Steampunk Dungeon Crawler - Vaporum

[zajoman]

Hello, Grimmers.

I'd like to introduce to you our game project, Vaporum, a dungeon crawler in a steampunk setting. We have been at work on the game for about 2 months and are ready to share it with the world now.

Below are a few screenshots and a gameplay video.







If we caught your fancy, make sure to follow us on Twitter, Facebook and the official web page. We want your feedback and we are ready to listen!

Please share, like and spread the word.

Thank you!

[Asteroth]

Eh, the later levels of grimrock already had the whole 'machine' feel.

I don't really know how to feel about the set the same basic thing in a different world concept (steampunk, sci-fi, aboveground). Just like mods it give people options in a niche they enjoy, so that's good. But it just not very... creative.

Oh well, I sound unnecessarily like I'm knocking honest hard work.

[Dr.Disaster]

Movement, lighting and some effects look very similar to LoG running a new tileset. Animations seem nice too and the single character setup nicely removes the need for more GUI.

[zajoman]

@Asteroth:

Hi.

Thank you for your input.

Yes, Grimrock's late levels have that "machine feel" to them, but the machines themselves and interaction with them play little to no role in gameplay - they are just scenery. In Vaporum, we want to use machines as an integral mechanic (puzzles, environment structure change, etc.), give the machinery a lot more depth in terms of both gameplay and story.

The setting we've chosen is steampunk, not fantasy, and therefore the looks, the combat style (weapons, skills, etc.) and the RPG elements are all based on that. We see this as something that distinguishes Vaporum from Grimrock the most, along with the fact that we only have one player character, which the story revolves around.

We do not perceive your comment as "knocking honest work". We appreciate it when someone shares their views with us and we are happy to talk about it.

@D.Disaster:

Hi.

Thanks for the Grimrock comparison. It is a game we are big fans of and still playing it. We are developing the game in the Unity engine. Animations and all content is a work in progress. We're glad you like it. As far as GUI goes, it's exactly as you say - a lot less GUI needs to be displayed and the controls are a bit more direct as a result. We also believe that you can create a much greater immersion this way.

[JohnWordsworth]

It looks like Legend of Grimrock and Bioshock had a baby. It's hard to pass too much judgement at the moment from that short video, but it definitely looks interesting.

Some initial thoughts from from the video. I understand it's an early WIP, but I'll feedback anyway in the thoughts that it might be useful.

- It all looked just a little bit too dark. The limited 'peripheral vision' from having a cone (presumably from your torch) is okay, but if that's intended to be there for the whole game, that would be a little off putting to me.

- I like the miminal UI, it allows you to immerse into the world better. However, I do think you should be able to see what weapon you have equipped.

- This is probably already planned, but a mouse icon change to denote that you will be attacking would be good.

- A big part of a dungeon-crawler RPG is finding loot, levelling up and balancing numbers on your character sheet. Would be good to hear what sort of things you have planned on that front.

[zajoman]

- It all looked just a little bit too dark. The limited 'peripheral vision' from having a cone (presumably from your torch) is okay, but if that's intended to be there for the whole game, that would be a little off putting to me.

Currently, you can switch the headlight on/off at will and there will be places where light & dark have a significant impact on gameplay, so the use of this light will be crucial. We are also considering adding a resource to this mechanic, so that you will be able to have it on only for a limited amount of time and will have to manage it.

In terms of light, the game will contain all sorts of areas - from well lit places to pitch black passages.

- I like the miminal UI, it allows you to immerse into the world better. However, I do think you should be able to see what weapon you have equipped.

Yes, you will be able to see your currently equipped weapon. We are working on this. Also, for this first video, we disabled most of GUI, as some parts were placeholders/unfinished.

- This is probably already planned, but a mouse icon change to denote that you will be attacking would be good.

Yes, indeed, this is planned.

- A big part of a dungeon-crawler RPG is finding loot, levelling up and balancing numbers on your character sheet. Would be good to hear what sort of things you have planned on that front.

We will be posting more information on our blog site regarding RPG elements. We'd love you people to engage in the discussion when it's on.

[Asteroth]

Only one character? I didn't watch the video, only saw the pictures.
Well if it's not fantasy and has only one character, and you've done it right. Then yeah you've probably got something decently different going. I wasn't trying to insult it. I'm just always sceptical when one thing is made and then people follow up with similiar versions.

[Komag]

Looks quite impressive for just a couple months work, I think it has incredible potential, keep at it!

[zajoman]

Don't worry, no insult taken. Thank you, guys, for feedback.

[Panda]

I'm just always sceptical when one thing is made and then people follow up with similiar versions.

...Like, say, Grimrock? LoG looks special when it stands alone right now, but the truth is that it's just a HD version of Dungeon Master, which itself was just one of the many griddes from the past.

I'm always up for more gridders, and it's good to see more than just generic fantasy being made, even though I dislike steampunk personally. The game looks good, the graphics are nice (I hope the steel environments don't lend themselves to each level having a samey look) and the movement is nice and fast. Also props for having music. It would be also great if it were possible to, say, walk around a town or something, not just in a dungeon.

Good luck with your project, looks promising!