Advice wanted - gameplay / design, perhaps work to

Hello.

On many occasions I've started various 'dungeon bash' style games, although I've not been
too happy with the results usually. I don't really know what I want I guess.

I want to make the game simple, or at least keep the content and gameplay
manageable for a small team or individual to complete.

Games that I use as inspiration for this sort of thing, and which are simple include:

1.Gauntlet - maze like environment, almost puzzle solving in terms of getting through the dungeon
the most efficient way and yet still arcade.

2.Golden Axe - arcade beat 'em up with fantasy theme, no puzzle solving - really a basic game.

3.Diablo (1) - while far too much content and complexity to make myself it is all about 'leveling up', finding the next
new shiny piece of equipment or dazzling spell as well as exploring an environment. Not exactly a simple game but the concept is.


If you were to make a simple 'dungeon crawl' or 'fantasy beat'em up' what would it have to have?

Are there any other people working on something similar - maybe we could put our heads together for a bit?


Here is a screenshot:




Here is a download (about 5MB)

http://home.people.net.au/~TMalcolm/tom/DungeonGame.zip

(Space to fire arrow, cursor/arrow keys to run around or a joystick to move, button 1 to shoot.)\

I am limited to posting on weekends mainly at present so my responses may not be as quick as you might expect

Ok I love both Gauntlet and Golden Axe. Looking at the screenshot, it almost resembles Champions of Norrath, my favorite game of all time. Its a hack and slash RPG if you're not familiar with it.

Probably the best thing about all of those games is having a combo oriented combat style. Lay over top of it cool power up specials (like magical abilities, class abilities) and you're set.

Both Golden Axe and Gauntlet have those, as does Champions of Norrath. The combo- combat is similar in all three, but the specials vary. Golden Axe is collection based, Gauntlet purchase based, and Champions level based.

Thats what I would say would be a must.

I can't make games like that due to lack of technical skill, but I am working on a game with similar items and stat structure as Champions, if that helps at all :)

Good luck.