My new (completed) RPGM2 game: Spheer

[jerbils]

Spheer is my most advanced game to date. The concept of the game is incredibly simple; you are a ball, and you have to navigate the eight levels in order to find these little balls of light called "Electrodes." The thing that's unique about Spheer is the level design. I put my heart and soul into crafting levels that are challenging, abstract, original, and most of all, fun. It's comparable to a video game Rubik's Cube. There's also a Multiplayer Mode that allows for up to four players. In the Multiplayer Mode, you want to collect 25 Electrodes faster than everybody else.

This is my first RPGM2 game, and it's also my most mature game, creatively speaking (it's rated for everyone). I guess you could say that Crazy Skating sowed the seeds, and Spheer is the tree. It's a bit of an artsy game, but not to the point where it's too weird to play.

It's currently up here: http://www.pavilionboards.com/forum/...tachmentid=345

If you play it, please make sure to read the in-game instructions, it will likely answer all of your questions. Also, there's a special hidden mode, so see if you can find it.

[Valkysas]

Re: My new (completed) RPGM2 game: Spheer

Just added it to the site. Thanks!

I'll play it (and get it uploaded for the PS3) later tonight.

[jerbils]

Re: My new (completed) RPGM2 game: Spheer

I can't believe you got it up that fast. I seriously uploaded it less than 20 minutes ago. I think you'll like it.

[Pagerron]

Re: My new (completed) RPGM2 game: Spheer

I'm so glad I have RPG Maker 2 (even if I don't make games on it).

As a result, I've had the chance to check out Spheer. It is one neat game. Lots of puzzles. He's not kidding when he talks about intricate level design. Nice, nice job. Ball movement is pretty smooth. Using the different camera angles is really helpful too.

I've only played through the first level (red)-in free play and challenge mode-so far, but I'm looking forward to playing through level 2 soon.

[hitogoroshi]

Re: My new (completed) RPGM2 game: Spheer

How exactly does multiplayer work? Is it just pass the control style?

[Wavelength]

Re: My new (completed) RPGM2 game: Spheer

Whoa... great to see you here, jerbils! Been a LONG while since I've spoken to you (back in the GameFAQs days)!!

This already sounds very cool, and I'm sure I'll only be able to get the full effect by playing it. As soon as I can get my Blue Discs DREs problem fixed I'm going to check Spheer out. In the meantime I'll look forward to hopefully seeing some screenshots.

[Pagerron]

Re: My new (completed) RPGM2 game: Spheer

I had the chanced to play level 2 (blue) today. I got 35 electrodes, and I could see the others, but I couldn't figure out a way to get to them before I had to turn the game off to do some other things. I know there's a way to get them. Ugh!

Well, next time I play, I'm going to mess around in freeplay to figure out a couple of things first. I just went straight to challenge mode this time.

This level had more features than the first one did and was much more complex.

[jerbils]

Re: My new (completed) RPGM2 game: Spheer

Ffft, I was keeping such a close eye on the topic I made in the submissions forum, I completely forgot about the one I made here. Sorry for not getting back to you guys sooner.

hitogoroshi: Pass-the-controller/hotseat is the only way to do multiplayer in any of the RPG Makers as far as I know, since there's no way to get the system to register commands from the second controller. As far as gameplay is concerned, there are 25 Electrodes on a player-chosen map, and each player takes turns collecting them as fast as they can. The player who takes the longest each round is eliminated (you can play with up to three other people).

Wavelength: Oy, I wish I could get screenshots. Besides taking pictures of the game playing on a TV (which always looks awful), I don't have the necessary equipment.

Pagerron: Yeah, level 2 is hard. Actually, the game overall is not particularly easy, but I don't think it's prohibitively hard. Subsequent levels aren't as maze-intensive as Level 2. The big rectangle area is pretty challenging, I get lost there myself often times.

By the way, if you guys were curious, I made a fairly in-depth entry detailing the game on the Mag's Wiki.

[Pagerron]

Re: My new (completed) RPGM2 game: Spheer

Well, I got my Spheer fix today and beat Level 2 (Blue) Oh yeah! That was satisfying. I was sure there was some bug not allowing me to get by this one area, and then I realized that the bug was in my brain. I had completely missed this little side path. Yay! Cool. I definitely recommend messing around in free play before trying a level. It really helps.

I tried the multiplayer mode. I played as both players. You get to pick which map you want. I chose map 1 thinking it was the same as Level 1 in the regular game. Wrong! New map. Very conducive to speed play too. I also discovered that you can move your ball really fast, too. I must have missed that when I read through the instructions.

My record so far in Level 1 of Multiplayer is 61 seconds. Beat that!

[hitogoroshi]

Re: My new (completed) RPGM2 game: Spheer

As soon as I find my USB drive, I'm getting Spheer, Daniels Quest III, and Shadow of Towers.

[Pagerron]

Re: My new (completed) RPGM2 game: Spheer

I've made some good progress in Spheer in the last little while.

I've beaten:

Level 3 (liked the way there was a little variation of color on different sides of the walls - that made seeing my way around a bit easier)
Level 4 (cool little puzzles)

Now, I'm playing:

Level 5 (this is my favorite level so far. There is this one area which is really an interesting feat of creativity on the part of jerbils. You have to manipulate these four cubes into different spaces. All of this is done by pressing certain floor arrows. Really cool.)

Just out of curiosity jerbils, why did you spell it "Spheer" not "Sphere." Is there any particular reason?

[jerbils]

Re: My new (completed) RPGM2 game: Spheer

I misspelled the name to set the game apart from the rest a little bit. I think having spelt it the way I did distinguishes it from other games. There's no real significance beyond that, I just felt it was appropriate.

[irate giraffe]

Re: My new (completed) RPGM2 game: Spheer

I don't understand what would've been wrong with spelling the word correctly. But, I guess I'm just a lil old-skool lik dat.

[Red Dragon]

Re: My new (completed) RPGM2 game: Spheer

Spheer shounds more like a game though. Sphere could be any round ball.

[Pagerron]

Re: My new (completed) RPGM2 game: Spheer

Gotta love free time. It's been a while since I last played Spheer, but today was a great day! I beat it. Woo Hoo!!

Level 5 -
I liked:
The group of balls that you had to "run" away from
the puzzle where you had to build a couple of bridges in order to get some of the electrodes.

Level 6-
I liked:
-moving platforms (working your way up to the top)
-the camera effect when you step on one of the blocks with an exclamation point. Zooms way out to let you see exactly what's happening with the puzzle structure.
-the blocks that "walk" with you. Nice effect.

Level 7
-This Level is my favorite!!
-Plays with your mind (anti-gravity effect is really cool [although it was a little hard to get used to the upside down movement at first])
-The first time I saw the effect of the speed pad sending me off the edge of the puzzle, I laughed at loud. I liked that a lot.
-The constantly shifting ramps were cool.

Level 8 -
That was a good idea not to make this available in the free play mode, in my opinion.
A good combo of all previous effects.

The ending - It definitely wasn't what I was expecting. Actually, I had no idea what to expect, but that wasn't it. (You'll just have to play to see what I mean.)

I had a good experience playing this game. Good job Jerbils. Thanks for sharing with us.