The above image is a modified screenshot from the first season of the Pokemon anime.
Why is Paper Soul Theater worth your time?
PST is planned to be an indie game with huge care put into everything. It that doesn't grab your interest, maybe these details of the action-command RPG combat will.
~ A Deep Battle System ~
Imagine if Paper Mario was improved upon and more thought provoking.
Expect a huge focus on gameplay. Combat is broken into turns, with your side acting then the enemy. On your turn, you can choose between an Action or a Tactic. Like other RPGs, the player is always trying to end the battle, but this can be done with or without violence. Before you consider this an UnderTale clone, consider the following.
To end a battle, one party most flee, surrender, or die; and anyone can perform any of the three options. To get an enemy to surrender or flee is a trick process that takes thinking, because enemies act like smart individuals. Unlike UnderTale, which treats types of monsters like identical puzzles, fights are dynamic and give the player the power of choice. If you want to mix fighting with fear tactics, be my guest. If you want to talk the foe out of fighting you, you can! If you want to smack them silly, have at it! The playable characters are a lot more interesting than a quiet kid or a fat plumber; the main character is partially a healer and a psychological fighter/magic user depending on the game difficulty you choose. Some are fantasy creatures, some are magic users, others are people with unique fighting classes and tactics.
Speaking of Tactics, these are your options in no particular order:
Cower - (Protect yourself with no intention to counter an attack) This raises defense but means you lose a turn for that character. This also weakens an enemies will to remain fighting. The Souls (the audience) watching over the fight sometimes react to this is different ways which affects gameplay. (did I mention that all fights take place in a theater inside a separate Soul dimension?)
Defend - (Rather than attack, You stand guard with a weapon ready.) This is slightly intimidating to the enemy and is good for avoiding damage. This move potentially allows you to counter your foe's attack. This will likely be luck based.
Pray - (You speak to your god and the Souls; those watching the fight will take pity on you.)
It also has a chance to raise mana (Soul points) or raise magic damage, raise defense, and other stuff, the effect depends on how often you pray, how religious the character is, and who is in the crowd.
Switch - (One partner is exchanged for another.) This works similar to Paper Mario.
Item - (The inventory is looked though and an item is selected to use.) You can also take this time to organize your inventory is you wanted.
Observe - (You look closely at one enemy to try to learn more about them.) This is like Paper Mario's "tattling" but anyone can do it. This gives you a wealth of cool information, but you can only learn so much from looking at someone.
Fester - (You meditate on aggressive thoughts for a turn.) This is how an attack is charged up. It uses both action command and luck.
Surrender - (You offer to stop fighting the enemy on their terms.) This can only be done on foes that do not want to kill you. If you use this against a wild animal for example, you will only be wasting a turn. If you surrender to someone and then afterwards agree to be taken as prisoner, you get an instant game over, so be careful. This can lead to giving the enemy a bribe and other things.
Step - (Move the entire party forward or backwards) This strategically effects stats and plays mind games with the enemy. Because this is so minor, you might be able to still use a move after doing this tactic.
- - -- -- ---- ------------------- ---- -- -- - -
On top of the many actions, and attack types (like that of Pokemon / Fire Emblem), and on top of the tactics you can choose from, you also can wear Ritual Beads. These beads tinker with the way you battle in many different ways and adds layers and choice to the gameplay. Are you interested in the game yet?
So Tell Us: Do you have any thoughts on the battle system?
Why is Paper Soul Theater worth your time?
PST is planned to be an indie game with huge care put into everything. It that doesn't grab your interest, maybe these details of the action-command RPG combat will.
~ A Deep Battle System ~
Imagine if Paper Mario was improved upon and more thought provoking.
Expect a huge focus on gameplay. Combat is broken into turns, with your side acting then the enemy. On your turn, you can choose between an Action or a Tactic. Like other RPGs, the player is always trying to end the battle, but this can be done with or without violence. Before you consider this an UnderTale clone, consider the following.
To end a battle, one party most flee, surrender, or die; and anyone can perform any of the three options. To get an enemy to surrender or flee is a trick process that takes thinking, because enemies act like smart individuals. Unlike UnderTale, which treats types of monsters like identical puzzles, fights are dynamic and give the player the power of choice. If you want to mix fighting with fear tactics, be my guest. If you want to talk the foe out of fighting you, you can! If you want to smack them silly, have at it! The playable characters are a lot more interesting than a quiet kid or a fat plumber; the main character is partially a healer and a psychological fighter/magic user depending on the game difficulty you choose. Some are fantasy creatures, some are magic users, others are people with unique fighting classes and tactics.
Speaking of Tactics, these are your options in no particular order:
Cower - (Protect yourself with no intention to counter an attack) This raises defense but means you lose a turn for that character. This also weakens an enemies will to remain fighting. The Souls (the audience) watching over the fight sometimes react to this is different ways which affects gameplay. (did I mention that all fights take place in a theater inside a separate Soul dimension?)
Defend - (Rather than attack, You stand guard with a weapon ready.) This is slightly intimidating to the enemy and is good for avoiding damage. This move potentially allows you to counter your foe's attack. This will likely be luck based.
Pray - (You speak to your god and the Souls; those watching the fight will take pity on you.)
It also has a chance to raise mana (Soul points) or raise magic damage, raise defense, and other stuff, the effect depends on how often you pray, how religious the character is, and who is in the crowd.
Switch - (One partner is exchanged for another.) This works similar to Paper Mario.
Item - (The inventory is looked though and an item is selected to use.) You can also take this time to organize your inventory is you wanted.
Observe - (You look closely at one enemy to try to learn more about them.) This is like Paper Mario's "tattling" but anyone can do it. This gives you a wealth of cool information, but you can only learn so much from looking at someone.
Fester - (You meditate on aggressive thoughts for a turn.) This is how an attack is charged up. It uses both action command and luck.
Surrender - (You offer to stop fighting the enemy on their terms.) This can only be done on foes that do not want to kill you. If you use this against a wild animal for example, you will only be wasting a turn. If you surrender to someone and then afterwards agree to be taken as prisoner, you get an instant game over, so be careful. This can lead to giving the enemy a bribe and other things.
Step - (Move the entire party forward or backwards) This strategically effects stats and plays mind games with the enemy. Because this is so minor, you might be able to still use a move after doing this tactic.
- - -- -- ---- ------------------- ---- -- -- - -
On top of the many actions, and attack types (like that of Pokemon / Fire Emblem), and on top of the tactics you can choose from, you also can wear Ritual Beads. These beads tinker with the way you battle in many different ways and adds layers and choice to the gameplay. Are you interested in the game yet?
So Tell Us: Do you have any thoughts on the battle system?