Some features I would like to see/random things I thought of:
Editor Improvement
The level editor isn't very snazzy, and I think this could be improved quite a bit later on. Especially the scripting. It's nice to have, but could really do with some more fluidity of use. I don't think it is of very high priority, though. (on a side note: how do you set it up so that each player starts in a randomized city and has starting units appropriate to his or her race, like on random maps?)
Flexible Unit Stats
Depending on how hard-coded unit stats are, it may be a possibility to change units on a particular map. Like, for instance, say I wanted my custom map to have swordmen with +1 melee damage, -2 defense, gain True Strike, the graphic of Slayer, rename to 'elite warrior', AND change the building it requires. It would allow customization along that of Blizzard Entertainment's realtime strategy games, and allow for custom game types to emerge, like tower defense, if you've even seen it. Either way, someone will be happy for this kind of thing. If this does happen, it would be up to the responsibility of the map maker to balance any changes in units. Again, it depends on how flexible everything is.
Profiles
By having a profile, you could save stats to it: high scores, favorite races, favorite spell spheres, favorite spells, win/lose percentage, favorite unit, etc, etc. This would make stat junkies like me happy.
Also, in the game setup, you could preserve the settings based off of what the profile last used. I find it so annoying that I have to re-enter the same settings every single game. The best part is that for local grudge matches, the win/loss percentages would be saved so that you can really rub it in.
Extended Use of Random Map
You have a good randomization algorithm, but why not add more features? Other things to add could be the density of map features (Leylines, monasteries); commonly on small maps, a friend and I could usually find about 4 features around our immediate base, all of which were about 5 hexes away. Density could positively or negatively affect this.
Also, drop down menus are two-clicks to use, and thus waste time and effort. Why not do a slider-bar, as it would be more efficient, and thus faster to get into the gameplay?
Maybe you could also add a randomize random map settings? (if thats not clear, I mean you click the button and it randomizes the map size, weather, etc in one click
)
Different Region Types
Currently, I would classify everything as 'temperate'. But what if the map was located in an arctic region, where winters would be longer and deadlier? I've always enjoyed the prospect of having a large lake freeze over, and temporarily become a path, but they hardly have staying power and aren't tactically sound as most units take damage on them. Therefore, with different regions this would become a possibility: volcanic areas could have 'volatile' terrain, but be rich in monetary value (or something), tropics could have a higher chance of disease; arctic locales longer winters (as above), etc.
More Terrain
If you could think of any more types to add, that is (well
technically there is 120 combinations of work/food/magic available on terrain, but that's beside the point). Maybe there could be different
tilesets altogether, like an underworld themed terrain set. All the stats would be kept the same, but the names and graphics of each would be different. Instead of a marsh, you could add like a 'pools of souls'; it would add mana and still plague same as a marsh. If the files are set up correctly, maybe this could be expanded further to have a regular person able to
make their own tilesets. (This may or may not be that difficult; you would, I assume, just have to include a variable in each place that references the current terrain name.) Also, the tilesets could have ambient lighting as well (you know, like a soft purple hue or whatnot.)
New School of Magic
You have 4 spheres available, and that is probably fine the way it is. BUT, it would be kind of neat if a 5th one was added. Obviously, this would entail a LOT of work (graphics, balancing, AI usage, etc.)
Nevertheless, suggestions for it include:
Druid - Spells would change terrain, summon animals, and modify weather, with a focus on the natural. It could have good synergy with the Theria or S'srithe.
Necromancy - Spells would drain, weaken, and sacrifice units, with a focus on undead. It could have good synergy with the Regency.
Enchantment - Spells would enchance units, cities, and have global effects, with a focus on enchantments giving passive keyword abilities (such as flying, or mountaineer).
Compliments
By the way, this game is so very, very addictive. Me and a friend played one map for 6 whole hours, straight into the wee hours of the morning, and the only clue to the time was the rising sun.
(I won by the way.
)
Also, I'd like to emphasize just how much I
love the flavour of the Regency! Those few lines of description go so deep. As far as I can tell, it's a composite race -
what you are isn't nearly as important as
who you are. Your species is irrelevant as long as you have the wealth and power to back it up, otherwise you are indentured for the duration of your life (or unlife!). Poor in life? Well, now you're a lowly ghoul in death. You were rich and powerful? Great, that makes you a valuable addition to the Regency elite, as you can now be a free-thinking wraith and command the mindless ghouls.
I also like how one of their subthemes is long-term sacrifice for a short-term goal. This usually runs more flavorfully and in general, easier to execute with short-minded races (tradionally in Fantasy, goblinoids). Surprisingly, this too was done well within the Regency: they can destroy forests, permanently scarring the landscape for their next ostentatious project. Or perhaps they would like to enslave their populace to create their extravagent castle faster?
That said, I find them extremely hard to play as; this would explain why they are disabled on the lower difficulties. However, I think this race is
incredible on the flavor department.
____________________________
SubTerra
- Ultimate rank
- 2009 level design contest, 2nd place
[Last edited by Danjen02 at 03-26-2008 10:30 PM]
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