Hello everyone!
Whew, been a while since I’ve been here, huh? Luckily, late is better than never!
November 30th- Hey guys! If you downloaded the game on November 29th, there was a freeze that occured in Prologue 3. This has been resolved, so please redownload at your leisure! Thanks for your patience!
By Dr.Horvatt.
Stargazer Main Theme
First of all, a special thanks to all those who have helped me along the years. In particular, I owe the world to Dr.Horvatt, Uncle Ed, EnderMcx, Mclow1, Shark3143, RandomWizard, Olivia, and Krashboombang.
After many years in development, I am proud to announce the first pre-alpha release of Stargazer! This release contains Act 1- the first story arc, as well as a 4-part prologue and 3 gaidens. For the truly adventerous, this build features lightly tested versions of the first half of Act 2 (3+3 chapters).
Intended difficulty is HARD.
Following the journey of Prince Orion of Grussel, and the vigilante Hanson, we see Belluya at a tumultous time. Tenuous peace is met with unrest, and the lengths one man will go to destroy the nation that wronged him.
This game features:
- Highly unique units, with personal learnsets and skills. Units will gain their second skill at level 5.
- Powerful and fun weaponry.
- Varied and Dynamic maps.
- A fully original soundtrack, currently at almost two hours of music. (Still being written!)
- A story driven experience, grappling with themes of family, morality, idealism, religion, and loyalty.
- Frequent free roam sections!
- Funny moments. I couldn’t help it!
Act 1 contains 27 recruitable characters- that includes secret units. 60 are projected total.
Download- Dropbox
To play, download, unzip, and run! Not currently compatible with Android or IOS.
Links
Chapter Guide- Will be released after the first round of playtesting.
Ost On youtube SOON!
Download- Dropbox
Credits- Stargazer Credits - Google Docs
Note: I am missing the credits on a handful of portraits! Please update me if you knew the correct attribution. These characters are Katherine, Russolo, Octavia,
About Me!
When I first played Fire Emblem, I was young and stupid. As many of us were. I played Fe8, and got everyone killed on Ghost ship besides Duessel. Since then, I have studied the way of the armor knight. However, I find myself a player who is drawn to all facets of the world of Fire Emblem- Story, Gameplay, Music, Art, are all deeply important to me. As such, my favorite Fire Emblems are well, all over the place! Binding Blade, Shadow Dragon, Engage, Conquest, Bells of Byelen, Vision Quest, Four Kings, Souls of the Forest, Cerulean Crescent, and SD Fates are amongst my favorite gameplay experiences.
All of that is to say however, I am a massive fan of the series. I’ve almost played every game at this point, and at least two dozen hacks. I believe that there is something great and truly powerful in each and every one of these games, experiences, even runs. Sure, my 8th run of Shadow Dragon isn’t the same as the first, but hey, Darros made it past chapter 15 before getting dropped. That’s novelty.
I wanted to create an SRPG that maintains challenge, but most importantly, I had two goals. Fun, and Story integration. Units are highly unique, and maps are layered and dynamic to create these expansive scenarios that SRPGs excel at. I want players to resonate with their units, and the experience, just as much as these games have effected me.
Oh and I really really like music. Classical and metal baby oh yeah. Send me recomendations.
Game Design Decisions
This is a large project that has taken many forms over the years, but is currently on pace to be exactly what I want it to be. The vision is to, over the years, create a standalone, fully realized game using both the Lex Talionis engine and fully custom art assets.
This game features several mechanics from across the Fire Emblem series, such as:
- Break, from Engage
- Spell lists, from Three Houses
- Attack Stance, from Fates
- Sorry Guys I didn’t play Awakening
- Save Points, from Shadow Dragon and New Mystery
- Personal skill learnsets, from SD Fates and Tearring Saga.
- …and some of my own!
- A revised stat system, decoupling stats from one another.
- Last Resort, intended to encourage tense moments in and out of iron man.
- Overhauled Con, serving several helpful functions- such as the aforementioned Last Resort!
- A teambuilding squadron system unlocked in Act 2, encouraging more dynamic use of benched units.
Ultimately, I aim for an experience that was comprehensive in its usage of features. Though there are several, I find them to be quite intuitive and natural, leading to some of the most fun I’ve had in the setting.
Art Music and Maps!
As of now, the game is still taking shape, but I feel confident about the quality of the material I have been working on. Art assets are all placeholder at this point in time, but I can preview some of the things we’ve been working on! Besides maybe eventing!
Art by Dr.Horvatt.
The cantankerous Castor. Isn’t he…well he’s something. Castor appears as early as Prologue, and people tend to love or hate him.
Additionally, a Grusseli centurion. I find the combination of Galea and Keffiyeh to be quite striking.How about some music? Here are two map themes!
Gates of Estofar, used in ch5, 6, and 6x. A strong, melodic push with both folky and militaristic vibes, sampling an arabic scale in the bridge.
Ivory Mountain, used in the first half of act 2. Might be a while before we hear this one in context! Based off of Bright Sandstorm, this piece keeps a more minamalist texture while exploring various different rythmic ideas. It makes use of the Akebono scale, meant to liken vaguely to the sound of japanese classical without losing the modern American flair of minamalism.
Ruins, used for more pensive and somber moments. This one always tickles my heart strings a bit, despite how simple it is.
While you’re here, this one is a fan favorite. Allison’s map theme, Flurry!
One last one!
Wonder where that plays.
Now, besides that, I also want to draw attention to the maps! Though a full example of each map is present in the chapter guide, I would like to post some of my favorites seperately here.
Additional Details
- Fully unique world and story, set on the continent of Belluya. Countries have purposefully taken non-standard inspiration, such as the Roman-Arabic Grussel, and the Franco-Russian Arghil. Wonder what numerals they use.
- A focus on unit uniqueness, with learnable personal skills. All units have a unique setting of four skills unclocked over time.
- An alternate class path for almost every unit. (Sorry Enkidu!)
- Special cameo apperances from Blessed Heart!
- Chapter 1 Dancer!
- Good Armors
- Secrets hidden in every main chapter! Whoever recruits Umar gets a cookie.
- Soundtrack inspired by Takeru Kanazaki (lead composer of Echoes, Three Houses), Maurice Ravel, Bela Bartok, and John Adams.
- Woman.
What to Expect!
Stargazer will continue to grow and evolve, but what I can attest to is that things are only getting started. Supports are currently being written, with each character expected to have 3. Act 2 features more prominent political drama, monster characters, secret civilizations, and more. Act 3 will contain a route split, feature a prominent side character, and the resolution of Orion and Hanson’s rivalry. Oh and…there’s a fourth Act too. That’s all I can say!
My plan is to have the game fully realized by the end of 2026, and begin fullsail production of art assets the following year. Your feedback is integral, and very much appreciated! As this is still playtest territory, I have included a failsafe item for any players afraid they might be stuck.
Known Bugs Inconsistencies and Errors
The focus of Alpha release 1 is gameplay, though all feedback is appreciated.
As portraits are placeholders, inconsistencies in blink and talk frames are not a priority.
There is no background for the firework scene, we haven’t made it yet.
Marlin and Theodore have mismatched blink frames.
The first release of this post had a non-functional Prologue 3. If you downloaded before November 30th, please redownload!
If you send me a picture of Bors, I know you’re in the know.
Credits
Project Lead- Wasspix
The Stargazer Team: Wasspix, Dr.Horvatt, EnderMCx
- Writing Consultation: Dr. Horvatt Uncle Ed, Olivia, SirSpencir, MusicalCakes
- Musical Consultation: Dr.Horvatt, ABCMark
- Gameplay Consultation: Shark3143, Cyoung72, Daskinthief
- Help Chat Regulars: Ram, Zeon, Squid1003, Zaim is Zoof, Pandan
- Special Thanks to: Dr.Horvatt, Uncle Ed, Mclow1, Daskinthief, Zoraminefae, Shark3143, Randomwizard, Olivia, Krashboombang
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Download- Dropbox
