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[DragonEmperors]

We finally meet again
Can you hear the song?
The cries of those who fallen

About
Song of the Bereaved is a turn-based RPG set in a fantasy apocalypse world.
Players will take control of a hero, with the power of resurrection, to defeat a corrupted sentient weapon.
The prototype can be played here
The game will be our entry for IGMC Rebirth Jam

The thread will be updated along with the progress.


Features
Power of Resurrection

Dungeon-exploring Skills


Active Time Grid Battle

Familiars Summoning


Characters
TBU


Screenshots
TBU


Credits
TBU

Demo
This is a short prototype to showcase some basic features of the game.
Most of the assets are placeholders and will be replaced in the later version
Right now, we are collecting feedback from the prototype, so the next version can be better.
You can download the prototype here

Support Us!
Our thread on IGMC Rebirth Jam
Discord Server
Facebook
Twitter

[DragonEmperors]

The finalized design for the MC! As of right now, their name will be Zero, until there's a better name for them. Any cooler name you can think of for them?

[mobilelast]

Any cooler name you can think of for them?

“Orez”

[DragonEmperors]

I have made a prototype that can be played right here: https://www.mediafire.com/file/2fwadquinrtihd9/SotBPrototype.exe/file.
In this prototype, you can try several mechanics against obstacles such as:

- Pushing blocks
- Slashing blocks
- Using a grappling hook
- Breathing fire
- Breathing ice

Any suggestions and feedbacks are welcome!

Any cooler name you can think of for them?

“Orez”

Honestly, it could fit their background. I'll keep that in mind.

[DragonEmperors]

I've finally revised the main post and had the game page ready!

Look at this title I made! It's not much, but I think it has the somber sad feeling I want to capture, right?



I've also talked with the team about how the game will progress. Communication is critical, but you must ensure others understand your intention.

I'm glad they understood my scribbles

The game will have 4 stages, the first one is on the way to the gate of the wall of a fallen kingdom, then inside the ruined town after the villager moved, and the next is onto the cathedral or what is left of it, and end in the big castle where the monster rests before going on another rampage.
Do you get it from this scribble?

[DragonEmperors]

Take a look at this beautiful picture of the initial design for the menu of this game!

We've also decided to have a constant UI for the map action skill at the top left of the screen and to reduce the resolution to avoid crashes on a big screen resolution.

Check out our blog post on Itch.io or RMN to learn how we've come to these decisions. We've learned a lot from our discussion.

[DragonEmperors]

I decided to use floating textbox for Song of the Bereaved!



It will increase in length as I add more lines, wow







As usual, assets are still placeholders. But I will frame the MC shortly.

What do you think? I think floating textbox is cool

[DragonEmperors]

I'm back with the MC and some other NPCs~
​​

the ones that will appear in the IGMC version (hopefully) are:
A kid that volunteered because she wanted her little brother to live a better life (the MC promised to take care of her brother)
An ex-martial arts instructor who is also a veteran of the last war
and an informant who actually knows behind the scene of what happened back then

no fixed name yet, we'd like to give them names that actually mean something, but as of now, we call them D, B, and G (if you have suggestions on what to name them, however, feel free to drop them in the reply)
also, their colors might change in the actual game

[DragonEmperors]

Currently working on the second prototype to show off the battle system and the map, but got a little bit delayed because of some technical stuff.

In the meantime, here're some screenshots of the second prototype while I fix the update~

[DragonEmperors]

I've just updated the prototype! The 2nd prototype includes:
- Grid Battle System
- Area of Effect skills
- Maps that are more similar to what it will be
- Story Progression
- Updated title screen (still the prototype version, so it's a little goofy)

Known issues:
- Skill window offset is too high

The assets used are still placeholders, it will be changed in the future version!

Please check our entry on the itch.io page as well, thank you!
Our IGMC Entry

[DragonEmperors]

Look what I got from the artists, a ref sheet and a standing sprite for the MC!
Their name will be Kadena, derived from Cadence, which means 'in rhythm', do you think their name fits them visually?

[DragonEmperors]

These are the different types of enemies that you will find in the game. They are corrupted by the corrupted power of the Z-being, the main antagonist of the game.


I've also made a devlog about our process in designing these + the familiars (for summoning purposes), check it out~

[DragonEmperors]

Currently working on a devlog about how I think of a name for the characters in my game.

Can you guess the idea behind them before I spill it?

Also the idea between area of effect skills that will be used by the enemies or can be used by the players on the battle.
Here are some examples for them

[DragonEmperors]

Good day, everyone!
I've just updated the prototype. Now, it has a placeholder menu (some of them work), more areas to explore, and a total of 4 skills to obtain!




Download the prototype here

[DragonEmperors]

The artist has just given me a far more better logo and title for Song of the Bereaved.
LOOK AT HOW COOL THIS IS!

What do you think? This is fitting for a somber-vibe tactical JRPG, right?

[16comma7inPx]

... better logo and title ... LOOK AT HOW COOL ... What do you think? ...

Hot-cool, if this expression make any sense.   Art radiate this "japogame cover style" of loose strokes by brush in gradient. I like the simplicity of font with underline, it gives me a bit of Amiga-ish vibes. Does clarity over style, via simple text font, help to convey the feel of fantasy adventure, though? Maybe a bit less, it is rather "universal" logo, but i personaly think that this is a positive. It is easy to read. It is almost clear what game will be about - some fight between good and evil. But is not 70% clear what kind of seting or style it will take. Personaly, this will make me more curious, when encoutering it as a thumbnail. But i don't guarantee to click.

So far, i have unsufficient knowledge of plot to judge, if it help to reflect ingame themes enough. Game feel to be something like "Greeks meet up with Inuite folklore club, to meat up spawn of hell in wet nature". But maybe, there is something i didn't read correctly. I like, anyway.

[DragonEmperors]

... better logo and title ... LOOK AT HOW COOL ... What do you think? ...

Hot-cool, if this expression make any sense.   Art radiate this "japogame cover style" of loose strokes by brush in gradient. I like the simplicity of font with underline, it gives me a bit of Amiga-ish vibes. Does clarity over style, via simple text font, help to convey the feel of fantasy adventure, though? Maybe a bit less, it is rather "universal" logo, but i personaly think that this is a positive. It is easy to read. It is almost clear what game will be about - some fight between good and evil. But is not 70% clear what kind of seting or style it will take. Personaly, this will make me more curious, when encoutering it as a thumbnail. But i don't guarantee to click.

So far, i have unsufficient knowledge of plot to judge, if it help to reflect ingame themes enough. Game feel to be something like "Greeks meet up with Inuite folklore club, to meat up spawn of hell in wet nature". But maybe, there is something i didn't read correctly. I like, anyway.

That's .... amazing! Thank you for saying your opinion! I wished I laid down the plot beforehand.

[DragonEmperors]

Finally got the grid battle UI figured out. With the help of the artist, this is the example of the UI.

A battle on 8x4 grid where you also need to watch your position before attacking.
What do you think?

I also wrote my line of thought for the names of characters in this game, starting with the MC, come take a look at this

[DragonEmperors]

Continuing writing my line of thought for names! Now it's the instructor and the childhood friend's turn

Come take a look at the idea behind them!

[DragonEmperors]

Currently working on the final version of the game~
One more day, come on. Please look forward to it!