Need to think about an "easy" mode and/or cheats

[kieranhj]

The game is nails hard, as they were back in the 1990's. We are all older, less patient and have slower reflexes than we used to. The difficulty ramps on level 3 and the final level 12 is unbelievably tough.

Most people are not going to experience the full game and all the work that has gone into it. Let's consider having an "easy" mode, e.g. no time limit and more health, and potentially re-incorporating the cheat system so people can skip a level they are having difficulty with to enjoy the rest of the game.

[kieranhj]

Game got a tiny bit easier now that running jump assist is working correctly. I think this might be a 1.1 release feature based on feedback from the community.

[kieranhj]

Put the original cheat codes back in. Not going to add an "easy" mode per-se (In a branch waiting to merge.)

[kieranhj]

Have re-implemented the cheat system that originally existed. SKIP = next level POP = cheat mode (following codes then work) KILL = kill guard BOOST = boost health meter REST = restore health ZAP = zap guard to 1 health TINA = jump to end of game

[kieranhj]

Might need to consider this again. Playing on real HW I managed to get to level 8 without cheating before running out of time (an hour.) The guards are particularly brutal!

Removing the timer & giving extra health would definitely be appreciated by many I'm sure.

[inversephase]

can't help but wonder if this is why (I think?) one of the health potions in each stage is now a lifebar-increasing potion in the PC port? balancing?

[kieranhj]

Maybe. It would be possible to poke in additional health potions given that the level format is well documented, or just copy the LEVEL files from the PC version (feels dangerous.) Could look at the diffs...

[kieranhj]

The guards are complete gits. An "easy" mode would have to be more than just extra energy for the player. I think the one hour game timer should stay as this adds peril to the game and makes sense of the cutscenes but could nerf the guards somewhat, e.g. reduce their energy and their fighting probabilities. See auto.asm:

\*------------------------------- \* \* Fighter params (indexed by guardprog #) \* \* strikeprob = probability x255 of striking from ready posn \* restrikeprob = prob x 255 of restriking after blocking \* blockprob = prob x255 of blocking opponent's strike \* advprob = of advancing to within striking range \* refractimer = length of refractory period after being hit

\*------------------------------- \* Basic guard strength & uniform color (indexed by level #)

[kieranhj]

Hmmm, does "easy mode" get saved in save game, for instance?

[kieranhj]

Added temporary "easy guard" mode on CTRL-E. This halves their propensity to strike. Everything else is the same.