Maidens of the Kaleidoscope

~Hakurei Shrine~ => Rika and Nitori's Garage Experiments => Topic started by: Sparen on May 07, 2015, 02:54:23 PM

Title: 西天東地第一弾:Adamantine Memory Blade [New Version Released 02/23!]
Post by: Sparen on May 07, 2015, 02:54:23 PM
SeitenTouji 1 - Adamantine Memory Blade

(https://sparen.github.io/img-hoster/public/STTJ-Splash.png)

If you are looking for my primary release thread, please refer to here (https://www.shrinemaiden.org/forum/index.php/topic,13738.0.html)

Hello residents of MotK! This is Sparen, now embarking on my own series of 2D Vertical Scrolling Touhou parodies Danmaku shooters! The first game in the new series, which I am calling SeitenTouji, is Adamantine Memory Blade, and was released on Q3 2016 Q3 2017 Q1 2018 May 24, 2018 July 13, 2018, with a follow up update on Feb 23, 2019!

This game stars a cast completely independent from those of the Touhou Series (it is meant to be similar to Len'en in that it is obviously based on Touhou but does not actually contain Touhou Characters) in a strange uncharted world.

The game stars Teiki on his quest to understand the new world he is in.

Artists: Sparen, AchySolrock, CK Crash
Composers: Sparen, GhoulMage (one track), FrenticPony (one track), RickyRister (five tracks)

Current Release Version: 1.06
Current Demo Version: RC-3 (http://www.bulletforge.org/u/sparen/p/seitentouji-adamantine-memory-blade-3-stage-demo)
Download Full Game (1.06) at Bulletforge (http://www.bulletforge.org/u/sparen/p/seitentouji-1-adamantine-memory-blade)

Current Progress
SYSTEM: Complete
STAGE 1: Complete
STAGE 2: Complete
STAGE 3: Complete
STAGE 4: Complete
STAGE 5: Complete
STAGE 6: Complete
STAGE X: Complete
OVERDRIVES: Complete
LAST WORDS: Complete

Demo Versions
Beta 1: 2016 04 21 [RC-1 Closed Beta]
Beta 2: 2016 05 01 [RC-2 Closed Beta]
Beta 3: 2016 05 15 [RC-3 Three Stage Demo]

Previews
Official Video Preview (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9DFkazXT1M)
(https://sparen.github.io/img-hoster/public/STTJ-Koro-Mid.png) (https://sparen.github.io/img-hoster/public/STTJ-Koro-Mid.png)
(https://sparen.github.io/img-hoster/public/STTJ-Stage2.png) (https://sparen.github.io/img-hoster/public/STTJ-Stage2.png)
(https://sparen.github.io/img-hoster/public/STTJ-Taiga-Last.png)
(https://sparen.github.io/img-hoster/public/STTJ-Stage5.png) (https://sparen.github.io/img-hoster/public/STTJ-Stage5.png)
(https://sparen.github.io/img-hoster/public/STTJ-Ex.png) (https://sparen.github.io/img-hoster/public/STTJ-Ex.png)

Video Playthroughs
SparenofIr?a (v1.01 Normal TeikiB): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZM4jslV-doQ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZM4jslV-doQ)
Title: Re: 西天東地第一弾:Adamantine Memory Blade [WIP Danmakufu Fangame]
Post by: Sparen on May 07, 2015, 02:54:30 PM
Reserved Post
Title: Re: 西天東地第一弾:Adamantine Memory Blade [WIP Danmakufu Fangame]
Post by: Sparen on May 23, 2015, 03:44:46 AM
Work has been done, my crew has been (partially) assembled, and the next set of system and implementation hurdles has been overcome!

(https://sparen.github.io/img-hoster/public/STTJ-Koro-Mid.png)

I hope to have a three stage demo ready by the end of summer, although whether or not that will happen is still to be determined at a later time.
Title: Re: 西天東地第一弾:Adamantine Memory Blade [WIP Danmakufu Fangame]
Post by: Sparen on June 16, 2015, 03:03:32 AM
Official Video Preview!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9DFkazXT1M (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9DFkazXT1M)
Title: Re: 西天東地第一弾:Adamantine Memory Blade [WIP Danmakufu Fangame]
Post by: Sparen on September 25, 2015, 09:44:27 PM
~~~Hello Everyone~~~

As of today, I am finally firing GhoulMage and am now actively looking for a composer who does not take five months to come up with a single track. I cannot pay you, of course, and you'll have to deal with a number of unreasonable composing and arranging requests.

And yes, this project was on hiatus for three months or so and still technically is, but I'm trying, on some level, to revive it.
Title: Re: 西天東地第一弾:Adamantine Memory Blade [WIP Danmakufu Fangame]
Post by: Uruwi on September 26, 2015, 02:08:05 AM
~~~Hello Everyone~~~

As of today, I am finally firing GhoulMage and am now actively looking for a composer who does not take five months to come up with a single track. I cannot pay you, of course, and you'll have to deal with a number of unreasonable composing and arranging requests.

And yes, this project was on hiatus for three months or so and still technically is, but I'm trying, on some level, to revive it.

Rejoice! We have news!

Your requirements might be more reasonable than they sound. Of course, though, I probably won't be able to pull off a satisfactory job either.
Title: Re: 西天東地第一弾:Adamantine Memory Blade [WIP Danmakufu Fangame]
Post by: Gusano Wornis on October 20, 2015, 08:03:26 PM
~~~Hello Everyone~~~

As of today, I am finally firing GhoulMage and am now actively looking for a composer who does not take five months to come up with a single track. I cannot pay you, of course, and you'll have to deal with a number of unreasonable composing and arranging requests.

And yes, this project was on hiatus for three months or so and still technically is, but I'm trying, on some level, to revive it.

I can do 2 or 3 tracks. but my problem is the lack of internet, so I'm always connected 1 time at the week.
Can do stage, boss or title tracks.
Title: Re: 西天東地第一弾:Adamantine Memory Blade [WIP Danmakufu Fangame]
Post by: Sparen on October 20, 2015, 08:17:39 PM
I can do 2 or 3 tracks. but my problem is the lack of internet, so I'm always connected 1 time at the week.
Can do stage, boss or title tracks.

Thanks for the offer but since I'm aiming for something very different from Touhou style for the majority of the game, I don't know how well you'd be able to pull it off. Also, you have your own game to worry about. :)
Title: Re: 西天東地第一弾:Adamantine Memory Blade [WIP Danmakufu Game]
Post by: Sparen on January 12, 2016, 06:31:24 AM
Hooray, for the hiatus has sort of become less dramatic, as there is some sort of progress being made...ish.

Anyways, have a video of a spell background. The character portrayed is not the character that will appear with the spell background in question (Just using Raiden because I don't have to write any new code to show the background)

https://youtu.be/LBSQZ3mwKE4

~~~

Anyways, still looking for someone willing to compose Stage 4 and Stage 5 stage tracks, as well as Final Stage and boss tracks. If nobody responds, the music quality will be the same as in the video - crapton of distortion guitar with no real melody except for ear cringe.
Title: Re: 西天東地第一弾:Adamantine Memory Blade [WIP Danmakufu Game]
Post by: Sparen on February 16, 2016, 05:16:37 AM
STATUS UPDATE!

Yes, the game is already half a year off-schedule. Yes I'm going to end up producing all of the remaining assets. Yes Lunatic Mode is super easy while Easy Mode makes UFO look like a cakewalk.

But I have a little more free time, and having moved from Skype to Discord means that I'm getting more suggestions and feedback than before. Resource creation has been going rather well, and enough music tracks have been made that I don't feel like it's hopeless.

Current tagged version is v0.43. Stage 3 demo is still in reach. Just need a few days of time and inspiration and not-marathoning-anime to get it done.

On a side note, I'm still phasing out unoriginal resources, but the shot sheet cannot go due to my inexperience with making my own. Critical bugs found in the system will be back-ported to my Seiran script once the RaNGE 16 contest results have been announced.
Title: Re: 西天東地第一弾:Adamantine Memory Blade [WIP Danmakufu Game]
Post by: Sparen on March 09, 2016, 03:51:26 PM
Have a preview~

(https://sparen.github.io/img-hoster/public/STTJ-Taiga-Last.png)

Currently working on unlockables - omake skits and ExAttack practice attacks need to be locked until they are, well... unlocked.

One more spell and a bunch of graphical replacements, and I should be ready to release a three stage demo.
Title: Re: 西天東地第一弾:Adamantine Memory Blade [WIP Danmakufu Game]
Post by: TalosMistake on March 10, 2016, 08:47:45 AM
The colors are so fantasy! I really like it.
Me : Waiting for the demo...
Title: Re: 西天東地第一弾:Adamantine Memory Blade [WIP Danmakufu Game]
Post by: Sparen on March 29, 2016, 09:09:14 PM
I am greatly pleased to announce that Stage 3's danmaku has been completed! Soon this project will finally go into release candidate mode as improvements are made to various components of the game. Heavy difficulty balancing will begin shortly, as well as new and relevant content and upgrades/replacements of temporary sprite sheets.

Although I cannot specify an exact date for the three-stage demo, it will actually come out this year, so that's good news.

I will update this individual post as necessary until the release of the three stage demo.



UPDATE April 12, 2016: We are one sprite sheet replacement away from entering the final stage of beta-testing. Please wait warmly for up to two months as I procrastinate on that last sprite sheet. 



UPDATE April 16, 2016: We are now entering the pre-release beta-testing period. Please wait warmly for bugs to be found.
Title: Re: 西天東地第一弾:Adamantine Memory Blade [WIP Danmakufu Game]
Post by: Sparen on April 22, 2016, 02:27:53 AM
I am now actively looking for beta testers. The game is ready for testing, and it would be nice to have more than three people trying to find issues.

PM me if you are interested.
Title: Re: 西天東地第一弾:Adamantine Memory Blade [WIP Danmakufu Game]
Post by: Sparen on May 09, 2016, 05:16:00 PM
TENTATIVE 3 STAGE DEMO RELEASE DATE: MAY 14, 2016

Cuz I need to stop procrastinating on the beta testing and actually test my game and stuff instead of playing 12 hours of Factorio a day.
Title: Re: 西天東地第一弾:Adamantine Memory Blade [WIP Danmakufu Game]
Post by: Sparen on May 14, 2016, 06:13:43 PM
3 Stage Demo (http://www.bulletforge.org/u/sparen/p/seitentouji-adamantine-memory-blade-3-stage-demo)
Title: Re: 西天東地第一弾:Adamantine Memory Blade [3 Stage Demo Released!!!!!]
Post by: Sparen on June 11, 2016, 04:00:41 AM
Hello everyone.

I've decided that I need to actually do stuff to get this project moving, so tomorrow (June 11, 2016), I plan to have a development stream similar to the ones used for Ephemeral Unnatural Balance. The public will be able to see how the project is progressing and will be able to give feedback as well.



Stream date and time: 2016 06 11 (SAT) @ 2PM EST
Stream is currently FINISHED

Goals:
--052-055: Fable 「The Android Who Cried Rai-Garou」 Completed
--056-059: Word of Mouth 「A Most Dangerous Forbidden Game」Completed
--Maryuu Boss Nonspell 2 Completed
--060-063: Fable 「The Little Cyborg」
--064-067: Word of Mouth 「Eternal Transient Reign」

Priority goals are bolded.
Additional stretch goals are italicized.
Title: Re: 西天東地第一弾:Adamantine Memory Blade [3 Stage Demo Released!!!!!]
Post by: Sparen on September 13, 2016, 10:27:08 PM
THERE HAS BEEN PROGRESS

In the past few days I somehow revived the project and blazed through the rest of Stage 4, which is now done.

v0.54 is open to Beta Testers, and hopefully the rest of the development will kick into high gear and actually happen now!
Title: Re: 西天東地第一弾:Adamantine Memory Blade [Looking for testers]
Post by: Sparen on January 11, 2017, 08:32:04 PM
I am pleased to announce that there is now a Discord Server for development of this project, among others. However, finding people to test to see if Stage Practice actually works seems to be problematic because almost none of the testers I currently have seem to want to test, so I am looking for active testers who are actually willing to play the game every now and then. Given the past history of development, this means a few times a month. If you're interested, send me a PM.

Preferably, I'm looking for those with development experience and/or those who have played Touhou for quite a while. All dodging skill levels are welcomed - there are four difficulties to test and all of them are horribly unbalanced.

(https://puu.sh/tjkGZ/6dc6eed538.png)
Title: Re: 西天東地第一弾:Adamantine Memory Blade [Looking for testers]
Post by: Sparen on February 06, 2017, 09:28:48 PM
As a general update, I am pleased to announce that as of Version 0.60, the project is now proceeding at a steady and respectable pace. If all goes well in terms of resource allocation (sprites for Stages 4 through X are currently either placeholders or nonexistent, still need cutin and additional graphics for extra stage boss), it is estimated that Stage 6 will be completed in under one month, with the Extra Stage taking around 1-2 months. If this schedule continues as such, by the time all of the postgame content, Overdrives, Last Words, etc. are complete and the game is ready for official release, it will be Q2 or Q3 2017.

To those who have been following this project, thank you very much for your patience, and I assure you that it will be worth the wait.
Title: Re: 西天東地第一弾:Adamantine Memory Blade [Looking for testers]
Post by: Sparen on May 12, 2017, 02:17:10 PM
I am pleased to announce the completion of Stage 6. Endgame content such as the ending, omakes, overdrives, Extra Stage, and Last Words will begin production shortly.

As the development cycle nears its end, I will need Easy and Lunatic level testers to provide feedback on those two difficulties, as well as comparative difficulties of the Extra Stage, Overdrives, and Last Words. I would very much like the last words to actually be capturable, after all.
Title: Re: 西天東地第一弾:Adamantine Memory Blade [Looking for testers]
Post by: Sparen on June 15, 2017, 05:13:30 PM
As of today, work on the Extra Stage has officially kicked into high gear. I am still looking for a replacement sprite sheet animator since Ck Crash left the team, and I am still looking for play testers.

Header image has been replaced:

(https://sparen.github.io/img-hoster/public/STTJ-Ex.png)
Title: Re: 西天東地第一弾:Adamantine Memory Blade [Current: v0.66]
Post by: Sparen on August 27, 2017, 03:09:34 PM
Hello RaNGE! This is Sparen of Iria, pleased to provide an update in regards to SeitenTouji.

As of yesterday, the project has finally hit one of its most anticipated milestones - the complete replacement of gore & ExPorygon's AllStar Shotsheet! This means that all of the bullet graphics in the game are original - the only parts of the shot sheet that I didn't make are ExPorygon's bullet delay graphics.

Additionally, work on the Extra Stage has paused in order to handle various other issues throughout the game. Over the course of the past few months, the robustness of the system has increased significantly, and my next project (constant-based enemy graphic locking) will make stages easier for me to make by making the color of stage enemies determined using constants rather than their index in the sprite sheet. This will also allow for me to create many new enemy colors and types in a scalable fashion, which will hopefully be a major boon for the seitenTouji project.

If you would like to help with development, I am looking for testers, especially for lower difficulties (which have been very hard compared to other Touhou games mainly due to my considering of myself as an Easy Mode player when my skill level was more around Normal). If you want to gain access to the testing server or are interested in the project, the Discord instant invite code is vXpr7Mw - the link is https://discord.gg/vXpr7Mw
Title: Re: 西天東地第一弾:Adamantine Memory Blade [Current: v0.70, Ex Stage done]
Post by: Sparen on January 30, 2018, 03:54:37 AM
An update?! Wow!

I am pleased to announce that the Extra Stage has been completed and has been provided to the testers for balancing so that it's actually possible to clear for an average Normal-Hard difficulty player.

Over the coming weeks I hope to fix bugs, add postgame content (omakes, overdrives, last words), and balance the heck out of the game. Right now the hard deadline for release is likely going to be the end of May 2018, though whether or not that will be the actual release date is still up in the air.

Thank you all for you continued support. I will be searching for Lunatic level players in the near future for balancing overdrives and last words.
Title: Re: 西天東地第一弾:Adamantine Memory Blade [Current: v0.70, Ex Stage done]
Post by: Helepolis on January 30, 2018, 01:08:55 PM
Nice! How long has it been since we actually had such a full game release here?
Title: Re: 西天東地第一弾:Adamantine Memory Blade [Current: v0.70, Ex Stage done]
Post by: Sparen on January 30, 2018, 04:39:33 PM
Nice! How long has it been since we actually had such a full game release here?

Don't expect the full game to be released anytime soon though XD

I've never cleared an extra stage in a Touhou game, so I can't judge the difficulty very well. Same goes for Hard and Lunatic modes.
I'm pretty sure that with the current state of Extra, around half of it would probably feel like Phantasm difficulty rather than plain 'ol Extra.

tl;dr don't get your hopes up about the difficulty being reasonable
Title: Re: 西天東地第一弾:Adamantine Memory Blade [Current: v0.71, Overdrives done]
Post by: Sparen on March 25, 2018, 03:06:56 AM
Version 0.71 just sent to secondary testers. Overdrives all complete.

Expected Release Date: May 24, 2018

Release date may not be adhered to depending on how quickly I can replace copyrighted assets (ZUN's SFX) and animate all the sprites.

As usual, if you want to playtest, the instant invite to the Discord server is at https://discord.gg/vXpr7Mw (https://discord.gg/vXpr7Mw). Currently looking for testers familiar with Extra Stages, Lunatic difficulty, or Easy difficulty to balance out the extremes.
Title: Re: 西天東地第一弾:Adamantine Memory Blade [Current: v0.72, asset replacement]
Post by: Sparen on May 16, 2018, 02:12:02 PM
Version 0.72 was just sent out to secondary testers. 8 days until release!

From here on out it's just replacing sound effects and getting sprites animated. Look forward to the full game (-last words, unfortunately) release!
Title: Re: 西天東地第一弾:Adamantine Memory Blade [Release: (Probably) May 24, 2018]
Post by: Sparen on May 22, 2018, 04:53:58 AM
As a general update, another project was thrown my way and the bare minimum I want to get done before release (pixel sprites for idle animations - Stages 4, 5, and 6 Bosses) looks like it may not be possible. That in addition to a very hectic schedule means that I may end up shifting the release date over by a week, as it is no longer logistically possible to release on May 24.

If the release date is postponed, it will be noted in a post here, on my website, and in the thread topic.

I apologize for those who have been looking forwards to this game.

Beta-testers, please give your feedback now :)
Title: Re: 西天東地第一弾:Adamantine Memory Blade [Release: Expected Early July 2018]
Post by: Sparen on July 03, 2018, 08:38:42 PM
We are officially one sprite sheet away from release :)
Title: Re: 西天東地第一弾:Adamantine Memory Blade [Release: Expected July 13? 2018]
Post by: Sparen on July 11, 2018, 07:16:50 PM
Hello everyone! As stated a week ago, we are one sprite sheet from release.

However, in the past week, most of the graphics have been tracked down, replaced, and/or licensed. Pretty much all of the ZUN graphical leftovers are now gone, as are most of the gore leftovers. The exception is the cutin library, which has already seen pretty much everything replaced besides the font.

The planned release date for the main game (6 Stages + Extra + Overdrives but not Last Words) is currently July 13, 2018 - two days from now. But take that deadline with a grain of salt, since we all know how deadlines work :)

Thank you all for your support.
Title: Re: 西天東地第一弾:Adamantine Memory Blade [Game Released!]
Post by: Sparen on July 14, 2018, 03:56:31 AM
SeitenTouji 1 - Adamantine Memory Blade
Full Game Release!

After three years, I am proud to announce the completion of SeitenTouji 1 - Adamantine Memory Blade. Those three years were filled with setbacks, other projects, and hiatuses, yet here we are today. Thanks to the support of the Danmakufu community, this project has turned from a Touhou parody to the full fledged game that I present to you all today.

SeitenTouji 1 - Adamantine Memory Blade (or STTJ AMB for short), is a 6 stages + Extra Touhou-style danmaku shmup set in Daiten Daichi - a mirror world of Earth that functions as a sort of afterlife. Teiki Tetsurou wakes up in this world, and so his adventure begins.

Gameplay wise, SeitenTouji AMB is a typical Touhou-style game. 6 stages, 4 difficulties, lives & bombs. Extends are gained Subterranean Animism style, while bombs are gained by collecting certain items called Piezo Shards and by deleting bullets on the screen using existing bombs (essentially a partial refund for your bomb). There are two players - TeikiA (homing, wide shot, balanced) and TeikiB (forward focus, damage over time).

As you play the game, you will learn more about the world of Daiten Daichi, those who live there, and the future of its society.

I would like to extend a large thank you for everyone who made this game possible - the artists (Ck Crash, AchySolrock), the composers (FrenticPony, GhoulMage), and the testers.

Thank you all for your support, and please enjoy the game.

Download the game at Bulletforge (http://www.bulletforge.org/u/sparen/p/seitentouji-1-adamantine-memory-blade)!

Last Words will more likely be released sometime in the future.

Note to potential streamers: Normal mode for this game is likely equivalent to Hard-Lunatic on a standard Touhou game due to the type of danmaku employed (bullets from different angles).
Title: Re: 西天東地第一弾:Adamantine Memory Blade [Game Released!]
Post by: ☆ Kana ☆ on July 14, 2018, 05:45:02 AM
Oh whoa, it's finally here performing for you, if you know the words, you can join in too!  :3

Gonna give this a shot right now, hopefully I'll be able to post some feedback soon~ ;3c
Title: Re: 西天東地第一弾:Adamantine Memory Blade [Game Released!]
Post by: Shizzo on July 14, 2018, 09:49:15 AM
Whoooa, it's finally out!  (Dang it Kana you almost made me DK-rap my response, too!)

All things considered, I never played the game's demos, so this was all a whole new experience for me.  I've yet to unlock Extra (they -did- say Normal is Hard and Hard is Lunatic), but from what I saw, the game's pretty cute!

Of course, the music and art aren't anything impressive, but I really liked the whole concept of the story, and the Danmaku's pretty creative.  A pretty nice game if you ask me! 

Also as a gay dude it's super adorable to see the characters half-flirting and being suggestive with each other.  The 4-10 Omake was seriously.  Adorable.  10/10 I'd wanna see a dating sim with these guys!!! ♥
Title: Re: 西天東地第一弾:Adamantine Memory Blade [Game Released!]
Post by: Monothemeerp on July 14, 2018, 11:20:51 AM
Gave it a shot to celebrate the year of fangames! I'll start with the lesser good points and work my way up from there. I played on Hard mode, and... used up almost all of my continues. This game is not an easy sightread.

- The music isn't anything to really write home about. The only theme I liked was the Stage 2 theme, the rest were... forgettable. I actually think the art is kind of cute, though. Pet peeve on the sound selection: theres no hit noise for when the boss is low on HP.
- Like I already said, the game is pretty difficult to sightread. Which isn't necessarily an issue, you're meant to play the game a few times anyway (Omakes), but I definitely struggled on my first time through.
+ This, on the plus side, however, is because of the many very creative patterns. I had a feeling with Sparen at the helm we would definitely be in for some cool stuff, and there's definitely some great things in there (Stage 3 Boss concept is cool, the Stage 6 shapes are great, Stage 2 has a plethora of great spells mixed in with a cool nonspell)
- This however also results in the difficulty curve being thrown all around (stage 1 boss is harder than stage 3, not to mention Maryuu right after... that midboss encounter is nightmarish, I don't understand either attack)
- speaking of midbosses, because you use the SA resource system, the player's lives rely on the amount of attacks in the game... and since there's less than SA, that leaves the player a little strapped for resources

+ The most major plus point of the game is probably that the characters have actual substance and there's a story to be told that goes even beyond normal gameplay and it's clear there was effort put into both. Big props for that.

I probably won't dive back in soon, but I did enjoy it overall! I think with some polish this could be really good.
Title: Re: 西天東地第一弾:Adamantine Memory Blade [Game Released!]
Post by: Sparen on July 14, 2018, 01:01:50 PM
Also as a gay dude it's super adorable to see the characters half-flirting and being suggestive with each other.  The 4-10 Omake was seriously.  Adorable.  10/10 I'd wanna see a dating sim with these guys!!! ♥
Earlier on in development some people noted that I should push a little further on that end and market the game using that, but I decided to not go *too* far with it. Either way, I'm glad you enjoyed that aspect of it. :)

- The music isn't anything to really write home about. The only theme I liked was the Stage 2 theme, the rest were... forgettable. I actually think the art is kind of cute, though. Pet peeve on the sound selection: theres no hit noise for when the boss is low on HP.
- This however also results in the difficulty curve being thrown all around (stage 1 boss is harder than stage 3, not to mention Maryuu right after... that midboss encounter is nightmarish, I don't understand either attack)
- speaking of midbosses, because you use the SA resource system, the player's lives rely on the amount of attacks in the game... and since there's less than SA, that leaves the player a little strapped for resources

I was wondering about the low HP sound effect, actually. I personally chose to not implement it, but it's something I may consider in the future.

In regards to Stage 1 boss vs Stage 3, are you referring to the stage portion of Stage 3? Because Taiga is the most nerfed boss in the entire series.

In regards to the SA resource system, I get what you mean - especially since resources are more scarce at the *start* of the game, resulting in a higher chance that the player will be on-edge with one or zero spare lives for most of the game. I didn't know if it would be appropriate to have more life fragments drop outside of that system, but if it's too hard at the start, I'll identify suitable stage enemies/death fairies that I can attach life shard drops too and see if some of the stress on resource management is relieved.

~~~

Thank you all for the feedback :)
Title: Re: 西天東地第一弾:Adamantine Memory Blade [Game Released!]
Post by: Shizzo on July 14, 2018, 02:38:27 PM
I spent literally 999 tries on the dang Ex Boss' overdrive spellcard.  still couldn't capture it, geez!!  The inner completionist in me is going to have to suffer, because I really don't see myself clearing -that- spellcard. 

That being said I loved the Omakes that are released once you unlock/beat Ex, heh!
Title: Re: 西天東地第一弾:Adamantine Memory Blade [Game Released!]
Post by: Sparen on July 14, 2018, 05:39:36 PM
I spent literally 999 tries on the dang Ex Boss' overdrive spellcard.  still couldn't capture it, geez!!  The inner completionist in me is going to have to suffer, because I really don't see myself clearing -that- spellcard. 

That being said I loved the Omakes that are released once you unlock/beat Ex, heh!

Oh, it's just a normal distribution with some curvy bullets. :)
Title: Re: 西天東地第一弾:Adamantine Memory Blade [Game Released!]
Post by: Monothemeerp on July 14, 2018, 06:56:17 PM
In regards to Stage 1 boss vs Stage 3, are you referring to the stage portion of Stage 3? Because Taiga is the most nerfed boss in the entire series.

I was referring to Taiga, sorry if it wasn't clear! The gimmick overall is very cool (and well foreshadowed - that one remark really makes a difference) and I really like it but once you know how to play around it the boss fight overall isn't that difficult, which makes Stage 1 feel much harder in hindsight.

Also a point that I forgot to bring up in the first post - the forward focus shot feels oddly inferior to the homing one. You get pretty decent damage out of the forward shot in the homing option already... plus a decent option for stages in the homing part of it. Maybe decrease the implied ramp up time on stage enemies? It felt harder to kill stuff with it than the homing one and I didn't really notice much of a boss difference. This could however be completely subjective and I'd ask others about it if anything - I might try another run with the forward focus shot just to see how well it goes.

The comment about the life shards is good to hear! And you don't necessarily have to put in the low hp fx, I just noticed it because I work a lot with it in my own gameplay, haha. On that note, the sound design is fairly well executed. I think there were some sounds in there you don't usually hear for shots, which I kinda liked.

I haven't yet seen extra cuz... duh, but once I do I'll get back to it here. Overall, I think there's definitely a solid foundation here and with some improvements this seems like a good overall package, so a great step in the right direction for the year of fangames. I personally can't wait to have the Omakes unlocked so I can just binge read them, haha.
Title: Re: 西天東地第一弾:Adamantine Memory Blade [Game Released!]
Post by: Sparen on July 14, 2018, 07:31:10 PM
Also a point that I forgot to bring up in the first post - the forward focus shot feels oddly inferior to the homing one. You get pretty decent damage out of the forward shot in the homing option already... plus a decent option for stages in the homing part of it. Maybe decrease the implied ramp up time on stage enemies? It felt harder to kill stuff with it than the homing one and I didn't really notice much of a boss difference. This could however be completely subjective and I'd ask others about it if anything - I might try another run with the forward focus shot just to see how well it goes.

TeikiB has, for the majority of the dev cycle, not been tested as a primary player. However, after *much* prodding, I continuously buffed TeikiB until the point where against non-moving enemies with high HP and bosses, TeikiB is borderline broken. There are some patterns that can be completely cheesed using TeikiB, especially in Extra's stage portion.

But for the most part, the wide + homing shot in TeikiA should be more balanced.
Title: Re: 西天東地第一弾:Adamantine Memory Blade [Game Released!]
Post by: Monothemeerp on July 15, 2018, 08:04:09 AM
TeikiB has, for the majority of the dev cycle, not been tested as a primary player. However, after *much* prodding, I continuously buffed TeikiB until the point where against non-moving enemies with high HP and bosses, TeikiB is borderline broken. There are some patterns that can be completely cheesed using TeikiB, especially in Extra's stage portion.

But for the most part, the wide + homing shot in TeikiA should be more balanced.

Yeah, I gave him an actual shot (on Lunatic this time just to see how I'd fare... it went ugly, lmao) this time and I can safely say that up against bosses he gets pretty nasty real fast, I was definitely able to end some patterns a fair bit faster. Then I guess my initial notice was pretty moot, since not being as great against moving enemies balances it out again. My bad!
Title: Re: 西天東地第一弾:Adamantine Memory Blade [Game Released! (v1.01)]
Post by: Sparen on July 20, 2018, 01:59:09 AM
Version 1.01 is now out and can be downloaded at Bulletforge (http://www.bulletforge.org/u/sparen/p/seitentouji-1-adamantine-memory-blade).

To copy your data over, go to script/SeitenTouji AMB and copy the 'data' and 'replay' folders to the corresponding location in your copy of 1.01.

CHANGES IN 1.01:
- Bugfixes (Omake text issues, Stage 2 Normal issue)
- Midbosses in Stages 1-4 drop either Bomb Extends or Life Extends (124 - Bomb Extends, 3 - Life Extend)
- Continue screen now defaults to Yes and requires confirmation on No
- Extra Stage is grayed out if not unlocked

1.01 unfortunately breaks all replays for the main game. Extra Stage replays should be unaffected.
Title: Re: 西天東地第一弾:Adamantine Memory Blade [Game Released! (v1.01)]
Post by: BlueDigitalDragon on July 20, 2018, 10:41:47 PM
So uh, might I ask how one unlocks Extra stage?

I beat the game on both types on normal and unlocked every Omake besides the Extra ones, of course. Not sure what I can do! I feel like I'm missing something.

NEVERMIND! I had to re-watch the omakes for some reason. The last page one didn't activate extra for me the first time, its working now. Will try it tonight!
Title: Re: 西天東地第一弾:Adamantine Memory Blade [Game Released! (v1.01)]
Post by: Sparen on July 25, 2018, 02:14:48 PM
A bug has been discovered where Koro's Overdrive spell was saving spell history incorrectly due to a typo (IE it was actually saving to Dyne's fifth spell on Normal).

Attached is the fixed file.

This file goes in script/SeitenTouji AMB/script.

This issue affects both v1.00 and v1.01 releases.
Title: Re: 西天東地第一弾:Adamantine Memory Blade [Game Released! (v1.01)]
Post by: Sparen on September 01, 2018, 09:13:30 PM
Status Update!

Today the 1.04 release was sent out to testers. Progress on Last Words has been going smoothly so far - only two more left, one of which has already been designed.

In addition, thanks to additional testing, a multitude of strange behavior and minor bugs from the original release have been located and squashed.

Not only this, thanks to RickyRister, some of the music is being replaced. Look forward to this and other improvements in the next public update!
Title: Re: 西天東地第一弾:Adamantine Memory Blade [Last Words out Feb 22, 2019!]
Post by: Sparen on February 20, 2019, 03:20:37 AM
Yes! Progress!

With the new Stage 3 boss theme in place, we are gearing up for our next public release of the game, containing last words, balancing changes, bug fixes, and new/revised components, especially for Stages 3 and 6.

This new release is slated for Feb 22, 2019.

Once again, thank you all for supporting the SeitenTouji Project.
Title: Re: 西天東地第一弾:Adamantine Memory Blade [New Version Released 02/23!]
Post by: Sparen on February 23, 2019, 05:23:06 AM
SeitenTouji 1 - Adamantine Memory Blade
Last Words Release!

Today I am proud to present the Last Word update to SeitenTouji 1 - Adamantine Memory Blade. This update features new music courtesy of RickyRister, revamped Stages 3 and 6, and last words for each enemy character.

As before, I would like to extend a large thank you for everyone who made this game possible - the artists (CK Crash, AchySolrock), the composers (FrenticPony, GhoulMage, RickyRister), and the testers.

Thank you all for your support, and please enjoy the game.

Download the game at Bulletforge (http://www.bulletforge.org/u/sparen/p/seitentouji-1-adamantine-memory-blade)! Note that most replays from 1.01 will not run in this version due to numerous changes. To transfer save data (unlocks, spell history, etc), copy the script/SeitenTouji AMB/data directory from your existing copy of the game to the corresponding location in the new version of the game.

Note to potential streamers: Normal mode for this game is likely equivalent to Hard-Lunatic on a standard Touhou game due to the type of danmaku employed (bullets from different angles).