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Aether the Infinite Library: Random Graphics Showoff

After a lengthy hiatus, it's about time I should return and finish my hack. While it's a far way from completion, and a proper thread will come in due time, it's also a fair time to show off what's in store.


The world map of Libris in all of its glory! The lower right corner is the first world being made: Backboard Bay. It's an archipelago full of all kinds of beaches, underwater caves, and coral reefs.


Our player character, the courier Eszett. She's a consummate professional who is ready to deliver mail at any time and through any amount of adversity.


Here she is with a basic Arroba enemy. You could jump on them and take their squirrelsnail-like shells, but why would you?


Schwas are little orc enemies who carry smaller enemies in their probably very disgusting mouths, like this unfortunate Klempen that flew out of there.


There's a lot to make the most of with water. But this is a rather drab environment for water, so...


How about showing off the reefs instead? Here are a couple of Asterisk fishes, which form a school of Asterisms.

____________________________________________

Putting something for this C3 was a spur of the moment that probably deserved more attention, but hey we're all having fun right? Hopefully you've enjoyed just a little bit of what's to come!


Other Submissions of mine!
What the h... holy crap! Those graphics man, wow. That overworld is especially beautiful; you never see maps this graphics heavy these days. And those tilesets; sheash!
Want progress on 100 Rooms of Enemies: The Nightmare Edition? Go here to see.

(rip my other userbars momentarily)

These graphics are really great and deserve more attention. Especially the overworld is very detailed and nicely drawn. Really fantastic imo #smw{:TUP:}








Holy shit, that overworld... it's simply awesome.

Also, the underwater section kinda reminds me of DKC3, looks very similar.

Good job!
Layout made by MaxodeX
2021 TRENO vibe check thread
Originally posted by Shiny Ninetales
Also, the underwater section kinda reminds me of DKC3, looks very similar.

Very observant! Donkey Kong Country 3's wilderness setting is a huge inspiration, including its wonderful coral reefs. Hopefully it's not distracting, since quite a few people have noted the same thing.
I'm also happy that the overworld is appreciated, though I hope it doesn't overshadow the rest of the game when the time comes!


Other Submissions of mine!
Really loving the player character's sprite work. Wonderful detail and a great atmosphere, surprised this isn't getting more attention.
my guy that is 👌👌👌

really outstanding
Ah, now this is good stuff. As a fellow oldster, I must say I've always been a fan of your style - it's great to see that you're back!

Your graphics are supreme, simple as that. Your overworld is immaculate save for the SMW clouds and smoke puffs, which contrast rather starkly. I'm fairly certain they're placeholders, though.

The player character is most charming, simple but distinct. A question, though - on the wall run pose, am I correct that Eszett is bearing her teeth, the black pixel representing her missing tooth? I was trying to figure out what her expression was supposed to be until I happened upon the victory pose, which made tooth thing clear (nice detail, by the way). On the subject of the victory pose, will there be any sort of transition frame(s)? In my head, snapping to and from that pose to the neutral standing pose looks a little abrupt, though perhaps it's smoother in practice.

The only graphic I don't care for, and boy is it minor, is the "9" in the status bar font. I totally see it now, but the tail seems "pinched" in a weird way that threw me at first glance. I have a feeling that changing one pixel would make all the difference. Also, the bag graphic in the status bar seems to go behind some layers, though I can't imagine you didn't notice.

So, do you have any idea what sort of gameplay you're after? Exploration, puzzles, gold old-fashioned platforming? Are there abilities or physics changes in the works, or will it be classic Super Mario World with a few hundred coats of gorgeous paint? I look forward to seeing where this project of yours goes, best of luck to you.
I appreciate the sentiment from ol' Nine Years himself! Glad to know that I have some style worth following, at the very least.

Originally posted by Maarfy
... immaculate save for the SMW clouds and smoke puffs, which contrast rather starkly. I'm fairly certain they're placeholders, though.

I didn't feel that it clashed too hard, but it would be worth replacing the cartoony curvature with something that has some amount of 'disorder' to it. The smoke is just there to do something, but since it's such a pitiful thing compared to the huge caldera it's coming out of, it'll probably be relocated or removed outright.

Originally posted by Maarfy
... on the wall run pose, am I correct that Eszett is bearing her teeth, the black pixel representing her missing tooth? I was trying to figure out what her expression was supposed to be until I happened upon the victory pose, which made tooth thing clear ... On the subject of the victory pose, will there be any sort of transition frame(s)? In my head, snapping to and from that pose to the neutral standing pose looks a little abrupt...

Eszett is indeed missing a tooth, and I'm happy that such a detail is at least a little clear. As for the second part, I'm not sure how I would even go about adding new frames, but I don't think it's any more or less sudden than in vanilla World though maybe going for a better looking victory would be a worthwhile effort - this pose won't come by very often in Aether.

Originally posted by Maarfy
"9"

I have no choice but to respect the desire to change such a minor detail that I didn't even put so much attention to.

Originally posted by Maarfy
Also, the bag graphic in the status bar seems to go behind some layers, though I can't imagine you didn't notice

It does, and it pains me that I might need to change that detail into something less problematic around tiles. What I intended is for Eszett's bag to be the item box - when you empty it out, Eszett gains the effects immediately instead of falling from nowhere. I'll probably need to change the open-bag graphic since the priority means that it plays poorly with anything that appears in front of it.

Originally posted by Maarfy
So, do you have any idea what sort of gameplay you're after? Exploration, puzzles, gold old-fashioned platforming? Are there abilities or physics changes in the works, or will it be classic Super Mario World with a few hundred coats of gorgeous paint? I look forward to seeing where this project of yours goes, best of luck to you.

I'm intending for things to go quite a bit differently compared to vanilla World. Rather than level after level, it'll be a series of about 6-7 enormous levels with multiple exits each. If you look at the south-eastern region on the map, you'll notice a few level icons strewn around: only by going through Backboard Bay and finding its exits will you be able to reach them. You can also unlock paths around the overworld to make it easier to return to certain parts of those major levels, and going through the game can lock out simple paths to force the player through more difficult places. There are emphasized puzzle elements in the Castles, which house the game's MacGuffins. I haven't decided on how they will be structured - if it'll be pure puzzle or if it'll be like Paramount Omnibus where it's a puzzle located after a conventional level, but the puzzles are a guarantee. There are a few changes to the physics, mostly based around wall kicking and duck-charged super jumps that gives more options to exploring the mega-levels. No new power ups are planned, but it's always on the table.

Thanks a million for your continued interest, and I hope I can make something that fulfills the highest expectations!!


Other Submissions of mine!
Aww, no! I didn't notice this thread!

What you've got here is amazing so far, Deeke! You've certainly gotten a lot more progress on your hack than I ever did with my own, that's for sure. Keep up the good work! #smrpg{y}
Just so you know, I'm very active on the site anymore like I was before; I'm mainly on Discord now.


The colors, the details, I mean just wow. Premier quality stuff. I simply haven't seen a more beautiful overworld map... I really especially love the little archipelago in the southeast quadrant and I kind of hope we're exploring that in the water levels you are showing off, there just isn't anything like it I've seen elsewhere. And what a cool OC character too, you say she's determined, but her eyes say it even more.

Such a cool concept and execution, I can't wait to give it a play. Great job, my friend!
GANYMEDE

Chapter Two: Land of No Shame
The visuals, for some reason, make me think of Seiken Densetsu 3. Not sure why though. Either way, they're amazing, and Eszett is so cute!
Quintesson Judge: Silence, or you will be held in contempt of this court!
Hot Rod: I have nothing but contempt for this court!
- Transformers the Movie (1986)