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I have several ideas, and not nearly the time, resources or energy to ever make anything out of all of them, so I was wondering if some of the more experienced devs and players lurking about the site would be willing to give their opinions on which of them suck, and which I might want to keep around for future projects. Thanks to all of you in advance!

Edit: It occurs to me that I'm not even certain that this topic is in the right place. Please let me know if I need to move elsewhere.

1. A fantasy setting with the classic 'prophesied hero/heroine' and his/her 'fated nemesis', who each reincarnate in various forms throughout the ages. In one such age, their souls try to reincarnate into the same body but partially fuse instead. Our unfortunate protagonist is born bearing the weight of two very heavy and more than a little contradictory destinies.

• Set in modern Earth, a fiendishly intelligent high-schooler has been supporting himself and his little sister through a combination of odd jobs and cunning thefts, maintaining the illusion that their reclusive parents are still alive to avoid the possibility of separation from his sister in the foster care program. His secret is uncovered, however, by a shrewd private investigator on the trail of a much more dangerous serial criminal, and he is blackmailed into assisting him. Neither of them knows just how strange and dangerous the case will turn out to be. (I'd been toying with the idea of making the little sister the criminal, as that would create some interesting interactions, but I think it would be interesting for it to be an alternate personality of the main character's who takes over his body while he sleeps. Once he realises this, there could well be an L versus Light style match of wills, with neither party able to directly attack the other.

• Another rather cliched 'hero(ine) of prophecy' story, but this time, our protagonist realises that (s)he is not the actual hero, and is merely being set up as such to serve the selfish interests of the prophet caste. Will (s)he be able to outwit the prophets, find the true hero(ine), and prepare him/her to fight the Dark Lord in time for the Final Battle? The world may never know.

I like the second best, but a part of it kind of reminds me of Fifteen Days Without a Head book which I liked. :3
The last one reminds me of a manga I forgot its name.
Anyways, I like them, but I think you should work on the second one first because I like it best. XD

I think you better base your project on the idea you like the most. Because f.ex. I like the second idea the least - both because of the little sister cliché and the criminal setting that tends to be very unrealistic and again highly clichéd in such projects. The last idea reminds me too of several books I've read, so the first idea seems the most fun to me.

Not a dev (yet, fingers crossed), but i read a lot of stories. I'd post my opinion, no offense intended.

I'm not sure where you're leading with the 1st one, it is very vague. Lots of work can be done with it.

2nd one sounds very dark and gloomy. I like this one the best, it has a solid setting, an interesting premise, and plausible plot twists. Sounds like a VN i read couple years back.
On the other hand. it can easily disappoints the reader if story isn't very well made.

The 3rd one sounds very generic. Another hero(ine) rise against evil overlords and finding true love(?), is pretty generic. It feels Claymore all over again.

IMO; Drop the 3rd. Work on the 1st one. Come back on the 2nd story later on, when you have more ideas to work into it.

Hope it helps.

It should probably be under "Asset Creation: Writing".

My thoughts on idea 1: It sort of reminds me of Soul Nomad (it is a game where the main hero has the power of the villain placed into his body in order to defeat him, but he can also choose to give in to the temptation of ultimate power and start an evil rampage instead). So it could go places if it was done right. Or it could be cliched (like seriously, how many amnesiac JRPG protagonists have found out they are actually linked to "insert villain here" and then have a crisis of conscience).

Idea 2: Maybe it's a little too similar to Death Note. I mean, you have a genius criminal versus a genius detective. I think people will notice the parallels quickly.

Idea 3: I feel like the idea of there being a "true hero" sort of takes away the interest from the main character. Maybe it could be more like Z.H.P. Unlosing Ranger where the real hero dies and you are forced to take up the mantle... comedically trying to do stuff that would come easily to the main hero while not trying to tip off the evil Sauron guy about your true nature?

Thank you all for responding! (I expected that perhaps a couple would weigh in, if I was lucky, but not four!)

Royalty wrote:I like the second best, but a part of it kind of reminds me of Fifteen Days Without a Head book which I liked. :3
The last one reminds me of a manga I forgot its name.
Anyways, I like them, but I think you should work on the second one first because I like it best. XD

I will seek out that book, as it sounds interesting! If you happen to remember the name if that manga before you forget all about this conversation, I'd appreciate it if you'd let me know! I will keep your opinion in mind!

Katta wrote:I think you better base your project on the idea you like the most. Because f.ex. I like the second idea the least - both because of the little sister cliché and the criminal setting that tends to be very unrealistic and again highly clichéd in such projects. The last idea reminds me too of several books I've read, so the first idea seems the most fun to me.

That does have the ring of good advice. I'm beginning to think I was more than a little naive asking others to sort out my ideas for me. I have been debating the little sister's inclusion in the scenario that she isn't the criminal. If it wouldn't be too much trouble, I'd like to learn of these books you mention. I can always use a good read, and I certainly wouldn't want to use ideas that are already in use elsewhere!

Marygold wrote:Not a dev (yet, fingers crossed), but i read a lot of stories. I'd post my opinion, no offense intended.

I'm not sure where you're leading with the 1st one, it is very vague. Lots of work can be done with it.

2nd one sounds very dark and gloomy. I like this one the best, it has a solid setting, an interesting premise, and plausible plot twists. Sounds like a VN i read couple years back.
On the other hand. it can easily disappoints the reader if story isn't very well made.

The 3rd one sounds very generic. Another hero(ine) rise against evil overlords and finding true love(?), is pretty generic. It feels Claymore all over again.

IMO; Drop the 3rd. Work on the 1st one. Come back on the 2nd story later on, when you have more ideas to work into it.

Hope it helps.

Your response is greatly appreciated! Best of luck in becoming a dev! Do you remember the name of that VN, by any chance? It sounds like something I'd like to read. I haven't read Claymore, but that idea does sound the most cliched to me. True love isn't something I was planning to include (too trite for my taste), but I can see how you'd get that impression.

SundownKid wrote:It should probably be under "Asset Creation: Writing".

My thoughts on idea 1: It sort of reminds me of Soul Nomad (it is a game where the main hero has the power of the villain placed into his body in order to defeat him, but he can also choose to give in to the temptation of ultimate power and start an evil rampage instead). So it could go places if it was done right. Or it could be cliched (like seriously, how many amnesiac JRPG protagonists have found out they are actually linked to "insert villain here" and then have a crisis of conscience).

Idea 2: Maybe it's a little too similar to Death Note. I mean, you have a genius criminal versus a genius detective. I think people will notice the parallels quickly.

Idea 3: I feel like the idea of there being a "true hero" sort of takes away the interest from the main character. Maybe it could be more like Z.H.P. Unlosing Ranger where the real hero dies and you are forced to take up the mantle... comedically trying to do stuff that would come easily to the main hero while not trying to tip off the evil Sauron guy about your true nature?
Twist at the end being that the hero and evil lord kill each other at the same time and the evil lord was also a weakling.

Thank you for informing me. I would relocate, but I've already had more of a response than I expected and intend not to seek further feedback.

I will say that I had no intention of pursuing the latter route you mention, as that particular cliche annoys me a great deal as well.

It does have a more than passing similarity, though I think 'ruthless' would describe the PI in my idea better than 'genius'. If done well, it could differentiate itself, I think.

I read a book a long time ago where the 'prophecied hero(ine)' wasn't the protagonist, so I do know it can be done well. Whether I can do it well is potentially a question for the future. Your idea does sound like it could be a lot of fun, however! I would read that in a heartbeat.