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Fantasy Network News

FAQ - Please read this

[p]So you watched some promo about this game and you're interested on some point, or you just have a curiosity before the release. Here's a couple of questions and answers. [/p][p][/p][h3]- Are you sure this is a Metroidvania? It's a bit strange in the way it presents itself.[/h3][p][/p][p]We didn't want to conform to the thousand similar titles already on the market; rather, we wanted to offer a different vision of the same genre. [/p][p][/p][p]But is the game still a Metroidvania? Absolutely yes. The rules that define the genre can be summed up in this great article by Gamerant: [/p][p][/p][p]1) One Big World To Explore[/p][p]Fantasy Network takes place in a world called Holua, and the world of Holua is huge: some areas are connected by land, so they can be reached by running and jumping, while others are reached by using a subway that teleports the player from one point to another. [/p][p][/p][p] 2) Get Better To Get Access[/p][p]Obviously, some areas will only be accessible after the player has acquired an upgrade or a particular item. [/p][p][/p][p]3) Non-Linear Progression[/p][p]After a short tutorial, the game gives the player complete freedom, allowing him to go wherever he wants. [/p][p]The game provides instructions on tasks to complete, but the player can choose to perform them whenever he wishes. [/p][p]In the game there are 5 main quests, each composed of different stages, and the player can complete quests and stages in the order he prefers, feeling free to jump from one quest progression to another without restrictions. [/p][p][/p][p]4) Shortcuts To Reduce Backtracking[/p][p]In every action section of the game, there are levers that unlock passages to connect the level to a previous point in it, so that when the player has to return, he can use these connections without retracing the entire path. There are also portals and objects for teleporting. [/p][p][/p][p]5) Poor Preparation Is Its Own Punishment; Getting Stronger All The Time[/p][p]If the player doesn't equip himself with suitable gear before facing an action section, he will find it very difficult to complete it. In the game, there are shops and chests to stock up on food, antidotes, power banks to keep the phone from running out of battery, and various equipment for fighting. [/p][p]Jumping into a mission without an adequate inventory can be costly. [/p][p]Moreover, the game saving is offered automatically only at certain key points; for the rest, it is up to the player to find the save points and save their progress on their own. [/p][p][/p][p]6) Primarily 2D (With Some 3D Exceptions)[/p][p]All the main gameplay mechanic is pure 2D. [/p][p]The 3D environments serve just to give depth to the world and the player can only move from one axis plane to another. There are never sections where you jump or fight using a 3D mechanic or camera; the action always remains confined to a two-dimensional plane. [/p][p][/p][p]Exploration, as always, it's the key. [/p][p]The player finds a series of dots before, then he realizes how to connect those dots.[/p][p][/p][p] [/p][h3] - Will be there fight sections and bosses?[/h3][p][/p][p]You can bet on it of course. And combos to learn. And weapons to throw. And items to power up.[/p][p]Everything that is part of combat in the Metroidvania context you will also find here. [/p][p][/p][h3] - Then why I spotted so many different things in the game's promo? [/h3][h3]A racing game, a cooking contest, WTF?[/h3][p][/p][p]All the combat sections always lead to solutions for winning one of the 5 talent shows that the game contains.[/p][p]They will be very short and not very difficult, but we put them as a mandatory passage and an attempt to blend different genres into the main one. [/p][p]These 5 talent shows are nothing more than mini games designed according to the theme being treated: [/p][p][/p][p]Cooking contest: [/p][p]It's a side scroller with split screen where the contestants must take an ingredient, cook it, and then plate it following a precise recipe within a certain time limit. [/p][p]Basically, it is the mechanic of many cooking games applied to the movements of the game's characters. [/p][p]Speed, quick perception, and proper timing are required.[/p][p][/p][p]Racing contest:[/p][p]It's a racing game with odd and futuristic vehicles, featuring some extra bonuses like accelerators or missiles to throw at opponents.[/p][p]If you're even barely good at whatever racing game, you'll beat it for sure.[/p][p][/p][p]Dancing contest:[/p][p]It's a classical Rythm Game where you have arrow patterns to follow in sync with the music. [/p][p]As always in this kind of game, a good eye and good timing are required.[/p][p][/p][p]We let you discover the Gaming and Fashion contest on your own.[/p][p]However, keep in mind that those mini parts will last for just a couple of minutes in comparison to the whole game which takes hours and hours to complete.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][h3]- How long is this game? How much time does it take to complete?[/h3][p][/p][p]To be completed, an average required time could be around 10 hours. But if you already know everything that needs to be done and do it well, that can be reduced to approximately 4-5 hours.[/p][p][/p][h3]- Are the graphics made by AI ? It does look like a mobile game.[/h3][p][/p][p]The game is entirely drawn and animated by human hand. [/p][p]Perhaps you associate the colorful and cartoonish with mobile, however we opted for this style in order to distinguish from most of dark and creepy titles on the market. [/p][p][/p][h3]- Why you opted for that main character?[/h3][p][/p][p]Lyn? A girl? Well, because it's trendy and she has a sunny personality for such a sunny environment.[/p][p][/p][h3]- What's the "socialvania" term, what social networking you have to do in the game?[/h3][p][/p][p]The social engagement is all handled automatically by the engine. [/p][p]All you have to do is to interact with the environment on specific points, and you'll automatically open a conversation on your phone social app.[/p][p]Then the other NPCs will partecipate to that conversation, giving you likes, clues for quests, and gifts directly delivered at your house doorstep.[/p][p][/p][h3]- Will this game be released also on consoles?[/h3][p][/p][p]We actually have all the instruments to deliver this game to consoles, as we already are doing ports for third parties. [/p][p]What we need before bringing this one is a little bit of success and word of mouth.[/p][p]You can support us by wishlisting the game, subscribing for playtest and spreading the word as much as possible.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]For any other question you have, please open a topic in the discussions section. [/p][p]Thank you and enjoy.[/p][p][/p][p]Raven Travel Studios[/p][p][/p]

Fantasy Network is online again!

[h3]Hello everyone![/h3][p]Well, where were we?[/p][p]It's been a while since we've shared any news about the development of this game, but we can finally make some announcements.[/p][p]The fact is that in 2020, when development began, we had specific ideas and mechanics planned, but over time, also following the various feedback we received on social media, we entered a so-called "development hell" that would have made the one that Terry Gilliam's suffered for his Don Quixote a piece of cake.[/p][p]The main character was supposed to be entirely customizable by the player, and for the first two years we kept this mechanic, only to realize that it involved too many compromises in animation management, and above all, it didn't seem particularly interesting to the public. So we abandoned that idea, replacing the customized protagonist with a fixed, well-defined character, and from there Lyn was born, who boasts a high number of animated frames and has her own very specific background within the narrative.[/p][p]We weren't even convinced by the aesthetic presentation, especially since the indie teams' skill was growing day by day, risking making our results appear obsolete. Even though our budget was running low, we looked at each other, rolled up our sleeves, and decided to revamp the entire graphics, and I can assure you that there isn't even the slightest hint of AI in anything you see. By hiring artists to join the core team, we enhanced both the 3D environments and the 2D animations, striving to reach a level that wouldn't risk appearing obsolete by the time of release.[/p][p]The core gameplay mechanics, however, have remained more or less the same.[/p][p]The game still is mainly inspired by the Metroidvania genre, maintaining the characteristics that define this plot:[/p]
  • [p]One big open world to explore[/p]
  • [p]New parts of the world can be accessed by gaining new skills[/p]
  • [p]Non-linear progression, the player is free to solve each separate game section in the order he prefers[/p]
  • [p]Shortcuts to reduce backtracking are found by progressing in the game[/p]
  • [p]Buying and using specific items will tremendously help you progress[/p]
  • [p]The player increases his skills through searching the world[/p]
  • [p]Gameplay is primarily 2D (with some 3D exceptions, even in the environments)[/p]
[p]And then there's the added mechanics related to modern social networks. You'll have an in-game cell phone to stay in touch with all the NPCs you meet in the cities, who will give you valuable advice on how to solve certain puzzles in the game. Hence, we took the liberty of cloning the term "SocialVania" to describe the mix of the two archetypes.[/p][p]There are two special gameplay features: the first concerns the talent show sections, special events where you'll compete in car races, cooking contests, fashion contests, singing and dancing contests, and fashion contests. Clues to how to win these competitions will be hidden throughout the game, so exploration will be more crucial than ever.[/p][p]The second takes up an old genre that's becoming increasingly niche: graphic adventures. You'll find many items with specific uses, but you'll have to figure out where and when to use them if you want to progress. It's something that adds a pinch of nostalgia for all fans of this genre that was so popular in the 80s and 90s.[/p][p]Our plan is to release the game this year. In these months we are polishing levels and combat, improving the social apps and talent shows, and fixing UI and controls so everything feels smoother to play.[/p][p]Together with this post we are also sharing a new trailer for Fantasy Network. We hope it gives you a better idea of the mood of the game, the characters and how the “socialvania” part works.[/p][p][/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p]
We also want to be more active here on Steam again: small dev updates, character and location spotlights, and some looks at the social media features. If everything goes well, we would like to invite some of you to a Steam beta playtest later on.[/p][p]If you are interested, please wishlist and follow the game, join our Discord https://discord.gg/7eSz9y67, and let us know in the comments if you’d like to take part in testing.[/p][p][/p][p]Thank you for your patience and support![/p][p]Paolo[/p][p]Raven Travel Studios[/p]