Crux Diaries RPG - turn-based isometric indie CRPG set in an alternate history dystopian country on the brink of civil war

[dippy]

I don't trust my own judgement on every aspect of the game

You absolutely should trust your own judgement which stems from the vision you have for your project. If you want an advice pick a couple of well versed people sharing your vision and ask them specific questions. Listening to what people on forums say may be confusing imo

I tend to question my own judgments and like to gather input from different sources. I don’t have strong opinions on some of the smaller aspects of the game, but I know those details can be deal-breakers for others. So I’m just looking for a reasonable middle ground and compromises.
It's also not exactly easy to find the kind of knowledgeable, genuinely interested people you’re talking about.

My 5 c: it’s an interesting project, albeit having a very niche appeal. While looking distinctive and very oldschool-y I myself am not very hyped, because I very much like a solid and moody visual representation that allows me to be immersed in the setting. In your case I think going for photo realism may be that quirk to distinguish yourself from the many bland looking Fallout-inspired games.

Thx, I know that visuals sell. However, art is not one of my strengths. Unless some top-tier art director magically gets interested in this project, it’s not going to be what makes the game shine. If I end up with more resources later, visuals will be one of my first investments.

Obviously the meat of the game is its gameplay, which I don’t have much knowledge of (maybe missed it somewhere). Making a number of short posts describing the core concepts with animated gifs would help getting an insight.

I didn’t dive too deep into the details because, for now, it’s basically a trimmed-down OG Fallout. Lots of walking, branching dialogue, barter/looting, and turn-based combat. Using "trimmed Fallout" as a reference helps me keep the scope in check. I’ve seen too many projects spiral into fantasy land with people chasing some experimental, never-before-seen mechanic that ends up killing the whole thing before it even starts

 

[dippy]

Some DOS-enjoyer on the Steam forums asked me for a video of the original DOS version gameplay (talking 2001–2003 era stuff).
I thought I'd share it here as well:

 

[Hydro]

Some DOS-enjoyer on the Steam forums asked me for a video of the original DOS version gameplay (talking 2001–2003 era stuff).
I thought I'd share it here as well:

Lol, those chiptune versions of Russian big hits of that era and the T2 main theme

Thx, I know that visuals sell. However, art is not one of my strengths. Unless some top-tier art director magically gets interested in this project, it’s not going to be what makes the game shine. If I end up with more resources later, visuals will be one of my first investments.

Understandable. My dream is to one day see Александр Селезнёв art directing some game, but the guy was too autistic (and too genuine) last I checked.

 

[dippy]

Some DOS-enjoyer on the Steam forums asked me for a video of the original DOS version gameplay (talking 2001–2003 era stuff).
I thought I'd share it here as well:

Lol, those chiptune versions of Russian big hits of that era and the T2 main theme

Ah, a true gentleman of refined taste and culture

Back then, if I liked the tune and could get my hands on a decent MIDI file, the track was in.

Thx, I know that visuals sell. However, art is not one of my strengths. Unless some top-tier art director magically gets interested in this project, it’s not going to be what makes the game shine. If I end up with more resources later, visuals will be one of my first investments.

Understandable. My dream is to one day see Александр Селезнёв art directing some game, but the guy was too autistic (and too genuine) last I checked.

Thx for sharing! Quite a few interesting and thought provoking works. I think he needs to collaborate with another master of his calibre like Александр Пошелюжин (the author of Fallout Sonora).

Do you think some loading screens below would fit?

I came across them here https://www.instagram.com/artarkadia

 

[Hydro]

Some DOS-enjoyer on the Steam forums asked me for a video of the original DOS version gameplay (talking 2001–2003 era stuff).
I thought I'd share it here as well:

Lol, those chiptune versions of Russian big hits of that era and the T2 main theme

Ah, a true gentleman of refined taste and culture

Back then, if I liked the tune and could get my hands on a decent MIDI file, the track was in.

Thx, I know that visuals sell. However, art is not one of my strengths. Unless some top-tier art director magically gets interested in this project, it’s not going to be what makes the game shine. If I end up with more resources later, visuals will be one of my first investments.

Understandable. My dream is to one day see Александр Селезнёв art directing some game, but the guy was too autistic (and too genuine) last I checked.

Thx for sharing! Quite a few interesting and thought provoking works. I think he needs to collaborate with another master of his calibre like Александр Пошелюжин (the author of Fallout Sonora).

Do you think some loading screens below would fit?

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View attachment 64672	View attachment 64673	View attachment 64674

I came across them here https://www.instagram.com/artarkadia

Amazing artwork! The desolated industrial landscape of the post-Soviet outskirts is a greatly overlooked concept. This is how “Russian Fallout” (for lack of a better term) should have looked like, not that lame, goofy Atom take.

 

[dippy]

Amazing artwork! The desolated industrial landscape of the post-Soviet outskirts is a greatly overlooked concept. This is how “Russian Fallout” (for lack of a better term) should have looked like, not that lame, goofy Atom take.

Guess we'll never know if ATOM would've done better with this aesthetic. The fact they pulled off a game of that scale is a miracle in itself. Massive respect to the devs!

 

[dippy]

I've been recently working on tile contouring for turn-based combat since everybody hated the circles drawn over tiles.

 

[Abu Antar]

I like what I see, but the inventory menu needs a touch up.

 

[dippy]

I like what I see, but the inventory menu needs a touch up.

Sure, what do you think would make it better or what are the worst bits?

 

[udm]

Background texturing and some solid textured borders would be sweet. Something that emphasises the vibe/aesthetic you're going for.

 

[Abu Antar]

I like what I see, but the inventory menu needs a touch up.

Sure, what do you think would make it better or what are the worst bits?

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View attachment 65128

Ahh, sorry that I forgot to answer. Skip the black background, and try to make the inventory mesh with the actual game. Take a look at older games. What you have now is functional, but not very pleasing to look at. Maybe a bit more stylized, or at least udm said: Add borders and some textures.

 

[dippy]

Ahh, sorry that I forgot to answer. Skip the black background, and try to make the inventory mesh with the actual game. Take a look at older games. What you have now is functional, but not very pleasing to look at. Maybe a bit more stylized, or at least udm said: Add borders and some textures.

Background texturing and some solid textured borders would be sweet. Something that emphasises the vibe/aesthetic you're going for.

Do you mean something along the lines of putting the border over the entire inventory window (like a mock-up below) or more like individual items?

 

[Abu Antar]

More like the picture below than individual borders.

 

[udm]

What Abu Antar said. See OG Fallout's and Baldur's Gate's UIs as solid examples.