Magical Monster Land
Version 2 test level gameplay video
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/k2uTAVqE4589LTA6oJ0
The link is for a short video showing an example of the updated gameplay.
The pace is faster than before but there will still be side areas/secrets to find for those who prefer to take their time.
Update About Development
Instead of continuing to patch the holes in the old version I decided that it would be easier to restart. I delayed any announcement as I wanted to be close to having something playable first.
NEW VERSION
ROLL ATTACK
When designing the new version of this game I wanted to give the player more movement options. That way the standard gameplay could be more interesting and fun without the need for any powerups.
With the roll attack you can build up speed by rolling downhill or through enemies/breakable blocks.
So long as you have enough speed you will keep rolling. It can also be used as an attack while swimming. This should make water levels faster paced than before.
As a result of this I've removed the magic wand and punch attack since they didn't fit with the new gameplay.
MENUS
You can customize the game's settings and controls during gameplay instead of just on the title screen.
In the Extras menu you can view your awards, a summary of levels cleared/things collected, upgrades and player skins. The game will still have Steam achievements but each save file will have it's own in-game achievements to match them.
The ? coins are used to unlock new upgrades and the CDs are used for unlocking optional challenge levels
Your playtime and completion % can be viewed on the file screen
ITEMS
Aside from transformations and level gimmicks there are now two main powerups. The Green Heart and the Fairy. These are found in normal levels. Usually in secret areas.
The Green Heart allows you to take an extra hit and refills your heart meter.
The Fairy will now save you whenever you would have lost a life. Such as falling down a pit or crashing your mine cart. It will also revive you if you run out of hearts and allow you to continue playing without having to restart the level.
The armour item was replaced by pink hearts that refill your heart meter. The main reason for this change was to make it easier to add in new player skins. Basically I won't have to draw armoured and unarmoured versions of everything.
At this point the only skins available are different coloured versions of the normal player sprite but more will be added later. Probably as an update after release.
At the item shop you no longer buy powerups. Instead you can buy new player skins and a few permanent upgrades such as increasing your heart meter.
The game will still have optional mini games where you can earn extra lives.
More to come this month.
v1.6.0
The hammer item has been replaced with the ability to punch
The goblin and bird transformations have new graphics.
The bird transformation has updated controls and can fly for an unlimited amount of time.
Levels 3-1, 3-2, 3-3 and 4-1 have updated designs
Level 1-5 has been redesigned completely
Updates
-Replaced hammer with punch attack
-Removed item switch since it was no longer needed
-Changed magic wand back to old behaviour
-Updated magic wand attack animation
-Updated all levels to account for player being able to punch
-Updated item shop backgrounds and layout
-Decreased speed loss when jumping into honey
-Added new hanging bug/spike bug enemies
-Updated 3-2 level design
-Updated zone 4 level backgrounds
-Updated zone 3 map backgrounds
-Updated zone 3 level backgrounds
-Updated fishman enemy graphics
-Updated 3-3 level design
-Updated bird transformation graphics
-Updated bird transformation controls
-Redesigned level 1-5
-Updated 3-1 level design
-Updated 4-1 level design
-Updated graphics for zone 3 jumping enemies
-Updated graphics for goblin transformation and goblin enemies
-Added timed gems
-Added moving spike walls
Bug Fixes
-Selecting save file 4 would load data for file 1
-Hand item visible before player reappears on map after exiting level
-Fairy heart shield overlapping trees on map
-Going through doors when hand item was equipped would sometimes kill the player
-Could pass through the minecart on 4-1
-Game over screen menu not allowing player to continue
-Breaking multiple blocks at exact same time would add the incorrect amount of gems to player's total
-No invulnerability after taking damage and being bounced by a spring at the same time
v1.5.0
Main points
Transformations now happen when collecting certain power ups. This change was made so transformations could be hidden in levels as a reward for exploring.
The hand, ghost, fairy and armour items can now be used when transformed.
Added the goblin transformation. The goblin can charge through enemies and even destroy some things that you normally couldn't.
Added the start of Zone 4.
When starting a new file you will be given the option to choose from 3 difficulty modes.
Any files created before this update will be on the normal mode.
The inventory can now be accessed from level checkpoints when playing on normal mode
New save files are now named "MML Save file 1" etc. instead of "file 1" etc.
Old save file data will be copied into a new save file and the old file will be placed into a folder named
"Old MML save files". This change was made so it would be clearer what the file was.
Updates
-Added Zone 4 to the map screen
-Added the first level of Zone 4
-2 new enemies for Zone 4
-2 new underwater enemies
-Updated bird controls
-Hand, ghost, fairy and armour items can be used when transformed
-Removed bird transformation heart meter
-Added bird and goblin transformation power-ups
-Added goblin transformation
-Added Mine cart movement delay after being rescued by hand
-Camera scrolls further ahead of player when in mine cart
-New secrets added to 1-5 and 2-3
-Updated level design of 1-5
-Updated sound effect for life potion
-Updated graphics for life potion and gems
-Player will now fall after taking damage while wall sliding
-Added level 2-5
-Removed castle level intro
-Inventory can now be accessed from level checkpoints
-Item shop prices increased
-Less delay when buying items in the item shop
-Map graphics for Zone 1 and 2 updated
-Changed boss key graphics
-Improved collision detection for honey
-Updated level design and graphics for beehive
-Updated lava and water animations
-Increased hit box size for electric seaweed
-Gems spawned by silver bells are now silver
-Doors, platforms etc. spawned by gold bells are now gold
-Added small window mode
-Updated wall jump sound effect
-Shortened the end of level sequence
-Dialog text is no longer all upper case
-Updated graphics for Wally and Shopkeeper
-Updated all menus
-Added item descriptions to inventory screen
-Added checkpoint outside of boss room
-Added difficulty selection
-Reading signposts now paused the game
-Updated backgrounds for Zone 3
-Added falling cloud platforms
-Added flying beetle enemy
-Faster running animation when over normal max speed
-Updated magic wand behavior
-Updated big bee enemy
-Updated under water backgrounds
-Updated balloon graphics
-Level design changes in 1-4, 3-3 and 3-2
-Updated game to support slopes in normal platforming levels
Bug fixes
-Star/block timer not disappearing after timer has ran out
-Block timer counter resetting to the wrong value
-Mine cart animation not playing correctly on slopes
-Star counter not showing on 2-4
-Star/block counter overlapping the pause screen background
-Player getting killed after using hand item and pausing the game
-Cursor sound effect playing continuously if holding down when exiting inventory screen
-Player loses heart shield when falling of screen and using hand item
-Flying potion could be collected if the player started from the checkpoint
-Invisible blocks not triggering after using hand item
-Camera fixes for 1-5, 2-1, 2-2, 2-3 and 3-3
-Added missing vine collision detector on 3-3
-Player getting stuck inside invisible blocks
-Timer sound effect playing the wrong pitch
-Ghost item was removed from player after exiting the fishing game
-Incorrect player sprite displayed during fishing game
-Maximum run speed not resetting to the correct value after using horizontal springs
Update 1.4.0 Steam Achievements
Updates:
Zone 2 music updated
Changed level names to 1-1, 1-2 etc.
Updated graphics, music and design of 3-2
Spider enemies will now get stuck in honey
Improved collision detection for timed golden blocks
Camera improvements to 3-2, 1-5, 2-1
Added level 3-3
Update behavior of hand item to make it work on 3-3
Added balloon platforms
Added invisible blocks
Updated map screen menu
Added Steam Achievements
Bug fixes:
Inventory item box showing behind the pause screen background
Removed the Mystery Medal gate blocking 1-5 since It was bugged and didn't remove any Mystery Medals from the player.
Path to Wally's Fishing Hole not opening
Updating the graphics on the beehive level and Steam Achievements
The next update will include new music for this level as well.
I've decided to start adding some Steam Achievements to the game since I've had quite a few requests for them.
Ideas for achievements:
Beat a certain level in a time limit
Don't collect any gems in a certain level
Don't kill any enemies in a certain level
Defeat a boss without taking any damage
Collect all Mystery Medals in a Zone
Screenshot from an upcoming level
After I finish making this level I'll make a start on Zone 4.
Once I've made 2 or 3 levels for it I'll go back and start finishing the other zones.
Adding the rest of the levels to them as well as the boss fights and mini games.
Update 1.3.1
New graphics for level 1 of Zone 3
Replaced flower objects in level 1 of Zone 3 with horizontal vines to climb on
Redesigned level 1 of Zone 3 to make use of new vines
Working on updating the graphics for Zone 3
Update 1.3.0
Vines that can be climbed on
5 new enemies
Added the first 2 levels of Zone 3
Zone maps linked together by a new main map
Map camera can now scroll
Player's map sprite can now face four directions
Changed Witch design and made cutscene shorter
Changed sound effect for defeating enemies
Disabled wall jumping/sliding when close to water
Findy Ghost will hover over doors and warp points if they lead to Mystery Medals
Changed spike graphics
Improved controls on bird level
Camera improvements in Mazy Marsh 2
Made cloud platforms easier to see
Improved collision detection for jumping on enemies
Bug fixes:
Bell timer not playing sound effects at correct pitch
Player could take damage from enemies during screen transition after exiting level from menu
Player could get stuck if they opened a door while they were wall sliding