yeah I did say in the info that intentionally has more colors. The very first versions of the game actually did use much more strict NES restrictions but I got carried away.  And actually this screenshot is so old that almost everything in it has been heavily reworked or edited or completely replaced since then.

 

Here's a recent-ish shot http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KVz_DhiQU2g/S0PRiBoi36I/AAAAAAAAAFI/PmNaajP6YUY/s1600-h/hero050110scan.png

Still working from the same modified NES palette I've been using right from the start even if it looks somewhat different because of usage.  The green planty tileset in the old shot will be reworked and improved for level 3

I wanted to go through every 8x8 tile just to smite you for every instance you used 4+ colors per tile (NES actually only allows 3, because one is reserved for transparency key), but this game is just too awesome.

Actually, on first glance I thought it was an Amiga game, until I saw the 8:7 aspect ratio!

 

I've been coding this myself in Game Maker, with some assistance from a couple of friends on the technical and mathematical side of things (I might be able to string some of the code together myself, but the equations are beyond me).  I prefer to be the main guy coding it because then I have full control and can experiment with certain ideas that a programmer may feel waste his time.

Also just occurs to me how out of date these screenshots are now...

Where the fruitbox champooligan do you go to find people that program things for (with?) you, and how long does it take to get good enough for them to track you pixel-down and feel honored to have their work praised?

I am green with envy. Speaking of which, the only thing I'd say is even slightly off with this is the blinding green, but perhaps that can't be avoided.

(Seriously, if there's a forum you attend that connects indie artists and indie programmers, I'd like to hear of it)

FANTASTIC WORK!

Awesome style. I can't wait to play.

Amazing, and the minimum of colors too.

I really like that ill colors! :)

Omg, this is great, only 16 colors too.

Heh, I had no idea you were on this site.  Thanks again.

You already know I love this :D

Hehe, "great dialogue engine"! I'm honored.

But, of course, such great pixel work deserves nothing less.


EDIT: oh, I forgot that my screen name was Tadashi Blossom on here. 'Tis Chevy Ray.

EDIT2: I also forgot to mention... you are the portrait MASTER.

All of you... This is too far..... Too un-natural to be, These things are just insane... Wonderful...

Very nice! But I'm still waiting for that Amstrad CPC game you were working on! It's in my cupboard waiting for your product :)

Japanese game o.O

Looking more than promising, now!! :D

I just love this WIP !

Cool image! It reminds me of the old classicaly NES games from Nintendo. Nice Work, keep it on!

Hey cheers, DarkfalzX.  You been one of my idols back on the GMC and on the Eo site in the past.  Your stuff is way beyond me so cheers for posting on here.

Yeah the 8x8 limitation is annoying and for the most part I have gone with it, but I guess I just got carried away in some places and used a couple extra colors.  Is ok.  Not intended for a real NES anyways.

I've not heard of Ethnipod.  I'll have to check that out.

This really reminds me of Ethnipod! Love the NESy colors, though it would be a miracle if an actual NES game could look this good (the whole pesky 4 colors in an 8x8 tile would've really gotten in the way)
Great work, man.

The colors look a bit 'dry' but they are used in a very nice manner.
Thumbs up!

Post a link to the game when it's available!

Impressive, I'll always love your style! :D

That portrait is awesome! I love it.

I tried with black but got told it's hard to read cos it was too contrasted.  Also meant I couldn't have the black drop shadow which i like.  Ah well.  Can't please everyone

sorta reminds me of bangai-o

i love bangai-o

The font is a bit hard to read probably because of the gray background. Have you tried with a black background? I think it would look better. Overall, it looks great man :)

It's one of several alternate NES palettes, and the one I regularly use in NES emulators.  Seems that the actual NES palette is debatable.  Regardless, this is meant to be more capturing the 8 bit feel in general with mostly a NES influence.  Has some lovely NSF format tunes composed by a friend of mine too.

this looks too good for a nes game :D hahah is this really the nes pallette? anyway regardless of the specs, great job

looks great! love that portrait <3

If people still find it hard to read, I may just include an option ingame to switch it with a more boring simple font.  Easy enough to do.

I spaced it out vertically like I was asked and it's still hard to read, eh?  I dunno.  I should point out the font isn't mine but I'm using it cos it fits what I want perfectly and I got no troubles reading it even when it was more packed together like before.  Games meant to be viewed at 320x240 sorta res so it should be much easier to read then.

I don't care much for the font, as it's a little on the hard-to-read side, but otherwise that looks pretty awesome. Great job.