Capturing the Shonen Anime Fantasy in my Indie RPG
These two mediums (Anime and RPGs) have a curiously large overlap of shared audiences, but haven’t been brought together as a single, cohesive experience.
Enter my dream indie-game, “Dungeon Break” (previously dubbed “Project MC”):
"The shonen anime fantasy, reborn as an action RPG. Inspired by games like 'Dungeon Siege', 'Elden Ring', and 'Baldur's Gate', embark on an adventure in this whimsical, a one-of-a-kind, fantasy world."
The Shonen Fantasy
Action-Packed Plot: Typically involves intense action sequences, battles, and competitions where the protagonist strives to become stronger and overcome increasingly powerful foes.
Character Growth and Development: Central to these stories is the hero’s journey, involving personal growth, learning, and overcoming personal flaws.
Special Abilities and Powers: Characters often possess unique skills or supernatural powers that differentiate them from ordinary humans and are central to the plot.
Quests and Adventures: The narrative often revolves around a quest or a series of challenges that the protagonist must face, exploring new worlds or environments.
Moral Compass and Conviction: Clear moral distinctions between heroes and villains, with protagonists often fighting to save the world or protect the innocent.
Companionship and Rivalries: Themes of friendship, teamwork, and rivalry are common, with the protagonist often accompanied by a group of friends who aid in their quest.
Mentorship: Protagonists often have mentors who guide them, provide training, and help them unlock their true potential.
These elements combine to create engaging, dynamic stories that resonate with a young audience, offering both entertainment and moral lessons.
The RPG Fantasy
Expansive Worlds: These games typically feature vast worlds containing various environments from dense forests and bustling cities to desolate wastelands, swamps, and caves.
Complex Storytelling: Narratives are rich with lore, often involving epic quests, ancient prophecies, and intricate world-building that includes various races, cultures, and historical events.
Character Customization: Players can often create and customize their own characters, choosing from different races, classes, and skills, which affect gameplay and interactions within the game world.
Moral Choices and Consequences: Many games offer moral dilemmas that affect the storyline and character relationships, leading to multiple endings based on player decisions.
Magic and Mythology: Magic plays a significant role, with characters able to learn spells or use enchanted items. Mythological creatures and gods often feature prominently.
Party-Based Combat: Combat is a central element, often in real-time with strategic elements. Players can usually build and manage a party of characters with complementary abilities.
Item Loot: A focus on acquiring rare and powerful items, as well as looting equipment and treasures from defeated enemies or hidden caches.
Progression and Skills: Character progression is crucial, with players earning experience points to level up their characters and unlock new abilities or enhance existing skills.
These games draw players into intricately crafted worlds, offering a blend of storytelling, strategy, and exploration that can provide dozens—if not hundreds—of hours of gameplay.
