Suggestions! But loved it so far :)

[Artanis]

First of all, reeeally nice and original roguelike! Im really liking it, there's interesting choices everytime: remain a vampire, take this or that spell, should I 'try' this potion... music is good, graphics, the flow of the game... and the branches for the rings are great! :)

Just some suggestions that were crossing my mind while playing and I didnt see on the forum:

- Diagonal movement / attack, feels really strange for me playing a roguelike without it!
- Hunger indicator: I'd just put a small sound or sthing to realize about being hungry; there's some status on the left and a message when starving, but I still almost miss it sometimes.
- Savegame, I've seen you're gonna make it :)

Congratulations and keep up the good work!
PS. Got 1 ring and then died miserably on the library, that level is really tricky, will try again soon ;)

[♥ jere ♥]

The library is very tricky indeed. Good job though.

-Diagonal movement is a maybe, but what I've been telling people is it would probably wouldn't be well balanced compared to 4 way (if it makes the game harder... I'm totally fine with that)
-Hunger: there is a sound once you start *really* starving. Not much problem with being just hungry (unless you're failing to grab potions).
-Save is coming at some point

[epikPhailure]

As i was writing things I didn't understand (Like multiple different potions sharing the same possible outcomes) I had an "Oh yeah, that makes sense" moment. I'm enjoying it so far, but i feel like i'm pretty much doomed to be a vampire as a human. Is there any benefit to be a human that doesn't pick up spells?

[♥ jere ♥]

Originally posted by EpikMaowPhailure:

i feel like i'm pretty much doomed to be a vampire as a human. Is there any benefit to be a human that doesn't pick up spells?

Well you are guaranteed to eventually turn. It's not a punishment. Vampires do have weaknesses, but also have tons of advantages. And you're also expected to return to human form many times throughout a run.

Not sure I get your second question. There's really no downside to picking up things, ever. That's why everything is auto-equip (one of my biggest annoyances is just having to hit a button to pick up things in many roguelikes).

[epikPhailure]

I can "pass" on choosing a spell, meaning I don't get anything from the book, which made me think there was a benefit for it.

I do *love* the fact that if I time the sunlight right, I can pass without any loss of health as a vampire.

[♥ jere ♥]

Ah, I see. Well, it's mainly when your 4 slots are full. That needs to be a bit clearer.

Originally posted by EpikMaowPhailure:

I do *love* the fact that if I time the sunlight right, I can pass without any loss of health as a vampire.

Heh, yea! I was wondering if anyone would notice that.

[epikPhailure]

Well, that would make sense why I can skip them, another thing I'm sure I would have caught. Nevermind me.

I'm glad that's a feature and not a bug.

[Artanis]

Actually I feel the opposite; being a vampire is so difficult compared to be a human. I was always using elixirs to come back to my original form, I find spells / potions really good and necessary. That means the vampire - human shift is really well balanced if people can think so different cause of the strategies they use :)

[Artanis]

Btw, how could you pass the crypt being a vampire? Good detail that skellies dont leave blood ;)

[epikPhailure]

Originally posted by Artanis:

Actually I feel the opposite; being a vampire is so difficult compared to be a human. I was always using elixirs to come back to my original form, I find spells / potions really good and necessary. That means the vampire - human shift is really well balanced if people can think so different cause of the strategies they use :)

That's what I was saying by "doomed" to be a vampire. It increases the difficulty on one end, but at least I dont have to worry about food or vampires.

[epikPhailure]

Also, I meant to add that there are plenty of roguelikes with 4 way movement, it just changes the strategy. You should check out Powder and Dungeons of Dredmor for other 4-way movement roguelikes.

[♥ jere ♥]

Hmmm. I'm wondering why you're finding vampire so hard. The main thing people ignore is stealth and they run straight into humans while getting blasted repeatedly. Also: nothing stopping you from using potions as a vampire.

Certain branches are much easier as one form or the other (and some it's absolutely necessary). If you get to the end game and you're totally out of elixirs, that sucks, but it's basically an extension of the hunger clock.

[epikPhailure]

The only thing I've personally been frustrated by is watching humans and vampires stand right next to each other and not do anything. I'm the only one they seem to recognize as "enemy". But that's more of a "WHY ARE YOU JUST STANDING THERE WHILE HE SUCKS MY BLOOD! YOU BASTID!"

[Gnome]

Originally posted by Artanis:

Actually I feel the opposite; being a vampire is so difficult compared to be a human. I was always using elixirs to come back to my original form, I find spells / potions really good and necessary. That means the vampire - human shift is really well balanced if people can think so different cause of the strategies they use :)

I'm having a hard time playing as a vampire too, but I'm just starting on the game, this might change later as I get better. That being said, it would be great if the vampires could use abilities/spells like humans. Necromancing, maybe?

[epikPhailure]

Originally posted by Rafael M.:

Originally posted by Artanis:

Actually I feel the opposite; being a vampire is so difficult compared to be a human. I was always using elixirs to come back to my original form, I find spells / potions really good and necessary. That means the vampire - human shift is really well balanced if people can think so different cause of the strategies they use :)

I'm having a hard time playing as a vampire too, but I'm just starting on the game, this might change later as I get better. That being said, it would be great if the vampires could use abilities/spells like humans. Necromancing, maybe?

Balance man. They can utilize stealth, which humans can't, and they are naturally stronger.

[♥ jere ♥]

There actually *is* a set of vampire abilities, but they are quite rare. Start as the cultist if you want to try them out. Fair warning: those abilities are probably the least polished part of the game right now.