"Beyond Epic" Game Mode

[Blizzard]

I will release an update for CP soon (most likely v1.3) which will contain a new game mode that offers you a new dungeon with a new challenge. Canonically it is a continuation of the storyline from the original game. How that is possible you ask? I will explain it. Keep in mind that this here contains spoilers!

Spoiler: ShowHide

After Leximus seals away Chaos and his body disintegrates so his soul can be united with Chaos once again, something unexpected happens. Because Chaos has already been weakened throughout the whole game, an external force disrupts these events and Leximus' soul is transported into a dimension beyond Chaos. He is not within one of the 4.3 billion universes created by Chaos but in different one, a new one. I will not spoil the story behind all of this, but there is new villian. Of course, Leximus' friends will be there as well. Because this universe is not a physical one, there are not the same limitations as in the universes created by Chaos (also because of the reason that all heroes have actually lost their physical bodies). Again, I will not go into details as not to spoil anything.

How do you get the "Beyond Epic" game mode? Simple. If you have beaten the game at least once in any mode (i.e. if you have unlocked any additional game mode so far), you will have "Beyond Epic" unlocked. In "Beyond Epic" you select a save slot that will be used as base for the game. The only prerequisite is that Sydon has already joined the party. You will start off with your current party, all your equipment, items, etc. and all the other stuff. You don't have to have level 100 with your party, but it is recommended as you get lots of goodies after defeating Hellvoid and defeating him with anything less than level 100 is a bitch. It's hard even with level 100.

"Beyond Epic" will offer one new big dungeon with an additional storyline, possibly several minibosses, new puzzles and a final boss that makes Hellvoid look like a kitten. It's even likely that you will be able to save your game whenever you want. Just be careful not to overwrite your old save file! Once you enter "Beyond Epic", you can't go back anymore!

What's so special about "Beyond Epic" and why is it even called "Beyond Epic"? Because the power of your party will tenfold. The maximum level will be 1000, your stats will go insanely high (which includes HP caps at 99999) and your damage capabilities will be beyond epic (expect normal attack damage in the 100000's to become frequent). Within short time your level should go over 400 (because the point is that you fight the last boss with a level around 700-800). Additionally to that each and every party member will obtain the ability to supercharge their power using Chaos. This will be beyond epic.

[MarkHest]

*Faints due to the epicness of the whole idea*

I can hardly wait for this ._.

[AliveDrive]

Sveet.

[GAX]

This is going to take me to all new levels of sleep deprivation...

Can't wait.

[Blizzard]

Don't expect 20 hours of gameplay. I'm thinking more in a range of 2-3 additional hours.

[Lore]

Does anybody know how to deep-clean keyboards? >_>;

[Blizzard]

Here is a taste of the epicness to come. This will possibly be the miniboss theme, but it's epic enough to be the final boss's theme as well. I'll see if I can find something even better for the final boss. http://dl.dropbox.com/u/20224394/third%20creation.mid

[Lore]

You should model the Final Boss' theme after this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXuaK6SV_6Y or this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3s0nIjrCuU&feature=related

But seriously, I can't wait for this mode <3 DO EET.

[G_G]

Is it alright if I'm turned on by this?

[Blizzard]

@Lore: That's not really... epic. It's good stuff, but it doesn't fit really for boss music or as video game music for that matter.

[Lore]

Right, but can't you use your awesome music editing skills? >:
Oh well, whatever the theme will be, I'm sure it'll violate my headphones inappropriately.
Level up for thee.

[MarkHest]

You should remix that MIDI with FL and replace the sounds high quality VST's. That's would be awesome becous it's epic

[Blizzard]

I just might. I did the same with Thunder Force IV after all.

[Blizzard]

And here are the first screenshots!

trying to start Beyond Epic with a safe file that is already epic: ShowHide

Leximus Level 293 Concept: ShowHide

[Fantasist]

I am replaying CP again, lost my savefiles from last time ;_; Am currently at Terence's castle back to kick some ass. I'm breezing past the dialogue and set my random encounter setting to "Evade". I want to finish the game asap so that I can unlock higher difficulties and play through them properly again, exploring all the side quests and finding all the secrets.

[Blizzard]

If you want to unlock other difficulties, there are other, quicker ways... <_<

[Blizzard]

*double posts*

I have gathered all the resources that I need to finish BE mode. I only may need the one or another music tracks. >.<

[The Niche]

Don't expect 20 hours of gameplay. I'm thinking more in a range of 2-3 additional hours.

I'm going to replay the entire thing for this. Dude, such an awesome idea Just like...yeah...you win xD

[MarkHest]

PLEASE OH PLEASE! Let me make a soundtrack for this awesome patch :3
Something simple maybe?

[Blizzard]

The only thing I really need are boss battle themes. I was going to stay conventional with metal tracks, but I'm open to any kind of seriously epic music. I would require following tracks:

- "normal" boss music
- a powerful boss before the final boss
- the actual final boss

The normal boss music should be one notch more epic than the normal boss music in the second half of the normal game.
The powerful boss music should go on par with the tracks of Nemesis' henchmen.
The final boss music should be beyond epic, enough said. It's the most epic battle since Axmodeux vs. Chaos after all. :3

[The Niche]

Epic metal? Symphonic power metal. E.g. Rhapsody of Fire.

[MarkHest]

I could attempt to make a song with a boss feeling to it then You decide if you want it or not.
Maybe you could have various boss tracks to different bosses (Not all bosses, but some or maybe just one or two) where one of my songs could fit in.

If you'd like some epic orchestral music with lots of strings and melody lines in them, i'm your guy!

Ofc, you could just edit the parts that you want to change yourself if you don't like a specific part in a song that i send to you. I'll just send you the FLP file if you feel the need to

So, what'ay say?

[winkio]

There's always this (since it just came out): http://www.newgrounds.com/audio/listen/464352

It's based off a final boss theme from another RPG: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Df-mjdvdeuI

Just thought I'd throw it out there.

[MarkHest]

HOLY SHIT that song from newground is epic! I wish i could make songs like that.
I think it's based on the Dark Star Core from Mario & Luigi - Bowsers Inside Story, i can hear MAJOR similar patterns. It's realy epic and realy fits as a decesive battle song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojOjozoFTF0
That song is clearly based on this one. They are so very much alike.

Would be awesome if you used that :3 It's epic! (the one from newgrounds)



EDIT: Oh, you already send that link Winkio! xD
I never checked that other link.
I am both blind and stupid...
x3

[Blizzard]

@winkio: The beginning totally reminds me of a song in Forsaken 64. xD I like it, though.
IDK if I''ll use it, but it definitely sounds better than the original. It could be useful for the superboss.

[The Niche]

The superboss isn't going to downsize us, is he? Please don't let him downsize us, Blizzard! I like my job!

[Blizzard]

No, he won't.

The superboss is weaker than the final boss. I just call him superboss, because he's fucking strong and involves plot twists and surprises. :O
I already wrote down a story outline over 4 and a half pages. And I only included the most important details. #_# So you can expect a Beyond Epic mode with a good story. Basically you should get some dialogues and events every half dungeon (and the dungeons won't be too long either). There will be 4 dungeons and a short one.

[The Niche]

No, he won't.

The superboss is weaker than the final boss. I just call him superboss, because he's fucking strong and involves plot twists and surprises. :O
I already wrote down a story outline over 4 and a half pages. And I only included the most important details. #_# So you can expect a Beyond Epic mode with a good story. Basically you should get some dialogues and events every half dungeon (and the dungeons won't be too long either). There will be 4 dungeons and a short one.

*Pats your shoulder* You have learnt

[Blizzard]

Final Spirit Force > Hellvoid
Don't you be too cocky. <_<

EDIT:

Prime Void > Hellvoid

OMG, did I just say too much? Or am I posting this to confuse you? Or is the name actually irrelevant?
This and more coming soon in Lexima Legends IV - Beyond Epic!

[The Niche]

Don't you be too cocky. <_<

Remember who you're talking to

[Blizzard]

Time to reveal some more information to heat it up...

While you will still have all the weapons that you had in the save game which you used as base for BE, you will get a set of "soul weapons" that will be upgraded as you go on. Each character will get their own weapon, except Leximus, who will actually have his Soul Blade transformed.
Each of these "soul weapons" will be upgraded throughout the course of the game into a more powerful version. Here are the weapon names.

Leximus: Spectral Sword, Ultra Titan, Omega Blade, ????? ?????
Endout: Ghost Claw, Meta Claw, Inner Fury, ??????? ?????
Ariana:  Soul Whip, Spirit Tamer, Astral Extension, ????? ?????????
Sydon: Power Blade, Avenger, Dragonsoul, ?????????

Obviously I am not revealing the names of the most powerful versions. <3

Each character will also gain a new and powerful skill at the same time when their weapon is upgraded.

Leximus: Lexima Burst, Chaotic Fury, Fused Soul, ??????? ?????
Endout: 1000 Fists, God Wrath, Final Destination, ???????? ??????
Ariana: Karma Disruptor, Creation, Sky Fire, ??????? ????
Sydon: Plasma Bomb, Ultra Guard, Soul Splitter, ???? ??????? ????

Yet again I am being an ass and hiding the names of the most powerful skills.

[The Niche]

Blizzard you donkey Still, very cool mechanics, I love upgradeable weapons and cool names too

[Blizzard]

Well, it's technically not upgradeable weapons since you don't really upgrade them yourself. You just get stronger versions in certain points of the game. ._.

Also, I finished the intro of BE today. It's a bit rushed and there's not too much being revealed, but I am going to make up for that during the story. Basically you are thrown into the game right away, even faster than in the normal game.

[Blizzard]

*legal double post*

I have almost decided on the final boss music. In terms of epicness it goes on par with the one for the final boss of the normal game. :3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZpQox0nfg4

[winkio]

I hope you fight the last boss in the middle of a rave XD.

I'm kidding, it sounds good.

[The Niche]

I hope you fight the last boss in the middle of a rave XD.

I'm kidding, it sounds good.

I do believe there may be an idea in there. Excellent work, Wink.

[Blizzard]

If it wasn't already over-the-top fantasy style, I just might have. xD

[G_G]

*legal double post*

I have almost decided on the final boss music. In terms of epicness it goes on par with the one for the final boss of the normal game. :3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZpQox0nfg4

The song is 7 minutes of awesome. Its freaking amazing on Audiosurf as well. xD

[Blizzard]

I used to play it on Audiosurf back then as well. xD
I actually made a shorter version of almost 5 minutes, because IMO the song is too long. If you downloaded my torrent, it should be there as "Blizzard Short Cut".

[G_G]

Oh derp! I was wondering why it sounded familiar! xD

[Blizzard]

Not just a proof of concept but an actual screenshot. >:3

Spoiler: ShowHide

EDIT: As you can see:

1. Level 100+ (316 in this case).
2. There are new Meta States one of which is "Fantastic".
3. EXP are displayed with a "k" or "M" suffix, indicating thousands or millions since there isn't enough space.
4. 10 times higher stat limits.
5. Leximus' class is "Guardian of Chaos". Let me spoil it for you and tell you that this isn't the final class he's have when fighting the villain. >:3

[G_G]

A thousand orgasms wouldn't even explain how epic this is.

[The Niche]

That's because it's not epic. It's beyond epic.

[Blizzard]

I decided to heat you up some more and give you a list of all the new Meta States that replace the old ones.

• Fantastic


• Great


• Fine


• Exhausted


• Unstable


• Ethereal


• Warping


• Unleashed


• Dramatic


• Diabolic


• Astral


• Mesmerizing


• Bursting


• Transfused


• Annihilating

The first 5 have no special effect yet again. The special effects of all the others are much more powerful than in the normal game. Stuff like "Halves damage", "50% Critical Hit Rate" or "Steal MP with weapon attack" are just a few.
Annihilating is a special one. Your character goes into Annihilating as soon as his HP are at 5% or below regardless of SR. Annihilating allows you to use your Meta Limit at a cost of only 20% and you can use it even if you don't have enough SR to actually activate it. Risky players will have a chance to chain numerous Meta Limit attacks in a row. >:3

Another really cool thing is that Sydon will get special rings that he can use to double Dragon Trance time to 6 turns (obviously Dragmatek's one turn is doubled to 2 and Dragon Necklace's extra turn is also doubled) and initially start the battle in that specific Dragon Trance as well. If several rings are equipped, only one ring's Dragon Trance will be applied at the beginning of the battle.

These aren't features that I am just promising, these are features that I already implemented. <3

You think this is already epic? Heck, you know that I'm keeping the best stuff secret until the very release. >:3 It will be beyond epic.

Stay tuned for more stuff beyond epic. >:3

EDIT:

Enter the Para-Universe!: ShowHide

Leximus gains 357 levels after his first fight against beasts not from this world.

[Blizzard]

Double post due to epicness of more teaser screenshots. >:3

Rivy joins: ShowHide

Chaos enters the Para-Universe (with epic music): ShowHide

[The Niche]

*Points and goes into stammer-jaw mode*

[Ryex]

... 3.5 billion EXP in one battle. just how insane are the levels in this game!

[Blizzard]

350 millions actually. :X

That's just in the beginning. The player gets leveled up quickly so he can take on the enemies regardless of what level he was in the save file he based this run of Beyond epic on. I might change that part. Since Leximus has become a Guardian of Chaos already, technically his level could be much higher initially when he enters the Para-Universe. Even though it's kind of badass to get 350 levels just like that. xD

EDIT: The max level is 1000 only.

[Holyrapid]

:O

[Blizzard]

Checking out how Sydon looks like when he has his best BE weapon. :3

Note the attack power <3: ShowHide

[The Niche]

Dude. Seriously?

Also, epic looking

[MarkHest]

ATTACK POWER IS OVER NINE THOUSAND!!

Just barely!

[Blizzard]

@Niche: Totally. And this is just level 317 without the special mod for armor. Image how powerful he'll be at level 1000.

[MarkHest]

I demand an uppdate on something epic!


I like trains.

[Blizzard]

I haven't worked on it recently, but I'm planning to start working on it again. :3

[RoseSkye]

350 millions actually. :X

That's just in the beginning. The player gets leveled up quickly so he can take on the enemies regardless of what level he was in the save file he based this run of Beyond epic on. I might change that part. Since Leximus has become a Guardian of Chaos already, technically his level could be much higher initially when he enters the Para-Universe. Even though it's kind of badass to get 350 levels just like that. xD

EDIT: The max level is 1000 only.

Edit: My epeen is 26 inches only.

[Blizzard]

I just want to add that BE will be HARD. Even if you had Exerion in the normal game, it will be simply removed for BE. Not that it means much, the Chaos weapons you get (one of them being Ultra Exerion) make Exerion look like a joke. The smartest thing you can do is play through the normal game and beat Hellvoid to get some really good stuff such as Omega Cannon, Soul Mirror, Phoenix Ring, Lexima Drive, Chaos Drive, Chaos Nova, Dragonteeth Necklace, etc. Because this is just the preparation for BE. >:3

[Holyrapid]

So, any news on when this is gonna get out?

[Blizzard]

I've been really busy with lots of other stuff lately. I have another personal project in work (beside ARC), been working on some music and the time my social life takes has doubled (oh, those ladies :> ). So it's currently on hold until I finish that other personal at least.

[Blizzard]

Soooooooooo, I've been mapping recently and I'm almost done with all the dungeons. I have a bit more than half of the last dungeon to go and the maps where the final battles take place. Then come the cutscenes in all the dungeons (I have already made a few cutscenes previously), monster setup, boss setup and probably a little bit of additional scripting and some extras (e.g. shops). I can't really say when I'll be done with all of this due to time constraints, but I'm pretty sure I'll have it all done before the end of the year, probably somewhere during fall. If I don't get bored of it and forget about it again that is, lol!

[Lobstrosity]

Hooray, this is still a thing. Also, strange timing. I was thinking about this game earlier today.

[Blizzard]

I beat CP again a couple of weeks back and since then I had to urge to work on it a bit. Which is why I am doing exactly that, lol!

[MarkHest]

I am so hyped for this to come out!

[Blizzard]

Aaaaand update. I finished all maps last summer I think and now I am slowly working on the cutscenes. Once they are done, only puzzles and battle balance + skills remains. >:3

Also, here's a mega spoiler that will require you to change your pants.

Spoiler: ShowHide

Too bad Leximus is poisoned and you can't see his Meta-State "Annihilating" which is exactly what he is about to do.

[MarkHest]

 

[Kaiph]

I might be a little wet. Any idea when this will be or is there still too much to do to say?

[Blizzard]

It's more of a question when I have time than how much work is left to do. I'd guess about 100 hours of work is left.

[Kaiph]

I understand what you mean. Social life and work mean I can't spend as much time on my own game as I'd like to.

[Blizzard]

Today I did almost all of the items on my to-do list that I had to do because of the switch to XPA and 60 FPS. I also finished the last cutscene in the second dungeon. That means that 2 more dungeons and the final boss remain. After that comes balancing actor power and enemies, then bosses and finally tweaking, tuning and some minor additional stuff. I'll probably poke a few people to beta test the whole thing, including the base game due to the switch to XPA. Once that's done, CP v2.0 will be released!

[G_G]

I can't wait to play this game in XPA. That sweet buttery smoothness.

[Blizzard]

I actually did the third dungeon and all cutscenes leading up to it yesterday. :3 I want to finish a few cutscenes today as well.

EDIT: Holy shit, I finished the fourth dungeon. xD And I also added an awesome boss transition which I now totally want to add to the main game. Think FF9 and you'll know what I mean. xD Now only a few more battles and the final battle cutscene are left. I am so excited. :3

Also:

Spoiler: ShowHide

EDIT: Seriously though. FF9-style transition or the screen-breaking thing? ._. Should I just keep the screen-breaking thing in the main game? The FF9 transition is so much prettier, but the screen-breaking looks cooler.

[orochii]

I want to play the game that gives (or takes?) the name to this place xD!

[Blizzard]

Well, the game's technically already been out for 6 years. xD I'm just adding new content. You could call it an expansion.

[G_G]

I'd say keep the screen breaking for the original and use the FF9 style for the new stuff.

[Blizzard]

I actually have another dilemma. Should I go with a "good" ending? I mean I have two ideas for the ending. Each has a different philosophical impact. There's isn't really a good or bad ending there. It's more like "paragon" and "renegade" like in Mass Effect.
And I have the option of "returning everything to normal" in some sense so I'm playing with that idea. While I think it can give some closure, I am kind of undoing the ending in the normal game. But yet again, I am already undoing that ending simply by making the story of BE mode so a "returning everything to normal" probably forces itself into it and it might be unnatural to not make it end that way.

[Blizzard]

*bump*

Question still remains. ._.

Also, I finished the cutscene leading up to the final battle. Now only the cutscene part after that remains and some outro. :3

EDIT:

Screw it, I went with the more straightforward version and just brought things to an end.

Also, that means that I'm done with the cutscenes. :3 Now only skill balancing, setting up Rivy as actor properly, enemy balancing, boss balancing and scripting/eventing, some minor misc stuff and testing remains. Holy shit! That's probably less than 50 hours of work left! Beyond Epic is close to being finished!

EDIT:

Oh, I also forgot to mention that I went with a somewhat different audio selection than I posted previously in the topic. I did use some tracks from here for some other things though and they fit pretty nicely.

[G_G]

Unnnnghghghghg My body is ready.

[Blizzard]

Here's another screenshot. :3 It's a liiiiiittle bit of a spoiler.

Spoiler: ShowHide

Can you recognize the person standing opposed to the party?

[Blizzard]

*bump*

Sooooo... I was thinking about giving the final boss 100 million HP (which is a hundred times more than Nemesis'), but I realized that the party may deal significantly more damage due to the stat changes that will happen during the story. <_<; While technically the max. level will be ten times higher, the final stats will be about 15 times higher (compare level 1000 to about level 70 in the normal game) and there are also the weapons which will be about 20-30 times stronger than the best ones in the normal games. So hacking away at 100 million HP might be a lot faster than the 1 million HP Nemesis had. >.< I kind of want a round number, but 1 billion might be a tad too much. Maybe I should just go with 666,666,666 HP, because fuck it. xD Thoughts? I could also artificially boost the party so 1 billion works fine. Or maybe the 1 billion is just perfect for a final, epic half-hour battle that will test the limits of your skills.

EDIT: Ok, I just dealt 7 million damage using the Lexima Drive skill. <_<; Maybe 1 billion is actually too little.

[orochii]

Maybe make the final boss HP and other statistics scale depending on the player's levels and stuff? Kind of like how Sephiroth worked in Final Fantasy 7.

---

If you deal 10 million damage each turn, the battle will last 100 turns with 1 billion of HP. That is, if each of these turns you deal that much damage, I don't know if there is any restriction to the Lexima Drive skill or if there is other potential damage dealers that could replicate that same damage.

Is 100 turns enough for your 30 minutes battle? (which I consider masochist but whatever xD).

[Blizzard]

I actually pump up the party to level 1000 after the boss before the final one. It goes with the story. I see no point in people grinding for 3 hours just to get to level 1000 to beat that final boss.
Lexima Drive is a bit specific in this case, because it ignores defense (and Chaos Drive ignores magic defense).

I'd be ok with a 20 minutes battle to be honest with the boss changing his pattern every 4-5 minutes. I want to challenge the player and his understanding of the game mechanics, not torture him.

[G_G]

So this will be running the Ace engine, correct? I think I remember you and KK trying to get all the kinks worked out. If so, really stoked to play it. Hate XP's stuttering and Direct2D drawing BS.

[Blizzard]

Yup, it's running pretty smoothly now on XPA. I think I was able to work out most kinks. I kept some FPS-specific stuff like faster movement, most animation speeds, etc. It would be too much work to make that stuff work. Plus, lots of animations wouldn't work with 60 FPS, because they are kinda missing frames so it would be like 2 frames one graphic would be displayed, then another for only one frame. But all in all, it all looks pretty good and I don't notice any problems. CP definitely runs faster than ever.

[KK20]

I was finishing up the 0.2b version of the Tilemap last night. Hopefully I can test it one last time to make sure I didn't screw something up while consolidating it and release it as a "debug" version tonight (my time).

But yeah, pretty glad Blizz helped finding a lot of the little hard-to-find bugs~

[Blizzard]

Here's another screenshot. :3 It's a liiiiiittle bit of a spoiler.

Spoiler: ShowHide

Can you recognize the person standing opposed to the party?

Just added this line for the lulz. xD

Spoiler: ShowHide

[Blizzard]

Here's a bit more of a teaser. xD

Spoiler: ShowHide

Not gonna spoil anything further though.

[Blizzard]

#hype

Spoiler: ShowHide

[Blizzard]

Check that max damage.

Spoiler: ShowHide

Remember when after beating Hellvoid you could use Chaos Nova during the battle against Nemesis and you were like "Woah, over 100 thousand damage!"? Yeah, that's baby stuff in BE. >:3

[Blizzard]

*legal bump*

Broken max damage again. #_#

Spoiler: ShowHide