My father's apprentice [VN] [Gothic Horror] Update Music

[Googaboga]

Lovin' that GUI and Peter's eyes in that picture looks excellent. This game's presentation is top notch.

I don't have any suggestions for gameplay ^^;. So far it sounds good to me though :].

[Mirrowdothack]

If you're doing the "one wrong decision leads to death"-thing, consider to add some "respawn" points.
I did this in my VN Y;N and it was really helpful for some players who weren't saving all the time.
If a decision leads to a certain ending you wouldn't need them, but if you can die many time as a part of the gameplay, it would be frustrating to start again and again^^

You could also add some research or logic gameplay, but that depends on the story *in my opinion, you don't need to add gameplay elements just to have gameplay. If it fits and supports the story then I'm totally in love with gameplay.^^

research could probably fit, since Agatha is looking for some answers. Or maybe there are some clues hidden in some dialogs that the player has to remember and to user later in the game? (just ideas)
Just think about the story and if part of it could be used as gameplay elements^^

(btw: I was wondering: How did you add the glow around the font in your dialog-box? Is there a way to do this via Ren'Py?)

[Shio_Fuu]

@try10 but it's the best type, right? ;D
@kisa Hmm I wonder why? xd
@Googaboga thank you! I try to do my best!

@Mirrowdothack There won't be many endings (deaths) in My father's apprentice. The game is going to be rather short but I like it that way. Better short than boring! And Agatha can snoop around when Peter is not home, it's a significant part of gameplay!



About GUI - it's only wip in Photoshop, I'm not sure if my programmer can make glowing effect in Ren'py. We'll talk it through and I post more about it later.

By the way your VN sounds very interesting! I'll definitely check it out when I get some time!

[kisa]

if you do it right, you could probably make all of the textboxes that appear (text and glowy effect included) in PS and then show them as images?
considering that it's a short game, it might be a thing you could do...

I dunno, I might just like doing things the hard way if it looks awesome.

[PyTom]

You could probably approximate the glowing effect using multiple outlines.

[Shio_Fuu]

@kisa thanks for suggestion, though I'm not sure it'll work... The game isn't that short
@PyTom Thank you, we'll try it! I'm still waiting for my programmer to be available though...

New CG for you guys - sleeping Agatha. The resolution for now is 1280x720. What do you think?

[kisa]

... I want to turn into one of the little people and roll in her hair... it looks so lovely. *Smiles like the creeper I just sounded like*

The art is lovely.

[Sopheria]

Now that is the face of someone who isn't happy >_<

@Mirrowdothack thanks! I hope you won't be disappointed!

Here's a first look at GUI, it's still pretty much in development. And veeery angry Peter!



We're figuring out gameplay, so the first question is still open - what kind of gameplay would you like us to add?
Right now it looks a lot like survival horror. One wrong decision and Agatha dies :0

[Mad Harlequin]

That glare is simultaneously terrifying and beautiful.

And Agatha's hair . . . wow. I love it!

As far as gameplay goes, I'm fine with whatever suits the story best.

[AntiquedFae]

*.* It all looks so wonderfully beautiful and disturbingly terrible. I love it.

As for gameplay, I'd really like it to stay away from survival horror one-wrong-click-you-dead if possible. Just a strong personal opinion because I don't feel like I am making much progress if I keep on needing to restart, over and over. Though one wrong click and instant death, despite the possibility of becoming very frustrating(especially if there are other players like me and they have a unique and special talent for always accidentally getting killed in games whenever death is possible [and sometimes when it is not]) at least with instant death you get a slap-on-the-hand right after you do the wrong thing so you know where you messed up. The worst thing to me is when you have multiple choices throughout a game and then there is a 'time of reckoning' at the end, where if you chose how ever many 'wrong' options then you die...and then need to restart with no clue at which point(s) you messed up. @__@ I hate those games so much. So I'd personally prefer if there weren't a whole bunch of deaths, but if there are then I'm begging you to make them either instant wrong choice or, if not that, then to have them stand out in some fairly obvious way; either with a programmed sound or something, or in the way it is written. That is my opinion.

I have so fallen in love with this game. I've probably said it before, but it really reminds me of the old Victorian gothics. So beautifully messed up. I can't wait to play this!~

[Shio_Fuu]

@kisa ahaha sure, you have my permission ^___^

@Sopheria yep, no self control XD

@Mad Harlequin thank you! =3

@AntiquedFae thank you, your opinion is very important! Especially at this point while things can still be changed. I personally want the gameplay to be more diverse. And don't worry, there're not going to be many deaths and all of them are an instant wrong choice.

[Hazel-Bun]

That's a relief >>" I don't really... enjoy horror, and would rather just die and start over then it be a prolonged scare fest. Very nice art so far btw!

[AntiquedFae]

Gaaaahh late reply!!

This aside: Yay! The gameplay sounds really lovely, and I'm so relieved there are not very many death scenes and all are instant death! Phew! I'll keep looking forward to it! It just sounds better and better to me. ^.^

[Akitsuki]

This looks super interesting! I like the premise and the art is just lovely! *squeals at handsome father and badass guardian*
I'm fine whether it'll have romance route or not, I'm just curious how the story will turn out.

I have mole in the same place like Agatha does aaaaa--

[Shio_Fuu]

@Hazel-Bun well it's still a horror story =3 I'm not sure how scary it'll turn out, but I hope it'll be at least creepy But there's no gore in it! I think gothic horror is more about atmosphere!

@AntiquedFae I'm sorry for always replying late... ´＿`

@Akitsuki aww thanks ^__^ and father is my favourite character hehe

A new mock up screenshot. It's still a mock up, but I talked to my programmer and we're thinking about making this game in Construct 2 cause it gives us more freedom with gameplay.



Will be looking for an editor soon!