What is Tawantinsuyu?

What is Tawantinsuyu?

Tawantinsuyu literally means "The Four Directions" in Quechua.

In terms of this blog, however, it refers to my Action RPG, Tawantinsuyu: The Four Directions, where you take on the roll of an Incan prince trying to help his people evade a great calamity under the direction of his father, the Sapa Inca. This involves collecting all the peices to the Gold Ship, a legendary vessel that will take them to the refuge of Piatiti, a hidden Inca city.

I've been wanting to make this game a long time and it is mostly in homage to Quintet (then Enix, Square Enix's) Illusion of Gaia / Illusion of Time, an RPG for the Super Nintendo. It was the reason I got so interested in the Inca culture.
I would also like to educate people as they play on how the Inca lived, what they ate/used for medicine, and weapons, ect. but everything isn't completely accurate due to limitations within the maker and some creative use. (For example, the Inca did not use money, but you will use gold, although it is scarce.)

You join with a young maiden after she is saved from sacrifice as well as your best friend, Uqi, son of a lowly farmer. 

Using Falcao's unique ABS, "Pearl Liquid", each character has their own unique strengths and weaknesses that will help you get through various temples, towns, and forests. For a simple description, it is a battle system where weapons and skills are assigned to shortcuts and you can attack enemies up close or at range. It is real time.

Each character will need to be utilized individually to get all the items, kill all enemies, and defeat bosses.

Characters specialize in Blessings (Healing, States, Buff Spells/Magic) and Tactics (Offensive skills / Attack Magic). Blessings require MP and Tactics require TP.

Dungeon maps will be given special attention to enemy locations, puzzles, and environment. Exploration is heavily rewarded, if not required, as items grow scarcer the further into the game you go.

Also, because there is no leveling system, defeating enemies or completing objectives to earn Tears will increase your stats.

Explore ancient towns like Macchu Picchu, Villacomba, and Nazca. Visit ruins and fortresses like Saksaywaman and the Inca Trail. All in all, you will cover all four directions on your journey to save the empire.

I originally wanted to implement a bartering system as the Inca didn't have money, but I'm still working on this feature. For now, there are "Dynamic Shops" thanks to Tidloc's script, which changes inventory over time and based on what you buy/sell, giving a realistic feel to the ever-changing environment of the Andes and your need for survival. *This was from the old demo, I am looking into re-implementing it.

You will be able to cook and upgrade weapons on-the-go as long as you have the items necessary.

A limited inventory doesn't hinder you, but it does cause you to think ahead. The Andes are all about survival and the Inca knew how to do that well with various food and medicines, all which you will find on your journey.

Enemies are on screen so they can be (mostly) avoided if you're in need of healing or want to just avoid battles.

Save anywhere for convenient and less frustrating gameplay.

The game has multiple endings depending on what is achieved.

View extra tidbits about your characters and develop their feelings via a romance system reminiscent of Tales /Star Ocean.

Morale system is effected by choices you make and may also effect the end-game. How many people you change to your way of thinking can aid in other ways as well.

More to come as I develop the game!