Create the most powerful and original magic and overwhelm the monsters! “Spell Fragments” is a roguelike-like TPS game where magical creativity is key[TGS2024]

Cocoro Software's roguelike TPS 'Spell Fragments' is being shown off as playable at the Indie Games Corner at Tokyo Game Show 2024, taking place from September 26-29, 2024.“Make your own magic”It's a title that will really tug at the heartstrings of second-year middle school students.

This work“Magic Build x TPS x Roguelike”It is a dungeon strategy game. From this alone, I think you can tell that it's a third-person shooter where you dive into a dungeon whose structure changes every time you enter, collecting random items to help you beat the game.

The problem is the “magical construction” part. This game introduces a system in which players use their intelligence to create the most powerful magic and use it to defeat monsters.
Specifically, magic can be created by arranging “spell fragments” divided into three categories on a 5 x 5 grid and connecting the pieces to “paths”.

The card-like thing on the right is a spell fragment, the square on the left is a grid, and the yellow string connecting the parts on the grid is a path.

The class of spell fragments is“Trigger” “Spell” “Options”He is.
First, the trigger represents the conditions for activating the magic. For example, if a trigger says “left click,” it will activate when the left button is pressed. In the case of Evade, it will be activated when you use Evade, which is a short-distance dash action.
The spell determines the effect of the magic itself, such as a single bullet flying, four bullets scattering in random directions, or a penetrating bullet being fired.
Finally, options have the effect of changing the performance of magic. For example, if there is a spell that fires a bullet in the direction you aim, but if you add the option “Aim at the nearest enemy”, even if you face the day after tomorrow without aiming it will automatically fly towards the nearest enemy.

When these elements are combined, magic with different effects is created. For example here
A: Avoidance (trigger)
B: Target the nearest enemy (optional)
A: Distribute 4 bullets in random directions (spell)
Assuming you have a piece of the talisman,
ABC
Suppose they are placed on the network in order, and paths are used to connect AB and BC. In this case, if you use the dodge action, four bullets will automatically scatter in random directions, but all the bullets will fly to nearby enemies, so the result is“While running away from the enemy, fire 4 shots at him automatically.”In other words, it will generate magic that combines attack and defense. A spell that appears weak, such as a bullet scattered in a random direction, becomes functional with the optional effect.

However, the diffusion power of each bullet is low, and even if it hits all of them,You can only deal 8 points of damage, 2 points each.A defect has been found. I checked the spell parts I had there.
D: Fires a single 6-point bullet (spell)
E: Left click (trigger)
So let's say you found out, how can you use these five things to cause major damage?

Each spell has a cooldown, so it does not connect to the previous evasive spread bullet, and is treated as a separate spell.
D
By creating, you can increase the number of easy-to-use 6-point damage spells and become stronger. However, this is not a very effective use. because
ABCD
If you create magicEach of the 4 bullets changes to a 6-point bullet, increasing damage by a total of 24 points.Because it becomes.

By the way,
ABCDE
If it is connected, the magic will be activated by left-clicking, but due to placement issues, it will be manipulated from the right. In this case the damage is calculated as 6 points hitting the enemy and then 2 points for each spread bullet, so the damage is not as expected. If you want to activate the same magic by dodging and left-clicking, use the vertical orientation of the grid as well.
ABCD
e
The correct answer is to put E under B and connect the paths.

How you use the 5×5 grid is key to strengthening your magic.

Spell fragments can be obtained by defeating enemies or opening treasure chests in dungeons, and can be rearranged on the grid at any time to create new magic. Of course, the effects of spell parts are random, so if you get a new one, there's always a chance that you can transform it depending on your dexterity.

In addition to spell parts, you can also obtain equipment items such as weapons, armor, and potions in dungeons. Not only does attack power and defense power increase, but also depending on…“How much damage does the 〇〇 attribute do?”Sometimes there are additional effects.
When I was playing, I happened to have a shield that increases the damage of a certain attribute by 12, but if you combine this with the magic that happens after the previous scatter bullet, the total increases by 48 points. The shield now has more firepower than spell effects, which is a massive boost.

As you can guess from the explanation so far, this gameplay can easily be amplified when exploring dungeons. It feels really good when you get a good looking spell part or item, do some trial and error to figure out how to combine it, and the result is absolutely brutal magic. It makes you want to wander around the dungeon looking for enemies, thinking, 'Is it okay for me to be this strong!?' Let me give you a quick test opportunity!''
I find this magic creation system to be very compatible with roguelike elements.

You're probably thinking: “If I could create such magic, how would I balance it?” But you don't have to worry about that. After all, this is a game about creating the most powerful magic. It's fun to take down enemies using inflation magic, so it's natural to want an exciting boss battle.
Anyway, this workCooperative playIt also goes along with if we were to bring the most powerful magic together, it would probably be quite unbalanced, but on the other hand, I can also see how it would be more fun. On the other hand, if an enemy is set up that is too strong for you to compete with, it would be fun to come up with magic that can surpass that enemy.

Whether you're drawn to the phrase “create the most powerful magic,” or are interested in a magic creation system that makes smoke come out of your head, be sure to add this work to your wish list.