Level Up.pdf

260 LEVEL 10 The Elements of Combat
becomes. You usually find encumbrance in RPGs, not often in action
games. It ’ s fine if you are trying to be “ realistic ” but if your game ’ s emphasis
is on action and combat, it may be better to not use it.
Perhaps your game makes a distinction between different parts of the
body in combat? If so, you can use the “ paper doll ” approach to armor.
The player has to armor his head, torso, arms, hands, legs and feet.
This feels more realistic and gives your player more items to buy and
collect. However, it does require an interface — usually quite large, as it
has to show the entire body. Make sure it ’ s easy for players to find,
select and change their armor. And discard or sell unwanted armor
as well.
Your hero has finally defeated the first boss and won his prize: a new suit of
armor. But don ’ t cop out and just give your player a +2 chainmail shirt.
Whenever the player earns an armor upgrade, make it look dramatically
different. For example, full plate looks substantially different (and cooler)
than a leather jerkin. By visually improving the player ’ s armor, the player can
tell their “ rank ” at a glance.
Give it a unique name too, like the “ Holy Armor of Protection ” or “ Dragon
Scale Armor. ” This will make the player feel like they ’ ve won something
important and worth having.
But armor is not just for protection. Isaac ’ s spacesuit in Dead Space has a
health meter right down the spine. Players can check their status at a
glance without the need for a HUD.
Ghosts ‘ N Goblins also shows health status but in reverse: as the
armor pops off, the player gets closer to death. This is a good trick for
enemies too, as it lets the player know how many hits are left to defeating
a foe.
Armor upgrades are a great way to give a player a new ability. Can ’ t move
that heavy block? This hydraulically powered armor can help you move it. It