[NES] Metroid 1 - Ultimate Remake - Based on Rogue Dawn engine modifications

[IcePenguin]

No progress unfortunately.  I've been focused on this project exclusively between the two.  I'm actually much more excited about the silhouette project that this remake but I want to provide a high quality result before I move on to the silhouette project.  I'm also working on a very high end Super Mario hack with two talented individuals that I feel will make a pretty significant impact once it's completed.  My primary role is level design for that particular project.

Thanks for the feedback everyone.  I've stepped up my goals for this project and I plan to take it to the next level beyond my original intentions. 

Taking this project to the next level?  Coooool!     Can't wait to see what it is you are planning.  This might be a weird question, but will there be rain like in Rogue Dawn?  That was probably my favorite thing in that entire hack, haha.  Since you used that as a base for this, I was just curious if it remained.

Also, will you be announcing anything soon about your Mario project?  That sounds intriguing, as well!

[Grimlock]

I was quietly doing something similar, aiming for a "Metroid Redux" kind of treatment months, if not a year ago.
I was using Snarfblam's Map+Save latest unofficial build (as well as some more stuff, like 7 Energy tanks and others), and also implemented animated graphics for lava based on Rogue Dawn.

Give me a few days and I'll upload everything I had on this.
Just let my crappy slow-ass Gentoo machine finish updating and I'll give you all I had, you can even name the project Metroid Redux if you want, as I don't really see myself going back to this anytime soon.

Sure, sounds good.  Send me a PM or hit me up on Discord.  Grimlock#7135

I'm very open to anyone who wants to contribute, especially with the music.  It could remain as the original but I know there's some talented people out there that could do some really nice remixes of the originals.
January 14, 2021, 10:35:03 PM - (Auto Merged - Double Posts are not allowed before 7 days.)

Taking this project to the next level?  Coooool!     Can't wait to see what it is you are planning.  This might be a weird question, but will there be rain like in Rogue Dawn?  That was probably my favorite thing in that entire hack, haha.  Since you used that as a base for this, I was just curious if it remained.

Also, will you be announcing anything soon about your Mario project?  That sounds intriguing, as well!

Hey, sorry, I missed your message.  The Mario project is a merging of Mario and Metroid.  It's nearly to the stage where level design can begin but the features of the modified game engine as well as the art by a very talented pixel artist on our team are looking pretty fantastic.

Regarding the rain, I think it's a good idea, I might consider it if it doesn't feel like too much of a departure from the original Metroid environments.

[Grimlock]

I just wanted to toss an update out there. This project has seen development over the various months that followed my last post, slowly but it's down to one remaining area to get the level design part complete. That area is about 50% done.

[Thirteen 1355]

This looks incredibly promising! I've never managed to beat Metroid 1 (mostly thanks to restarting with 30 health each time you die), but this makes me want to give it another go. Rogue Dawn was awesome.

[Satoshi_Matrix]

NARPASSWORD
00000000000

Use that. It makes Samus invincible, infinite missiles, and all the power-ups. All you need to do is kill Ridley and Kraid and then Mother Brain. It's very much worth it to see the end of the game and to practice it for a non-cheat run.

[xorxif]

Could you tease us more with some screenshots of the new level editor and / or any other new tools?

[ThroughT1m3]

Could you tease us more with some screenshots of the new level editor and / or any other new tools?

+1. i would love to see some screenshots also

[Cris1997XX]

Just out of curiosity: If someone ever makes VRC7 remixes of the Metroid OST, would it be possible to add it to the original ROM? It might also be something you can include in this Ultimate Remake XD

[Trax]

As far as I know, sound chips like VRC6 and VRC7 are not compatible with the NES on real hardware. However, I think emulators have no problem with it. Maybe some configuration is needed. Can anyone confirm that for specific emulators?

[Cris1997XX]

If I remember correctly, Mesen supports every mapper with sound expansion (Nestopia UE might too, but I've never tested Lagrange Point on it). I assume the Everdrive N8 Pro can play VRC7 no problem, if you want to go the real hardware way

[Grimlock]

This project is back on with high momentum. I'm down to wrapping up the enemy placement and polishing of the areas and gameplay. All of the difficult level design challenges are complete. I'm really just down to the beautification and gameplay smoothing stage.

The title screen and various other ending graphics are still pending. I'll wrench on those during the beta 1 testing. I think I'll be ready for the first beta in one to two weeks depending on availability to work on it next week.

If anyone wants to be a part of the beta testing please post here (I think my inbox may be full). All beta testers will be added to the ending credits as a special thanks for contributing feedback on the design and any bug reports if any.

Also, this project would be well suited for some new music, remixes of the originals if anyone would like to join the team as the music composer.

[Grimlock]

My apologies for not responding sooner to the questions regarding the editor. I plan to pack the Rogue Dawn editor and the source files for this new hack in with the final release patch. It'll provide a solid foundation for anyone who wants to develop a new Metroid project of their own that is compatible with original hardware and clone systems.

[Cris1997XX]

This project is back on with high momentum. I'm down to wrapping up the enemy placement and polishing of the areas and gameplay. All of the difficult level design challenges are complete. I'm really just down to the beautification and gameplay smoothing stage.

The title screen and various other ending graphics are still pending. I'll wrench on those during the beta 1 testing. I think I'll be ready for the first beta in one to two weeks depending on availability to work on it next week.

If anyone wants to be a part of the beta testing please post here (I think my inbox may be full). All beta testers will be added to the ending credits as a special thanks for contributing feedback on the design and any bug reports if any.

Also, this project would be well suited for some new music, remixes of the originals if anyone would like to join the team as the music composer.

Eyy, heck yeah! This project is finally alive again! I'd gladly apply as a beta tester

[Googie]

I wouldn't mind beta testing, that'd be pretty cool. 

[lexluthermiester]

Wow, this looks amazing!

[ShadowOne333]

Will this hack have the Saving and Minimap/Map options from the Saving+Map Unofficial hack?

[Amilgi]

Also, this project would be well suited for some new music, remixes of the originals if anyone would like to join the team as the music composer.

I can attempt some compositions, just let me know what restrictions we're working with for the engine. I assume we'd be sticking to 2a03, no DPCM, no FDS.
For some potential enhancement ideas we could probably reference the Zero Mission versions, depends on what kind of feel you're aiming for as they're more orchestral vs. the more alien NES/GameBoy music.

Would you be looking to add more themes or just stick 1:1 with the NES originals? Thinking say having separate boss themes for Kraid/Ridley, maybe a custom theme for new secrets, etc.
Discord works well for me [IGL (iggle)#4537] if you want to chat more on the details.

Project looks great btw, I'm sure future hackers will appreciate the tools. 

[Grimlock]

Progress:

Experimental Shading Technique:



What do you all think of this look?

[Grimlock]

Will this hack have the Saving and Minimap/Map options from the Saving+Map Unofficial hack?

This is Rogue Dawn reverted to the original metroid (remake) so it'll have everything Rogue Dawn has including all the new items and map features.

Metroid Rogue Dawn:

https://www.romhacking.net/hacks/3280/

[Grimlock]

I can attempt some compositions, just let me know what restrictions we're working with for the engine. I assume we'd be sticking to 2a03, no DPCM, no FDS.
For some potential enhancement ideas we could probably reference the Zero Mission versions, depends on what kind of feel you're aiming for as they're more orchestral vs. the more alien NES/GameBoy music.

Would you be looking to add more themes or just stick 1:1 with the NES originals? Thinking say having separate boss themes for Kraid/Ridley, maybe a custom theme for new secrets, etc.
Discord works well for me [IGL (iggle)#4537] if you want to chat more on the details.

Project looks great btw, I'm sure future hackers will appreciate the tools. 

The goal would be to create updated remixes of the original tunes. You would be welcome to add additional if it fits the general theme of the game. You would have creative freedom. Optomon might be able to help with notes form when he did Rogue Dawn. Whatever you do with the audio it would just have to work on original hardware.