Random Events & Points

I have been busy with my finals and a game jam since the last version, so it took some while until I came up with the new version of OVERKILL. Thanks to those who have played the previous versions and reached out to me for giving feedback!

In this development log, as I have done in the previous one, I'll be covering the latest additions to the game and how they may be improved later on.

Random Events

In the previous development log, I have mentioned that the randomness of the game considering the previous versions of the game was a big issue since getting bad items would result in a bad run no matter what.

In order to reduce the randomness in question, I had added a rerolling and transmutation mechanic in order to enable the player to make more strategic decisions.

Almost in the same way, for this version, I have worked on random events. The random events I have implemented in this version have a great ability to affect the possible outcome of the run, so getting a couple of bad items is no longer as effective as it was before in a bad way.

Wanderer Event

The first event type that is added in the new version is the wanderer event. When encountered the wanderer, he offers the player three random trinkets, which all have different enhancements.

Some trinkets are really powerful, like the one in the middle in the picture above, which allows the player to carry one more legendary item where normally the player only can carry one. I have designed four different trinkets for the current version, but their number will increase greatly.

Shrine Event

The second and the most simplistic event type added in this version is the shrine event. Shrines are powerful stone statues that can increase the heroes' power by buffing them.

With the shrine event, I have added the game a buff system too; so, in the upcoming patches, when I'll be adding skills, it'll be much easier to implement them. Currently, there are three different buffs, which are not only obtainable by the shrine event but buff potions that can be purchased from the merchant!

Merchant Event

The third and currently the last event type that I have added is the merchant event. Like you would expect from a typical merchant when encountered, he offers to sell certain items to the player. To purchase them, you need shiny gems!

There are three main categories of items that you can purchase from the merchant right now. The first of them is restoration potions, the second is buff potions, and the third one is a random artifact. Considering the random artifacts, only random weapons and random trinket rolls are currently available for purchase via the merchant.

Post-Game Screen & Points

I have mentioned in the previous development log that I'll be adding a post-game screen in order to make sharing high scores possible. It still doesn't quite look good but it is somewhat ready.

As it can be seen from the image above, the left part of the post-game screen consists of items that are collected throughout the game and the right part is the sum of points and their related categories.

Each difficulty level has its own points modifier, the impossible difficulty having x2.2 as the highest among them. The other point sources are all stated below the difficulty modifier, but they will surely change as the game develops.

What's Next?

In the first development log for OVERKILL, I have mentioned that I'd be adding different characters and skills for them to use, and in the second development log, I have mentioned the random events and the post-game screen. Since the latter is completed apart from bugs and improvements, I finally can work on different characters and skills now.

Before releasing the alpha version, I have a special game mode called "raid mode" in mind which I really want to implement. In order to successfully implement that mode, there at least needs to be three different characters that have different play styles.

Considering those, my next aim is to improve the current systems and working on character variety and their skills. The next version may contain at least one of them as something new.

Please do not hesitate to share your thoughts about the game, every inch of feedback is highly appreciated!