10-25-2011, 09:54 PM
@Tellis - I'd argue that there are a few key concepts that make the Metroidvania genre what it is - chiefly, exploration. However, this style of exploration differs greatly to that of your average RPG - the key difference being the freedom and the focus. Dungeons in a traditional RPG are relatively small and straight-forward. They offer a few alternative passageways and a few secret areas with treasure-chests, sure, but in the end it's very much a Point A to Point B affair - the focus is squarely on getting to the end of the dungeon. In a Metroidvania game, though, the entire game world is the dungeon. The focus is less on making it to the end, and more about finding all the hidden secrets and passageways. It's a hugely different philosophy to design with.
Additionally, RPG exploration generally doesn't involve too much back-tracking - you complete an area, you move on. You might return to grind some enemies or for a side-quest, but generally, the area's done and burried. In a Metroidvania game returning to old areas to find hidden secrets is encouraged, and areas in the game are specifically designed to both entice the player to do this and aid the player in getting across the world quickly.
I would also say that Metroidvania games are built to be very solitary experiences for the most part - interaction is limited to combat and exploration. Whereas in an RPG you've got your party members, towns, etc. to interact with on a constant basis, in a Metroidvania game it's just you and your enemies (at least, for the majority of the experience). What I am personally doing to fuse these two aspects is having the points in the game where you play as the Alien Warrior (thousands of years in the past) act more like an RPG (talking/interacting with other Aliens in a town-like setting) and then having the majority of the game where you play as the boy (in the present) a solitary experience. So basically, you see an area populated and brimming with life in the past, but then you return to the present and find only a haunting emptiness punctuated by the monstrous creatures that have taken up residence.
One last thing I'll mention is that it's pretty rare in an RPG that you'll find a weapon and actually use it in any meaningful way outside of battle. In a Metroidvania game, using your weapons and abilities outside of combat is essential to progress through and explore the world fully. Additionally, some items aren't used in combat - they are exclusively used on the 'field' (outside of battle). Not to say that weapons and items won't play an important part in combat - they definitely will - but they have more versatile applications than in a traditional RPG.
In the end, keep in mind - I'm not making a Metroidvania game. Nor am I making an RPG. I'm taking elements from each and fusing them to make something a little bit more unique
Moving on, I generally don't like to talk about money and sales figures, but I can see your point. Naturally, this sort of project isn't ever going to be that big - you've got to start at the bottom and work your way up, after all. Still, it's a decent little bit of money. So, as of tomorrow (Thursday for me), my first game (Path of Thanatos) will have been out for three weeks. As of now, I've sold 90 copies. Depending on what you know, that might sound good, or it might not. Keep in mind a few things, though. Firstly, my first game used only the RPG Maker XP RTP graphics and music (i.e. the stuff that comes with the package) - many, many people were turned off by this (there is a general feeling in the community that if a game doesn't have custom sprites and sound, it's not worth paying for). Secondly, piracy has been a rather big issue for me. I didn't find it was happening until about a week and a half after release, and by then tens of thousands of people had downloaded it (going off of the numbers I could find/get access to). I managed to take everything down in a matter of days, but the damage was done. This time, I'm much better prepared to tackle piracy and have a much better idea of who the offenders are, where to go, and how to get things taken down ASAP.
Anyways, I hope that answers all of your questions Tellis!
@sponge7325 - Thank you very much for your interest and your offer! Right now, we're only looking for a spriter. At this stage of things, I'm trying to keep the team as small as possible and am personally dealing with all the story aspects. That said, if the need arises, I'll get in touch with you
Additionally, RPG exploration generally doesn't involve too much back-tracking - you complete an area, you move on. You might return to grind some enemies or for a side-quest, but generally, the area's done and burried. In a Metroidvania game returning to old areas to find hidden secrets is encouraged, and areas in the game are specifically designed to both entice the player to do this and aid the player in getting across the world quickly.
I would also say that Metroidvania games are built to be very solitary experiences for the most part - interaction is limited to combat and exploration. Whereas in an RPG you've got your party members, towns, etc. to interact with on a constant basis, in a Metroidvania game it's just you and your enemies (at least, for the majority of the experience). What I am personally doing to fuse these two aspects is having the points in the game where you play as the Alien Warrior (thousands of years in the past) act more like an RPG (talking/interacting with other Aliens in a town-like setting) and then having the majority of the game where you play as the boy (in the present) a solitary experience. So basically, you see an area populated and brimming with life in the past, but then you return to the present and find only a haunting emptiness punctuated by the monstrous creatures that have taken up residence.
One last thing I'll mention is that it's pretty rare in an RPG that you'll find a weapon and actually use it in any meaningful way outside of battle. In a Metroidvania game, using your weapons and abilities outside of combat is essential to progress through and explore the world fully. Additionally, some items aren't used in combat - they are exclusively used on the 'field' (outside of battle). Not to say that weapons and items won't play an important part in combat - they definitely will - but they have more versatile applications than in a traditional RPG.
In the end, keep in mind - I'm not making a Metroidvania game. Nor am I making an RPG. I'm taking elements from each and fusing them to make something a little bit more unique
Moving on, I generally don't like to talk about money and sales figures, but I can see your point. Naturally, this sort of project isn't ever going to be that big - you've got to start at the bottom and work your way up, after all. Still, it's a decent little bit of money. So, as of tomorrow (Thursday for me), my first game (Path of Thanatos) will have been out for three weeks. As of now, I've sold 90 copies. Depending on what you know, that might sound good, or it might not. Keep in mind a few things, though. Firstly, my first game used only the RPG Maker XP RTP graphics and music (i.e. the stuff that comes with the package) - many, many people were turned off by this (there is a general feeling in the community that if a game doesn't have custom sprites and sound, it's not worth paying for). Secondly, piracy has been a rather big issue for me. I didn't find it was happening until about a week and a half after release, and by then tens of thousands of people had downloaded it (going off of the numbers I could find/get access to). I managed to take everything down in a matter of days, but the damage was done. This time, I'm much better prepared to tackle piracy and have a much better idea of who the offenders are, where to go, and how to get things taken down ASAP.
Anyways, I hope that answers all of your questions Tellis!
@sponge7325 - Thank you very much for your interest and your offer! Right now, we're only looking for a spriter. At this stage of things, I'm trying to keep the team as small as possible and am personally dealing with all the story aspects. That said, if the need arises, I'll get in touch with you