u/helix-dev

I'm back with my first post since the announcement/intro sequence video a while back (if you haven't seen it watch that before the one on this post). As mentioned, the gameplay of this hack is heavily inspired by that of Mewgenics (one of my favorite games in recent history). I've completed many of the base systems that will support the gameplay loop, as well as the tutorial.

Tutorial/First Cutscene and NPCs

• Based on the type you're assigned in the intro, one of 18 NPCs from RSE or FRLG will inhabit your island.
• When you first arrive, they will run you through a short tutorial that will familiarize you with the gameplay loop.
• Norman's tutorial is shown in the video, although I've written and implemented tutorial dialogue/sprite changes for all 18.
• NPC differences in relation to the plot will only involve dialogue, but I expect to add unique (but small) gameplay tweaks later down the line.

Island Map

• I've laid out the island map that will serve as the hack's primary hub location, built off Mirage Island with the secondary tileset coming from Slateport.
• The map is dynamic and will change/can be built upon throughout the game. This is already present during the tutorial, where the under-construction boat moves to the water after the first day is passed.

Breeding System

• I've finished the core breeding system, where Pokémon in the same PC box have a chance whenever the day passes to produce eggs that inherit traits from their parents and may receive random mutations.
• Passing the day will consume food (a new currency in this hack) equal to the current population of your PC + party.
• Eggs hatch automatically on the day after they appear and do not need to be walked with.
• All of your party Pokémon can be deposited into the PC, and when breeding occurs any Pokémon in your PC has a chance to produce an egg with another in the same box (male with female, and genderless with any gender).
• Currently inheritable traits include:
  • IVs (one by one from each parent)
  • Natures (all starter and stray Pokémon have a neutral nature, stat-affecting natures can be randomly mutated and passed down)
  • Abilities (hidden abilities can randomly mutate, and a Pokémon can rarely pass down its ability to a species that should not normally have it)
  • Egg Moves (can randomly mutate, be commonly passed down to the same species, or be rarely passed down to a different species)
  • Shininess (can randomly mutate, be rarely passed down when both parents are shiny, and be very rarely passed down when one parent is shiny). Shiny Pokémon will have a slight advantage in this hack; I'm leaning towards giving their natures double the standard stat increase/decrease.
• Once a box fills up, no more eggs can be produced from the Pokémon in that box. I'm planning on starting the player with a singular box and making additional boxes unlockable to provide gradually increased population capacity and further control over breeding.

Stray System

• Each morning, a Pokéball shows up on the beach. The contained Pokémon can be viewed and added to your party.
• Each type has a pool of 16 possible stray Pokémon that can wash up.
• Possible strays are organized into four rarities, indicated by which Pokéball contains them (regular, great, ultra, master).
• The IVs of strays will gradually improve throughout the game (I'm planning for IVs in this hack to have a much stronger effect on stats than they have in the mainline games, as they will drive much of the progression and breeding).

The above features are functionally built, but I will continue to make refinements and additions that I will update you on. I haven't touched the roguelike 'run' system yet, so don't expect this hack to be playtest-able for some time. I've had a lot of fun planning it out and imagining the plot/lore that will sit behind it. That's all for now, expect further news soon!

EDIT: I'm also looking to commission a pixel artist to make walking animation sprites for some of my NPCs that don't have any in their base games.