Indie Game Spotlight: Virgo Vs The Zodiac
We’re back! This week’s Indie Game Spotlight is all about a sci-fi/fantasy JRPG inspired by both the Super Mario Bros. and the Mother series, but it comes with quite a twist: this time, you’re the villain. In Virgo Vs The Zodiac’s galaxy, you are Virgo, the Holy Queen—often called Dreadful Queen by heretics—and you will bring chaos everywhere you go.
We were able to ask video game developer Nana (@virgovsthezodiac) some questions about her latest JRPG baby. If you can’t wait for it to come out on Xbox One and Steam, let this interview tide you over.
How is this different from any other indie game?
Unlike most RPGs/JRPGs in which you can mash attack your way into the game, Virgo Vs The Zodiac features heavy commitment to every action taken in combat. The guard is actually a useful feature! Being mostly based on a simple but powerful Counter Turn system, the player can protect blows and retaliate right away with a multitude of different Guards and Counters-attacks by equipping different shields and armor. I wanted people to struggle with the battles, and have to act like a “Virgo,” the zodiac sign, to get things right. So precise input, calculative behavior, [and] thinking before taking any action were important things to add.
Instead of the main character getting caught into a big bad trouble in the galaxy and being someone that is overall likeable, I wanted people to play with the villain and have that love-hate relationship with the main character.
Developing video games can be tiring, how do you keep yourself from burning out?
What helps the most is actually finishing things. I’m ridiculously addicted to work so whenever I finish some task it automatically replenishes my stamina bar to keep going. To be honest, I’m not the healthiest dev you can meet, sometimes I forget what sleep is. Coffee is more necessary than air.
Playing games helps! Currently playing Maple Story 2 which is pretty cute, fun, and addicting. I play that when I’m on the brink of desperation.
What was the best thing before sliced bread?
RPG MAKER!!!!!!! Without RPG Maker I wouldn’t even start making games. It’s so easy and amazing and beautiful. Recommended to everyone starting at game making, if you’re not familiar with coding. I would like to buy expensive cheese for the developers some day. It’s my dream.
What genre of game would you want to make next?
I wanted to make a tactics isometric RPG that has a “cyberpunk meets steampunk” aesthetic with an 80′s anime look for portraits kinda thing? But not sure how much more work that would take, especially because I’m very inspired by Disgaea and they do some real weird/complex things gameplay-wise. I also have completely unreasonable ideas for RTS all the time, but that’s so difficult…
Virgo Vs The Zodiac will be available on Xbox One and Steam when it’s ready to launch—which we certainly hope is soon. Follow @virgovsthezodiac to stay tuned for all the updates.
This interview has been edited for clarity.
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