Games based on virtual characters need to be painstaking in the design of character mechanisms. Creating innovative character mechanics that seamlessly integrate with core gameplay is a primary goal for developers of such games. Among numerous MMO mobile games, RPGs and SLGs particularly emphasize character design, although their approaches often differ. This article will use Heroes Charge from uCool and Evony: The King's Return from Top Games Inc. as case studies. It will analyze their character mechanics from the perspectives of hero/general classification and settings.
Noble Elf, Son of the Forest, Plateau Tribe, Orc Legion, Northland Hermit, Cemetery Ghost, Chaos Demon, Curse Sect, Clos League, Machinery Association, Land of Gods, Phoenix, Deep Sea League, and Dragon Habitat.
Heroes in HC can be divided into tank, fighter, assassin, mage, marksman, and support according to their skill types.
There are common, elite, rare, epic, legendary, and limited heroes corresponding to the colors white, green, blue, purple, orange, and red.
Each hero designed by the uCool team has his/her unique skills and stats panel, as well as corresponding Astrolabe, Gear, Skins, and Rune.
You can upgrade, evolve, promote, awaken, etc. to improve the hero's attributes. The hero's skills can also be upgraded.
In addition to the different qualities of the hero itself, the promoted hero also has different qualities, which will be distinguished by the color of the hero's portrait border.
The Star Arcanum is divided into Star Glaive, Star Diadem, and Star Orb. Different treasures can provide different buffs. In the game, players need to allocate them according to the attribute tendencies of the heroes. The attribute bonus of Star Glaive tends to be physical. Star Diadem tends to be defense and armor. And Star Orb mainly provides magic buffs.
Each hero can wear 5 runes. Different types of heroes can wear different runes. Each rune has 30 levels and wearing and upgrading it can enhance attributes in different dimensions. For example, Halberd Master's rune can enhance attack damage, HP, armor, magic resistance, and strength. In contrast, Ice Mage's rune can enhance mafic resistance, HP, magic power, armor, and intellect.
Heroes can awaken after evolving to 5 stars. Awakening Figure.
Heroes with different attribute preferences can wear different equipment. Under the design of the uCool team, players do not need to choose what equipment each hero can wear at the current stage. The fixed matching of the system makes players do not have to worry about it. After the current stage of equipment is full, the hero can be promoted.
Equipment enhancement is achieved through enchanting, leveling up, and promoting. Enchanting can be done using Primal Dust, Shimmer Dust, Void Dust, or other low-level equipment. But the upgrading and promotion are for the Artifact(s) in the Zeus Temple. This kind of equipment is the hero's exclusive weapon. They exist independently and do not take up equipment slots.
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Evony's generals can be divided into ground-troop, mounted-troop, ranged-troop, siege-machine, debuff, duty, main city defense, mixed generals, and subordinate city mayor,
Evony's generals have 5 qualities: Common (white), Uncommon (green), Excellent (blue), Legendary or Historic general (purple), and Epic or Epic Historic general (golden).
Each general in Evony has his/her basic attributes, special skills, and specialties. Some generals' special skills can be ascended to obtain more buffs. Someone has covenant attributes. In addition, generals can become more powerful by enhancing, cultivating, and wearing equipment.
Through cultivation, the general's basic attributes in four dimensions (leadership, attack, defense, and politics) can be improved. This is completely different from HC.
Including star upgrade and awakening.
After you enhance a general to 5 golden stars, you can ascend the general. When you ascend one to 5 red stars, the general is awakened.
The awakening of Evony's generals is different from HC. Except for improving their attributes, they can also unlock additional special skill buffs. Besides, the awakening of the generals here does not change their appearance.
There are Runestones in Evony, but they are different from Runes in HC. Runestones in Evony are items used to upgrade general specialties. Different types of runestones are consumed when upgrading different specialties.
HC provides additional buffs by equipping heroes with Astrolabe and Rune, while Evony equips generals with skill books. Skill books are divided into four categories: military, development, subordinate city, and special. You need to choose according to the general's attribute preferences.
It is divided into several levels according to quality, and each level has at least one set of suits.
Unlike HC, with the design of the Top Games team, each general here does not have fixed equipment. You need to check the properties of different equipment to determine which one to wear. Moreover, the upgrade of equipment has no direct connection with the promotion of the general.
Equipment can be enhanced by upgrading, upgrading stars, refining, and amplifying.
Furthermore, there is also a more powerful type of equipment in this game, Civilization Equipment. This is similar to the Artifact in HC. In addition to conventional means, this type of equipment can also be upgraded by activating Star Atlas and advanced refining. The difference is that civilization equipment is still the general's wearable equipment and needs to occupy equipment grids.
In summary, uCool's Heroes Charge and Top Game Inc.'s Evony TKR exhibit significant differences in their character mechanics design. While many character-based games may follow a similar design logic, different game genres indeed offer diverse gameplay experiences. We look forward to seeing more innovative character designs in the future.
