I know this is WAY earlier than expected but I SOMEHOW pulled it off just YESTERDAY...
WIDESCREEN IS HERE!!!
To get it working, I blended some modified scripts from the Prologue Demo for "The T.O.T.E." and ran some tests! When I found that it was working, I just had to adjust different story scenes and graphics used for certain parts of the game and then it just worked!
I've been testing it since yesterday and it seems to work pretty well--even better than the Prologue Demo.
It's not perfect, and it probably never will be but it sure is better than those ugly black bars on the side. Lol Plus, if you have a Steam Deck to try it on, it'll have thinner horizontal bars on the top and bottom that make it look way more cinematic. Pretty cool stuff.
Now, the only slight issue is that there might be some unexpected bugs or even unintended camera angles in the game due to the changing of the base resolution. I'll probably just continue enjoying my playthrough on the Steam Deck so if I spot anything glaring, I'll be sure to patch it all up now that I have all of the files organized and ready for bug fixes again. Feel free to post in the community threads to let me know if you notice anything is off as well. You guys have definitely helped a lot with that up until now.
Here are some smaller fixes that are coming with this update:
Fixed Mega Ran's attack AGAIN so that it now destroys bushes (it was only working on pots and boxes before).* Changed the Black Mic's backstory scenes at the beginning of the game to the way they were in the earlier versions of the Prologue demo so that they are more cinematic. Changed the UI font to a more readable, chunkier font. Resized the UI font.
*Quick note on Mega Ran's basic attack: It now goes through walls. I remember this being a complaint before concerning him being "OP" but I'd like to test out if this will REALLY affect the game's balance enough for it to be a serious problem.
I'm also aware that there are some strange differences in the font sizes for the UI (ie, the 1st player's health vs. the followers' health). I'll be looking into those later.
Hope you guys enjoy this update as well as the last one!
- LB
Pre-make Update #1
Hey, guys. Last BeNeVoLeNcE here--
I just released an update for Tales of the Elements that you may find interesting!
Details below!
~ SINGLE MODE ADDED ~
Are you TIRED of your AI members constantly running off into their deaths? Can't seem to figure out how to configure them to heal and keep themselves alive?
Well, in this new update, I added a quality-of-life feature called "Single Mode."
This mode is a single-player mode that DISABLES your party members in areas where there are enemies so that the selected character that you are controlling is the only one one the map during battles.
Any character in your current party can still be selected from the character select menu. Whoever is in your party at the time will also still gain experience.
Single mode can be toggled from the in-game sub menu.
IMPORTANT: When toggled ON, this feature will ONLY become activate at the next time an area with enemies is entered into so it's best to activate when in-town or in an area without enemies.
~ Cloud Saves now supported! ~
I'm actually late to announcing this as I had shadow dropped this to the game awhile back. Cloud Saves are now working across all devices!
~ Testing for Steam Deck ~
I've been playing through the game here and there on my Steam Deck to make note of some details to further development of the new remake, The T.O.T.E., which I'm planning to launch hopefully this summer.
So far, the game runs REALLY well on the Steam Deck with only a slight blow to performance on 1 or 2 of the 3D special stages.
So, if you were a fan and enjoyed playing Tales of the Elements, try giving it a try with the new updates on your Steam Deck and be sure to leave whatever feedback you can so that we can get Steam to test this game for Steam Deck Verification!
Thanks for all of your guys' support and patience.
This game was my first game release as a (mostly) solo developer so it's important to me. With that being said, expect a couple of updates going forward as I continue developing the remake "The T.O.T.E.!" --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Update fix log: Fixed the early game "rhyme writing" tutorial not displaying correctly. Fixed the satellite switch on the 2F so that it's displaying correctly before being destroyed. Fixed the Flower Girl transaction in the base game so that it now gives the correct item when standing on the left. Fixed Mega Ran's basic weapon attack not being able to shoot through breakable objects such as bushes, pots, boxes, etc.* Added a short bit of dialogue to wrap up and the beginning of the "sky bloom" side quest. Edited a slight typo where "BeNeVoLeNcE" says "lock down" instead of "lockdown" right before the Treeble radio station boss.
*This will not work on current loaded equipment from previously saved data. So, you'll need to get a new weapon for Mega Ran added into your inventory or you'll need to start a new game. Either of those will work.
OTHER changes: Removed beginning video from game as it was an early concept video that no longer adds any meaningful context, supports or conveys the proper plot points brought out in the story (can be still viewed from within game files). Added the option to toggle on or off the new Single Mode when starting a new game. Also removed the opening text scroll from the game.
Plans for next update(s):
Remake soundtrack BGMs Dialogue fixes and adjustments to vague objectives within a certain main story task that happens to mostly take place in a desert-y area.... Maybe something else...
- LB
T.O.T.E. - The Tales of The Elements is NOW FULLY FUNDED ON KICKSTARTER!!!
Hey, everyone!
As you might already know, I have a Kickstarter running for the new version of Tales of the Elements and I'm pleased to announce that the project has ALREADY PASSED ITS GOAL!!!!
As mentioned previously in the current event update here on Steam covering the campaign, this new enhanced remake will be called "T.O.T.E: The Tales Of The Elements" and it will feature:
- All of the improvements from the update on the original version - True Widescreen fullscreen - A remixed OST - An enhanced and more fleshed out story - New environmental art and new character art as well - New game systems to enhance the overall experience
I also have stretch goals for even more features that I'd like to add to the new version of the game with the help of backers. I haven't revealed the full list of stretch goals on the Kickstarter page but I thought it might be cool to share them with you here! Check it out:
What do you think? Are there any features mentioned in the stretch goals that you'd like to see in the game, personally? Thinking about backing the campaign?
Remember, if you back the campaign for only $15 or more, you'll get a copy of the new version of T.O.T.E with your choice of it being here on Steam or on a mobile platform such as Android or iPhone!
If you haven't already, check out the page and consider supporting the Kickstarter!
With your help, who knows what heights this small project can reach?
- LB
T.O.T.E. just launched on Kickstarter today with more than 36% funding!
So, I have a couple of exciting things to announce here.
1. There's a pretty BIG update coming to Tales of the Elements in the near future! This update will feature more fleshed out fixes, improvements and general polish to the overall game.
Changes and enhancements that are planned are:
- Improvements in compatibility between the game engine and battle systems - AI Improvement with the option to turn off AI-controlled part members - Stat Rebalancing
2. Also, there's a NEW version of the game that is planned to be released as a separate game here on Steam and it will also see a release on mobile (iPhone and Android platforms) as well!
This new enhanced remake will be called "T.O.T.E: The Tales Of The Elements" and it will feature:
- All of the improvements from the update - True Widescreen fullscreen - A remixed OST - An enhanced and more fleshed out story - New environmental art and new character art as well - New game systems to enhance the overall experience
These 2 announcements are related, of course, as a number of the big changes that are going to be in the new version of TOTE will also be included in the original game.
However, in order to make it happen I needed to gain some funding and I've decided to turn to crowdfunding to make it possible!
I explain all of the details in this short video below:
[previewyoutube="75ENOSHUlGg;full"]
What do you think?
Did you like Tales of the Elements?
Support the Kickstarter and we'll be able to give it a second chance at being something truly special!
- LB
My NEW game, Astraverse, is LIVE on Kickstarter!
Hey, guys!
For the past 3 years, I've been working on a new game called Astraverse! It's a cooperative Sci-fi Action RPG where you can explore different planets and it's HEAVILY inspired by my favorite game series, Phantasy Star!
It just launched on Kickstarter and you can check it out here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/lastbenevolence/astraverse
Astraverse has gameplay similar to classic arcade beat 'em ups like Double Dragon, Golden Axe, Streets of Rage or Final Fight. But, it has features that are common in RPGs such as character creation, leveling up stats and loot grinding.
I talk about the features in this video: [previewyoutube="y_yyQNVjcT4;full"]
I HIGHLY recommend to check out the Kickstarter, pledge whatever you can--there are rewards for even $1 pledges!
And if you can't pledge, that's okay! Tell someone who you think might be interested! You'd be surprised how much that helps!
Looking forward to continuing on this journey and I appreciate your taking the time to read my post here!
I'm really pleased to announce the release of the 2nd Chapter of Tales of the Elements!
You can find it on the Steam Store right here: http://store.steampowered.com/app/779720/Tales_of_the_Elements__2nd_Chapter/
If you're curious to know what this 2nd Chapter is about--No problem! But, first--It might be a little easier for me to share a bit of the story behind the project as a whole, first. So, here's what we got:
Tales of the Elements was produced and recorded back in 2015 as 2 separate Hip Hop albums. The concept of it was that each album would be like a separate "disc" that made up a full JRPG like they did with most JRPG games back on the first Playstation.
Once we finished we decided to make them into 2 episodic games but after some time, those games turned into a single game with the second part being DLC for the main game.
Why would I recommend 2nd Chapter?
You can think of 2nd Chapter like as if it's your "second disc." With it, you can experience the full story and side content as well--It literally has the same amount of content as the First Chapter (the main game)!
But, there are a couple of ways that you can get it:
You can get 2nd Chapter by itself (see the link above) or you can get it bundled together at a discount with the album right here on Steam!:
This has been a real passion project for me and I really appreciate everyone who's contributed and supported it!
Thanks and again--Feel free to contact me directly or post up here for any questions that are Tales of the Elements related!
- LB
Tales of the Elements 2nd Chapter Coming Soon! (Big FC Update, too!)
Hello, everyone!
This is Last BeNeVoLeNcE and I have some great news!
First off, the issue that some of us were experiencing with the game installing itself as an empty folder has been fixed! So, the new update for the game is fully tested and working! I apologize for any inconvenience that issue may have caused in the last couple of days.
Second, Tales of the Elements 2nd Chapter is finally coming out on February 9th and you can even check out the trailer and screenshots in the store!: http://store.steampowered.com/app/779720/Tales_of_the_Elements__2nd_Chapter/
The 2nd Chapter will include a bunch of new content--The second half of the story, 2 new playable characters, new locations, new special stages, several different endgame sidequests, and secret bosses!
That's not even the best part--even though it will DOUBLE the content of the base game, the price is set to be only $3.99!
How come?
This is because the Tales of the Elements 2C album will be completely optional and will be available for purchasing separately or together with the game. And of course, it will be only $2.99.
Third--After finishing up 2C, I've added in a new update for FC which fixes several different bugs as well as adds in the hand drawn art used in the maps of 2C (Drawn by Snowberry, the same artist who's done the cover artwork for 2C's album)!
There have also been some changes to the game's systems. For one, BeNeVoLeNcE's "Sample-flip" ability is now useable through one single skill instead of being available as 3 different skills. This is more convenient for players because there's no need to switch skills when trying to use the sample-flip that corresponds to whatever is equipped to BeNeVoLeNcE's secondary equipment/weapon slot.
I'm really looking forward to the release of 2C as it brings a lot of much needed improvements, content, and enhancements to the game!
As always, thank you guys for your support and if you have any questions or if you find any bugs--feel free to post up in the community forums or send me a message anytime!
Edit:
I received a bit of feedback and I thought it would be a good idea to address some concerns right here:
I intended to release the "2nd Chapter" with some new achievements to unlock but there was no way to do that besides adding it to the base game's achievement stats.
But after receiving some much-needed feedback, I realize that it wasn't a good idea so I've decided to remove the achievements for 2C. All of the achievements are now fully unlockable in FC alone! Hopefully this is a positive development for our completionists!
Also:
The "2nd Chapter" DLC is separate from the main game to match the albums' releases. They're meant to be episodic with FC as the first game and album then 2C continuing as the DLC and second album. Hopefully that clears some things up!
For any questions about it--feel free to post up here in the community or email me at: lastbenevolence@outlook.com!
Thanks!
- LB
Technical issues (Update)
Hey, everyone!
LB here--
We have some good news:
I was able to fix the issue with the game files and I'm uploading it all right now.
For anyone who may be curious about what happened: The issue was caused by the build that I had uploaded with the DLC overwriting the main game files and deleting them for players who did not have the DLC.
The next announcement I post will be about the release of Tales of the Elements 2nd Chapter and the new update to the First Chapter--I'll be posting that announcement once the new WORKING build is live!
Again, thanks for all of your patience while I've been handling this issue.
- LB
PS. Whoever sent in a report or complaint about this issue will be receiving a FREE key for 2nd Chapter.
Technical issues
Last BeNeVoLeNcE, here:
I just recently put an update on the game but there appears to be an issue with the game folder showing up empty in the last update. We may have found out what the issue is--but it will take some time to fix.
I'm currently working on the solution right now but in the meantime--I appreciate your patience as I'll need a bit of time to get the game's folders up again.
I'll have an update within an hour!
- LB
Big Changes (Free update!)
Hey, everybody!
Last BeNeVoLeNcE, here:
In the recent months, I've began working on Tales of the Elements 2C. The story's already written, the album is already recorded, and all of the new features and gameplay enhancements for 2C are already complete!
So, while working on those new features, I decided it would be a good idea to make all of the new features and gameplay balances available in FC as part of a FREE update!
This update's big because it's really taking all of the new ideas that will be used in 2C and completely giving FC a makeover with them.
Aside from some minor bug fixes--here's what's new:
In-depth (but completely optional) tutorials for important game features.
Eight (8) "special stages" (mini-games) to unlock special inspiration.
Voice grunts for dialogue from main characters as well as some NPCs.
Battle voiceovers for playable characters.
Breakable boxes, barrels, and chests with random item drops (replacing chests).
New splash screens before the title.
New title screen and new title screen music.
New windowskin for dialogue.
Updated sub menu.
