Having now “beat” the romhack in its current state i do want to say that it has been an addicting and fun experience. i do however have a few things i would like to mention.
- Charon should be able to move infinitely or have a move stat of like 99. its just a mild inconvenience to have to make long trips broken up when i have already decided where i want to go.
- It took me far too long to realize that the Adamant weapons “usable without a rank” meant that anyone could use any of them at any time regardless of class. I think a better clarification would be “Usable by anyone, Gives no WEXP” to clarify.
- On the topic of adamants, i do think maybe they need a bit of a nerf but also at the same time don’t. On one hand they are basically free due to being able to last through runs and always being usable. This forms a strat where you have an encounter that your base options can’t handle so you can always get out the right adamant for the job. On top of that, each version has its own stats so you might can edge out an encounter by grabbing the Axe for damage or sword for Hit. This is good especially with weaker characters like Mist and helps get to promotion the first time to unlock more options. On the other hand they are expensive and its unlikely a player will grind out multiple ones before getting to a point in meta progression that they even out, but even just 1 covering a range or damage type you don’t normally use is a huge consistency boost per run. Overall i think i would personally rather lean towards the direction of an “Omni weapon”, something that is unaffected by the triangle and can counter at any range but can only attack at 1 filling the role of the “universal free weapon” while not being better then actual weapons in some cases due too ease of availability for triangle/range matchups.
- I know you are working on maps but some maps definitely are biased against the player and certain builds. Any map that is mostly just open space with little to no method of separating enemies, especially if it contains a lot of high move multi-range options like the boat one, really hurt even when you do have NPC hires and doubly so for anyone playing a 1 or 2 unit (like a ranger being stuck on bow or sword) over a 1-2 unit. I would either redo the maps with more interference or not have as many enemies in those maps as it basically gives you no counterplay. (Can you tell Haar jumpscare is my biggest run ender yet.)
- I think the starting shop pool is good for the most part but i think the wizard hat should be added as a counterpart to the shield while also being 250. If not the Hat maybe an “Apprentice Hat” that is only +3 res but no -2 str. I also could see the Fili Shield as a potential 250 item as it helps for Hard runs where you don’t know your facing an archer and if you can’t secure a kill on Player Phase but also sort of a noob trap because well, space better. I could also potentially imagine a rare variant that just sells statboosters all at 250 each but doesn’t have the skill scroll or any of the defense items, maybe as a hard exclusive since at that point you are likely a more skilled player and would appreciate the risk reward.
- Items as a whole i think are fine, i don’t have anything to say about any in particular and while i have a bunch of (untested) ideas for more i think this review is big enough as is. If i was to give something i would suggest “Temporary Items”. Again i don’t know the feasibility of modding, but basically an item with a stronger effect (like a skill) but can only be used for X number of combats/procs. Or consumable utility items like a “Portable Catapult” that when you use lets you select a “+” shaped area and do AoE out of combat damage (using the landmine item mechanics maybe?). Again not versed in modding so these are just some rough general ideas in leu of an item only post.
Overall i would give this hack a 9/10. It shows great promise and in its current state is already a fun and enjoyable experience that i have put more time into then my actual FE6 playthrough. Their is some jank that comes from being made as a mod instead of an actual engine, but that does not take away from what has been managed to be done. Only a 9/10 because no Male Robin or Alm.
