Inspired by Fehzor's Gameplay Redux - A new concept for how the game is played forum
Basically,what I propose goes somewhat along what Fehzor before me did:add puzzle elements to the game,notably the clockworks in order to enrich gameplay.Personally,I'd like for each level in arcade to have at least one small puzzle.I'd also like for depths with multiple possible areas for the next level to have multiple "paths" which go into a unique puzzle,each having their own distinct "end" and elevator,sometimes reflecting the next level.This forum deals with puzzle "fragments" for hindering one's progression until their solve, or introducing a new path.
I say that puzzles should be composed of fragments and manipulated with status effects. in order to preserve randomness in case a level generator is formed.Supplied vials are there for back up,but I hope atleast a few weapons are viable for their own reasons.Sometimes they can be used to changed the state or condition of something,others to merely preserve or mitigate it.Parts can be used to form a small puzzle,or a level with an overarching puzzle with puzzles in between.
FIRE and FREEZE---WATER
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Note that some of these have alternate forms that are compatible with other liquids(who have their own properties) and goo/slime.
Gates-these can be moved in order to change direction of the water.Can only be turned
Pipe-Overall more precise with directing water than gates.Either Standard or Mechanical(forces liquid,but might require something to charge it, and have varying power). Come in different sizes and types(EX: Steel for water AND steam).How one can manipulate this is dependent on size and type/and environment alignment .
Ice Block/Glaciers-Blocks can be moved and melted by both knights and monsters.Glaciers,can be used as platforms Note:I Don't propose a Z axis, think about it as a chain of invisible "walls" but can only be melted/formed using specific pieces I'll describe far below.
Frozen Room/Structure/Pools-Any items frozen can be seen clearly,and structures alone can be melted via traditional fire.Rooms and Pools
can be walked on.
Pool-Can't be traversed through by knights,but some enemies can reside and attack from here.Streams of water usually can't be traversed through either.
Conditioner-Can change and preserve a state of the environment.Either one has to defend it from being altered from other beings(Party Only), has to be changed to make either the level easier or possible.Note that this affects the whole level,and when a level favors a certain condition,other parts are responsible for changing conditions,but only in a room based scale.
Intense Fire-Ground fire like ones in FSC,but grows back gradually on its own after a few seconds after extinguishment.Preserved by very hot conditions,but those conditions don't guarantee their appearance.
Hot Floor-Can reheats itself quickly and everything on it.Does gradually damage to knights on it.
-Generator-Keep in mind that while these work like the traditional hydroelectric ones in real life,these are thought to be composed of many different parts in game rather than one entity,sometimes they have to manually be assembled or dissembled.
Key Mold-used to make a key in order to proceed.Not all levels have this.
POISON
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Traditional poison is mostly used as a mere 'ingredient' to forming greater poison of either liquid or gas forms by combining other 'ingredients' found within the level.These are then used to kill lifeforms that hinder knights yet are to strong to kill using weapons or other parts.
Puzzle Privilege
What I mean by this is that a path,once chosen, has to followed thoroughly,and/or that occasionally, if one performs a specific 'task' well, a new path is open to players granting extra rewards or difficulty and a new level.
To further explain this, allow me to build a hypothetical situation.Say there is a mission revolving around the destruction of a secret gremlin lab.Knights are trying to beat the end-level boss,but if they get to a certain point b/f X comes as reinforcements,they could take a new path that involves beating the specific boss early in the most dangerous part of the lab,resulting in a chemical meltdown.The rest level shifts spawnset to "B", and the knights are rushing to escape. Near 75% clearance,they encounter strong plants A,B,and C.A few meters from them lie all the materials to make plantkiller A,B,C
.They need normal poison and compound A/B/C,which are plenty in stock,but also need Compound X, which is low enough for them to only complete one type.Furthermore, the new end route is longer, but their new found 'path' allowed them access to that route.This special route leads to a level called the "Gremlin Vault".
I would wait to post this after I got shock figured out,but I was curious to see your responses.As always, feel free to add to the Idea.