Wow! Thanks for the huge response
I'm definitely going to/am already taking a lot of that into consideration. I agree with the slower, more agonizing aspect of the tickling scenes in TCC, the thing is most of the slower ones were the bonus scenes unlocked in the bonus dungeon. Then again, I cut the three scenes in the game short because I was afraid they were going to long for simple "Game Over" scenes. If I'm not mistaken, all the Game Over scenes in Cackling Cave (save Mimic, Slime Queen, Drow and Succubus) were only two or three text boxes weren't they? If anyone wants, I'll gladly do lengthier Game Over scenes, I just don't want it to become so arduous it's no longer enjoyable in the harder levels (such as the Final Dungeon which is planned to just be cruelly difficult).
I have something very, very special planned which will probably make my head explode programming it, but will be completely worth it for the players.
Since I am just giddy with excitement, I'll go ahead and spill:
The very first boss in the actual game is the same as the demo, Honey Bee. She's a friendly monster who takes a liking to you when you defeat her. As a reward, she gives you a special item that allows you to gather data based on optional 'tasks' that you can (and most likely will) accomplish over the course of the game.
Tasks such as "Defeat X amount of Y" or "Find X Book about Y Monster", which will unlock special scenes in a special 'shrine' in the forest which acts similarly to the Bonus Dungeon in Cackling Cave.
There will be numerous scenes for every monster in the game (my load is getting bigger the more I work on this, still I'm enjoying it), and by completing their related tasks, you can unlock them to view at any time by going to the shrine (Honey Bee will be there with helpful hints throughout the game, should you get stuck).
The post-game rewards are still to be imagined, but it will probably be like the bonus dungeon in Cackling Cave where you are actively tickling the monsters, or being tickled by the monsters in various new ways. These bonus scenes you unlock through the "Honey Bee Quests" will be scenes such as the monsters in the wild (tickling each other), hearsay from townsfolk, urban legends, basic profiles for the monsters, the scene you get when they defeat you, etc.
The Honey Bee Dictionary also acts as a bestiary of sorts. The basic profile outlines their various aspects, the tales can reveal hidden weaknesses, and possibly point to sidequests. I may even see if I can program in a bonus ala Bioshock, where if you gather enough information about a monster you get bonus effects against that monster.
I love the idea of a special monster based on who you chose at the beginning. Assuming I can get pick the right graphics it would be very easy to program such a character.
As far as having different dialogue when you hit a "Sweet spot" I'm trying to work that out. As it is, the only way I know to display dialogue in combat is either on the actual skill, as a state, or in a message box event. I'll check on various VX forums and see if I can find something akin to the Pokemon "Super effective" statement.
Thanks again for all the suggestions, I will honor every suggestion put forth to the best of my programming abilities.
