mizukidevlog

[mizukidevlog]

Devlog 48

From my past self: "// Making a choice system with multiple/varied options was too difficult, so it's just a yes/no system"

I freaking love proving my past self wrong.

That's right, Mizuki and the Crimson Moon has a brand-new branching dialog system complete with a dialog loop, randomized replies (for chatting), and the potential to execute code after specific branches. Very excited for all the potential this has!

If you think code like this is cool and want to implement something similar yourself, let me know! I'm happy to share some code.

I've also be working on the training area, which will have a lot more purpose than its name implies. You can also hide in it.

That's all for this week. Stay tuned for more!

[mizukidevlog]

Mizuki always enjoys a nice nap in the sun!

She just needs to remember to not do it during patrol...

[mizukidevlog]

Devlog 47: Training!

Happy weekend everyone!

This week I've been working on a training ground! (Design not final)

The training ground is run by the local tengu, Yuto, and is essential for honing your skills with teleportation and combat! As you collect Yuto's lost feathers throughout the Yokai Forest, you'll unlock for challenges for you to do!

My plan for 'training ground' type areas is to have them as a place that a new player can use to practice or learn more complex skills early on, but then in future areas become a place for experienced player to take on difficult challenges. Let me know what you think!

And trust me, those dummies aren't just going to stand there and take it...

That's all for now. Stay tuned and stay safe!

[mizukidevlog]

Graphics and Sound Update for Mizuki and the Crimson Moon!

Happy Month of March everyone!

It's time for a nice update for Mizuki and the Crimson Moon. No big gameplay additions or changes, so sorry if you were looking forward to that. This time it's all about the art and sound of the game! The main tileset used for the Yokai Forest has been updated and I've been busy at work adding sound effects and better sound design into the game. If you haven't tried out my demo yet, now is a great time to do that!

If you read this and have played my demo, let me know what you think!

Expect more updates in the coming month.

[mizukidevlog]

Devlog 46!

More sound effects are in Mizuki and the Crimson Moon! Take a listen below:

Featured above are the attack sound, BREAK effect, and new teleport effect. I gotta say, the forest really has a different vibe with no music playing though.

I'm planning on adding and showcasing lots more sound effects in the coming days / weeks. Maybe even a new demo update? We'll have to see.

If you got feedback drop it down below!

Have a great weekend!

[mizukidevlog]

Devlog?

It has been a while. Time to get back to a weekly posting schedule with a good reintroduction post!

Hello! I'm CritsOnAStick, the solo programmer working on my 2D action-platformer Mizuki and the Crimson Moon! Follow Mizuki as she leaves her beloved forest home to track own the humans who attacked her village!

Mizuki and the Crimson Moon is a platformer that creatively uses teleportation for movement and combat purposes. Combat also has special attacks and a 'BREAK' feature which allows you to flinch and stun enemies with precise attacks.

In case you can't tell yet, this game is heavily influenced by Japanese culture and folklore. It's full of it! Everything from yokai, charms, celebrations, history, and everything in between.

I've been working on the game for over two years now and am getting it ready for Steam NextFest in the summertime. It will take a few more years for the game to be 100% done unless I am able to move into game development fulltime (which I can't at the moment). However, this is a project that I can 100% guarantee will be completed! If you like games, give me a follow and check out what I have so far! I am ALWAYS looking for good feedback :)

Steam Game Link ItchIO Game Link

Until the next time... Bye!

[mizukidevlog]

Edge of the Yokai Forest. A location in my game, Mizuki and the Crimson Moon.

This is one of many backgrounds that I am redoing to help my game look a little nicer.

Thoughts?

More updates soon <3

[mizukidevlog]

Boss fights just became more interesting

I've always enjoyed a little back and forth dialog during boss battles. Something about the player and boss having a conversation about stuff while fighting is just fun. I added the mechanic to the first boss fight and it's looking pretty good! I'm definitely going to have some fun coming up with little chats for this fight and others.

Get ready for one-liners, clap-backs, and more!

[mizukidevlog]

It’s Mizuki the kitsune!

It’s not my best work of art, but it was really nice to work on as a break between all the coding.

Have you played the latest patch yet? If you have, let me know what you think! Lots of stuff was added which made me pretty nervous about everything working well together.

Excited to start coding again. Be on the lookout for most game dev posts!

[mizukidevlog]

Big Update for Mizuki and the Crimson Moon!

New update for Mizuki and the Crimson Moon! New mechanics and plenty of bug fixes. Even if you've played it before, you going to want to check this out!

Some of the big changes include: - The ability to BREAK enemies. Attack most enemies just right to stun them for a couple seconds. - A healing ability for Mizuki! Spend all of your remaining wisps to recover some health. Just don't get hit! - Many gameplay balances - Lot of bug fixes

Check out my demo on Steam and ItchIO! Even if you've played it before, you're going to want to check it out again! If you enjoy it, please leave a review or tell me your thoughts! Stuff like that goes a long way in helping a small indie developer like me.

I'm going to go enjoy my weekend now. Until next time!

A tired Mizuki

[mizukidevlog]

Weekend Gameplay!

Here's a bit of Mizuki and the Crimson Moon gameplay for you to enjoy! Featuring features that will be added to the November demo patch!

The combat has been getting a lot of attention lately, but that's because the first boss has been getting worked on. Adding big fights really make you reflect on how fluid the combat feels. Still trying to find that perfect balance, but hopefully I'm getting closer.

If you're wondering what this gameplay is, it's of the game I'm developing! Mizuki and the Crimson Moon is an action-platformer that uses teleportation as a movement and combat mechanic! I can't say I've seen another game like it, but it takes inspiration from games like Hollow Knight, Luna Knights, and other platformers.

I got a demo you can play; you should check it out! I'd love the feedback / wishlist / review if you got the time! Steam ItchIO

That's all for today. Back to developing!

[mizukidevlog]

Devlog 45

Development on Mizuki and the Crimson Moon has been going smoothly this week. Also! I've noticed that several new people/names have been taking interest in my game, so thank you! I hope you'll tune in and follow my game dev journey.

I've added the Break mechanic to every enemy in the Yokai Forest (at least the ones who need it).

This sprite lost a bit off the top...

The Human Guard definitely got the least work done for his animation, but a simple one will work for now. If you want more details on this Break mechanic, check out my previous post.

Other than working on the Break feature, I've been doing some good work on the first boss, so expect some big updates on him in the future!

I'm also trying to focus a bit more on social media / getting word of my game out there. I'm studying up and trying to figure out how to do it, because I have no idea how other people / game devs are about to get 100+ reactions on a post... Wish me luck!

Last weekend I watched a really good friend of mine play through the demo and found a lot of things that I could change and improve! This friend isn't super good at video games (he said it not me), so it revealed a lot of small things that I don't think many other people would have noticed.

My bit of wisdom for you all is to have inexperienced people play your games and watch them! Nearly all the notes I got down were from things that he didn't bring up but that I got from observing.

Anyways, hope you all have a good night!

[mizukidevlog]

New Combat Mechanic!

You can now 'BREAK' enemies in Mizuki and the Crimson Moon!

What is breaking?

'Breaking' an enemy allows you a few extra moments to reposition or do some extra damage! I'm even thinking of implementing a healing mechanic of some kind to better take advantage of a 'broken' enemy.

In order to break an enemy, you need to hit them just right. This is done by hitting them with the right attack, hitting them in the right place, or hitting them at the right time. Usually, it will be some combination of these three.

The reason I've implemented a Break system is because I wanted to find a way to make combat a little more interesting in my platforming game. Teleporting definitely adds depth and maneuverability, but until you unlock extra attacks, not much else was happening. My hope is that this makes combat reward skill and make it more satisfying.

That's all for today. With this system implemented, I'm ready to finish up the first boss! And by the way, learning how to 'Break' a boss will be key in getting through each fight.

[mizukidevlog]

Nothing to see here. Just some very standard and not buggy game development. Everything happening here is definitely intended.

Have a nice night <3

[mizukidevlog]

Happy Halloween!

This year Mizuki is dressing up a s a character from a game that has inspired me to make my own!

*Shaw!*

If you want to play a platformer since Silksong isn’t out yet, check out my demo! It may not have bugs (at least the insect kind), but it has teleportation!

[mizukidevlog]

Devlog 44

It's been a while...

Rather than go over everything that I've worked on since my last devlog (because trust me that would be a lot) I'm just going to discuss the things I have most recently worked on.

Coding of the first boss is fully underway! I've put a hold on creating any attack sprites yet and have focused on getting the fight AI just right. Creating a boss is so much different than creating your basic enemy, but it has been a very fun challenge!

Since I haven't been creating sprites for the attacks, I've been using these placeholders.

*slash*

It works though! All I need right now are hitboxes. I'll stress over the sprites another week.

Stay tuned for more Mizuki! (and Yokai Hunter)

[mizukidevlog]

So I was working on the Yokai Hunter Boss and...

🎶Sitting here, I realized That your just like me, trying to make indie games, But who's to judge, the good from bad, When the game's released, I think we'll both agree, Gaaaaame dev is haaa-aaard But in the end, it has to be this way🎶

🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶

This was made by attacking the Yokai Hunter a whole bunch and speeding up the footage, and I think it's perfect.

But don't worry, he won't actually block that often in game. Just had to do it for the meme :)

Devlog will be later today, so watch out for that!