Amber's Magic Shop is a charming little store located on the corner of Willow Street. The shop is adorned with whimsical decor, including twinkling fairy lights and colorful tapestries. As soon as you step inside, you are instantly transported to a world of enchantment and wonder. The shelves are filled with an array of magical items, from spellbooks and potion ingredients to mystical crystals and enchanted trinkets. Each item seems to possess its own unique energy, emitting a faint glow that captivates the imagination. Amber herself, the owner and resident magic expert, is always ready to assist customers with their mystical needs.
Amber, a dark elf, was abandoned as baby in the woods south of Icesilia. She was found and raised by Vin, a witch, who decided she should become an alchemist. When Amber turned sixteen, Vin sent her to Icesilia as apprentice to the legendary mage Haros.
In the big town of Icesilia, she ll train and once she reachs adult age, become a master alchemist running her own shop, and along the way also meet interesting characters who might become something more than just friends. For VN RPGs the thing is different, since you can tweak the battles as you play read the story, that s what I did both with Loren and SOTW, and both games are the ones which got more praises for gameplay.
Amber herself, the owner and resident magic expert, is always ready to assist customers with their mystical needs. With her warm smile and vast knowledge of the arcane arts, she is a trusted guide in the world of magic. Whether you are a beginner seeking a simple charm or an experienced witch searching for rare spell components, Amber's Magic Shop has something for everyone.
Amber’s Magic Shop officially out!
First of all, public service announcement: after a month of very intensive testing, my dating sim with optional crafting gameplay Amber’s Magic Shop it’s finally out!
You can download a demo and get more info at the game’s official page: http://winterwolves.com/ambersmagicshop.htm
As usual, if you buy from my site you’ll also get a free Steam key once it’s out there (not sure yet when, but should be in the next months). A mobile version is also planned and should be out probably around June on Android, followed by the iOS version later.
Gameplay and prototypes
Today I also wanted to talk a bit about what I’ve learned in the past months. As you know I like to try different things. This lead to two “experiments”: Queen Of Thieves’ randomized missions, and Amber’s Magic Shop crafting simulation.
While I know many people who liked both games gameplay, I am the first to admit that the result was less fun than I originally planned. Talking with people in forums and other devs, I think I found some basic mistakes I have done:
- First of all, for both games I had the story written BEFORE the gameplay, and that forced me to tweak the gameplay based on the story and not the opposite
- I didn’t really make any prototype for both games. I did one for the combat of Queen Of Thieves, but not for the whole “robbery missions” thing. Doing prototypes is essential to know if a game is fun or not early during development
- Last but not least, I don’t enjoy particularly sim games. I mean I like playing them, but I’m not obsessed. My tastes have also changed with age: when I was 20 years old I remember playing very long games with Civilization (can’t remember which version was). Nowadays? I can barely play for a few hours. While for example I played a lot games like Horizons: Zero Dawn, starting the final battle at level 44… 😀
The conclusion I can draw from those observation is simple: if I decide to try again doing a game with more different gameplay, I should really either have a beta prototype to get early feedback from players, or at least code it myself first, and then worry about the story later. Otherwise, the final result it’s never going to be as good as it could have.
For VN/RPGs the thing is different, since you can tweak the battles as you play/read the story, that’s what I did both with Loren and SOTW, and both games are the ones which got more praises for gameplay. Same thing for PSCD, which probably has the best gameplay of all my games (unless you really hate card games…!).
In summary any kind of game that has a story mixed with combat/fights at certain key point of the story it’s safe to do for me. For other kind of games, I really need to try a different approach, to have a better final result 🙂
Last but not least, Love Bites coding/playtesting is progressing well. Below you see a fun scene where Brandon tries to invite Viktor to dance 🙂
One of the most popular attractions in the store is the potion brewing station. Here, customers can select from a variety of dried herbs, powders, and liquids to create their own personalized potions. From love potions to healing elixirs, the possibilities are endless. Amber provides step-by-step instructions and guidance, ensuring that even the most novice potion-maker can create something magical. In addition to the physical items, Amber's Magic Shop also offers a range of services. From tarot card readings to aura cleansing, customers can delve deeper into the mystical realm and gain insights into their own spiritual journeys. Despite its small size, Amber's Magic Shop has become a beloved institution in the community. Locals often gather for workshops and magical gatherings hosted by Amber herself. These events foster a sense of community and allow magic enthusiasts to connect and share their knowledge and experiences. Amber's Magic Shop is not just a store, but a gateway to a world of enchantment. It is a place where dreams and imagination can come to life, where everyday realities can be temporarily suspended. So, whether you are a believer in magic or simply curious, a visit to Amber's Magic Shop is sure to transport you to a realm of wonder and possibility..
Reviews for "Fall under the Spell of Ambdrs Magic Shop"
1. John - 2/5 stars - "I was really disappointed with Ambdrs magic shop. The items they had were incredibly overpriced for what they were. The quality of the products was also subpar, with many of them breaking or malfunctioning after just a short period of time. The staff was not very helpful either, seeming disinterested in assisting customers. Overall, I would not recommend this shop for anyone looking for quality magic supplies."
2. Sarah - 1/5 stars - "I had a terrible experience at Ambdrs magic shop. The staff was rude and unprofessional, making me feel unwelcome from the moment I stepped in. The shop itself was also very cramped and cluttered, making it difficult to browse their selection. To top it off, the prices were exorbitant for the mediocre quality of the items. Save your time and money and go to a different magic shop."
3. Mark - 2/5 stars - "I had high hopes for Ambdrs magic shop, but unfortunately, I was left underwhelmed. The shop had a limited selection of products, and most of them were generic and uninspiring. The prices were also quite steep for what was being offered. Additionally, the staff seemed disinterested in helping me find what I was looking for. I would recommend checking out other magic shops in the area before settling for Ambdrs."