Ellie the Sparklet 2.1.2

[Sparkette]

flarn2006 submitted a new resource:

Sparks the Scarf Rider - A cute character with an unusual level of control over her scarf.

Introducing Sparks!​

View attachment 43902
She's my first custom character, and while I'm not entirely sure whether she's balanced well, she sure is fun to play, at least I think so. Sparks isn't very good in combat; she can't attack enemies by jumping into them and her only aerial attack is somewhat difficult to aim, making bosses a challenge. But to make up for it, she has incredible speed and mobility, feeling a lot like a...

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[Bori]

My only thing close to a complaint would be the choice of character name; "Sparks" could cause some confusion with LakeFeperd's Spark the Electric Jester.

 

[Sparkette]

My only thing close to a complaint would be the choice of character name; "Sparks" could cause some confusion with LakeFeperd's Spark the Electric Jester.

Ah, well I'm not familiar with that character! If I was I'd probably have thought of a different name, but this name was already in my head along with this design for a while. What are your thoughts on the character?

 

[Sparkette]

flarn2006 updated Sparks the Scarf Rider with a new update entry:

Known Issues

Some players who joined my co-op game helped me uncover a couple of bugs which will hopefully be fixed in the next version. Those are:

• Twirl attack can somehow get disabled during multiplayer special stages (intermittent, cause unknown)
• Holding the Spin button while in goop rapidly plays the "slam" sound
• Potential softlock in CEZ3 (believed to be related to using the slam attack)
• The audio loop while gliding underwater isn't seamless, though it's quiet so you usually can't...

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[Jammin']

Aw, cool! I saw your progress in the discord, but i didnt expect you to finish it this soon!

 

[Bori]

Ah, well I'm not familiar with that character! If I was I'd probably have thought of a different name, but this name was already in my head along with this design for a while. What are your thoughts on the character?

Funny enough, I hadn't even downloaded your addon prior to writing up my first post in this thread. I suppose it was such a knee-jerk reaction to the name that I forgot to do my part and review the thing.
Having now sat down to do a quick run-through from GFZ to DSZ, (my usual test palette of zones,) I can confidently say that despite the confusing name, this character fires off on all cylinders.
Even before my first input, the spritework and animation demonstrated in this threads' preview gifs had me taken aback, in a good way.
The artstyle distinctly reminds me of early-era CG renders; the simple shapes, the deep shading, even down to the animations fluidity.
The moveset is somewhat derivative of Lilac from Freedom Planet, but that's not a downside by any sense; besides, the gliding and dash give the character enough of its own identity to work with.
Fun to play, unique artstyle, easily a 4/5 in my eyes.

 

[Sparkette]

flarn2006 updated Sparks the Scarf Rider with a new update entry:

Version 1.1!

Version 1.1 of Sparks is here, with bug fixes, balance changes, as well as a brand new gameplay mechanic!

View attachment 44042

New features

• Sparks will now power up when exposed to electricity. Instead of damaging Sparks, electricity will now charge up her attacks, giving them an area of effect. Besides fitting her name, this also serves an important gameplay purpose which you will no doubt discover.
  • When Sparks becomes charged, a meter will...

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[Sparkette]

flarn2006 updated Sparks the Scarf Rider with a new update entry:

Version 1.2

Smaller update this time, but it does bring a couple changes you might enjoy.

View attachment 44226

New features

• Sparks' momentum prior to starting a twirl is now much less significant in determining how high she'll go. Instead, it's based primarily on how long she holds it. Hold it for a full second to get the maximum boost.
• Sparks can now destroy bustable floors of the type that Amy and Fang can break.

Bug fixes

• ...

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[Gambit]

I think she's just lovely. But I gotta be honest: I think Sparks being a spin character is more of a detriment to her moveset then it is a plus. When you're trying to attack enemies by twirling downward into them, your forward momentum often sends you into Spin when you touch the ground, which in my experience more often sent me into a very bad position against certain bosses. If you want an example of a No-Spin character that still has a type of spindash, take a look at the recently-released Espio mod.

Also, is it just me or does the attack radius increase from charged mode seem incredibly weak? Your attack radius is already basically the size of a darned finger-nail, and yet I still don't feel like the charged radius increase actually does anything. I cannot even notice the difference between a charged and non-charged twirl whatsoever. They both feel exactly the same. I get the feeling that the Charged mechanic was something you added specifically to make the Metal Sonic fight less of a hassle for this character (since gaining increased attack radius from touching electricity seems like an incredibly specific mechanic), but I think it needs to be an even larger radius.

 

[Icarus]

That's a nice design, reminds me a bit of Umbreon.

Also scarf rider reminds me a bit of kamen rider.

 

[Sparkette]

I think she's just lovely. But I gotta be honest: I think Sparks being a spin character is more of a detriment to her moveset then it is a plus. When you're trying to attack enemies by twirling downward into them, your forward momentum often sends you into Spin when you touch the ground, which in my experience more often sent me into a very bad position against certain bosses. If you want an example of a No-Spin character that still has a type of spindash, take a look at the recently-released Espio mod.

Also, is it just me or does the attack radius increase from charged mode seem incredibly weak? Your attack radius is already basically the size of a darned finger-nail, and yet I still don't feel like the charged radius increase actually does anything. I cannot even notice the difference between a charged and non-charged twirl whatsoever. They both feel exactly the same. I get the feeling that the Charged mechanic was something you added specifically to make the Metal Sonic fight less of a hassle for this character (since gaining increased attack radius from touching electricity seems like an incredibly specific mechanic), but I think it needs to be an even larger radius.

About the accidental spinning, that's something I've noticed as well. I'll see what I can do to prevent it from happening accidentally.
As for the other thing, I can definitely notice increased attack power with the twirl when charged:

It would not destroy enemies that far away normally. (Ignore the blinking question mark; that's supposed to be the charge bar.)

And yes, you're absolutely right about Metal Sonic. It's actually just a coincidence that she happens to be named Sparks. :) It really does make a difference in that fight; I wasn't able to beat Metal as Sparks until I added that.

That's a nice design, reminds me a bit of Umbreon.

Also scarf rider reminds me a bit of kamen rider.

Umbreon was actually part of my inspiration for her design. :)
Is "Kamen Rider" similar in concept at all or are you just saying the name is similar?

 

[Gambit]

Is "Kamen Rider" similar in concept at all or are you just saying the name is similar?

characters in Kamen Rider have long scarfs so i think that's all he's referring to

 

[Scarlet Flare]

I like this idea after i played the character the controls felt good. The only problem i had was that the character was too fast but over all good job.

 

[Sparkette]

flarn2006 updated Sparks the Scarf Rider with a new update entry:

Version 1.3

View attachment 45065
Here's what's changed this time:

• Various sprite tweaks, including (what I think are) better-looking eyes for some of her animations
• A new waiting animation (above) that it switches to if you wait 5 more seconds
• A tweak to prevent Sparks from immediately rolling after doing a stomp attack.
• Added the MF_SCENERY flag to Sparks' particles. I'm not sure if it'll really make a difference for anything, but it couldn't hurt.

Read the rest of this update entry...

 

[allu_key]

Bloody hell this is AMAZING

 

[Sparkette]

My only thing close to a complaint would be the choice of character name; "Sparks" could cause some confusion with LakeFeperd's Spark the Electric Jester.

I just realized how deep the rabbit hole goes...I've never played this game and hope it doesn't feel too derivative!

 

[Chezi]

View attachment 45355
I just realized how deep the rabbit hole goes...I've never played this game and hope it doesn't feel too derivative!

I find it hilarious how you can accidentally plagiarize something without realizing it, although your guy is pretty unique on his own

 

[Sparkette]

I find it hilarious how you can accidentally plagiarize something without realizing it, although your guy is pretty unique on his own

Guy?

 

[Chezi]

Guy?

I was saying guy in the same way people say dude, in a gender-neutral way

 

[Icarus]

Spark is a common word.