Level Up.pdf

400 Quatloos on the Newcomer! 249
Lunges are more fluid thrusts that return the player back to his original
standing position. By combining quick strikes and lunges you can create a
combat chain that will keep the player ’ s basic attack from feeling boring.
To create a combat chain, create three or more attack moves that will run
one after another. If the player presses the attack move once, play the first
animation. If the player presses the button again within a short (usually
within a second) time period, the player goes into a second attack move.
Usually, this second attack move deals more damage, so there is an
advantage for the player to “ chain ” these attacks together. A third attack will
do even more damage, and so on.
If the player is allowed to land multiple hits in a row, make sure that your
animation (or game code) also moves the player character forward;
otherwise, when the enemy is knocked back, the player won ’ t be able to
land the next attack in the chain. The hero in the image below misses
because he doesn ’ t translate forward. His attack only succeeds when he
shifts forward.
OK, remember when I told you back one page ago that you shouldn ’ t do
elaborate wind - up animations? I meant it — but only on that page. Elaborate
wind - ups are awesome because they lead to powerful attacks that can chop
a player in two! These moves work great when the player is wielding an
oversized or heavy weapon. Because of the long wind - up, the player is
forced to risk the wait for the reward of landing a more powerful attack! Risk
vs reward. Remember it. It ’ s gonna be big.
Speaking of rewards, use particle and visual effects to make attacks feel
more dynamic and rewarding; from “ slice streaks ” on sword attacks and
speed lines for dash moves like those seen in the Onimusha games, or