As I continue to refine my process for making this game, I've decided that Sunday will be my official update day. Just FYI :)
So, quite a lot has developed for my game, both practically and conceptually. It turns out that my title, A Lil' Murder Never Hurt Nobody, is a better inspiration for the gameplay than the game's overall tone. The more I thought about the core themes and mechanics I wanted this game to work with, the more and more it felt like it belonged in an abstract/supernatural setting. This also turned out to suit an art style I'm more confident working with and have come to really enjoy. Essentially, the game will take place in a sort of "limbo state," a place that appears vaguely familiar but is clearly unreal. There, the character will have to conquer certain personal demons (manifest as physical beings) before passing through to the "other side." Growth (i.e. a leveling/stat system) only comes through failure, though of course the player never actually dies. But in regards to win/lose game states, I've got some sneaky ideas in the works.
Hopefully some of that seems interesting to explore. I know I can't wait to get into the nitty-gritty of coding it all. In the meantime, here's a quick look at where the game is as of today.
I'd love to hear any and all feedback! I'll be lurking around these boards all week, and you can expect another update from me next Sunday. Til then!