I've been doing a lot of thinking today. And I CAN"T STOP IT.
I've had this idea for a PSP game running through my head since about the time I got my PSP. The type is kind of difficult to explain: A sidescroller, but can either be a hack-and-slash, or a shoot-em-up. Stop thinking of MegaMan, that's irrelevant here.
I think it'd be best if I used a handy-dandy diagram:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v19/Shadowman-ex/General%20Hooplah/sony-psp.jpgI've been constantly refining this over the past few months. I decided that the buttons would move the character, while the control stick would aim. This would greatly simplify escaping, because you could continue firing while still running away.
However, the first idea I thought of was swordplay. (Listed as Blade Mode in the diagram) I imagined it very clearly, the character would point the blade in whichever direction you pointed the stick, and it's movements would follow you.
I even thought up a few special moves: A half circle up, half circle down, and then half-circle up again would result in the character performing the rising slash. A full circle in mid-air would result in a helm-breaker. Jabbing the stick in one direction would make a stabbing move.
Guns would be different: Much more simplistic, and have a special secondary fire, but require ammo, and not quite as powerful. Swords would require getting in close to an enemy, but are much more powerful.
Then there'd be different kinds of weapons, but mostly the Usual Suspects:
Spears wouldn't have any combos, but can impale enemies, then throw them--be it at other enemies or hard-to-reach switches. They could also be used to pole-vault over certain enemies and obstacles.
Swords would be very stylish to use, but are very basic, and wouldn't have much of a trade-off.
Hammers and Axes would be very powerful, but would be much slower.
Gun would have, as I mentioned, secondary fire, but it would require more (Or different) ammo: Automatic Rifles would have a Grenade Launcher attachment, RPGs would have a lock-on ability, Pistols would have explosive rounds, and beam weapons would have a stylish-looking move.
You wouldn't have to drop weapons: Any weapon you find, you keep. Ammo would be a different story, you could buy ammo from in-game stores, as well as Blade Mode weapon upgrades, and health and status items. (Which would be set to the Up and Down D-Pad buttons, allowing to use two at once)
(Don't worry, almost done)
Status items would be momentary upgrades: Increased strength, instant revive at 0% Health, a momentary Slow-Mo ability, among others.
The map would be something o a Metroid/Castlevania thing, possibly a Doom-like "Demon-infested R&D Facility." the art style would be somewhat cartoony, but with a distinct "up yours" attitude, kind of like Viewtiful Joe.
Whew...What do you think? I had to tell someone, or I would have gone off the deep-end.
