Sapphire | Remaster | v2.0 released

[Tormentor667]

The remaster tank keeps rolling. After the release of Austerity and The City of the Damned and the ongoing development of its sequel Apocalypse, I took the time to continue working on a new version of this old classic as well: Sapphire. It was actually a one-map project showcasing the Too much brown-texture set, nothing too fancy but in a similar design as the Austerity mapset. For the remaster, I have planned a few things regarding design choices, map progression, gameplay and also map enhancements as well as the usual stuff that you can already find in the other remasters. Don't expect too much but if you liked the original release, you will most propably like the remaster. If you have suggestions, I am open to any kind of ideas, support and ideas :)

 

Screenshots

 

Changelog

Spoiler

Added a new statusbar (base by NightFright)
Added widescreen graphics
Added a new palette
Added dynamic lights (removed sector light effects)
Added special effects (volumetric light)
Added ambient sounds
Added brightmaps and gl-lights
Added alt-deaths
Added gore effects (by Nash)
Added low-health effect
Added a new weapon (black-hole gun)
Added new secrets
Added new areas
Added new level geometry for visual enhancements
Turned doors into polyobjects

Improved liquid and computer textures
Improved skybox (rotates on all axis now)
Improved colors for messages and statusbar graphics

 

Download
Original release from 2006 (v1.0): https://www.realm667.com/index.php/en/projects-mainmenu-50/104-projects/finished/330-sapphire-orbital-research
Remaster release final from 2020 (v2.0): https://www.realm667.com/index.php/en/projects-mainmenu-50/104-projects/finished/330-sapphire-orbital-research

Edited May 24, 2020 by Tormentor667

[Tormentor667]

Just released RC1 for Sapphire 2.0
Don't expect anything fundamental in changes but it feels more polished now. The gameplay is still similar to the release from 2006 and if you didn't like it before, changes are low that it got any better, but I suggest giving it a try anyway - even if it's just for the improved visuals. If there is anything you find or can be improved, let me know, I am looking forward to your feedback.

 

On top of that I want to speak out a huge "Thank you" to Ozymandias81 again, who helped me a lot in improving and polishing the mod with numerous additions, bugfixing and checks. Thanks for that man!

 

Link: https://www.mediafire.com/file/dj0aln9fku568t9/sapphire_v2_rc1.zip/file

[Walter confetti]

Sapphire was an awesome map back in the days, next time I'll download the wad!

[86232and]

The remaster does not load, the port crashes with an error. Launched without other mods with the new version of gzdoom-4-3-3-Windows-64bit. The old original is going fine.

Spoiler

 

[Tormentor667]

15 minutes ago, 86232and said:

The remaster does not load, the port crashes with an error. Launched without other mods with the new version of gzdoom-4-3-3-Windows-64bit. The old original is going fine.

  Reveal hidden contents

 

 

Check the readme, it says you need GZDoom 4.4+ :)

https://devbuilds.drdteam.org/gzdoom/

[86232and]

Thanks for specifying the required version of GZDoom. Now the Sapphire remaster opens, the right title screens go. But instead map of "Sapphire: Orbital Research", there is a Doom 2 "Entryway" map. HUD, music and the name of the map from the remaster - but the map Doom 2.

I do not understand ...

Spoiler

 

[Tormentor667]

That was my test if even someone plays it :-P No just kidding, please redownload the file, I made a mistake when zipping it up.

[arnaldocsf]

I played a little. Great map, great atmosphere. Beautiful textures. 

Congratulations, @Tormentor667. 

[MikeyScoots]

Whered you get the translucent light beam mid textures? Asking for a friend.

[86232and]

56 minutes ago, Tormentor667 said:

That was my test if even someone plays it :-P No just kidding, please redownload the file, I made a mistake when zipping it up.

Thanks for the fixed version.
Good joke - at some point, I decided that I was going crazy...

[Tormentor667]

33 minutes ago, MikeyScoots said:

Whered you get the translucent light beam mid textures? Asking for a friend.

 

Selfmade :)

[Tormentor667]

RC2 is out: https://www.mediafire.com/file/wtg1dwrkygfxcfx/sapphire_v2_rc2.zip/file

[Tormentor667]

 

[Tormentor667]

Sapphire Remaster | v2.0 released
Grab it now, looking forward to your Let's Plays :)
Link: https://www.realm667.com/index.php/en/projects-mainmenu-50/104-projects/finished/330-sapphire-orbital-research

[MikeyScoots]

46 minutes ago, Tormentor667 said:

Sapphire Remaster | v2.0 released
Grab it now, looking forward to your Let's Plays :)
Link: https://www.realm667.com/index.php/en/projects-mainmenu-50/104-projects/finished/330-sapphire-orbital-research

Gonna check this out right meow.

[MikeyScoots]

So...how do I kill the demolisher?

[arnaldocsf]

13 minutes ago, MikeyScoots said:

So...how do I kill the demolisher?

 

I second that 

 

Anyway, very fun level! I almost die sometimes (in real life, I mean)

[Tormentor667]

Well, take a closer look at the pillars in the room of the final battle. You can't beat the Demolisher directly,...

Spoiler

...but if you trigger the switches in the right order, it gets destroyed ;)

 

[arnaldocsf]

OH 

OOOOOOH
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH 

 

I will try it asap 

 

 

48 minutes ago, Tormentor667 said:

Well, take a closer look at the pillars in the room of the final battle. You can't beat the Demolisher directly,...

  Hide contents

...but if you trigger the switches in the right order, it gets destroyed ;)

 

 

[MikeyScoots]

I have too many questions about some of the features, but this was very well done. Once again Torm raises the standards.

[seed]

So I made a let's play of this  .

 

Enjoyed Sapphire a lot. Great atmosphere, effects, combat, and music. The Barons weren't used to well in my opinion, as I ended up doing more shotgunning than expected and they made the game a bit more grindy than it should, and the music, while great, was perhaps a little to over-the-top for the map, although it definitely made it more fun at the same time. I just think a more atmospheric track rather than a more epic-sounding one would've been more fitting.

 

I've given City of the Damned a shot as well in that session, mainly because I loved Sapphire, but frankly I ended up canning the whole thing. It was everything Sapphire wasn't - that being plan unenjoyable. The new enemies weren't much fun, the weapons were quite clunky, and the map was confusing and difficult to navigate. Visibility was pretty poor at times as well but I think that came mostly from my sector lighting of choice (Doom). Once I reached that Disciple miniboss I stopped, that fight was horrible, and the puzzle before him was even more so... A shame really, since it could've been so much more, but in contrast to Sapphire, where I enjoyed every second of it, I ended up hating most of it.

 

 

 

[Gunrock]

Always enjoyed your maps Tormentor667!!

[Tormentor667]

5 hours ago, seed said:

I've given City of the Damned a shot as well in that session, mainly because I loved Sapphire, but frankly I ended up canning the whole thing. It was everything Sapphire wasn't - that being plan unenjoyable. The new enemies weren't much fun, the weapons were quite clunky, and the map was confusing and difficult to navigate. Visibility was pretty poor at times as well but I think that came mostly from my sector lighting of choice (Doom). Once I reached that Disciple miniboss I stopped, that fight was horrible, and the puzzle before him was even more so... A shame really, since it could've been so much more, but in contrast to Sapphire, where I enjoyed every second of it, I ended up hating most of it.

 

Thanks for the Let's play, it was quite entertaining to watch :) Regarding the "City of The Damned: Apocalypse" - I am aware of all the issues and that's what we work on regarding the remaster so keep your feedback coming in the appropriate thread. Thanks for your report :)