Amber's Magic Shop is a quaint little store located on the corner of Main Street. It is a place where enchantment and wonder come to life. Stepping inside, customers are greeted by the sound of soft, mystical music playing in the background. The scent of incense and potions fills the air, creating an ambiance that is both serene and magical. The shelves are adorned with an array of spell books, potions, and mystical artifacts. Each item is carefully displayed, showcasing its unique charm and allure.
Each item is carefully displayed, showcasing its unique charm and allure. The books range from beginner's guides to advanced spellcasting techniques, catering to witches and wizards of all levels. Potion bottles of all sizes and colors line the shelves, each with its own special ability, whether it be healing, love, or fortune.
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 corner of Amber's Magic Shop is dedicated to crystals and gemstones. These ethereal beauties are said to possess various mystical properties, such as cleansing negative energy or enhancing intuition. Customers can spend hours browsing through the shimmering collection, picking out the perfect gemstone to suit their needs. Amber herself is a knowledgeable and friendly witch who runs the store. With her flowing robes and sparkling eyes, she is the picture of a mystical sorceress. She is always ready to offer guidance and advice to those seeking to harness their own magical abilities. Whether it's teaching a new spell or explaining the properties of a potion, Amber is dedicated to helping her customers make the most of their magical journey. The shop also hosts regular workshops and classes on topics such as tarot reading, crystal healing, and potion making. These events provide a space for like-minded individuals to come together, share their knowledge, and deepen their understanding of the magical arts. Amber's Magic Shop has become a beloved fixture in the community. Its warm and inviting atmosphere, combined with Amber's expertise, make it a go-to destination for anyone seeking a touch of magic in their lives. From beginners to experienced practitioners, all are welcome to explore the wonders that await them within the walls of Amber's enchanting store..
Reviews for "A Fusion of Science and Sorcery at Amber's Magic Shop"
1. Jill Anderson - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with Amber's Magic Shop. I found the storyline to be incredibly predictable and the characters were one-dimensional. The magic elements felt forced and the plot lacked any real depth or originality. The writing itself was also quite weak, with poorly constructed sentences and awkward dialogue. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a captivating and well-written magical story.
2. Mark Roberts - 1 star - I couldn't even finish reading Amber's Magic Shop. The writing style was incredibly juvenile and the characters felt like caricatures rather than real people. The plot was predictable and seemed to be pieced together from other, more successful magical stories. The dialogue was cringe-worthy and the whole book felt like a half-hearted attempt at creating something magical and captivating. I would advise avoiding this book altogether.
3. Sarah Thompson - 2 stars - Amber's Magic Shop was a letdown for me. The story lacked originality and the plot was full of clichés. The writing itself was mediocre at best, lacking depth and failing to evoke any real emotions. The dialogue between characters was clunky and unrealistic. The magical elements felt forced and poorly explained, leaving me feeling disconnected from the story. Overall, I found this book to be a forgettable and uninteresting read.
4. Michael Johnson - 3 stars - While Amber's Magic Shop had an intriguing premise, I felt it fell short in its execution. The pacing of the story was inconsistent, with some parts dragging on while others felt rushed. The characters lacked depth, making it difficult to become emotionally invested in their journey. The world-building was underdeveloped and the magical elements felt arbitrary and poorly explained. Although it had some potential, I ultimately found this book to be a mediocre read.
5. Emily Turner - 2 stars - Amber's Magic Shop was a disappointing read for me. The plot was predictable and lacked any real surprises or twists. The characters were flat and uninteresting, making it difficult to care about their outcomes. The dialogue was uninspired and the writing style felt amateurish. Overall, I found this book to be a forgettable and unremarkable addition to the magical genre.