I'm just curious, if ClickShake could create your dream game, what would it look like? Isometric, top down, side scroller, 3D first person shooter? What would the game mechanics be like? Would it be multi player? Is there a theme you love? Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Real World?
As we finish making your dream point and click game :) I've been thinking about future projects and what I'd like to make. So I'm really curious to hear what you guys would like to see and if any of your ideas match up with mine.
Maybe a top down adventure RPG.
Much like the origonal Zeldas and Final Fantasys or, in terms of flash games, Hands of War.
Well, my dream game these days would be a fast-paced side scroller, in the style of Muramasa, Strider, or Zero. But that's not what I'd like from ClickShake. :)
I seem to remember, a while back, you talking about a more 'open' game, with multiple ways to solve problems. That certainly sounded interesting.
But if you'd like to know what I'd REALLY like...
You've compared A Small Favour to Space Quest. Reemus to King's Quest. Zee and the Alien Machine was delightfully Maniac Mansion. But you know what you're missing? Quest for Glory.
Not literally, of course, just like Reemus was far more fun than King's Quest ever was. But the idea of the QFG series.
(If you're familiar with the series, stop reading here. Otherwise, keep reading for an explanation, or skip to the TL;DR at the very end)
The QFG games were point and click games (most similar to Space Quest, right down to having a similar theme song, but in a different time period). So, obviously, you'd solve puzzles, and read funny dialog, etc.
But there were two things that set it apart:
First, it had elements of an RPG, with combat. Now, it was never terribly complicated combat. In QFG3, for example, you'd just press buttons to dodge, block, attack, and use spells. In QFG4, you'd do largely the same but also have the ability to move left/right and jump/duck. Still, simple as it was, it was fun. Related to that, you'd build up combat abilities, etc. (Instead of having 'levels', you simply increased individual attributes the more you used them) It was actually interesting because you could build up your abilities outside of combat to use in combat.
Second, it had three (actually four) 'classes'. You could be a fighter, mage, or thief (SHOCKING, eh?). However, what made it particularly interesting (and worth playing more than once) was that, even though the basic story would be the same, certain story elements would change based on your class. For example, if you were a thief, you could uncover the thieves guild, and have subquests related to them. If you played as a mage, in addition to finding certain unique spells, you'd have different interactions with certain characters. (For example, in QFG4 you could build a greater rapport with one of the main characters. On the other hand, in QFG3, you'd have to hide the fact that you used magic in the main city, because they didn't trust magic users)
And then there was a fourth class: Paladin. Kind acts could raise your 'honour', which could eventually make another paladin recognize your virtue and dub you a paladin, which would mean even more story elements.
Actually, there was a third thing. When you beat one game, it made a save file that could be brought into the next (they made 5 of these games, after all). There were actually only some games where you could even become a paladin, so that was the only way to get the alternate storyline in later games.
TL;DR
The point is, a cross between a point and click and basic combat, with different (related) storylines based on the class you chose. Leveling up individual attributes instead of having "levels" made it more streamlined (and let you focus on playing the actual game). The ability to continue one game into the next was spiffy. And, in spite of them being fantastic games, nobody's really bothered to do anything like them since.
I would like to see a horror point and click game. Something in the same genre as the first Visitor. A lot of horror games focus solely on the scary factor, ie lots of blood, unexpected pop ups, etc. I think it would be good to have a game with a slightly more realistic animation style than the Visitor had, with an emphasis on puzzle elements as well as horror elements: Wisely using the bloody bathtub instead of just clicking the faucet and it fills up with blood and that's that.
Well Earl, I'll be honest. A point and click with different classes is something Steve and I have discussed for a while. I'm very much into the idea.
The one thing I go back and forth with is the point and click mechanic. I do love it, but I also love freely controlling my character with the keyboard.
Top Down adventure is also an interesting idea, though I tend to favor isometric more just because I love drawing 3/4 angles more than top down.
At the end of the day I want you to enjoy them as much as me, what do you think?
Do you like the point and click mechanic, or does a keyboard based control system like the Visitor: Massacre at camp happy excite you?
Is isometric as sexy as top down?
Discuss!
A true point and click Visitor sequel is something i've thought about a lot. I need to recover from Ballads of Reemus though before I attempt it.
As much as I love dpads on consoles and such, keyboards tend to not do it as much for me. More specifically, I think the mouse is the preferable method of control for flash games.
At the very least, keyboards are fine for action, but less-so for thinky games (and I like thinky games).
Top-down is great for action (first thing that comes to mind is Gauntlet, or anything with a maze), but isometric lets you see more of the art, which means more atmosphere. If you were going to change the look (and that's only if), the first thing I'd consider is a larger viewport/smaller characters. (Depending on the desired style, of course. I think I'm largely still in a QfG, with towns and cities and such)
Okay okay, I'll try to shut up now. :)
I like your games the way they are but if i had to pick another type of game for you guys to do it would, for me, have to be a visitor: massacare at camp happy type game. I just love the joy of finally completing a level and getting to see a whole new one to try and complete. I know for many other memebers this might not be their favourite as they might do more gaming than me(cus i only do online and ipod gaming).
For me though the last vistior game hit the nail on the head. I mean i love leveled-out games, like plant vs zombies, but in the vistior i played something that i never thought i would come across in this type of game, a game that just continues on. No level select and even games that do not do this they always show you the level at the start of it but the vistior didn't. In the visitor i felt the game experiense continued and that all these death slugs were part of the same story.
So good work jay and steve and i hope you keep up making these types of games.
I'd have to choose isometric. the type of game I would like is an RPG. the game would have one end to the story, but several and different ways of getting to that end, based a lot on decision-making. after clearing the main storyline, you can have a chance to do stuff you didnt or couldnt do before. (pretty much like extra bosses and dungeons)
I know this is going off subject ,but it has the same 'kind of' theme, But I think ClickShake should make an animation (or two) some time cus I am into animations and I reckon you guys could make amazing ones!
Edit: I just looked at Zeebarf's newgrounds acoount and relised he has made some but serously what's wiff them (I mean ButtPlug is just wrong)
hah, those NG animations are over 10 years old now. I got my start making rude, shocking and crazy cartoons. I've mellowed out over the years though :)
Heh! I hope so, i mean i don't want to see anythign like buttplug in a reemus game! LOL!
So what's the verdict then, can we expect to see an animation from ClickShake anytime soon
Blastin' off into space now... uh, sorry.
Got overtaken by nostalgia for a moment. Sweet, awesome nostalgia.
The only ClickShake animation will be in the form of cut scenes in our games.
I have been thinking a lot about this topic. This may be the most important topic on the CSG forum.... personally speaking, when we are talking flash, the main thing for me are fun and style. There are some hugely impressive flash games that takes weeks to finish but concentrate too much on game length that they ultimately lose substance. Flash FPS can be amazing... but that is not CSG. If you want to go off track from point and click, you MUST keep the CSG style that we all know and love. Do you rember the original Broken Sword? That is the benchmark point and click for me. Be inspired. Also, TSJR is a very unique game when it comes to characters but is ultimately cutesy (no bad thing). What if we had Reemus:Hell for example? A dark twisted world where the riddles could only be solved via sacrifice? Finally, maybe an idea for the future, Reemus and Liam get captured which means we get to control a dun dun dun different character. Say, idk, a love interest for Reemus. A geeky bookworm type who must save the duo? I'm just riffing but I love the CSG for a reason and a total depature from the CSG style could be detrimental to image of CSG. Having said that, Massacre At Camp Happy was fantastic so.... :@/
I don't necessarily want to abandon everything that makes up the CSG style, maybe just start to pull in some ideas from other genres to create a new hybrid. Ultimately I think whatever we create will still feel like a ClickShake game.
FYI, the Ballads cutscenes Jay is referring to are freaking awesome. I've watched a few of them so far. I blow them up full-screen on my laptop, and no joke it's like watching a cartoon on TV. Jay's pulling out all the stops on those cutscenes and you can tell he used to work on an actual televised cartoon show from these.
Also, I'll go on record to say that ClickShake will never make an FPS. :) My heart is with 2D, and I much prefer close combat with some ranged attacks as opposed to gun fighting. I really enjoyed doing Paradox Embrace and Visitor Massacre and overall I think the feel of those games still fits within our brand. We have lots of ideas for future games and it's pretty cool to hear that some of the stuff mentioned here is in line with what we had in mind.
Thanks for going on record with that Steve! ;) For anyone who coesn't know what Broken Sword is --> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73IaO6EVOaU
I actually forgot how good Paradox Embrace was and how much of a diversion it was from the point and click genre but still keeping the CSG look and feel.
Rather than describe lots of game ideas and designs, let me just link games that I love for various reasons, fun, art, humourous, deep. Take from these what you will but hopefully it will give you some ideas....
Mitoza http://www.kongregate.com/games/thebaboon/mitoza
Light Up http://www.kongregate.com/games/gameslist/light-up
The Dream Machine http://www.kongregate.com/games/struma/the-dream-machine-demo
Age Of War http://www.kongregate.com/games/Louissi/age-of-war
Music Catch 2 http://www.kongregate.com/games/Reflexive/music-catch-2?acomplete=music
Zilch http://www.kongregate.com/games/gaby/zilch
Coma http://www.kongregate.com/games/wittyhobos/coma?acomplete=coma
Hero's Arms http://www.kongregate.com/games/BerzerkStudio/heros-arms
(This game in particular would be very interesting done by you guys. A Reemus adventure where you level up, collect batter weapons, armor, etc)
Awesome game links darkbluemullet! I am working my way though the ones that I have not already played and must say am enjoying them so far and would like to ClickShake produce some games like these some day.
Nice selection Darkbluemullet, I'm also a fan of all those games.
For me, I really enjoy exploration and atmosphere mixed with some thinking.
almost, I forgot to mention that I also love 3rd person perspective. Though morningstar probably has the craziest opening i've seen in a flash game.
You must log in to post.
Twitter
Facebook
YouTube
