Gentle Reader,
Happy March, everyone! Just wanted to give a quick update on my ROM hacks and related projects.
First, I am still working on the next release of the
Playable Golbez Edition hack, and I still expect it to be out some time in March. Updates in this release will include: new commands and abilities for Golbez, repairs to a few minor glitches, a total revamp of who can use what equipment (it never made sense that Golbez could use claws but not rods), and a new optional mini-boss who drops an incredibly cool item.
Secondly, I'm also working on a new version of the
General Leo Edition hack that was prompted by the let's plays done by
Magrail1982 and
BohepansTheThird. Watching these playthroughs alerted me to the existence of various minor bugs, but also gave me ideas on additional ways to improve the hack. I'd watch for this update within the next few months.
Lastly, I'm also working on the next release of the
Phantasy Star II Modernization hack, and I would expect that release some time this summer.
And, just for the sake of completion, I'll also mention my
Kain Unhelmted mini-hack. :)
I really enjoy doing hacks and so sometimes I get to thinking about what other hacks I could potentially tackle in the future. (Any requests...?)
I've already mentioned my concept for a
General Beatrix Edition, but I think it will be a few years yet before the hacking tools are available to make that kind of project realistic.
Another idea I had was for a Playable Gilgamesh Edition of Final Fantasy V, where Gilgamesh would be the final team member, rather than Krile. The two obstacles to this are: a relative lack of hacking documents and tools compared to games like IV and VI, but even more importantly, the herculean task of drawing all of those damn battle sprites from scratch. I mean, that would be a real nightmare, and I just don't know if I'm up to it.
My other dream project would be to take Dragon Warrior III for the NES and convert it into an upgraded Dragon Warrior II. I know that a lot of people hate on Dragon Warrior II, and I get that, because in many respects it is the weakest entry in the series. But, it was the first RPG that I ever became completely obsessed with, and I would love to reimagine it. The advantage of using III as the base is that it would allow me to have way more spells and items, way more monsters with more sophisticated AI, a day-night cycle, a larger world with more towns and dungeons, and finally, and most importantly... the ability to have more than three party members, as well as a means of easily changing the party lineup. I really get excited when I think about this project so maybe I'll tackle it one day. I should at least write up a post talking about what I would put into such a hack.
Anyway, thanks for listening, and I'll see y'all around!
Ever Yours,
Fauntleroy
