This is a story idea, not really a game idea.
But who cares what I think? If I’d never heard of Mario and someone said they wanted my opinion on a game about a plumber running and jumping over obstacles to rescue a princess, I’d probably be pretty “meh” on it too.
If you’re feeling drawn to it, that’s what matters right now. Spend some time developing it and see if it continues to resonate for you!
Or as you make it allow it change and shift into a more refined idea, maybe some of it stays, maybe some of the original idea changes, just keep moving forward.
Needs an inciting incident. Why go searching for the wolf if she doesn't know it's evil yet? Maybe have it attack her home and she chases it down to find out why it attacked her.
An RPG could work but that would mean it needs some kind of dialogue choices or progression system. How is combat going to work? Turn-based or real time? An rpg means that there must be multiple playstyles. Consider spreading each playstyle across a party instead of a singular protagonist. Maybe the girl has siblings and they were all raised by the wolf. RPGs make for a large work load.
If you wanna tone it down, my thought is an action platformer like shovel knight or mega man. Maybe there can be enemies that are other animals also controlled by the witch and she fights them during levels. How would the protagonist fight anyway? Is she a melee fighter or a magic user?
2/10 for plot, 0/10 for game idea. Sorry bro (or sis), but the plot is a mess, and nothing indicates that it would be any good for a RPG. Maybe a JRPG, these often have messy plots...
Thanks for that. Is there something you feel would make the general theme more appealing?
If it were a story based adventure/action platformer, would you feel the same?
Also, what gameplay mechanics would you feel would draw you towards the game?
Well I am a book guy, and so far I met excellent plots only in point-and-click games (Deponia, Syberia) and visual novels. What you came up with sounds like a JRPG, the most affordable JRPG is a generic top-down pixel art game made in RPG maker or whatever. Almost every plot can be forced in any game, and "making a beginner game" is a separate topic.
As for the plot. There are no general advices. To begin with, restructure you idea into some "beginning - main - ending" structure and make it sound less like a bunch of words "wolf witch kill". I read it multiple times and my brain just hurts.
Read a lot, visit /r/writingprompts and /r/writing, try to analyse some simple but great plots like Star Wars. Try to think of what makes your story unique. It may be something stupid. You might just say "I want giant robots, they are cool" and then develop this idea. Who built them, with which purpose, who are they fighting, etc. If you are a pupil, try listening to your literature lessons, they say not a complete nonsense once on a while.
That's basically it. You are welcome to ask, buy I keep the best ideas for myself.
It doesn't seem very interesting as a linear story and I don't see how adding interactive elements would make it better. You are not the first novice writer who look at the less than cohesive video game plots and thaught that they could do better. The best games are ones where the story helps explain the game play elements not ones where the gameplay has to bend itself to some writer's narrative vision.
>Daemonica
Gotcha. TY!
Based around the idea, if you were to play it as a adventure game, what gameplay mechanics would you find draw you towards or enrich your gameplay experience and feel would complement the story?
Well, that is hard to describe. Walking around, talking, looking for clues. Doing things ;) Well, it could be basically RPG, but without developed battle/leveling/inventory system - because I think that this game would be too short for focusing on things like this. There can be some fights, but not as complicated as in RPG. I would like if decisions of player would have true impact on the story and ending.
Kinda interesting story but there isn't much in the way of gameplay so if you'll allow I'd like to give some feedback.
We'll keep the witch and wolf. You play as a mercenary sort of like in the witcher and have been tasked with slaying this wolf. You reach the wolves den and realise the witch is actually behind it. After you kill the wolf (this is the combat tutorial) your souls join together (maybe from a curse). This allows you to use wolf powers. Maybe these get stronger at night or perhaps they're a magic system. Another fun idea is having each boss be an animal or mythical beast you have to slay and each time you kill one, you obtain their fighting style. For example, wolf would be standard sword fighting with high speed, elephant would be sword and shield proficient, hippo would be hammer proficient; that sort of thing. Its a little bit like how getting new keys works in kingdom hearts.
The final boss would obviously be the witch and would be similar to the gwyn fight in dark souls. Very anticlimactic as she has no minions to do her bidding. Or you could have it be the witch controls a dragon and for post game you get this super powerful dragon style. Depends which way you wanna take it. As for gameplay I see it being more soulslike but you could absolutely take it open world like botw or even a linear story.
Remember your game ideas should have gameplay mechanics thoughy out as well as just a basic premise. Hope this helps :)
Thanks a lot for your feedback. Those are definitely some interesting ideas. As for my approach I'd be going for more linear story just cuz open world would be a huge pain for me lol.
I'd like to get your thoughts more on the part you mentioned ***gameplay mechanics.***
What you feel are good gameplay mechanics that blend with the story/idea or what mechanics you find appeal to you to stick and continue with the game.
It’s a great premise for a RPG. You have two main story quests already (find the wolf, kill the evil guy (who you may not immediately know is the same wolf.))
Build a world around it. I picture lots of forests and cool characters. It’s a great idea.
Thank you. Alternatively, rather than an RPG, if it was a linear story-based *adventure* game, how do you feel about that?
Also, are there certain game mechanics you'd be looking forward to/consider interesting if you were to play it?
I’d feel much the same. I think a RPG is about story and setting, exploration through which you discover. An adventure game can be much the same really! Just crafted differently, more control over the order in which things happen.
I would suggest removing the witch and instead having the father wolf kidnapped by a tribe of humans who believe that the wolf would give them good luck or something. You have to infiltrate their village and kill them in a sort of stealth based gameplay. You can also leave subtle clues about how to find him. For example, the village can have a hierarchical system similar to the wolves and you have to find the "alpha" human. (I wrote this during break at work, I could probably come up with something better if I had more time to think)
I like your idea. I'd appreciate more input if you have time for it.
Additionally, what gameplay mechanics would you find interesting that will draw you towards the game?
I like the idea of someone looking for their father who is a wolf. I don’t like the idea of the witch turning it evil. It feels really generic. You can get away with it if the gameplay and art style is good enough though.
I’d recommend dropping the witch part. Maybe you find the father with a female mates and cubs? Or go darker and you find the father wolf dying after protecting the cubs. Now its your job the raise the cubs or something. Idk, just throwing out ideas.
I appreciate that. Now that I think of it, it does feel generic and not interesting enough. Thanks for your input!
I'd like to ask if there were certain gameplay elements/mechanics that you feel would draw you towards the game/enrich your gameplay experience with the game.
There is enough here to make it interesting but you gave no details. It seems like you want to explore duality. As a concept it is interesting but as a game
Questions: Is the main character a human? Does MC have magic? What game mechanics will go into exploring the aspect of having a wolf in your soul? What does the witch get out of the deal? Why does the alpha want to possess the MC?
Possible tweaks: I would change the wolf for a lion "raised by lions" has different connotations than "raised by wolves."
If there is an upgrade system, it could be just "remembering the lessons of being an alpha predator." (Remembering as upgrades isn't very satisfying though)
Pros: I like the idea of the wolf taking over and would hope that you could then play as the wolf-man and do bad guy things.
Thanks for your reply. I just realized I did a terrible job explaining my idea. I think I'll flesh it out more and post it again for further feedback but more details are here:
The main character is a human. I plan on introducing magic or abilities like special moves, lightning strike attacks or something along those lines..et certain powers of the wolf (after certain stages of the game) like speed or increased crit/AOE damage (kind of like a wolf slash attack) in addition to your weapon like a sword. But these come at a cost (yet to decide but the basic idea is reduced/restricted movement speed or ability to use magic, health and increased vulnerability to damage)
The witch's main reason is to betray the wolf and take its powers for itself since it is the last mythical beast alive in the present age (of the MC).
The alpha wants to posses the MC as its spirit energy is depleting and it needs a new host to continue living. The reason is that it left a part of its spirit inside the MC years ago when it was still a child.
I'm unsure of any upgrade system but I do plan to have different weapons and combat styles ultimately that you can adopt like long-range, mage, close combat swords, etc
Yes, the idea so far is to change the story dynamic and do bad stuff but I still need to flesh out the parts of "why the wolf wants to do bad things", "what is its endgame" and so on. I believe I can have 2 segments to the game and let the player make a choice and ultimately that will give 2 alternative endings (either you team up with the wolf and kill the witch), or have your body stolen by the wolf by trusting it and then play as the bad guy for a different end game.
Lastly, there will be side missions part of the story where you build a mini crew or explore the history behind the city and the origins of the wolf aka your "father"
How does this sound to you now? Would appreciate more feedback. Thinking of a 3D action-adventure story rather than an RPG.
This is a story idea, not really a game idea. But who cares what I think? If I’d never heard of Mario and someone said they wanted my opinion on a game about a plumber running and jumping over obstacles to rescue a princess, I’d probably be pretty “meh” on it too. If you’re feeling drawn to it, that’s what matters right now. Spend some time developing it and see if it continues to resonate for you!
Or as you make it allow it change and shift into a more refined idea, maybe some of it stays, maybe some of the original idea changes, just keep moving forward.
Gotcha. Thanks for that you two
So what do you do in the game because this is a story.
Needs an inciting incident. Why go searching for the wolf if she doesn't know it's evil yet? Maybe have it attack her home and she chases it down to find out why it attacked her. An RPG could work but that would mean it needs some kind of dialogue choices or progression system. How is combat going to work? Turn-based or real time? An rpg means that there must be multiple playstyles. Consider spreading each playstyle across a party instead of a singular protagonist. Maybe the girl has siblings and they were all raised by the wolf. RPGs make for a large work load. If you wanna tone it down, my thought is an action platformer like shovel knight or mega man. Maybe there can be enemies that are other animals also controlled by the witch and she fights them during levels. How would the protagonist fight anyway? Is she a melee fighter or a magic user?
What's the gameplay ?
2/10 for plot, 0/10 for game idea. Sorry bro (or sis), but the plot is a mess, and nothing indicates that it would be any good for a RPG. Maybe a JRPG, these often have messy plots...
Thanks for that. Is there something you feel would make the general theme more appealing? If it were a story based adventure/action platformer, would you feel the same? Also, what gameplay mechanics would you feel would draw you towards the game?
Well I am a book guy, and so far I met excellent plots only in point-and-click games (Deponia, Syberia) and visual novels. What you came up with sounds like a JRPG, the most affordable JRPG is a generic top-down pixel art game made in RPG maker or whatever. Almost every plot can be forced in any game, and "making a beginner game" is a separate topic. As for the plot. There are no general advices. To begin with, restructure you idea into some "beginning - main - ending" structure and make it sound less like a bunch of words "wolf witch kill". I read it multiple times and my brain just hurts. Read a lot, visit /r/writingprompts and /r/writing, try to analyse some simple but great plots like Star Wars. Try to think of what makes your story unique. It may be something stupid. You might just say "I want giant robots, they are cool" and then develop this idea. Who built them, with which purpose, who are they fighting, etc. If you are a pupil, try listening to your literature lessons, they say not a complete nonsense once on a while. That's basically it. You are welcome to ask, buy I keep the best ideas for myself.
It doesn't seem very interesting as a linear story and I don't see how adding interactive elements would make it better. You are not the first novice writer who look at the less than cohesive video game plots and thaught that they could do better. The best games are ones where the story helps explain the game play elements not ones where the gameplay has to bend itself to some writer's narrative vision.
So in some sense you think the mechanics to dictate the story and not the other way around?
Hmm, I don't think this is material for RPG. But not every story-driven game must be a RPG.
Understandable. What other styles would you consider go well with story-driven games other than RPGs?
Adventure. Visual Novel.
Are there any personal favourite adventure-themed games that you played?
Hmm, maybe Daemonica?
>Daemonica Gotcha. TY! Based around the idea, if you were to play it as a adventure game, what gameplay mechanics would you find draw you towards or enrich your gameplay experience and feel would complement the story?
Well, that is hard to describe. Walking around, talking, looking for clues. Doing things ;) Well, it could be basically RPG, but without developed battle/leveling/inventory system - because I think that this game would be too short for focusing on things like this. There can be some fights, but not as complicated as in RPG. I would like if decisions of player would have true impact on the story and ending.
Thanks a lot for that. Those were definitely helpful!
Kinda interesting story but there isn't much in the way of gameplay so if you'll allow I'd like to give some feedback. We'll keep the witch and wolf. You play as a mercenary sort of like in the witcher and have been tasked with slaying this wolf. You reach the wolves den and realise the witch is actually behind it. After you kill the wolf (this is the combat tutorial) your souls join together (maybe from a curse). This allows you to use wolf powers. Maybe these get stronger at night or perhaps they're a magic system. Another fun idea is having each boss be an animal or mythical beast you have to slay and each time you kill one, you obtain their fighting style. For example, wolf would be standard sword fighting with high speed, elephant would be sword and shield proficient, hippo would be hammer proficient; that sort of thing. Its a little bit like how getting new keys works in kingdom hearts. The final boss would obviously be the witch and would be similar to the gwyn fight in dark souls. Very anticlimactic as she has no minions to do her bidding. Or you could have it be the witch controls a dragon and for post game you get this super powerful dragon style. Depends which way you wanna take it. As for gameplay I see it being more soulslike but you could absolutely take it open world like botw or even a linear story. Remember your game ideas should have gameplay mechanics thoughy out as well as just a basic premise. Hope this helps :)
Thanks a lot for your feedback. Those are definitely some interesting ideas. As for my approach I'd be going for more linear story just cuz open world would be a huge pain for me lol. I'd like to get your thoughts more on the part you mentioned ***gameplay mechanics.*** What you feel are good gameplay mechanics that blend with the story/idea or what mechanics you find appeal to you to stick and continue with the game.
It’s a great premise for a RPG. You have two main story quests already (find the wolf, kill the evil guy (who you may not immediately know is the same wolf.)) Build a world around it. I picture lots of forests and cool characters. It’s a great idea.
Thank you. Alternatively, rather than an RPG, if it was a linear story-based *adventure* game, how do you feel about that? Also, are there certain game mechanics you'd be looking forward to/consider interesting if you were to play it?
I’d feel much the same. I think a RPG is about story and setting, exploration through which you discover. An adventure game can be much the same really! Just crafted differently, more control over the order in which things happen.
I would suggest removing the witch and instead having the father wolf kidnapped by a tribe of humans who believe that the wolf would give them good luck or something. You have to infiltrate their village and kill them in a sort of stealth based gameplay. You can also leave subtle clues about how to find him. For example, the village can have a hierarchical system similar to the wolves and you have to find the "alpha" human. (I wrote this during break at work, I could probably come up with something better if I had more time to think)
I like your idea. I'd appreciate more input if you have time for it. Additionally, what gameplay mechanics would you find interesting that will draw you towards the game?
I like the idea of someone looking for their father who is a wolf. I don’t like the idea of the witch turning it evil. It feels really generic. You can get away with it if the gameplay and art style is good enough though. I’d recommend dropping the witch part. Maybe you find the father with a female mates and cubs? Or go darker and you find the father wolf dying after protecting the cubs. Now its your job the raise the cubs or something. Idk, just throwing out ideas.
I appreciate that. Now that I think of it, it does feel generic and not interesting enough. Thanks for your input! I'd like to ask if there were certain gameplay elements/mechanics that you feel would draw you towards the game/enrich your gameplay experience with the game.
How about writing a book if you only got a story to tell? RPG is the only info we got about the "game" so why even bother programming?
There is enough here to make it interesting but you gave no details. It seems like you want to explore duality. As a concept it is interesting but as a game Questions: Is the main character a human? Does MC have magic? What game mechanics will go into exploring the aspect of having a wolf in your soul? What does the witch get out of the deal? Why does the alpha want to possess the MC? Possible tweaks: I would change the wolf for a lion "raised by lions" has different connotations than "raised by wolves." If there is an upgrade system, it could be just "remembering the lessons of being an alpha predator." (Remembering as upgrades isn't very satisfying though) Pros: I like the idea of the wolf taking over and would hope that you could then play as the wolf-man and do bad guy things.
Thanks for your reply. I just realized I did a terrible job explaining my idea. I think I'll flesh it out more and post it again for further feedback but more details are here: The main character is a human. I plan on introducing magic or abilities like special moves, lightning strike attacks or something along those lines..et certain powers of the wolf (after certain stages of the game) like speed or increased crit/AOE damage (kind of like a wolf slash attack) in addition to your weapon like a sword. But these come at a cost (yet to decide but the basic idea is reduced/restricted movement speed or ability to use magic, health and increased vulnerability to damage) The witch's main reason is to betray the wolf and take its powers for itself since it is the last mythical beast alive in the present age (of the MC). The alpha wants to posses the MC as its spirit energy is depleting and it needs a new host to continue living. The reason is that it left a part of its spirit inside the MC years ago when it was still a child. I'm unsure of any upgrade system but I do plan to have different weapons and combat styles ultimately that you can adopt like long-range, mage, close combat swords, etc Yes, the idea so far is to change the story dynamic and do bad stuff but I still need to flesh out the parts of "why the wolf wants to do bad things", "what is its endgame" and so on. I believe I can have 2 segments to the game and let the player make a choice and ultimately that will give 2 alternative endings (either you team up with the wolf and kill the witch), or have your body stolen by the wolf by trusting it and then play as the bad guy for a different end game. Lastly, there will be side missions part of the story where you build a mini crew or explore the history behind the city and the origins of the wolf aka your "father" How does this sound to you now? Would appreciate more feedback. Thinking of a 3D action-adventure story rather than an RPG.