Also, sorry for double reply, but I read the guide and I think it is good! The possible line through the game is a little flexible and this one is close to how I laid it out and ran it in my tests and how my playtest group approached it too.
Thanks for putting effort into writing it all out! It was fun, reminded me of like, reading GameFAQs back when I was a sapling? Very cool ^^
Thanks I am glad you like the guide.
It's a tad raw but I kind of like how it came out TBH so I don't think I will tinker with it too much now.
I think because you made the game non-linear it needed at least someone to make a route map through in order to avoid potential frustration.
Correct me if I am wrong but you can go swing your fists at Phlogiston right after you activate the elevator at the start?
Also compiling the walkthrough gave me another excuse to make another run through the game haha.
I believe AGOT really found it's audience with me and I am lucky you submitted the game to a jam I was participating in or it would have completely flown below my radar. Now I can follow whatever you make with great interest - you've won a fanboy for life haha.
But in all seriousness, I think making a walkthrough was my best compliment to the game as perhaps it will make it more accessible to those who are drawn by the art but are struggling with progression.
I think I'll go ahead and post the link to the walkthrough on the game's jam page too whilst voting is still underway just so it's out there :)
I am happy you had a good time with AGOT, and feel free to post the guide! I have no real idea how many people are making it to the ending, but the ending is what I am happiest with, so if the guide helps more people get there than all the better ^^
I thiiink the only quest you are "forced" to do is escaping the oubliette, which forces you into being level 5. The only encounter that is stopping you from fighting Phlogiston at level 5 is the drone encounter, which can't be avoided and is between you and the switches needed to open the final hallway. I think the drone is balanced around level 12, I'd have to check the numbers, but you can probably beat it a little earlier with the right abilities and speed order? It's designed to quickly dump you in the trash if you're too low in order to point people elsewhere.
But past that, yeah, I don't think there's any other required encounters, just practically you need to be strong enough to beat the drone and Phlogiston. Given how some of the quartz is blocked by fixed encounters there is kind of a "soft requirement" of levels needed to get more levels, but I think you could possibly get from 5 to 13ish without additional fights if you're quick enough and the pathfinding works out in your favor.
I am happy you found a lot to enjoy in AGOT; I have always struggled to hold my creative stuff with positivity and the general reaction to AGOT has given me a lot to think about in evaluating my perspective. I'd be happy to have you try my other works as stuff comes out of the workshop, of course, and I'll keep an eye out for your things too! :3
