Designing Project Emerald

Hello! Here's more info on what I'm working on.

Gameplay Ideas

The first feature I put in my game (besides the usual RPG elements) is a spell craft system that in the actual game the resources will be a little limited. Humans mostly learn the same types of magick, so I wanted a system where the player could choose what spells each character could cast, but not have enough resources to fill out everyone's skill tree. Also, there are types of magick that some players never learned or are completely uninterested in. For example, at the start of the game Alicia was already studying magick, but Aries was not. Aries will have to complete quests during his journey if you wish for him to cast any spells. The same applies to anyone who wants to learn a magick type they don't have. That does not include the unlearnable branches of each type of magick. If someone has an unlearnable branch, they don't want to learn that branch ever. I'll write a more detailed version of this in another post at some point as I perfect the system. This feature is in my latest update, if you want to check it out.

I also just finished a unique way to give humans some elemental magick, and elementals some human magick. I have not coded that into the game yet, but its sister ability of evolving the elementals' foci weapons is going to be there in the next version update.

There will be ways to communicate with both parties and share items. One of my characters can "dream walk" though other peoples dreams and memories. With the consent of the party member they'll use, they can learn things about the character that could help on a quest or open up new quests. Side quests' purposes are to let the player choose to learn more about a side character that may not be as central to the main storyline. The last thing I was thinking of doing is a friendship level system used by Alicia and Aries as they interact with the other characters. Some are  just ideas, and if I find it hurts the flow of the game, I'll remove them.

Lore

Welcome to Planet Regalis:

Regalis is a world of balance. Elementals, beings made from pure elements: Air, Fire, Water, Land, and Spirit, protect the sources of the elements. Humans are born with magick within themselves. Elementals protect the elements, so humans can prosper, while humans' magick keeps Regalis' elemental sources full. Balance holds the planet steady, but balance can also be fragile.

The Curse of Artificial Magick

It is said that if one tampers with Regalis' balance by experimenting with or changing Regalis' magick sources, monsters will plague the world and usher in disaster that will lead to the planet's complete destruction.

The Legend of the Lunar Twins

It is said that every Queen of Viridis gives birth only once. Always, the children will be fraternal twins, one boy and one girl. On the eve of the final war of the Diamond Era, 400 years ago, the Viridian prince and princess of the time, together reached the heavens and reshaped the world with the gift of Green Magick. When the power was first released, all of tyrannical Adamas' lunar military bases were destroyed, hence the name "Lunar Twins". It is said that forever more green magick will always lay dormant inside each set of "Lunar Twins" thereafter waiting for the day it's powers of rebirth are needed once again.

Quick Look at the Plot

Aries and Alicia become separated and each end up on their own quest to solve, what they believe would be, their first step to solving the crisis that could lead to the destruction of the world. (See above legends, because of course this stuff is going to happen) Caraway and her fellow elemental guardians are also trying to find the cause of the shift in the balance. Caraway's group soon splits up and they meet Alicia and Aries on their journey.

Meet Some of the Characters

(Designs are not final!)

Imperial Princess Alicia Jadeite

Imperial Prince Aries Jadeite

Priestess Caraway

The above three are my central characters. The story features the beginning of Alicia and Aries' journeys, but I included Caraway too because her story will also be a big part of the main story.

Right now, the game's title is The Emerald World, but I may change it. For that reason I decided to call this: Project Emerald. 

Inspiration

Games like Atelier Iris, Etrian Odyssey,  Wild Arms, Persona 4, and Final Fantasy VI are my main inspiration in making this game even though my absolute favorite games are Tales of Vesperia and other Tales series games.

I'm still bouncing a lot of ideas around when it comes to gameplay, and I can be open to suggestions. I will try to check in every Monday or Tuesday from now on. I will update the version either at request or when I have enough new content in the the game. Thank you all so much for joining me on this journey!