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Author Topic: Cogmind 7DRL (sci-fi roguelike from the creator of X@COM)  (Read 109031 times)

Kyzrati

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Cogmind 7DRL (sci-fi roguelike from the creator of X@COM)
« on: March 24, 2012, 12:03:24 pm »

Notice: This is the original 7DRL version. A much improved commercial version of Cogmind is currently in the works--check out the new thread.

You are a prototype for a form of highly intelligent artificial life capable of quickly interfacing with and learning from the surrounding environment to evolve over time. You are the Cogmind. Build and rebuild yourself as you destroy the Overmind's thralls to escape the subterranean robot city in this sci-fi dungeon romp.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

So, I've been less busy working on X@COM than I should have lately. Blame the 7DRL contest, then thank it, because it led to the birth of Cogmind!

Because Cogmind is based on the X@COM code, the two naturally look similar (but play completely differently). Notable Features:
  • Particle engine for animated ASCII effects (weapons/explosions etc.)
  • Animated interface with sound effects
  • Fully destructible terrain
  • Partial mouse support (full keyboard support)
  • Most data loaded from text files
  • Ongoing high score competition
A more extensive list of features can be found here on Rogue Basin.

The 7DRL release had a few interface bugs, which I've sorted out with a fresh bugfix release. Check out more screenshots and information on the blog: http://cogmindrl.blogspot.com/

Get it now to join the high score competition!
« Last Edit: September 23, 2013, 08:54:54 pm by Kyzrati »
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MonkeyHead

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Re: Cogmind (new sci-fi RL from the creator of X@COM)
« Reply #1 on: March 24, 2012, 12:13:47 pm »

I will hit this hard this evening. Looks like very much my kind of thing.
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Dariush

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Re: Cogmind (new sci-fi RL from the creator of X@COM)
« Reply #2 on: March 24, 2012, 01:23:59 pm »

So many pretty numbers... prettyprettypretty

What are Coverage and Support parameters for propulsion items? Also, how do you get more slots? And what does heat affect?
« Last Edit: March 24, 2012, 01:34:32 pm by Dariush »
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Frumple

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Re: Cogmind (new sci-fi RL from the creator of X@COM)
« Reply #3 on: March 24, 2012, 01:39:24 pm »

Heat gets too high you'll shut down for a bit.

At least some slots (Inventory, if nothing else) can be gained via installing some utility items. Not sure about weapons/engines/etc. Help or manual or something mentions "evolving," but blazes if I know what that entails.

Not sure about coverage and support. I think I had figured it out at one point, but have since forgotten. Probably has something to do with the other stuff installed getting damaged and how much weight slows you down, or something.
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MonkeyHead

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Re: Cogmind (new sci-fi RL from the creator of X@COM)
« Reply #4 on: March 24, 2012, 02:39:52 pm »

First playthrough...

Ion engine, Aluminium legs. Got to level 2 before being mobbed by soldiers. My response - break out the grenade launcher, and rapidly run out of useable matter. Must be more liberal with heavy weapons in the future.

Evolving is sort of "levelling up", where you can expand some slots, allowing for more gunz or toys.
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mattie2009

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Re: Cogmind (new sci-fi RL from the creator of X@COM)
« Reply #5 on: March 24, 2012, 04:44:26 pm »

You evolve by getting to the next floor.

I keep getting swarmed by soldiers who go "HEY DAWG I HEARD YOU LIKE LIVING, SO LET ME SHOOT YOUR WEAPONS BECAUSE IT'S NOT FAIR FOR YOU TO BE ABLE TO SHOOT ME BACK" and then they crit my weapon systems while I somehow hit everything that isn't them.
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MonkeyHead

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Re: Cogmind (new sci-fi RL from the creator of X@COM)
« Reply #6 on: March 24, 2012, 04:48:40 pm »

I find having a lazer or assualt rifle is useful for when stealthing around taking out lone enemies is useful, along with a deactivated rocket launcher or grenade launcher for when lots of enemies feel like runing your day.
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Kyzrati

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Re: Cogmind (new sci-fi RL from the creator of X@COM)
« Reply #7 on: March 24, 2012, 07:20:44 pm »

Note to anyone with questions about game rules: read manual.txt--it's got all kinds of useful information, including a list of hints at the end if you're having trouble.

The game isn't very easy on beginners, but once you get the hang of it you should be able to beat the first few levels without much difficulty. Beyond that you'll have to start developing effective strategies to survive. I've still only made it to level 6 myself. Highest score is 9453 (Don't be discouraged though, obviously I know a lot about the game :)

I keep getting swarmed by soldiers who go "HEY DAWG I HEARD YOU LIKE LIVING, SO LET ME SHOOT YOUR WEAPONS BECAUSE IT'S NOT FAIR FOR YOU TO BE ABLE TO SHOOT ME BACK" and then they crit my weapon systems while I somehow hit everything that isn't them.
Lots of things you can do about that:
-fight enemies up close to increase hit%
-always carry extra weapons, because it sucks not to have any
-make sure you have as many parts equipped as possible, to decrease the likelihood of losing weapons (attaching parts mid-battle is essential!)
-later on you can equip targeting computers to increase hit%
-look at the components of the hit calculation (listed in manual.txt) for a better idea of what kinds of factors affect your aim

I find having a lazer or assualt rifle is useful for when stealthing around taking out lone enemies is useful, along with a deactivated rocket launcher or grenade launcher for when lots of enemies feel like runing your day.
Yep, that's what I do, carry around an extra launcher for the groups (but I usually wait until I have three weapon slots--before that you can usually fight groups around a corner and kill them one by one if you're fast enough)

Heat gets too high you'll shut down for a bit.
When you make it to later parts of the game, you'll find that overheating has a wide range of other nasty effects as well, depending on how hot you are. It's hard to overheat in the early game, since nothing produces much more heat than you can naturally dissipate. After a few levels you'll need to consider using heat sinks and cooling systems depending on your build.

Not sure about coverage and support. I think I had figured it out at one point, but have since forgotten.
It's covered in the manual, but there's no example (and it probably needs one) so here it is:
"Each part has a "coverage" rating which determines its likeliness to be hit by an incoming attack. Values are relative, so attacks are weighted towards hitting parts with higher coverage. Robot cores also have their own "exposure" rating which determines their likeliness to be hit; this value is considered along with part coverage when determining whether an attack will strike the core. The exact chance of a core/part to be hit is shown in parenthesis after its rating on the relevant info screen." (manual.txt)

Ex 1: Cogmind's core has an exposure of 100. Say you equip only one part, a weapon which also has a coverage of 100. Their total value is 200 (100+100), so if you are hit by a projectile, each one has a 50% (100/200) chance to be hit.

Ex 2: You have the following parts attached:
-Ion Engine (60)
-Light Treads (70)
-Light Treads (70)
-Medium Laser (100)
-Light Assault Rifle (100)
With your core (100), the total is 440, so the chance to hit each part is:
-Ion Engine: 60/440=13.6%
-Light Treads: 70/440=15.9% (each)
-Medium Laser: 100/440=22.7%
-Light Assault Rifle: 100/440=22.7%
-Core: 100/440=22.7%

Enemy robots work the same way, of course, so the more parts you blow off, the more likely you are to hit and destroy their core.

Armor plating has a very high coverage, so it's more likely to be hit, while tiny utilities such as embedded processors have very low coverage, so you can expect them to last much longer (unless you have little or nothing else covering you, so keep covered!!!).

As you progress, your core will become more and more protected by attached parts (b/c you'll have many more of them...), but by that time there are other dangers you'll find out about...
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raptorfangamer

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Re: Cogmind (new sci-fi RL from the creator of X@COM)
« Reply #8 on: March 24, 2012, 07:49:20 pm »

I instantly downloaded it after seeing this thread, and the first fifteen minutes in the game where me waiting for the bots to "uncover" some up stairs without me seeing them on the first room, what a nice little scrapfort they made...
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Kyzrati

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Re: Cogmind (new sci-fi RL from the creator of X@COM)
« Reply #9 on: March 24, 2012, 08:03:17 pm »

Yeah, sorry about that. I could've made it more obvious that you start right in the area you can leave from.
I was going to limit the amount of digging they're allowed to do so you don't think they're going to uncover something for you, but then I thought it was a neat opportunity to see the map generator in progress if you want to hang around.

Others should take note about this. Take what you want from the scrapyard and leave!
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mattie2009

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Re: Cogmind (new sci-fi RL from the creator of X@COM)
« Reply #10 on: March 24, 2012, 08:08:25 pm »

It's a bit difficult to do much when the game is intent on throwing a swarm of Wasps and Fighters 7-strong at me, who aim and hit all my weapons one by one, at which point I f10-f10 because they've cornered me in a room and I'm not sticking around that long.

>Get EMP Blaster at the end of level 1
>Go test it out
>Shoot wasp with EMP blaster; It hits the wall behind it and explodes in an EM blast, destroying it in one shot
>Cue "Hell yes" face
>Second wasp pops out of doorway, critting the blaster and destroying it instantly

Hahahahahaha, kill me.
« Last Edit: March 24, 2012, 08:27:52 pm by mattie2009 »
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Kyzrati

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Re: Cogmind (new sci-fi RL from the creator of X@COM)
« Reply #11 on: March 24, 2012, 08:24:07 pm »

For those who are still having trouble, I'll do a video guide/walkthrough soon to show you how easy it can be to beat the first 3 levels. After that you're on your own!
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EuchreJack

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Re: Cogmind (new sci-fi RL from the creator of X@COM)
« Reply #12 on: March 24, 2012, 09:33:38 pm »

I managed to get to stage 6-Factory, but with few items:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

The secret to my success: The Tactical Withdrawl.  It's actually quite easy to run away from swarms.  Two tips: Legs are the best movement type, and avoid being overloaded.  That Gravity Neutralizing Apperatus I'm packing is by far my greatest item (it boosts mass support by 20).

quintin522

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Re: Cogmind (new sci-fi RL from the creator of X@COM)
« Reply #13 on: March 24, 2012, 09:42:15 pm »

Just want to say your RL engine is amazing. ASCII particle effects are beautiful things. And I can't wait for the next X@COM release.
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EuchreJack

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Re: Cogmind (new sci-fi RL from the creator of X@COM)
« Reply #14 on: March 24, 2012, 09:49:28 pm »

And I died...Lacking an engine sucks.
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