DevLog #4 – Combat system updates
Hi guys!
Why am I starting with Devlog #4? Older devlogs are on itch.io (https://atlas-corp.itch.io/station-11)
But from now on, I'll post each devlog here as well.
This week, i solely worked on the combat system or rather everything related to the expeditions (and I actually stayed with turn-based instead of realtime!) The combat actually seems fun now, even though replayed it dozens and dozens of times...
New Features:
- Combat Abilities
- Better pathfinding / Simulataneous movement of enemies
- Task system updates
Details:
- 2D grid system for pathfinding
→ Changed to A* for better performance - Turn manager
→ All enemies first decide on their path and then start to move -> no waiting for dozens of enemies to move one after another! (This took MOST of the time...) - Combat abilites: including UI, animation, sound
→ Reload: Uses 1 magazine to reload ammo
→ Line Attack: attacks monsters in a single line (Cooldown 1 turn)
→ Shock Attack: stuns all enemies in a circular range for 1 turn (Cooldown 3 turns)
→ Single attack: High dmg attack on a single enemy - 2 different enemy types with different dmg and movement range
- Basic armor system for enemies
- Tasks on expeditions
→ Tasks have skill requirements (Engineering, Physics, Biology, etc..) and a duration
→ When a character performs a task, it can lead to a
→ Failure: No progress
→ Success: -1 duration
→ Crit Success: -2 duration
→ Chances are based on character skills vs task requirement - UI changes / updates
→ Select characters and robots by UI icons
→ Robot: show abilites / cooldowns / ammo / magazines - Map updates: more details: rocks, plants, etc.
Design Decisions:
Decision #1 - Visit expeditions once vs multiple times
At first, I planned for the player to revisit an expedition, if it wasn't finished the first time, which leads to balancing HELL! Now, you have 1 chance -> higher stakes, easier balancing, better gameplay.
Whats next?
The next days, I want to focus on the base management. After that's finished (at a basic level), the gameloop is done and I can start a few alpha test with playtesters.
Conclusion:
Very happy with the combat system and the atmosphere that it's creating.
Wishlist the game, if you like it so far!
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