Module 14- The Final Module

Module 14- Final Module

Final Exam (Game Title)

For the final module of the class, I decided to play a game that has been sitting in my Steam library for a while.  The game's title is Final Exam.

Final Exam is a 2.5D platformer/beat-em-up game.  It has co-op modes and is quite fun.  It's more of a platformer-survival game where you have to complete different objectives to escape the monsters while fending off hordes.  The title, Final Exam comes from the intro story of the game, where a group of friends were heading to their high school reunion.  Instead of going to the party of their lives, they have to defend their lives against the monsters that have overrun their hometown.

The gameplay and mechanics are solid.  I used an Xbox 360 controller to play this game and it feels similar to a mixture of Phantom Breaker:  Battlegrounds beat-em-up gameplay with Left4Dead's zombie horde spawning and weapons.  

Controls:  Left stick to move, click the stick like a button to sprint.

X to melee attack.

A to jump.

B to pick up objects/ perform actions.

RB for grenades

RT for an equipped gun.  Normally shoots straight in the direction you are facing, but you can aim with the right stick.

LT to pick up (carry) objects such as crates.  You can also pick up and throw small enemies.

Up on Dpad to use healing food items.

The game plays like most other 2D platformers.  There melee weapons, guns, and grenades in the game to attack enemies with.  You have limited ammo, but it is not hard to get more as enemies will drop ammo frequently, especially when a swarm attacks you.  However, you can only carry so much ammo and you will need to empty out your ammo clip before you can reload or pick up more ammo.  There are grenades, but these do not drop as frequently as ammo.  Grenades are best used in swarm attacks and boss fights.  The weapon you will use the most is your melee weapon.  You start out with a baseball bat and can gain other weapons later on, such as a machete or axe.  This weapon is your number one defense against monsters, since you don't have to worry about your melee weapon breaking.

I played through the tutorial and the first level of the game.  So far, the game has been challenging, but not too difficult.  I died on the boss enough times to get a game over, but it will let you restart from the last objective or the beginning of the chapter.  You have three lives, but these reset after you continue, so eventually you can get through the level.  It appears as though if you play the game in co-op, the other player might be able to save you instead of having to use a life, as the game will prompt you to press B to use a life.  There is a scoring system for each level where you can earn more points for combos.

There are a total of eight levels in the game (at least from what I can see, with the other levels locked).  You can play the game in either 2 player local co-op or 4 player online co-op.  I have not yet played this game in co-op, because unfortunately, none of my friends have it.  There is also a time attack mode to unlock, likely after you complete the main story levels.

Overall, this game is decent and would be a fun game to play in co-op.  It feels too much like a clone of other games, but it runs smoothly and is still a good game, just not a game I would play for several hours on end.  It's only $10, but I would wait for a sale.  It's available here:  http://store.steampowered.com/app/233190/

Final Project Game:  Legend of Santa

I made this game in RPG Maker VX Ace.  It is an action-RPG with turn-based boss battles.  It uses Falcao's ABS system as the base of the project and Christmas Faces from Idril on the RPG Maker forum.  I posted this on Steam Workshop for people to edit and play if you have RPG Maker VX Ace.
I also posted a version for those that don't have RPG Maker VX Ace:

The story is about how the first Santa was appointed.

Controls:

Spacebar:  Action button/talk
ESC:  Full menu, you will be prompted when you need this.
Other controls are explained in the tutorial.


Full game (OneDrive link):  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AiFN_Go9RHsPhE7gljHk6aqnxi8q

Steam Workshop:  http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=816096075

Credits:

Falcao's ABS system (base of project): 
https://falcaorgss.wordpress.com/category/pearl-abs-liquid/


Christmas Faces(Idril):
http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/44267-idrils-resource-grove/