Untitled RPG Project

[Error]

ROFL. I love it. It fits the childish theme well.

[Error]

Quietly working. Update: I've been attempting a complete retexture of the world map, as well as implementing the inventory system. This could take a bit of time, as work is bogging me down as well as the holiday season. I expect more updates soon though.

[Error]

Started work on the inventory screen...

[Error]

First Test Video: Just a walk around town.

NPC's not yet implemented.
Weapons and Hats not yet finished.
Monsters not yet shown.

[frag.machine]

Nice! I noticed the player turns in steps of 45 degrees. Can you roam freely on the map or are you restricted like in most 2D JRPGs ?

[Error]

Free as can be. There will be a few clip brushes to keep players from getting stuck in certain areas, that's all.

[Nahuel]

really nice pics frag.machine!!

[frag.machine]

really nice pics Error!!

[Error]

lol

[toneddu2000]

Project is shaping up, no doubt about it. I like minimal walking animation, really! Also I like how streets cut grass meadows, but probably you'll need (not now, but during final composition) sun lightmaps to give detail to environment.
Good work, Error!

[Error]

Thank you all. I plan on worrying about lighting as it gets to a more complete stage. The map is a priority but not the lighting... I'm also no mapper.

[toneddu2000]

I plan on worrying about lighting as it gets to a more complete stage. The map is a priority but not the lighting...

Yeah, completely agree, lighting process is final stage, mine was just a suggestion, probably useless, but of course if some angel/developer would add cascaded shadow maps and gi to fte that would change everything..

[Error]

So, I need a little input on what I should do with the control scheme here.

I originally planned on having a keyboard only control scheme, then I added a mouse driven inventory system that is causing a problem. I don't like having to take my hands off of the keyboard for anything. It's an inconvenience.

So, here is how it currently is:
https://youtu.be/yix89oN8dSo
WASD - Movement
Arrow keys for attacks and abilities.
Mouse driven inventory (which I can change to a keyboard driven menu)
The character faces the way you move. I like this. Reminds me of old Zelda games.

Here is an alternative:
https://youtu.be/0lq6mktSMcA
WASD - Movement
Mouse for attacking and abilities.
Mouse driven inventory.
The character faces the way the mouse aims. I don't like this as the animation looks wonky.

Anyone have any suggestions?

[toneddu2000]

Second one, with no doubt. Player facing mouse is not wonky at all, imo. It's cute!

[Spike]

the second is more familiar to me.
its a little more arcadey in that strafing while fighting is much simpler, which means you can require its use without excluding casual players quite so much, whereas the first limits gameplay to only 8 directions which requires more strategy.
or in other words, gameplay is probably going to be easier to balance with the second scheme, assuming players are not limited to a dpad.

regarding animations, if you split your model into upper/lower parts, you could more freely twist the upper without twisting the legs. additionally only respond to the mouse when actually clicking/attacking (some timer after which it reverts to the direction that its facing), should make the inventory etc feel a little more natural.
either way your animation+movement+angle changes seem too jerky for my tastes.