Hello everyone! We hope you had a great start into the new year! Over the turn of the year it has been quiet around team FervorCraft but we managed to make plans for chapter 3 and work on a roadmap regardless. Thus we used January to really start working on chapter 3 - admittedly not on the main stages yet - to get things moving again. Workflow Adjustments for Dialogues and Scenes: One change that was mainly noticeable behind the scenes but will improve a better workflow in development going forward has been the export of dialogue. Starting with chapter 3 - I previously used this technique for the lore books in the game - dialogues will be exported to external text files which, depending on language settings, are then getting loaded into the game at the game start. I then have to specify the fitting texts in the game code so they get assembled during the run time. Admittedly, this is nothing huge but still an alleviation. Now we can write out texts and dialogues separately, take more time for translation and are able to code whole scenes in one go. In fact, until now coding scenes has been the most straining part since not only did we have to script the scenes but also had to write dialogue simultaneously. Considering some of the more extensive scenes we already have in Charon - ZC you can probably guess how long that could take, stopping after each step of a sequence to not only come up with dialogue but then also having to translate it on the go. Freedom in Chapter 3: There will be some changes and additions coming with chapter 3 concerning the story and the gameplay. You will likely first notice that you will have more freedom when it comes to exploring new areas. Of course we will provide a clear main path for you but there will also be a lot of optional areas to explore and complete.




Innovations in Combat A new gimmick for selected encounters in chapter 3 will be so-called area effects. These will be permanent status effects for the enemies and/or the heroes lasting the duration of the encounter, which cant easily be countered.
In this example, all enemies have the Regena-effect active which neutralizes all poison effects. So you will have to find a way to make more damage than the enemies can heal. That is not dead which can eternal lie...
Without wanting to reveal too much: those who still know the old iterations of the project might remember the Exa-Celestia summons and their respective combat mechanic for using very powerful skills. While these mighty beings still persisted in-game as super bosses, they did not offer learnable skills. What does the scene above have to do with that? Who knows? But maybe there is a possibility to bring back the light into dark crystals? And Reiko makes Four!

Finally, with chapter 3 the fourth member Reiko Octavia Katsura will join our party - earlier than in previous versions of the game! We will share more insights in the future about her new skill set - which we are currently working on and implementing. But you can look forward to a lot of magical action from the back row. Nalla's Return:


There really is not much to say Nalla von Klausens, infamous bandit and (self-proclaimed) greatest rogue of the World Above and even (in his dreams) Sais arch nemesis - got his final makeover for his faceset and battle sprite thanks to AbsoScribbles. This scoundrel too will celebrate his return (again) in chapter 3. Future Prospects: That would be all for January Not a lot has happened regarding the main story but we got back into the groove and were able to fix a lot of smaller issues. Next up are implementing the remaining skills of the characters (which will include Reiko entirely) and more groundwork for graphics and in terms of content, so we will hopefully be able to assemble everything more quickly. Until then, take care! Kind regards, Schilderich Team FervorCraft

[ 2024-01-27 17:21:01 CET ] [ Original post ]

In this retro-style 2D RPG with updated classic game mechanics, accompany the dutiful knight Sai on his journey across the magical continent of Zhetan and meet unlikely companions, uncover a sinister conspiracy, and stop the forces of evil from achieving ultimate dominion over the World Above. Inspired by the classics of 90s and early 2000s-era JRPGs, the game features an engaging turn-based battle system and a world full of exploration, dungeons and puzzles.



As a “best of the classics”, Charon: Zhetan Chronicles’ turn-based battle system puts big emphasis on strategy with worthwhile decision making. It allows you to influence the turn order action per action by either choosing an offensive or defensive tactic. Feel the excitement when you managed to exploit enemies’ weaknesses and deliver the finishing blow with powerful attacks!

Skill Crafting and Talent System

Increase your options in battle even further by customizing your party not only with equipment, but also new skills and passive abilities. Collect mysterious relics and attain new battle actions whenever you want or increase your party’s stats and resistances by mastering special talents.



The World Above is designed with rewarding exploration in mind. While traversing an area
you can find a lot of optional locations, treasures and challenges. Dungeons will test your skills not only in battle with powerful enemies, but also with puzzles to solve. And then there are lively towns filled with NPCs who provide more insight in the world’s story and lore or offer side-quests.



A colorful cast of queer characters where each one has a unique personality and abilities. In this character-driven story, scenes are written to give the characters room to express themselves and their struggles while giving you the opportunity to shape the main character’s path as leader by choosing answers for him during important moments.

Key Features:

• Classic RPG with 20-30 hours of content
  
• 32-bit graphics with a nostalgic feel of old classics
  
• A huge overworld with many secrets to explore: treasures, puzzles and optional dungeons
  
• Turn-based battles putting a great emphasis on strategy and the use of enemies’ weaknesses against them
  
• A diverse cast of queer characters with engaging personalities and individual abilities
  
• Learn new skills for your party by crafting them on your own accord and use the powerful Talent System to customize them even further with passive abilities
  
• No random encounters, but on-map enemies
  
• Multiple side quests and guild errands to advance your understanding of the world, fighting more powerful bosses and gain experience more easily

Story:

For aeons the Great Chasm has separated the World Above from the Underworld. While the people of the upper realm live in peace under the watchful eyes of the gods, the realms below the chasm are plagued by the wicked influence of the Dark One. Then, 80 years ago, he unleashed his legions to enslave humanity.
Only the gods' devoted knights seemed capable to withstand evil.

Accompany knight Sai on his quest across the continent of Zhetan to put an end to a conspiracy of the enemy. Find new companions and face a variety of challenges. Take on fearsome monsters, powerful demons or devious villains... and find out what really is the root of all conflict.