just finished this hack and it’s tied with code of the burger king for being my favorite romhack of all time. but cerulean crescent might edge out burger king just for having a serious pretense and world that are well executed that “joke” romhacks conveniently get to avoid the painstaking labor of creating. this hack is utterly fantastic, can’t wait to start a second playthrough
3 Likes
I’ve started the game, but it didn’t hook me up… the new mechanics are cool, but don’t know, something feels off…
You’re leaving me on a cliffhanger!
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I think the problem is me, because I’m used to more “traditional” style projects, these innovative projects bug my mind haha, don’t get me wrong, I found it extremely well done and it was highly recommended before I played it, but I don’t know how to explain what happened, I’ll give it another chance, sometimes I’m in “burnout” with Fire Emblem, considering that I recently finished two other projects, Eligor’s Spear and Hag in White…
2 Likes
Nah, that’s fair. I know my kind of style (movement-core? all in on big effects?) doesn’t appeal to everyone, particularly people who prefer a more traditional affair.
But hey, that domain has plenty of hard-hitters like Dream of Five and Hag in White.
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Yes, of course. I’ve played several “traditional” projects already, including the relevant ones like the one you mentioned, Dream of Five, which was simply brilliant. I also really liked 7 Siblings, TMGC, the “immortal” Last Promise, Hag in White, Duty Calls, Eligor’s, Drums of War, Dark Amulet, Illuminated, and the two that we can’t name here in the community. They were all simply sensational. That’s why I want to get closer to unorthodox projects, precisely because of the innovation in game design and the like. I’ll try to play your project and then post a review here. But first, I’ll erase my burnout with another game that I need to play, which is Cyberpunk 2077. I bought it when it was released and haven’t played it until today, haha.
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I literally made an account on FEU just to thank you for making this hack, and to tell you how much fun i had playing it :3
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I may have promised at some point that X update was the final major one. Unfortunately, I am both a perfectionist and a liar.
In a the over half a year between then and now, I kept trying to refine stuff having received a good deal of feedback, and then the scope got really out of hand, and so on, until I inevitably push another major update to CC.
Here a few things that WILL be in the next update (because it’s not quite done, see below)
Many, many portrait updates
More than a dozen portraits have changed. Quite a few of them such as Mince, the Twins and Xeo actually debuted in my minihack, Settled by Sunrise for the Pride Game Jam.
Featured: Tasel by Stitch and Reiker by Levin
Two more characters for late game
CC veterans might know that character recruitment tends to be frontloaded. Two additional characters have snuck it to fill out a last few slots if necessary.
Featured: Portrait originally by Laurent Lacroix, scarf by Luminescent Blade
Slightly more forgiving early game
- Some chapter and timer tweaks, such as Chapter 1 is now seize with no time limit, to give more time for the player to get used to the characters without being under pressure.
- Universal EXP cap on turn 13 no longer exists. This was originally to disencourage anti-turtle farming, but anyone who wants to commit to that can easily do it on arrival anyways. May as well not stress out the player if I don’t have to.
QoL and fixes
- No more keys/locktouch. Every character can now open doors and chests.
- Prep shop now updates past ch14x.
- Various bug fixes
- New palettes for a few chapters
Text
- Added several dozen new battle quotes. Every playable will have at least few, even Helisent!
- Reformatted a lot of text
- Rewrote some scenes
- Rewrote certain character endings and expanded on epilogue
- A lot of things I’ve forgotten about
OKAY, BUT WHERE IS IT? WHY ARE YOU DOING AN “UPDATE ANNOUNCEMENT” AND NOT AN ACTUAL UPDATE?
Because this update will only be available on my patreon for-
I’m not even going to finish the bit because someone might actually take it seriously.
I’m basically done, but there’s a few things I’ve not quite decided on. which you might be able to help me reach a decision by “Going to the Polls”.
Poll A: Quests
While sidequests are shown in the guide, by the time the player reaches the chapter the sidequest is in, it might not be clear that this is the corresponding chapter, or they may have already forgotten about the guide entry given it is unlocked hours ago. As a result, I am considering how I should signpost the quests.
- Solely as a guide entry (current implementation)
- Guide entry states which chapter the side quest is in
- The side quest is pointed out in the corresponding chapter directly
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voters
Poll B: The Introduction
Another issue is that I’ve been told the 1st chapter is very daunting, especially since six characters are introduced at once with decently complicated kits. This has been partially mitigated with ch1 no longer having any time limit (in the upcoming update), as well as the optional tutorial.
However, the tutorial may give the impression that CC is a very puzzlelike game in which you MUST uses the skills the right way to win. That’s the exact opposite of what I’m going for, which is that maps can be beaten through regular gameplay without having to abuse every advantage. I’m curious whether an additional chapter should be considered to better ease the player into things.
- Optional tutorial is sufficient (current implementation)
- Re-do the tutorial
- Add an additional prologue chapter for better pacing
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voters
If you have any input on the matter, or just have some other suggestion, feel free to put in the thread.
“Poll” C: The confusing world of CC
A common point of feedback is that people found the story of CC hard to follow at points. I’ve got one idea of how to mitigate it, being use of world map eventing to show to state of the world and what people are up to, but I’d to hear from people which sections were the most confusing parts, and if people have got any ideas for it. (I’m assuming its just the ch11-20 stretch, but I could be wrong.)
Leave any such comments in the thread or discord.
Poll D: Just for fun
MAJOR spoilers for anyone who hasn't beaten the game
Which was your preferred side?
- Listen to Tower
- Did not listen to Tower
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voters
Hopefully I can wrap stuff up and push the next update soon. Hopefully.
17 Likes
Make a prep menu option that allows you to view the side quests.
4 Likes
Poll A & B spoilers
Poll A
Poll A looks pretty close (as of now). Honestly, either option would be fine.
Poll B
Damn, most people have a different opinion than me I guess. I thought a redone tutorial would’ve been nice…
Poll C
For Poll C -
That’s interesting, because I always thought the chapter 1-10 stretch was the more confusing part. We’re heading for the Workshop, but we’re never shown where it is, and we aren’t really told why we’re going there until halfway through act 1. It makes the early chapters feel kinda directionless, like we’re just randomly sailing north until something happens.
That’s not to say chapters 11-20 don’t have confusing bits too. Chapter 13 really sticks out as a, “Wait… why are we here?” moment. The meeting with the Sect in chapter 16 also feels like it comes out of nowhere.
Anyways, world map eventing wouldn’t be a bad way of going about it. I’m kinda attached to the world map segments having subtle worldbuilding though (‘Basil’s Guide to the Crescent’ being a keen example). I don’t know, I’m torn either way. I guess another option would be additional cutscenes at the beginning of chapters to better set the scene, but that risks making already long intro cutscenes even longer. I guess I’m just wary of the potential “This is every single faction on the Crescent” info dump at the beginning of the game. Maybe the information could be spread out and revealed when necessary, though people will probably still complain they don’t know what’s going on at certain points.
I don’t envy trying to find a solution here, it’s kinda rough. My ramble is now complete.
2 Likes
For C I got confused the most by the world map segments, knowing neither Basil or Tasel made things confusing. Maybe Elleries background could be there, or ravings about her desire for weapons to topple the king
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To an extent, this is kind of baked into the story as they are kind of sailing north until something happens. I changed some dialogue in 5 as that’s standout.
CC already has a ton of text so I am also cautious of dropping a ton on. I’m envisioning something like “As Ellerie moves north to Enan to exact her revenge, Jeziel and Unari…” kinda deal.
I’m definitely keeping the world map excerpts though.
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I think not knowing who they are fine as the excerpts are for introducing some aspect of the Crescent, though why Ellerie actually agrees to go the Workshop could use a bit of emphasis since it’s scarcely brought up.
1 Like
Poll Picks. Major Spoilers for D
A: I like the idea of using the guide to keep track of side quests, but it just giving the answers to when sidequest stuff is available feels weird to me. I like it the way it is, but if there’s a non intrusive or fourth wall breaking way to add in what chapters the sidequest stuff is on, I don’t think I’d complain.
B: The tutorial did give me the idea this hack was gonna be more difficult, but the big brain plays ended up feeling more fun than they did actually required to beat the game. I think just keeping it an optional tutorial is fine, and if the difficulty of the first few chapters is decreased I think people will understand it was more a tutorial for how to use your new stuff in the best way, rather than it being a tutorial for how the entire game is gonna play.
C: I didn’t have much problems understanding what was going on, and the somewhat aimless start until you get the airship feels intentional. I wouldn’t object to more worldbuilding dialog though, it’s enjoyable to read and learning more about the wacky gangs and clans living their is a highlight of the game for me.
D: I listened to Tower. It was a dark deed, but I felt it had to be done. Ellerie’s got too many past grudges and with how underhanded her means were with the power she had, it was the best shot at preventing an all out war with the mainland. Also I don’t think Dreadlich likes her, since he joins the gank squad. They seem trustworthy, and if they’re getting bad vibes I’ll trust them on it.
It’s also really funny to call this specific ending “Grandpa puts the kids to bed.”
3 Likes
Just finished the game (literally), CC was my first FE rom hack and the experience couldn’t have been more positive, loved everything from plot to gameplay and I’m looking forward to replaying it when the update comes out.
Polls
- A - I had no issues with the sidequests because I found the guide’s entries quite straightforward about the locations. However, I think a reminder within the quest itself would be the better option, I could be wrong but I feel like the only way I’d miss a quest is if I forgot to check the guide.
- B - Understanding Ellerie’s skill was important to me, so I’d keep that. I don’t think it’s necessary, but if you decide to do an additional prologue, Oriana saving Ellerie could be fun, since that’s something mentioned in both endings, if I’m not mistaken.
- C - I didn’t find the plot complicated, but that’s probably because i didn’t take long breaks between chapters, using the world map to do a short tour on what’s happening sounds like a good idea. I got a little confused about some minor stuff, but maybe that’s intentional or i just missed the explanation. (how the factions within the sect had different goals beyond just killing Krynia or how Maurice knew about Qiulan and why he didn’t side eyed her during Oriana’s route).
Endings (spoilers)
I keep changing my answer but i’d say I prefer Tower’s slightly more for how it concludes the protagonists’ arcs. Ellerie’s downfall comes from those she holds dear right after admitting weakness by sparing Rosetta and Oriana chooses duty over love for the first time in her journey, sacrificing her relationship with Krynia (trusting her capable of finding a path with no mentor) and proving Qiulan wrong once more.
1 Like
About Poll B: I did actually get thrown off a bit by the contrast between the puzzle intro and the more open nature of the rest of the game, and it actually made me crave a bit more of a puzzle game afterwards! I think it’s fine to keep but could also use a similarly small but less puzzly opening chapter (or just a quick text box stating: the rest of the game won’t be like this, this is just to teach the use of the skills).
(I eventually found Server 72 and Embrace of the fog for my Fire Emblem puzzle craving =)
2 Likes
Response to C spoilers
Both of these are on me.
The former isn’t actually discussed in game, but the general idea is splitting hairs over trivial nonsense regarding Elis’s presumed teachings while the Crescent burns around them.
The latter… I just failed to address this lmao
2 Likes
Both awesome picks.
My s72 run wase left behind on floor 50.
The story is that no gamer has beaten it…
3 Likes
Since I plan to do yet another playthrough of CC once the new update drops, I feel like I’m obligated to give a little feedback.
Poll C (Spoilers)
Having done 2 playthroughs, I found that I had trouble keeping up with factions after the workshop chapters, but on my second playthrough, I was following everything 100%. I think the thing that was tripping me up was that I didn’t properly memorize the important names of people and factions so whenever I saw one come up in dialogue, I would question whether it was someone I should already know or a new person/group altogether. Regardless though, the role call of every important character during the elevator was unironically the best resource in remembering everyone in my second playthrough.
1 Like
I’m currently doing my first playthrough (going on chapter 11 right now), will this update be compatible with my current playthrough? Should I wait for it to release first and continue playing when it’s released?