Looking for a specific feature-set before I get too deep...
Posted: Sat Apr 30, 2022 1:02 pm
So I'm starting to develop a new game (my brother already wrote the story) and I'm starting to teach myself Ren'PY. I got all the way through the Introduction with simple variables and one "counting" variable, and things are going ok (filler graphics, no sound yet, but the plan is fully voice acted). The issues I see are in the more advanced systems that I know are further in the game, and I wonder if there's a simpler engine that will have some or all of those features built in.
The problem is, I don't want to code the same game 5 times only to find out that an engine that doesn't need "code" is missing a feature or capability I could learn to build in Python... So I'll ask the experts.
This will be a Visual Murder Mystery (inspired by the likes of Danganrompa/Zero Escape) set in a dystopian fantasy world.
Required features:
Navigating locations (visual "buttons" preffered, but text menus might work if buttons are too complicated).
Audio per line for Full Voice Acting.
Flexible graphics for effects and moving characters (obviously some can be video/animated, but basic movement helps)
More Importantly:
Inventory system to track items and adjust the story based on what you have/don't. Two or three "tabs" for different types of items (Items, Clues and Alibis). Ability to use items with each other (combine certain clues to get new information and new clues).
Ability to drag clues into “blanks” in the story or specific boxes to check if you have the right clues.
"Trust Meter" like a health bar for conversations. Also a "button" to quickly reset trust and the current conversation.
Obviously all of this can be done in Ren'PY with the right code, and some is actually very reusable from others, but I'm wondering if there's an engine out there that has AT LEAST all those features and might be faster to "code"... Thoughts?
If no other engine, I"m happy for pointers to cookbook/code snippets for any of the inventory systems in Ren'PY.
The problem is, I don't want to code the same game 5 times only to find out that an engine that doesn't need "code" is missing a feature or capability I could learn to build in Python... So I'll ask the experts.
This will be a Visual Murder Mystery (inspired by the likes of Danganrompa/Zero Escape) set in a dystopian fantasy world.
Required features:
Navigating locations (visual "buttons" preffered, but text menus might work if buttons are too complicated).
Audio per line for Full Voice Acting.
Flexible graphics for effects and moving characters (obviously some can be video/animated, but basic movement helps)
More Importantly:
Inventory system to track items and adjust the story based on what you have/don't. Two or three "tabs" for different types of items (Items, Clues and Alibis). Ability to use items with each other (combine certain clues to get new information and new clues).
Ability to drag clues into “blanks” in the story or specific boxes to check if you have the right clues.
"Trust Meter" like a health bar for conversations. Also a "button" to quickly reset trust and the current conversation.
Obviously all of this can be done in Ren'PY with the right code, and some is actually very reusable from others, but I'm wondering if there's an engine out there that has AT LEAST all those features and might be faster to "code"... Thoughts?
If no other engine, I"m happy for pointers to cookbook/code snippets for any of the inventory systems in Ren'PY.