Neverlooted Dungeon - a physics-focused dungeon crawler RPG

[udm]

I don't know about appealing to more Codexers. My boner's pretty hard already.

 

[Bad Sector]

Finished the demo, somehow i missed this game before. I like how a lot of things interact with physics - e.g. at some point there were some spinning blades that i stopped by throwing barrels at them to get them stuck. Also nice to see Frictional-style interactivity with doors, etc (though i think using the left mouse button instead of the use key should also act as a way to grab things that wont make sense to attack).

Some images:

Spoiler

Slapping a rat's ass with a plank (plank not shown because animations)

Throwing the rat in the fire...

...makes Rat Skewers after a bit (the rat changes instantly to skewers and often the physics cause it to be thrown :-P)

I found those little pieces of humor amusing

But i was a bit disappointed by that :-P

The demo was fine regardless.

The only "issue" i had was that the game didn't gave me much of an in-game reason to move forward - i think there needs to be some sort of goal or story or something, if for no other reason than to answer "why am i here?". Even Rogue had some bits of backstory to explain why you were exploring those dungeons :-P.

 

[udm]

Loot and glory not good enough reasons?

 

[Bad Sector]

Loot and glory not good enough reasons?

It is a fine reason, i just didn't see that line until after i finished the demo :-P.

TBH i think there is some clash with the game's presentation and feel, though i can't exactly put my finger at it. The humor bits are amusing but the game feels kinda aimless - to keep that "game show" comparison Zombra mentioned, it feels like you are part of a game show but the host is missing.

I don't think any individual element of the game is bad or wrong, it just feels like there needs something extra or some change to tie it all together.

 

[irnnn]

The only "issue" i had was that the game didn't gave me much of an in-game reason to move forward - i think there needs to be some sort of goal or story or something, if for no other reason than to answer "why am i here?". Even Rogue had some bits of backstory to explain why you were exploring those dungeons :-P.

Thanks a lot for your feedback. You are totally right. The game will start will a short visual intro to hook you in, and then I will try to keep you hooked regularly with plot reveals etc.

About using left mouse to grab, I started the dev with that, but the multiplicity of situations and type of interactions made that you start to never now what will the click do, so I prefer to clearly separate "use item in hand" and "interact". Usually, all what is done with interact is based on a key like E, but because of the mouse interaction it's even weirder ^^ (thought I may add an option in controls so the player decides what suit him the most)

 

[Bad Sector]

About using left mouse to grab, I started the dev with that, but the multiplicity of situations and type of interactions made that you start to never now what will the click do, so I prefer to clearly separate "use item in hand" and "interact". Usually, all what is done with interact is based on a key like E, but because of the mouse interaction it's even weirder ^^ (thought I may add an option in controls so the player decides what suit him the most)

FWIW i always use middle mouse button for interaction and right mouse button for jumping (with space used to crouch) - it is something that for some reason often trips up first person indie games (i never had that problem with any game from a larger developer - i guess having a QA team to try a bunch of different stuff helps there). It was a bit awkward trying to keep things "grabbed" (i.e. keeping the middle mouse button down) and then throwing them (i.e. pressing the left mouse button - i didn't try to use the throw key though, perhaps that would make more sense?). Thinking about it, i should have tried using the far thumb button at the side of the mouse (the one near the tip) which i often use in Bethesda's games that have a dedicated grab button, though ideally i'd prefer it if i could bind that button to toggle a torch at the left hand (since i often use it for a torch or flashlight where available).

About not knowing what left mouse would do, wouldn't having an icon help with that? There is already a special hand icon for grabbing and moving stuff. Also there is already some special cases for the left mouse button, like tearing out the flags (which TBH i found a bit weird, i think just slashing at a flag with a knife, sword or other similar weapon would do that).

One game where i liked how it handled grabbing and throwing things was Doom 3's expansion pack with the Grabber. People thought it was just a Gravity Gun ripoff, but in practice it has both more "smooth" and more advanced controls - you grab things with the left mouse button and throw them by releasing it and while you do that it also keeps the momentum from the camera motion so that you can, e.g., direct where something will be thrown just by making small camera movements.

If you have the game i recommend playing a bit with it, you get it pretty much before you exit the first area and the game puts you in a bunch of situations where you can use it. The only annoyance is that it doesn't have a "release" button (you always throw it) that the game solves by limiting how long you keep an object grabbed, but that is really because Doom 3 didn't have any alternative buttons for weapons. This is not an issue with your game :-P.

 

[Zombra]

So, what do you think of the new style?

As I said two years ago, I liked the original style just fine. The higher detail loses just a little charm for me .. but honestly if you hadn't said anything I wouldn't have noticed the difference

Great to see you still working on this. I had forgotten about the project (it's been a while). Still looking forward to playing and seeing what you finally came up with!

 

[Baron Dupek]

 

[notpl]

Yes... yes! Another cut of the exact same trailer! GIVE ME MORE!

 

[luj1]

This game has 0 style, it oozes boredom.

 

[KeighnMcDeath]

Well.... I haven't even started to loot it yet.

Streamlined and comedic version of Monomyth? (RatTower) Or Maybe Underworld Ascendant that actually works.

RAT TOWER?

/me begins to be triggered at THE THREE-LETTERED RODENT WORD!!!

 

[Bad Sector]

This game has 0 style, it oozes boredom.

That was my initial impression too, especially at the beginning it feels empty and the visual style didn't draw me much (though it grew on me over time as i played). As i wrote previously there wasn't much to drive you forward, either. However i stuck with it because of the previous positive messages and while i think the game does need to provide a more (and better communicated) reason to move forward, it does have good mechanics and environmental puzzles.

I hope it wont be another Frayed Knights, a mechanically solid (and often - though not always - funny) game which was ignored because it gives a bad initial impression.

 

[DJOGamer PT]

Looks fun - I'll have to try the demo
Always thought cool physics and a smart implementation of them, are a great way to improve the Dungeon Crawler genre
NOITA proved that right for 2D, hope to see this one do the same for 3D

irnnn what's the price tag you're pondering on?

 

[Cryomancer]

How is magic in the game?

 

[irnnn]

Yes... yes! Another cut of the exact same trailer! GIVE ME MORE!

Lol making a trailer is expansive I can not create a new one each time I post something ^^

Thanks Bad Sector about honnest comment on first impression. The game was severely suffering from this with previous art style, I believe this is less the case now even if more work is still required. That said, it's a physics-based indie game so the financial and gameplay constraints will still be very limitating. Most people actually playing the game are convinced by it, but indeed I need to make them play first ^^

The final price is not yet decided, probably between 14.99 and 19.99

There will be magic in the form of purchasable/lootable magic items bringing various capabilities (double jump, flame thrower, telekinetic, rock platforms, etc). You can see some on them in the trailer.

 

[Child of Malkav]

 

[lukaszek]

i like how you seem to grab them naturally, I expect that ladders got better too

 

[Child of Malkav]

 

[Zombra]

Hooray for new mechanics, but god managing that stamina bar looks like a huge fucking drag.

 

[HoboForEternity]

I finally tried the latest demo and dang it's fun. I love you can sneak and burn rats to death with plank. Chest with booby traps! Burn down tapestry to reveal a nook with loot inside. This game and monomyth has both immense potential, even if i generally dislike the anachronism and parody in fantasy it's just fun.

 

[notpl]

Looks like the system is entirely meaningless and the only reason the player character ever got winded was because he made the mistake (or deliberate decision for showcase purposes) to block attacks, which seems to delete almost your whole stamina bar instantly, rather than slowly sidestepping all the trivially-telegraphed attacks at no cost. Not that it matters, because this game is never coming out.

 

[KeighnMcDeath]

Chest with booby traps!

Yeah.... picture is forming.