Making a HeartsLike Game For OVER 1000 Days

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I’ve always thought about making a colorful and exciting game like Kingdom Hearts and so I decided to finally make my dream game that will be heavily inspired by popular PS2-Era action RPGs.

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👾 Discord ▶ https://discord.gg/aAcUcqa5jA
🐦Twitter ▶ https://twitter.com/YahyaDanboos
📷 Instagram ▶ https://www.instagram.com/yahyadanboos/
💡 Subscribe ▶ https://www.youtube.com/c/YahyaDanboos?sub_confirmation=1

🔗 Source Links:
▶ Avatar Headshot Artwork by Reverse Crown
https://twitter.com/ReverseCrown
▶ Lighting and Shadow Research by Mirza Beig
https://twitter.com/TheMirzaBeig
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtfiG7Q0-jQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZYfLNIinOc
▶ Zelda Ocarina of Time Footage by BeardBear
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bHUl92VNFg
▶ Destiney Island Noclip Footage by Jasper
https://twitter.com/JasperRLZ
https://noclip.website/
▶ GBA Tech Demo by 3DSage
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abki1Tp1maM
▶ The Future Of The PlayStation (GDC 2000)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akyokvJUnmI
▶ Monster Hunter Lock-On by Vogen Nundye
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Up2AhwcvJ7s
▶ LOCK-ON (It Was Best in Kingdom Hearts 1) by Regular Pat
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLV6n0GNmnE
▶ Assassin’s Creed Syndicate – Climbing Big Ben by Shirrako
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXpKGy-xj1w
▶ Advanced Climbing System For ALSV4 – Unreal Engine by JIRO
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Bc05QOXHDI
▶ Sora HUD by GuidingHeart
https://www.deviantart.com/guidingheart/art/Kingdom-Hearts-2-5-HD-ReMix-HUD-Recreation-802844126
▶ Final Fantasy VII Gameplay by Chronos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgB3n80WVA8
▶ Stock Videoes by Ketut Subiyanto from Pexels
https://www.pexels.com/@ketut-subiyanto?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels
▶ Timeline Icon by Freepik
https://www.flaticon.com/free-icon/timeline_554717?related_id=554717&origin=search
▶ Fortnite Video by SENSEI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KngNf1Qb4U
▶ Breakdown: KH2 Sora’s Base Combat ~ Kingdom Hearts 2 Analysis by Bio-Roxas
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PeooFfLilks
▶ Light and Dark [Zelda Artwork] by Matt Akin
https://linktr.ee/mattakin
▶ Arabian City [Artwork] by Oksana Govorova
https://govorova.artstation.com/projects/lRkake
Arabian City Night [Artwork] by Cyril JEDOR
https://cyriljedor.artstation.com/projects/dOAePx
▶ All the cute Japanese Clipart by Irasutoya (いらすとや)
https://www.irasutoya.com/
▶ Destiney Island Noclip Footage by Jasper
https://twitter.com/JasperRLZ
https://noclip.website/

🎵 Music:
▶ Snow_in_the_Forest by ISAo
https://dova-s.jp/EN/bgm/play11916.html
▶ Away_from_the_moment by ISAo
https://dova-s.jp/EN/bgm/play1848.html
▶ Construction by ISAo
https://dova-s.jp/EN/bgm/play4764.html
▶ Battle – Desert
https://dova-s.jp/EN/bgm/play9940.html
▶ Premonition by Toby Fox
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQDiDDb1_9k
▶ Enemy Approaching by Toby Fox
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRU6GnETSN4
▶ موسيقي نور في الأجواء تألق مع الكلمات by Myara Dwz
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TN8Ytddk1w

⌛ Time Stamps
00:00 Origin
00:56 Setup
01:19 Camera
02:15 Movement
02:43 Shadow
03:47 Lock-On
04:31 Ledge Hanging
05:23 HUD Avatar & HP, MP Stats
06:04 Defeated Sequence
06:18 Dodging
06:31 Gliding
06:54 – Big Problem
07:52 – The Solution
08:49​ – Implementation
09:22​ – Playground, Drops, New UI
09:38 – Combat System
10:22 – New Arena Stage
10:38 – New Fly Enemy
11:14 – Showcase at Game Convention
11:59 – New Features & Improvements
12:20​​​​ – Trying Linear Gameplay
12:43 – Switch to Linear World
13:09​​​​ – Which Kingdom Hearts-Inspired?
13:33​​​​ – Other Inspirations
13:57​​​​ – Planning and Documenting
14:34​​​​ – New Transition & Save System
15:16​​​​ – Pause & Settings Menu
15:46​​​​ – Dialogue System
16:06​​​​ – Guard Mechanic
16:20​​​​ – Game Convention Showcase
17:05 – New Lock-On System
18:27​ – Parrying
18:48 – Advanced Knockbacks
19:06​ – Enemy Pushing
19:34 – Ability Menu
20:07 – Advanced Damage System
20:33 – New UI Design
21:08​​​​ – Initial Game Name
21:45 – Scope Down
22:40 – Name Doesn’t Make Sense
23:12 – Story Ideas
23:46 – New Story
24:41 – New Game Name
25:15 – New Logo and Poster
26:00 – New Character & Environment
26:55 – NPCs
27:22 – BitSummit Event Showcase
28:14 – New Features

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41 thoughts on “Making a HeartsLike Game For OVER 1000 Days”

  1. Honestly seeing this makes me realize how much time game development takes, which is good because it gives the message to not rush anything and take your time
    I wish the best for this game and can’t wait to see what comes of it in the future!

    Reply

  3. Nice video, but there was something missing from your explanation. So I just need to ask, is there a magic system? Or at least is there anything comparable to a magic system so that there can be a lot more strategy then just mashing the attack button to win?

    Reply

  11. old optimization techniques not required haaahhahah I laughed hard cause now we need optimization more than anything cause the hardware developers are forcing AI chips instead of extra ram and the software developers (UE specifically) is making system that makes old optimization not be able to used unless you remove the engine systems like nanite, nanite slow compare to optimization and don't work with it either so overall slower.

    Reply

  12. I've downloaded the playtest and will leave some proper feedback there later. In the mean time, in case you look here first, can you add an option to swap the confirm and cancel buttons so I could use the original KH japanese layout?

    Reply

  17. The new direction of Arabian theme currently kinda reminds me of the Werehog stages in Sonic Unleashed so maybe that could serve as additional inspiration for how the world could work as those sections while not as robust as KH do offer similar concepts

    Reply

  21. That's one heck of a project you working on.
    Say, Thought of something that might interest you considering the light motif your story's rocking.
    The ability to dip into a cartoon like shadow.
    Basically the player can dive into the ground and become able to freely move on the ground or walls without getting harmed by physical attacks. This is more of a emergency, "I need to get to safety/behind this giant monster" kind of skill.
    As a drawback, the player can't attack, cast spells, or use items until they resurface (at least not without some high costing ap skills or equipment.), Light element attacks can still hit them, and that it only lasts 8-13 seconds.
    Looking forward to the updates.

    Reply

  26. I came across this project a couple of months ago, and it’s great to see you still pushing forward! Many would have lost confidence and given up by now.

    However, I am honestly a bit thrown off with the approach to exactly replicate elements from Kingdom Hearts. I get the nostalgia factor as a big fan of the series myself, but personally don't see the point of directly copying values and systems. Likewise for the similar ui layout, hud, vfx, animation style, lighting. At that point, I think it diminishes the idea of a game "inspired by".

    In my opinion, part of game development is the creative process of finding newfound fun and unique personality in a game. Similar how every Kingdom Hearts game tries to evolve and feel different. How have these games tried to improve on each other? It seems like you have already set the bar, marking the old games as the "holy grail". But what this does is limit yourself to that standard rather than trying to extract the feeling of these games and interpreting it in different or enhanced ways. There is no by-the-book definition of fun, similar to how the character movement speed and FOV values as KH2 cannot be an indicator of fun.

    As an independent indie developer you are gifted the freedom to take more risk and liberties, rather than following the current trend and milking the same "proven" gameplay mechanics over and over. Which is what you see in the AAA industry a lot nowadays. I think you shouldn't be afraid to experiment more and think outside the box completely. Ask yourself what has attracted you to your childhood games, abstract that and extract those feelings to enhance it in different ways, if you really want to pay homage to your roots. Is it speed, sense of control, simplicity/accessibility, excitement, flashiness, atmosphere…? Make something new, tweak it to your own standards until it feels right, find your style along the way, iterate.

    The combination of Disney and Final Fantasy characters came about by chance in a literal elevator pitch. The creation of the Keyblade originally began as a chainsaw. The camera system of KH1 was originally fixed-angle. Mickey or Donald were originally supposed to be the main character. All in all; the most ridiculous sounding or flawed ideas can develop into the most memorable experiences, and the randomness of circumstances and limited time opens the doors to something new.

    Also, be cautious with ambitious goals like "all NPCs should be unique and have their own stories". I'm not sure if you have a deadline in mind, but these things add to the scope a LOT, especially making a 3D game. Creating a simple, linear story is already very difficult to do on its own. The amount of work is exponential; there are always multiple layers to take into account for each character and its relation to the world and story. All characters would either have to be modeled individually, be modular or reskinnable. Not to mention that you need to design them and give them unique character traits and depth. I wonder if all that time and effort is the most effective way to enhance your game vs. for example more enemy and gameplay variation.

    Reply

  28. By far best thing you did that I think any artist or designer should keep note is:
    COLLABORATE. Even if just for critiques or small assistance, a feature, whatever, never thing you have to go it alone. In fact getting assistance especially in places you don’t specialize in can save so much time, give so much insight, and help in the future to connect with more people.

    Also a lot less lonely and more fun that way too

    Reply

  32. Hey man, congrats on the development so far. Really excited to see how it will turn out. Btw I'm a 2d and a pixel art artist, so if you need any help in designing character or monster just hit me up as I've also been a fan of KH for the longest time. I know it's random but it's my dream to get involve in creating a game but I'm only good at drawing lol.

    Reply

  34. My biggest wish and hope for the game are the secrets. My favorite thing about the original KH game is that there are just so many secrets, and some of them literally took years to find. For example, it took many people years to find out about how the clock tower in Neverland gives rewards as an example. My favorite secret is that you can deep freeze the bubbles near Maleficent’s castle.

    There are literal compilations of people absolutely shocked at some of the things in the game they didn’t know about. And I want to say don’t be afraid to make them shockingly difficult to discover, or super well hidden that no one can find it. And no need for a counter like later games that tell you how many secrets you’re missing. I think it adds to the charm of the game. It makes the world feel truly alive and make you go, “wow, what else is here in this world?” The simplest and cleanest things are what defines the first Kh game

    Edit: Ah! One more of my favorite. In Wonderland, that chimney holds a key in defeating the boss of the world. If you cast blizzard on it, the boss can’t shoot flames at you! https://youtu.be/vGybWB2HU4I?si=iziUMbLnpOtMYLdl

    Reply

  35. Big Kingdom Hearts fan, and I've got a bit of a soft spot for Arabian architecture, mythology, and culture (thanks Aladdin), and this looks excellent so far. I won't be able to play it because my PC is garbage, I don't normally play PC games, and I don't have Steam, but I'll definitely be keeping an eye on this game as it progresses.

    Also, that three headed fire breathing snake we saw just once during your enemy attack damage demonstration was awesome. I HOPE that creature is kept as an enemy in the game.

    Also, just realized, your title for this video is a reference to 1001 Arabian Nights. Dunno if that was intentional or not, but that's my take-away, lol.

    Reply

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