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Oh man, I am a sucker for metroidvanias :D From the metroids, to castlevania sotn to cave story, if you can pull this off, you already have a customer right here  :crazy:

In fact, this is not metroidvania in usual sense of this word, I only took a method of world's exploring from this genre. As for the gameplay, the game is a pure puzzle, without elements of platforming. Although it looks like a platformer. And all movements are carried out on a grid.

Argh!!

Here's how it looked a month ago:

(https://36.media.tumblr.com/894055d47985fa565900e8741ca47bc3/tumblr_npgws1zd9N1qjja0co1_540.png)

Now we are adding new story locations.

Love the art style. Looks very solid, and I like me a good puzzle adventure game.

This looks awesome! :-D Looking forward to seeing more!

hmm, sidbarnhoorn,  :coffee:

The little dude on the top gif reminds me of Miner 2049er.

My main references was Mario and Rick Dangerous =)

I don't like colors sheme of gif from starting post and tryed to make another versions:

(http://www.gamedev.ru/files/images/110587_1441724438_new.png)

(http://www.gamedev.ru/files/images/blue-new-2.png)

So, which version do you like more?

This looks and sounds great! Love the idea of the main character being a Postman...
I think the second colour scheme is slightly better. The darker blues are more "moodier".

My vote goes for the second one too!

Okey, guys! Then I make the second option with all animations.

 :gentleman:

Okey, it's final version:

(https://38.media.tumblr.com/33cbf49a45285f63e85f348aef84ca6d/tumblr_nusayqo3wn1qjja0co1_540.gif)

I have to make game, but not just one mockup.

The artstyle is glorious and the premise sounds really interesting! Looking forward to something playable!

I expect that this will happen very soon.  :gentleman:

The original sprite looked very mario'esque.  :handthumbsupR:

That's why I changed it.  :)

I really, really like the look of this. The pixel work is excellent and the colors are so rich. Definitely keeping an eye on this!

One of the first mockups:

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CDrHy0yUkAAIEYf.png)

I like this simplicity and think we have to make one location in this style.

Looking good!!

Loving the palette.

Thanks! I really glad that you like it. :)

(https://33.media.tumblr.com/0af227c99a9ecb65549041128fa4093c/tumblr_nv396wgJMF1qjja0co1_540.gif)

(http://www.gamedev.ru/files/images/title.gif)

This is transition location between the start (at the bottom) and the city (on the left):

(https://36.media.tumblr.com/72bde46c7ac0fcc787072505d2f15872/tumblr_nvcbb5jBhZ1qjja0co1_1280.png)

Therefore I painted the city in the distance, in blue haze (just clasped buildings color from the next location and color of castle's haze from the start) and left a piece of the sky from the previous location. I asking about the array of houses - whether it is not too laconic and simple? And whether it is not too different from the style of buildings from next screen? What do you think?

Hot damn this is pretty.

I'm curious as how this plays. I know you say puzzles plus grid based movement. Got any gifs of the game in motion?

Your art style is awesome! Looking forward to see more.

shit, that looks cool again  :)

Love the style, looking forward to seeing more! I'm curious about the gameplay too :)

The art style looks neat, but the text scroll in the dialog is WAAAAAAAAAAAAAY too slow.  Maybe have it go syllable by syllable instead of letter by letter?  It would give more punch to each word.

Thanks! I will try to record a video this week, hope this helps!

dmarqs, lobstersteve, thank you, guys!


It more looks like Sokoban, player have to change location of objects on level to make way for the door, item or switcher. Will post some video soon, I promise!


Maybe, but I must say that in game it's going faster, besides player can speed up text scroll by second pressing of  button.

Simple location with simple puzzle.  :)

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CTncl2XUAAA9vt1.png)

 :gentleman:

(https://40.media.tumblr.com/7c19ef1a4ba7304935cd0550d51c7b61/tumblr_nxrmi7qdww1qjja0co1_540.png)

Location that connect "Old City" and "Meadow" settings.

Nice looking.
Just my 2 cents - In my opinion you should change the color of the backgrounds, in many pictures it looks too similiar to the actual tiles.

Indeed, there is a problem. Will try to fix it, thanks!

Not the best my work, because there was little time on this, I still have to make a lot of stuff.

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CT2gvQZUsAA2Hj-.png)

Also, I tryed to call "Amiga feel" with visual style of this game (not sure if this is the correct wording, please correct me if not).

I really like them nevertheless.
You always had an intersting choice of colors

That's really nice, but, if you want my opinion, I think it would look much smoother if the layout of dialog window reflected the current facing of the speaker (especially in a dialog with alternating lines by different speakers).

E.g., in the above, as the speaker is facing left, I would flip the face portrait, place it on the right side of the window, with the text on its left, possibly right-justified.

Also, I would accelerate text pace by a solid x2.

I don't think it looks too amiga'eque because you use a lot of hues in your shading :)

lobstersteve,  :coffee:

mtarini, this is really goof idea! We definitly should try it, thanks!


Some of PK mockup's contains limited palettes, for example these two contains 23 and 20 colors:

(http://orig06.deviantart.net/b3ca/f/2015/309/5/4/where_am_i__by_08__n7r6_7984-d9fl9sq.gif)

(https://41.media.tumblr.com/faefa7d1895df4b41d724e121b8c76b9/tumblr_nv14vtZa4O1qjja0co1_r1_540.png)

But since I'm not draw only game graphics, but also make other things - level and puzzles design, script's and object's setting, etc - all this takes time and that's why it's hard to keep limited palettes.

Anyway IMHO I succeeded to convey "Amiga feel", well maybe it's subjective thing, therefore you have a different opinion on this matter. Besides, I didn't say nothing about Amiga restrictions, only about "Amiga feel".  :)

Sorry, I didn't mean more colours than on an Amiga, but more hues. A lot of the early Amiga games (with the exception of the Bitmap Brothers) seemed to use simple hue ramps. Your art uses a lot more hue range in the shading :)

I understand what you mean. And this is what I mean by "subjectivity". For me Bitmap Brothers games graphics and style is totally amiga'eque.

But I must say that actually not quite correctly expressed what exactly wanted to achieve. It would be better to write "amiga/sega/atari-st style". Ie dark, rich and saturated colors with bright accents (red and blue), some quadratic/cubic forms and specific nineties cartoon style. Well, if I find time, then will show some my references.

Added character's animations:

(https://45.media.tumblr.com/22076872111cbc298644e257310a7caa/tumblr_nxymtwTstP1qjja0co1_r1_540.gif)

My heart  :-* love this, cannot wait for summer!

This new character intrigues me greatly.. the room they're in is also gorgeous, can't wait for more.

Glad you like it! ^__^

This game is gorgeous. Can't wait to see some more gameplay!

Is this supposed to show the text-box again, but with muddled text? Or is that a language?

Really love the color choice and art style! looks fun too!

SolS,  :beer:


It's Yumo language, on this language is spoken all enchanted and some magic creatures.

nice style.

Did you work with the "shadows are blueish" kind of gradient from the start of the creation or did you tonemapped the things afterwards to make it more visually appealing? Either way i like it.

From start.

I really appreciate the games art style and color pallet. Looking forward to some more gameplay revealing pictures/gifs.

The only thing I'm not a great fan of is the "highrez" painted images. I think it doesn't match the pixel graphics character and quality.

Keep up the awesome work :)

Stunning art.  :o

This looks so wonderful! Excited about the prospect of it being on iOS, is this still a plan or is it steam exclusive for now?

Not really gameplay, but something like that:

(http://cs415928.vk.me/u37190146/docs/9dc99b96906b/lol.gif?extra=XOa53tB1v6RM38gPaRUui4s_QnAGhDis7wdnm3LYtpxgbB6Edy008sX3HUrjiCQxRjpn-8tFnA2b-8Xz_4774GTV8UDpnIJloMk18rSF)

+++ (http://cs615318.vk.me/u37190146/docs/a873270cbdd6/amusing.gif?extra=QHiHrrNgMnh3xF6tC5r_7OxMjDuTeObTgAUZWrixqHSR9Sl5QaXsJEaZKLzvYKVzpITQwzde3JixCj1DMrMSyR2laFl1Hb-cgd7OEJUR)

And soon I will make gameplay teaser!


Not really sure what exactly images you meant.


Yes, that is our plan! Versions for Steam and Android are ready, but we want to make a simultaneous release on all platformes. And because there are problems with crash of iOS build on some devices, release is delayed a bit.

I think he's talking about this promotion image:
(http://67.media.tumblr.com/444e2a2f973e253230bcbaed6fc9797e/tumblr_o6nqop1eUo1qjja0co1_1280.png)

And i have to agree, it does not have the 'magic' of the pixel art and leaves the impression like it could have been taken from a different game.

Yeah, that's what I meant. Sorry for not beeing more specific.

I think it mostly relates to the used color pallet. Maybe if you change the colors and the images mood to match the pixelart it would fit better.

Anyways, I like the logo a lot :)

I like the logo, too. So i'd prefer the logo in combination with the beautiful pixel art scenery.

(http://i.imgur.com/9HsZtCb.png)

Actually we are not using this art (and any other not-pixel art) in the game. I painted it for GDC.


This looks really good, guess I should make pixel-art version of this logo now. Thanks!

(https://66.media.tumblr.com/3872764b4788504bdfe28f42616becd4/tumblr_oa6vb02hmO1qjja0co1_540.png)

We still working on this!

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CnZ2Lf2W8AAH6iO.jpg)

The first puzzle that player meets in game.

Are you doomed if you push the first box to the right corner? (Assuming it falls directly down when the first button is pushed?) Or is it possible to pull boxes?

Beautiful pixel art, you've really nailed the contrast between the background and foreground, and still done lovely things with the lighting.

Yes, it falls.
Only if Tim Tom stand near box or direction of blue block allow it (not in this case, here is some example (https://psv4.vk.me/c615318/u37190146/docs/01dd9eb5c307/amusing.gif?extra=PupZZM0vTJGJU2cdpBVNmW25GXwnOkPuhzuRpVpFY7_ionXgbSdfTmg2545cnqpcgGCwAb2Q6dJyiSkL_fW0UbqpykZLlpwqlLHmPxAr)).

Yes, because player can jump on only 1 tile height (but after he will find one item, he will able to jump much higher). So he need this box to get in right part of this room.



Cranktrain, thanks!

How do you indicate what's interactable in the game? It seems like those blocks are definitely interactable (because of how they stand out), but I feel like a lot of puzzle design is having players somewhat immediately "get" the layout of the puzzle then working inside of that. The ladders there seem like they will play a major part of that specific puzzle, but they almost just look like background elements and as a player I wouldn't be sure I could climb them?

That said, the art in general looks SWEET.

Nothing. Except objects requiring activation.

I know that looking at that screenshot it may seem that there is a problems with the readability of some objects, but judging by results of beta-test, player understand that ladders are interactive objects. Besides, on others locations it's reads well:

(https://33.media.tumblr.com/0af227c99a9ecb65549041128fa4093c/tumblr_nv396wgJMF1qjja0co1_540.gif)

Tim Tom has my sword, and my axe, and my other axe <3

I love the colors, everything looks so unique and interesting!

I really love the look of this so far. The 2 last screenshot both look georgeous and speak great atmosphere. But some of the contrast feel just slightly too weak, if feels like I'd be straining a little bit to see where I'm going and what is walkable and what isn't. I think the foreground and background just needs a touch more contrast, otherwise it'd be perfect.

Everything looks fantastic, and I love the idea of having a game just about exploration and puzzles. Really like the project :-)

Thank you for feedback! Guess I should try to put some tone emphasis on floor, maybe bright line, as it's reflecting from the light of lamps.

@Ludipe - glad you like it!

^___^

Lovely art style! <3

Thanks! Glad you like it! ^___^

A no-violence pure-puzzle metroidvania? Sign me up!

Amazing art. Nice work!

Absolutely beautiful art AND the game looks like a blast!

Your ability to create such consistent and different pixel art styles for each of your works is amazing. Been following your work for a very long time and each new image gets me all inspired and shit.

Puzzles and nice art.
That's all I need

The colours! Hnnnnng!

Thanks, guys!  :beer: I'm really glad you like it!

(https://66.media.tumblr.com/f36e3879f6e5f127ee99662603eb3ae6/tumblr_oeiwd1tjJU1qjja0co1_540.gif)

Wow the art is great. Sounds awesome - following  :beer:

Thanks!  :)

(http://i.imgur.com/cJIVKui.gif) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frUg4tiCGTs)

Game coming out on December 8 for Windows, Mac and Linux! iOS and Android version will come later.

Our page on Steam: http://store.steampowered.com/app/462620/

Hmm.. this will probably look best on my phone, but control best on my computer.. what to do?

Congratz with the game, looks pretty cool. Will you be needing additional music for it or future games? If so, you can check out my portfolio here: www.sbeastmusic.com/portfolio (http://www.sbeastmusic.com/portfolio)

First time I've seen this game. gorgeous colours and pixelart. Might have to pick this up when it drops!

Try to use scale settings! ;) Mobile version will release only next year.

sbeast, for future projects maybe, I'll keep it in mind, thank you!
darrenagar, thanks!

Didn't post it here, so here we are:

(https://68.media.tumblr.com/fe945651ab307bf10a7bb3d54c264c36/tumblr_oe7qi43RYy1qjja0co1_540.png) (https://68.media.tumblr.com/fe945651ab307bf10a7bb3d54c264c36/tumblr_oe7qi43RYy1qjja0co1_1280.png)

One of the trading cards. (Click image to open original file).

Will it be released anywhere else?

Congratulations!! I'll be buying this as soon as I get off work! Been looking forward to it!

I'm not really sure, but publisher tell me about different markets. So looks like yes.

Why asking?



Thank you!  :)

Steam is giving me trouble when it comes to buying, since my bank is in one country and I live in another. Other platforms don't seem to have this issue

The graphics and animations are amazing. Also thanks for the Chinese localization! - One small thing though. The ancient text from the door isn't gibberish in Chinese even without the proper item. I'm only at the beginning at the game so not really sure if there are other instances that like this.

Okay, then I will ask about other platformes/markets!


Thanks for feedback! Programmer already fixed this and updated build on Steam.

(https://68.media.tumblr.com/7ff51a54cca5a6bfc8caf6336759fee9/tumblr_oihm91wKir1qjja0co1_540.jpg) (http://i.imgur.com/ZWh5DEd.jpg)

Wow! Two good articles about our game!

https://killscreen.com/articles/pocket-kingdom-might-start-epic-pixel-art-games/
http://indiegames.com/2016/12/pilot_your_airship_to_the_ench.html

So great to see this pop up on steam! Congratulations

Not having heard of your other projects until now I have to agree. Please finish them too!

(also, finally in the Netherlands again so I can buy this. Looking forward to giving it a spin! :) )

Finished! But still trying to find the light bulb...

Bought it in March, totally forgot about it, played it yesterday for the first time. Loving it so far. And you are posting your first response in this thread after december on the very same day. Mind blown.  :o

 :beer:

And I forgot to show this:

(http://orig08.deviantart.net/e01c/f/2017/164/4/8/achievements_by_08__n7r6_7984-dbcjs24.png)

Achievements from upcoming iOS release!

Finished the game last evening. It's great! I have some suggestions:

(http://i.imgur.com/tPuMvVo.png)
full size (http://i.imgur.com/tPuMvVo.png)

To increase the readability of the map, you could add a coordinate for the sector.

(http://i.imgur.com/28SPwYd.png)
full size (http://i.imgur.com/28SPwYd.png)

You wanted to prevent bypassing the blue door, but it's still possible. I like the idea of bypassing the door. It would be cool if it would be possible. You could simply remove the hook restriction for both blocks intentionally. It makes the player feel smart, does not break the game and offers a new path (the blue key is pretty hard to find, btw).

(http://i.imgur.com/7Nf22hg.png)
full size (http://i.imgur.com/7Nf22hg.png)

Somehow i used the hookshot to bypass the laser. :o It would be rad if you could use the grapple hook to pull the robot in the deadly laser and have a conversation with him. Same for the other two robots in the game, removing the hook restriction would be great. The manual of the hookshot says you should not use it on walls or people, nothing is said about robots. ;)

(http://i.imgur.com/bIARmc1.png) (http://i.imgur.com/bIARmc1.png)

With some tweaks, this puzzle could be much harder to solve:

A,B) Remove the ladder and that weapon-stealing-device.
F) Remove the hook restriction from this block. (Optional? See below.)
H) Remove that piston.
J,K) Add walkable ceiling.

I thought about a way to bypass the portal to climb the ladder upwards to the next room (without using the red ladder). Eventually, i arrived at position G, upside down with a rocket launcher in my hands. Sadly the piston H was blocking my way. I used the hook from C to the left and collected the rocket launcher on the way. (I'm not sure if that's a desired effect? The obvious option would be to interrupt the hook immediately on collecting the wrong gun or no-weapon-symbol.) Using the hook to move from E to F is not possible because you can't grab block F. To block the laser above my position, i had to stack two blocks below X and grab a third block from the right.

Good luck with the iOS launch! ;D

Edit: App Store link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pocket-kingom/id1193302444

I also had one (accidental!) sequence break near the end, but I don't recall which one now. Should have reported it back then, sorry.

Well, it's really interesting ideas. Part of them I will implement soon and others in free DLC, that we plan to release on Steam this autumn. Big thank you!


Thanks!


If you ever remember it, please message me!

And a link for those that prefer the English website than Russian: ;)
https://itunes.apple.com/app/pocket-kingom/id1193302444

Thanks! I fixed the link!

Replying so I might be reminded at some point when this thread bumps, to buy the app and play it. I could really use a good mobile game for public transit, with a trip to New York coming up!

Congratulations on the iOS release!

Thanks, guys!  :coffee: