Magic Blocks (?) [Demo in progress]

chains

Member
Hey guys!

I can't say this is a game. It's not. It's just a mechanic for a small puzzle game I've been playing around with. Nevertheless, I figured that maybe I could do something with this idea, so I started with a proof of concept.

The idea is to turn the monsters into blocks to access other places or platforms. I need to explore a little bit more during the design phase. But I'll let this work for later.

There's a lot of things to improve, but the core concept is here.


Future:

1) Wrap up the core mechanic
2) Design five levels or so for a technical demo for others to play around

After that, I'll seek an artist and a musician to help with the game's assets. Small project, but full of love. <3

The ASM part was a bit tricky to get done, my code is a mess, but it's working... So I guess that's the most important, right?

Assets credits: https://ansimuz.itch.io/grotto-escape-game-art-pack

UPDATE: Nov 2nd, 2021

The final mechanic is finally here:


We have three types of blocks:

1) push blocks: where the player can push them around to reach other places
2) stationary, floating blocks: the player can create platforms in the air to reach higher places
3) recoil blocks: the player will be pushed by the block or can walk on top to reach far, distant platforms

I believe that's enough for my puzzle game. I'll start working on the playable demo now.

UPDATE: Nov 12, 2021

The very first level of the demo is here (spoiler alert):


There are a few things I need to wrap up. Almost there for a public release of the demo. I will also get some help from @DeadKir with the art, so great things are coming. I'll probably ask around for musicians to help with SFX and Music. :D
 
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dale_coop

Moderator
Staff member
I would be interested to know how you did that monster solid platform thing...? is it an object?
 

chains

Member
Hey Dale! Yes, the blocks are objects. They are treated as a NPCs and I control their behavior via the “object_vulnerability” byte.

In the final game I’ll have different blocks to explore more mechanics. For example, one that can work as an elevator.

They are not tiles since I couldn’t figured how to control the tile bound box and to move them around. I wanted to work with small objects instead of 16x16 tiles

I think that this can be possible, but having them as objects were easier and more flexible, IMO.

The problem I see now is the sprite limitation I’ll have in the screen. I’ll probably have to destroy some before adding the possibility to create more.
 

chains

Member
Absolutely. I rewrote some parts of the collision, landing and bounds algorithms. Not only input scripts.

but the jump script can access the information about the player collision with the blocks to allow jumping off of them.
 

chains

Member
Updates!

The final mechanic is finally here:


We have three types of blocks:

1) push blocks: where the player can push them around to reach other places
2) stationary, floating blocks: the player can create platforms in the air to reach higher places
3) recoil blocks: the player will be pushed by the block or can walk on top to reach far, distant platforms

I believe that's enough for my puzzle game. I'll start working on the playable demo now.
 

9Panzer

Well-known member
Woah very cool script. I think everyone has tried to tackle this one that I know of and not been able to get it so perfect.
Well done @chains !
 

chains

Member
Updates!

The very first level of the demo is here (spoiler alert):


There are a few things I need to wrap up. Almost there for a public release of the demo. I will also get some help from @DeadKir with the art, so great things are coming. I'll probably ask around for musicians to help with SFX and Music. :D
 

SciNEStist

Well-known member
Incredible stuff! Looking forward to see what you do with this.
is it also possible to have the player carry a box and set it down elsewhere?
 

chains

Member
Hey! Thanks dude! I thought about this possibility, but I’ve decided to stop playing around with the blocks and start working on the game instead. For now the blocks can only be pushed, float in the air or take you to another side like a moving platform. :)

I think this is enough for now to make a nice puzzle platformer. But, maybe I can improve this mechanic a little bit more in the future, who knows? Hehehe
 

chains

Member
More updates:


@DeadKir did a fantastic job with the tileset!!! I'm super excited! This is just a glimpse of what we have for now. I still have to fix some bugs before designing the remaining levels. Of course, the background looks off because I put it together. DeadKir will do a way better job :)
 
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