FX-Unit Yuki: The Henshin Engine for TurboGrafx-16/PC Engine

o.pwuaioc · 08/16/2017, 08:18 AM

Quote from: ParanoiaDragon on 08/16/2017, 04:20 AMI want to say it's maybe the Portland Retro Gaming Expo......but it's also possible that it's the Prince Rupert Gaming Expo......just not sure.

Wouldn't that be the Prince Rupert Glass Expo?

BigusSchmuck · 08/16/2017, 08:49 AM

Quote from: guest on 08/15/2017, 08:45 PM
Quote from: haightc on 08/15/2017, 06:34 PM
Quote from: guest on 08/15/2017, 01:20 PM
Quote from: guest on 08/15/2017, 01:10 PMBlack Tiger didn't go for the big reveal?
It was in Arizona.

If I can swing it at the time, I'll be at the PGRE.
Out of curiosity what is the PGRE?
PRGE (Portland Retro Gaming Expo)

Yeah we missed him last year he when he was there. I do plan to go again this year, hung out quite a bit by the Henshin Booth at the last convention.

Gredler · 08/16/2017, 01:17 PM

I think it is for Portland Retro Game Expo, but I can't say for certain.

spenoza · 08/16/2017, 03:21 PM

So, is every level in this game a parody of something else? Are there any original levels or mechanics?

CrackTiger · 08/16/2017, 03:23 PM

Quote from: guest on 08/16/2017, 03:21 PMSo, is every level in this game a parody of something else? Are there any original levels or mechanics?

Mechanics are not really based on the games they parody. Two of the eight'ish stages are entirely original.

haightc · 08/17/2017, 11:34 AM

I usually go to SRGE (Seattle Retro Gaming Expo), but bought tickets the PRGE (Portland Retro Gaming Expo) when I thought we were going to see Tool (same weekend). I but the a full pass, but I am not sure if I'll go down for more than a day. So I am assuming Henshin Engine will be on exhibit, it'll be nice to try it if that is the case and I don't already have the game by that point. I wasn't sure if PGRE was another retro expo in Canada or something that I wasn't familiar with.

CrackTiger · 08/17/2017, 02:02 PM

If I don't make it to the PGRE, I'll likely be in Prince Rupert instead, but they don't have any game conventions that I'm aware of.

sirhcman · 08/17/2017, 02:22 PM

Quote from: OldRover on 08/01/2017, 09:31 AMYup, the reveal of the complete game will be on August 11th... just ten days from now. Obviously we will have to have it finished before then... the 9th is the last day I'll be able to do anything for it here so it has to be done by then, as I'll be traveling to Phoenix on the 10th with the final build in hand.

So now that we know that the game wasn't completed when should we expect the new release date to be? (I don't see any of this information on the Kickstarter page)

OldRover · 08/18/2017, 08:26 PM

We just need a little more time to finish it. Saru is going to Japan very soon, it should be done by the time he gets back.

BigusSchmuck · 08/19/2017, 12:16 PM

Quote from: OldRover on 08/18/2017, 08:26 PMWe just need a little more time to finish it. Saru is going to Japan very soon, it should be done by the time he gets back.

I can't wait.

Though I would love a Supergrafx Arcade Card version! LOL

OldRover · 08/28/2017, 10:18 PM

It may be delayed slightly longer due to my illness. We're still working though. I have not been able to really work on it much since I got home from AZ, but now my illness is mostly under control and I have been able to focus.

Sarumaru · 08/29/2017, 01:12 AM

We all got some form of sick after the show. I had gotten a bad case of kidney stones while still in AZ, this was the day after the show. When I was getting better, Rover started to get sick. Sometimes real life happens. At this point, I would feel more comfortable saying that the game will likely be out closer to the 1 year anniversary of the kickstarter. On the brighter side, reception at the show for the latest build was great. So far though, our backers have been very understanding with us putting our health first right now. Because even with everything that's going (and there is a LOT going on that I wish I could go into detail about right now) we're still moving closer to finishing this awesome game. We just ask that you bare with us just a wee-bit longer, we promise it'll be worth the short wait.

MNKyDeth · 08/29/2017, 02:31 AM

I know this is the HE thread. But this game Mysterious Song was also put on this system by Rover so it's worth mentioning I think here.

I literally just beat ex mode on Mysterious Song. Tuesday August 29th 2:13am

All three characters were level 61. I farmed the dragons a bit on that dragon island.... Several hours.

The maze areas going through the different realities were definitely tough. Once I got to the dragon area part of it I was like dang..... Grinding time to get levels.

I did the entire treasure chest puzzle to get the Herr boss and cocophany was pretty hard at level 61. Fun fact... Marty Friedman was in a band called cocophany.

Anyways... Excellent game. People that play just the normal mode don't know what they are missing out on. And even the normal game is solid in presentation albeit a bit short for those not in the know about ex mode.

I just wanted to say thanks to Rover for bringing these games to us. Overall, all home brew people that are putting out games and translations for this system are simply amazing.

NecroPhile · 08/29/2017, 09:32 AM

Even delayed, Yuki will probably ship before Saber Rider and Omar Sharif is even started. No worries.

esadajr · 08/29/2017, 01:53 PM

Just reading this. Take it easy guys, health comes first.

OldRover · 08/29/2017, 06:11 PM

I was already sick before the show started but like an idiot, I chose to ignore it so I could focus all of my time and energy on the project. That was a stupid move on my part, and my health crashed a few days after the show. I had developed hyperglycemia (due to the stress) a few weeks before the show, which has now become type 2 diabetes.

On the bright side... well, some recent changes to the game code made it a bit better than before. Some of the functions that were written in a hurry in the early days have now been rewritten for better performance. Also, progress has been made on the PC version.

cabbage · 08/30/2017, 10:10 AM

Sucks to hear that, Rover. Don't push yourself so hard! Take your time and maintain your health and sanity

OldRover · 08/31/2017, 06:39 PM

I think Saru got hit much harder. He had way more health problems over this past year. Even Jesse got hit with health problems that seem related. Black Tiger has health issues as well and I'm sure the stress of this project didn't help. This kind of work seems to be riskier than most would expect. We'll all live though, somehow.

We have many more games to make after this one.

Jester82 · 08/31/2017, 08:18 PM

Get well you guys, we can wait. Will be worth it!

esteban · 09/01/2017, 06:45 AM

It goes without saying: I don't care how long it takes.

I'll bottle some of the water from the Passaic River (near my house) and send it out to you guys. It leaves a "tingling" feeling on the tip of your tongue, so you know it rejuvenates more than the soul.

It might be difficult to ship it to Crack/Hack/Fap_Tiger, though. Canada has strict rules about sending toxins in the mail.

NecroPhile · 09/01/2017, 09:33 AM

Quote from: The Old Rover on 08/31/2017, 06:39 PMI think Saru got hit much harder. He had way more health problems over this past year. Even Jesse got hit with health problems that seem related. Black Tiger has health issues as well and I'm sure the stress of this project didn't help. This kind of work seems to be riskier than most would expect. We'll all live though, somehow. We have many more games to make after this one.

Yuki is trying to kill y'all!

munchiaz · 09/08/2017, 07:40 PM

You guys feel better soon. Willing to wait until its ready.

OldRover · 10/06/2017, 05:14 PM

Just a quick update... production is about to wrap up on this game. We made some last-minute improvements to the end to make things better, but they will not extend dev time by very much (maybe 6 hours, we can afford it

). Final beta testing will begin very soon.

BigusSchmuck · 10/06/2017, 11:51 PM

Quote from: OldRover on 10/06/2017, 05:14 PMJust a quick update... production is about to wrap up on this game. We made some last-minute improvements to the end to make things better, but they will not extend dev time by very much (maybe 6 hours, we can afford it ). Final beta testing will begin very soon.

Excellent news! Will we see this by Halloween?

OldRover · 10/07/2017, 02:17 AM

It won't be released by Halloween, as there's a lead time of about a month to get it pressed, but it will certainly be done before then and in testing to iron out anything we missed. What's kind of interesting is that the PCE and PC versions will probably come out at about the same time because of the lead time to have the discs manufactured; it will only take about a month to code up the PC version, as over 75% of the PCE game code is portable and I have already accounted for the ~25% that isn't (mostly display code, and I've already coded the framework for that).

elmer · 10/07/2017, 11:41 AM

Woo hoo, this is all great news!

Congratulations on battling through the process of pulling everything together.

esteban · 10/07/2017, 12:49 PM

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

blueraven · 10/07/2017, 06:52 PM

no.

yes.

shitpost.

also very glad.

To see.

The game.

Come out.

yes.

Also bento boxes on Instagram.

OldRover · 10/08/2017, 09:48 AM

eponasoft.com/yuki-0747.png

turboswimbz · 10/08/2017, 11:08 AM

Looks great can't wait to order it Rov.

Michirin9801 · 10/08/2017, 03:27 PM

That kinda reminds me of the first stage from Megaman X, and that can only be a good thing ;3
~~plz parallax!!~~

OldRover · 10/08/2017, 05:23 PM

The stage has layered parallax.

Michirin9801 · 10/08/2017, 07:07 PM

Quote from: OldRover on 10/08/2017, 05:23 PMThe stage has layered parallax.

♥~Yaaay~♥

ParanoiaDragon · 10/08/2017, 11:04 PM

Quote from: Michirin9801 on 10/08/2017, 07:07 PM
Quote from: OldRover on 10/08/2017, 05:23 PMThe stage has layered parallax.
♥~Yaaay~♥

And there was much rejoicing!

First thing I actually thought of, was Shockman. For whatever wierd reason, I didn't even think of Mega Man.

esteban · 10/08/2017, 11:32 PM

*and there was much rejoicing*

OldRover · 10/09/2017, 12:48 AM

The stage is based on Shockman... it's called Electric Cyber Troopers Zapman.

Michirin9801 · 10/09/2017, 01:43 AM

Quote from: OldRover on 10/09/2017, 12:48 AMThe stage is based on Shockman... it's called Electric Cyber Troopers Zapman.

I figured it was, given how much Megaman influence was there in Shockman/Shubibinman 2...
Still, it looks really nice ^^

ParanoiaDragon · 10/10/2017, 03:39 AM

Hah, Zapman, awesome, love it!

OldRover · 10/10/2017, 10:46 PM

So the plan is to have this game finished by October 30th, which will be the PC Engine's 30th anniversary. Nothing could be a better tribute to the console we love.

ToyMachine78 · 10/10/2017, 11:30 PM

Quote from: The Old Rover on 10/10/2017, 10:46 PMSo the plan is to have this game finished by October 30th, which will be the PC Engine's 30th anniversary. Nothing could be a better tribute to the console we love.

Awesome. Congrats to you guys! Can't wait to buy and play it

esteban · 10/11/2017, 04:19 PM

BigusSchmuck · 10/11/2017, 11:58 PM

Will you guys be showing this off at PRGE this year? It was definitely one of the highlights for me last year.

CrackTiger · 10/12/2017, 01:48 PM

Quote from: Michirin9801 on 10/08/2017, 03:27 PMThat kinda reminds me of the first stage from Megaman X, and that can only be a good thing ;3
~~plz parallax!!~~

That particular section is modeled to look and work similar to the opening stage of Megaman X. It was designed so it could also have included the curving overpasses, but it's kinda lame having all the action take place near the top of the screen.

If it all makes it in, there are a few more background types for the stage, all designed to have parallax.

The boss is a console porn take on one of the Shockman bosses.

sirhcman · 10/12/2017, 03:04 PM

Quote from: guest on 10/12/2017, 01:48 PMIf it all makes it in, there are a few more background types for the stage, all designed to have parallax.

I thought the PC Engine/Turbografx-16 couldn't do parallax?

NecroPhile · 10/12/2017, 03:11 PM

Quote from: guest on 10/12/2017, 03:04 PMI thought the PC Engine/Turbografx-16 couldn't do parallax?

It can't. It only does fake parallax.

esteban · 10/12/2017, 03:23 PM

Quote from: guest on 10/12/2017, 03:11 PM
Quote from: guest on 10/12/2017, 03:04 PMI thought the PC Engine/Turbografx-16 couldn't do parallax?
It can't. It only does fake parallax.

DAT FAKE PARALLAX, tho...

Michirin9801 · 10/12/2017, 03:34 PM

Quote from: esteban on 10/12/2017, 03:23 PM
Quote from: guest on 10/12/2017, 03:11 PM
Quote from: guest on 10/12/2017, 03:04 PMI thought the PC Engine/Turbografx-16 couldn't do parallax?
It can't. It only does fake parallax.
DAT FAKE PARALLAX, tho...

That's what makes it all the more impressive ;3

On systems like the SNES and the MD I pretty much take parallax scrolling for granted, I mean, those systems already have 2 (or more) BG layers, it's easy to do parallax on them, in fact that only makes it all the more disappointing whenever they DON'T have parallax...
You've got to do something real mind-blowing like the multi-overlapping-layer parallax from Thunder Force IV to really impress me with those two...

But when you do it on systems like the PC engine, the NES, the Master System or on the Game Boy/Colour, you know, systems that only have ONE BG layer, THEN you're doing something special!

CrackTiger · 10/12/2017, 04:09 PM

It's not really special pulling off parallax in 8-bit gen or PCE/Neo Geo games. Lots of 2600/Intv/Coleco games feature parallax. Just like technically having a high color count on screen isn't special on it's own, what makes any parallax special is the overall scene. Lots of dual tile layer parallax looks ridiculous because no (good) thought was put into it.

OldRover · 10/12/2017, 04:51 PM

Technically, what the PCE can't do is tile layering on its own. Parallax is just a matter of scrolling different things at different speeds to give the impression of depth. So yeah, even the 2600 could do it

Like Black Tiger said, it's all about the overall scene. We are kind of forced to make it special though, since it's not something we can take for granted, like so many sloppy efforts on the SNES and Genesis. Where HE really shines in the visuals department is where Black Tiger designed layered scenes; these are anything but easy to pull off and required some careful preparation... using all of HuC's scroll() regions, dynamic tiles, realtime map rewriting, and sprite overlays are all required to pull off the most complex scenes. The fact that this was done not only with stock HuC but with the stock Denki build that is over 12 years old makes it even more special, imo.

Michirin9801 · 10/12/2017, 06:28 PM

I get what you guys mean, but what I mean is that parallax scrolling on the PCE, or any other system that only has 1 BG layer, is inherently more impressive than it would be on the SNES or MD, because those two have extra layers to help them with that...
The mere fact that you have to do trickery to pull it off, even if it's just putting some sprites behind the BG layer and moving them at a different speed from the BG's, still makes it something special to me personally, because you know, by virtue of only having 1 BG layer to work with, the system was obviously not meant to do multi-layered scrolling backgrounds... And yet a lot of games did it, and that's amazing!

I'm aware older games also did it, and they're just as impressive because of that, but the PCE just so happens to be capable of producing pretty damn great graphics and sounds on top of it! No wonder why I gravitated towards it, it's got the best of both worlds!