| Title | Flame Storm |
| Type | Shareware Game |
| Tasks | Scriptwriter, Programmer, Game designer |
| Year | 1995 |
| Description | After the success of The Walls of Bratock, a sequel was inevitable. I think I enjoyed making Flame Storm more than any other game I've made. It was a leap forward in terms technology and graphic details. For the first time I used third-party assembly libraries. These libraries finally removed the annoying 'black squares' that followed characters around when using native Quick Basic graphic manipulation routines. Also it had a story as deep as the original. Granted it was more linear, and the dungeons were, I now realize, overcomplicated, but it was still on top of what was made at the time, in terms of shareware role-playing games. |
| Promotional Text | The peace is back between the Humans and the Shakyrs! But the trolls are coming, and this new peace may not be enough to succeed against them! Flame Storm takes on where The Walls of Bratock left off, as the trolls unleash their 2nd batallion against the united army of Bratock! Desperate bratockians call upon the Knights of the Golden Sun, the heroes who saved Bratock a long time ago. But soon enough you'll realize the Knights are out of action, and it's up to you to save the Island! Explore the continent of Rastika including the countries of Intisgurb, Haggar and parts of Westroll!
Features:
* VGA 256 colors graphics
* Sound Blaster music
* Sound Blaster digital sound effects
* More than 50 different monsters to fight!
* More than 300 people to talk to!
* A total of 7 chapters, each with it's own sub-quest related to your ultimate goal!
* 6 magical tables including: Mage/Cleric/Druid/Warlord/Paladin and Ranger
* More than 60 different magical spells
* New 'Oblique Overhead' view gives a new sense of depth and realism!
* Larger game area than in 'The Walls of Bratock'
* Huge puzzling dungeon levels!
* Automapping (with magical gem!)
* Full length speech in some cutscenes!
* Multiple save game slot with FULL LENGTH DEFINITION
* Spectacular ending
* MORE THAN 10 STORYTELLING CINEMATICS!
New and better graphics with the new 'Oblique overhead' view. More than five times as much cut-scenes! Meet new cultures, new people and new monsters as you struggle against impossible odds! |
Flame Storm picked up where The Walls of Bratock left off. The trolls launch their attack against the Bratockians.
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This cutscene had an interesting concept. It contained random elements. So it would never be exactly the same everytime you watched it.
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People familiar with the original would often find old acquaintances in new places. Here the mayor of Walls of Bratock is stuck in a refugee camp, his city having been invaded by the trolls.
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The most noticeable difference between Flame Storm and The Walls of Bratock was that the characters were at last free of their 'black box' thanks to a new engine using an external assembly library. The night effect was also enhanced.
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Another improvement based on fan requests was the enlargement of the auto-map. And let me say that the automap was a requirement considering the high number of very confusing dungeons that were part of this game.
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Combat took a new twist in Flame Storm. Instead of all-plain terrain, the player had to deal with obstacles and featured terrain. Here the player battles on a dock to get into a trireme.
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You start out with one NPC in the party, Isaak Bratock. He is more than a assistant in your fights. He plays an important role in guiding you through your quest. Here he saves you alot of time by telling you the place you want to explore plays no important role in the game. Notice the digitized backdrop.
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The new engine also included isometric graphics instead of pure top-down. Here, isometric mountains give a 3D perspective to the game.
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Chests could be found in many places. But could you risk opening one up? It could be booby-trapped. Or worst, it could belong to someone who would be very eager to call the guards on you.
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Another improvement and fan-requested feature. Flame Storm allowed for 10 different saved games slots. The original The Walls of Bratock allowed only for 1.
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As in The Walls of Bratock, the action in Flame Storm would sometimes be interrupted by a scene like this.
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But this game actually featured many full-screen cut-scenes to enhance it's storytelling qualities. Here, one of the flame mage, Tharon Karsten, thanks you for freeing him.
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In another cutscene, an eerie apparition invites you to the temple of lights. But to get in, you need the sacred artifacts...
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Death itself makes an apparition. This scene was a combination of 2D art (skies, tower) and digitized miniatures (the angel of death). In this particular scene the result was breathtaking for the time.
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Here our hero falls at the hands of a pack of undead. Who said adventuring was easy?
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Another effect that could be created with the new engine is the height effect. Here the player, on the second level of the tower, looks down at the city.
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A ship to ship engagement. In Flame Storm you could travel by ship as well as on foot.
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The final battle would take place on the Troll's flagship, and would end with it's destruction.
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Yours truly, posing as a flame mage, casting a spell on the clouds to trigger the flame storm. Another example of digitized graphics.
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The apocalyptic spell 'Flame Storm' wrecks havoc among the troll forces in the conclusion cutscene. However, the arch-nemesis of the series, General Kahjar, would escape.
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