with WASD and interact with each other, buy stuff, take quests, say stupid things in the Chat, etc. When battle begins however, a red grid appears around the combatants and movement and action are strictly regulated by a Stamina meter, similar to the Active Time Battle system in Square RPGs.
The tactical battles are part of a larger PvE campaign in which players are pitted against an ever-advancing dark force threatening to overwhelm the kingdom of Harmonia. They must capture and defend (and get distracted, lose, and recapture, rinse, repeat) a variety of strategic, economic, and plot-related holdings around the procedurally generated world map. Keeping control of a given region will allow other players access to shops or trainers or quests or any number of other helpful elements unique to that location. It also grants easier access to more distant territories, controlled by more challenging opponents.
It's a giant team effort (with a little PvP sprinkled in now and again). Every player's actions count towards keeping the kingdom from being overrun by the armies of evil, and ultimately driving them from the homelands. From the newbie, all the way up to the end-gamers, everyone has something to contribute.
This large-scale campaign hasn't been made yet; right now we're just showing off the combat engine. There are three game modes in the current demo:
- Tower War: Two teams. Two towers. Only one victor! In this Red vs. Blue game, guide your team to victory using superior teamwork and strategy. As the enemy's forces dwindle, target their tower to win the round! This mode is running continuously on the harmonia-tactics.com server, so join in!
- Battle Arena: This is a demo of Harmonia's battle system, in the form of a 15-round arena. Defeat hordes of monsters, upgrade your team, and fight until your last breath! Can be played single player or co-op online (but you gotta host it yourself at the moment).
- Cheesetopia (WIP): Single-player horror/survival adventure set in a creepy abandoned compound with a suspiciously rodential theme. Solve the mystery of the unfortunate inhabitants' demise! Also marvel at the game engine's event/dialogue/storytelling mechanics.
If this sounds kinda cool to you, give the demo a try. We're looking for all kinds of feedback on gameplay, balance, stability, some nifty idea you think of, etc.
Download Demo Here!Windows and Linux builds available (but there will be Mac eventually too)
We also have some gameplay videos of the team doing something that vaguely resembles a Let's Play, but with a lot less competence. Enjoy!
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