Where has Barbarous been? Don't worry, it hasn't been abandoned! I've been doing a lot of "Under the hood" work such as introducing new systems and menus. There's no actual new content to play because the game isn't going to be functional until these systems are completed. Without them characters will have no skills and all your weapons are going to be stuck at level 1! Kinda important methinks. But once they are in place, it's going to be like a whole new game. Build 7 was really "Smile Game Builder with a thematic paint job on it" that I had to get out in time for a game jam, where Build 8 is going to be a game of it's own! Once these systems are out of the way I can actually focus on adding more areas, story, etc. So, what have I been working on?

The Weapon Upgrade System

The framework of the weapon upgrade system is here, I just need to actually put the weapons into it and it will be good to go! You'll be able to find the base forms of all the weapons and then upgrade them into unique branching paths. This way you will never be screwed by receiving improperly leveled gear, and receiving duplicate items can still let you end up with different weapons when you've upgraded them enough!

The Skill Tree

Skill tree is also going to be a fun one to set up, but that is functioning as well! Right now I have about half of Hunter's tank tree done as a test bed, and it seems to be working fine! Hunter can now switch between 1 of 5 different classes, each with their own skill tree. Skill trees will be split into 3 distinct branches that let you tailor a character to your particular party needs or playstyle. Remember Bianca from Build 7? You don't have to play her as a dedicated healer! You can give her status afflicting spells or make her a holy damage dealer! Do whatever you like!

Expanded Overworld

The overworld has been added to and has a lot more detail. Remember the empty plain that was Build 7? No longer! Towns, mountains, deserts, shrines, caves, a world to explore! It's still not as populated as I'd like but we're getting there!

Action Commands?

This one's still experimental, but I'm playing around with adding action commands similar to Paper Mario (the good ones) to make combat more engaging! I can't say for sure whether or not it'll make the cut.

The Drifting Oubliette

The Drifting Oubliette, an endless 100% random dungeon is now functional! They said it couldn't be done in SGB but alas, it is here!

Try to make it as deep as you can, but you won't be able to use any of the equipment you find before you get it appraised by the Keeper. Also, die in the Oubliette, it won't be a game over but you will lose all the gear you have accumulated thus far. And finally while in the Oubliette, saving is disabled! No save scumming!

Improved models and portraits

SGB comes with models prepackaged that I used in the interest of time, but everyone got make-overs since the last update! I'm willing to show you Hunter.

Such a handsome boy.

So what's taking so long? Well, everything. The system I'm making is so infinitely complex that trying to playtest it all is not going to be feasible, SO, I'm going to be making a small spin-off where you play as Anna, and dive into the Drifting Oubliette and try to catch up to Hunter and Co! The entire game is just the Drifting Oubliette, and the goal is to get down to Floor 10 and defeat Hunter. He has it coming, you know!

See you at the bottom, Hunters.