WHAT LED ME TO CREATE THIS HACK
For a bit of context, I started in the hacking scene in 2009, but I lost interest mid 2011, because of my lack of experience with things like blocks and sprites. So, after all that time has passed, and after having played some great hacks (in this period that I was inactive), I tried to mess up around with the Lunar Magic. And thus, this hack was born.
There are some hacks that I played while I was inactive: Brutal Mario, The Second Reality Project series, Keytasthrope (Remake), Sicari Remastered, Luigi Misadventures 2 and few other hacks I don't remember very well.
Yeah, I didn't play too much mario hacks, but I played a lot of platforming games like Shovel Knight, Castlevania, Ganbare Goemon, Super Mario All Stars, Sonic (I still have to play Mania); Sparkster, Gargoyle's Quest, Actraiser, Mega Man classic and X, Magical'n Pop, DoReMi Fantasy, Earthworm Jim, Wario Land, Donkey Kong Country, Kirby, Kid Dracula, Getsu Fuuma Den, Aladdin (SNES/MD), Magical Quest (Mickey), Metroid (and IGAvanias too) and a few others. My point here is that I LOVE platformers, but I never risked to do a SMW hack, that is, until this year...
A lot of things that I learned don't come only from the hacks that I played, but from kaizos that I saw other people streaming like Invictus, Not Dracula Castle, Grand Poo World 2 (I even watched it being played at Games Done Quick), Quickie World, Ryu World, Super DGR World. So while I came back recently, I also watched a lot of stuff related to SMW Hacking. It's amazing how the resources, hacks and tools have evolved with the passing of time.
My objective with this hack is to create a challenging game, not kaizo-like, but still rewarding. I want to pay homage to these platforms game that I played. Since this is my first hack (that I'm giving my all), I'm very open to suggestions and constructive critics.
ABOUT THE HACK
Like I said, this is my first real attempt to make a fun challenging very hard hack. But before I talk about the hack and stuff about the level design, I would like to introduce my original characters:
This is Aeron, a goofy mage knight that is very powerful and well-intentioned, but also lazy, sassy and reckless. He loses his magic (also, his grimoire too) when is sent to a strange dimension,. He's attached to details and kinda methodic.
This is Natsumi, a serious hot-blooded shinobi. She always has to deal with all the mess that Aeron does. Act like a older sister figure to him. Carries a dagger that can freeze its enemies.
The story is very simple: Aeron and Natsumi are sent to a strange dimension and now must find a way to return back to their home, Windovastia. I'm not a great storytelling, so I'll be focusing on a more humorous and light narrative.
MAIN OVERWORLD AND SUBMAPS
An adventure won't be complete with a nice looking map, right? Here is the current overworld of my hack.
MAIN MAP: ARCHIPELAGO OF CONFUSION
This mysterious archipelago will make the protagonist confused, since he will have to turn around and try to find his way in this place. With a lot of icebergs in his way, it's very hard to traverse the ocean.
Submap 1: Mt. Mutsu
A japanese submap mixed with snow theme.
Submap 2: The Underworld
A mysterious place with evil energy lurking from it.
SCREENSHOTS
Here are some screenshots from the levels that I made and other things, as well. Do note that they will be updated as long as I make progress in my hack. Please take a look:
I didn't draw the player sprites (it will use 32 x 32 player patch), but that will take some time. For now, I will focus on the level design itself for now. Sorry for taking so long to make a player sprite, but I'll sure pay off. Cutscenes will be coming in a near future, so stay tuned!
MOST RECENTE DEMO OF MY HACK: DOWNLOAD IT HERE!
For a bit of context, I started in the hacking scene in 2009, but I lost interest mid 2011, because of my lack of experience with things like blocks and sprites. So, after all that time has passed, and after having played some great hacks (in this period that I was inactive), I tried to mess up around with the Lunar Magic. And thus, this hack was born.
There are some hacks that I played while I was inactive: Brutal Mario, The Second Reality Project series, Keytasthrope (Remake), Sicari Remastered, Luigi Misadventures 2 and few other hacks I don't remember very well.
Yeah, I didn't play too much mario hacks, but I played a lot of platforming games like Shovel Knight, Castlevania, Ganbare Goemon, Super Mario All Stars, Sonic (I still have to play Mania); Sparkster, Gargoyle's Quest, Actraiser, Mega Man classic and X, Magical'n Pop, DoReMi Fantasy, Earthworm Jim, Wario Land, Donkey Kong Country, Kirby, Kid Dracula, Getsu Fuuma Den, Aladdin (SNES/MD), Magical Quest (Mickey), Metroid (and IGAvanias too) and a few others. My point here is that I LOVE platformers, but I never risked to do a SMW hack, that is, until this year...
A lot of things that I learned don't come only from the hacks that I played, but from kaizos that I saw other people streaming like Invictus, Not Dracula Castle, Grand Poo World 2 (I even watched it being played at Games Done Quick), Quickie World, Ryu World, Super DGR World. So while I came back recently, I also watched a lot of stuff related to SMW Hacking. It's amazing how the resources, hacks and tools have evolved with the passing of time.
My objective with this hack is to create a challenging game, not kaizo-like, but still rewarding. I want to pay homage to these platforms game that I played. Since this is my first hack (that I'm giving my all), I'm very open to suggestions and constructive critics.
ABOUT THE HACK
Like I said, this is my first real attempt to make a fun challenging very hard hack. But before I talk about the hack and stuff about the level design, I would like to introduce my original characters:
This is Aeron, a goofy mage knight that is very powerful and well-intentioned, but also lazy, sassy and reckless. He loses his magic (also, his grimoire too) when is sent to a strange dimension,. He's attached to details and kinda methodic.
This is Natsumi, a serious hot-blooded shinobi. She always has to deal with all the mess that Aeron does. Act like a older sister figure to him. Carries a dagger that can freeze its enemies.
The story is very simple: Aeron and Natsumi are sent to a strange dimension and now must find a way to return back to their home, Windovastia. I'm not a great storytelling, so I'll be focusing on a more humorous and light narrative.
MAIN OVERWORLD AND SUBMAPS
An adventure won't be complete with a nice looking map, right? Here is the current overworld of my hack.
MAIN MAP: ARCHIPELAGO OF CONFUSION
This mysterious archipelago will make the protagonist confused, since he will have to turn around and try to find his way in this place. With a lot of icebergs in his way, it's very hard to traverse the ocean.
Submap 1: Mt. Mutsu
A japanese submap mixed with snow theme.
Submap 2: The Underworld
A mysterious place with evil energy lurking from it.
SCREENSHOTS
Here are some screenshots from the levels that I made and other things, as well. Do note that they will be updated as long as I make progress in my hack. Please take a look:
I didn't draw the player sprites (it will use 32 x 32 player patch), but that will take some time. For now, I will focus on the level design itself for now. Sorry for taking so long to make a player sprite, but I'll sure pay off. Cutscenes will be coming in a near future, so stay tuned!
MOST RECENTE DEMO OF MY HACK: DOWNLOAD IT HERE!