The Phoenix Shall Rise Again
Episode One: Beyond Home now available
Version 0.1.2
About this Project
Phoenix Rising is an upcoming free fan-made episodic Pokémon RPG developed using RPG Maker XP and the Pokémon Essentials engine. The game is set in a new region known as 'Hawthorne' and will boast changes to the original main-series Pokémon formula to include a more traditional RPG theme as well as many new features.
Release
Phoenix Rising will have an Episodic release schedule with the first Episode releasing on May 25th 2018. Episode One will be considered a "demo". Subsequent releases will be announced in the future.Platforms
This game is primarily being released on Windows, with a Mac version also in the works. It is anticipated that platforms other than Windows will come after the initial launch.Languages
The game is primarily being developed in English however there are plans to translate it to various other languages. These translations are anticipated to be available after the English release.Price
Phoenix Rising does not have an available download yet. When it does, it will be free and always will be. We are not accepting donations or money in return for the game.Story
In a war torn nation, you’ll take on your most important call -- to unite the Oracles against a force greater than the world has ever seen.
For hundreds of years the Council of Oracles have maintained peace in Hawthorne. They established after a great war seen a revolution overthrow their tyrannical king. However there are many who believe the Oracles have become complacent and detached. Their integrity is challenged by a family led by a man who calls himself “King” claiming to have descended from Royal Blood -- the true heir to sovereignty. The Royal Family promises to unite Hawthorne and develop it into a powerful force among larger nations. Despite their oppressive distant past people are beginning to flock to the side of the Royal Family. It is time for the High Oracle Anastasia to reunite her Council and regain their grip of peace, or surrender to the pages of history opening once more.
The region of Hawthorne was, at one time, a land torn asunder by war and suffering. Its people despaired in the face of such destruction, crying out for a savior. In a sign of divine acknowledgment, the Legendary Ho-oh soared across the sky; its feathers rained down to the people below and blessed the earth. Similar legends of the winged savior are told in many cultures; however, the people of Hawthorne have traditionally believed that Ho-oh would one day be resurrected to fight alongside a powerful Trainer and unite their nation once more. This is the legend of the Phoenix Rising. Although the memory of this tale has slipped from the public eye, it is in times of strife that these memories recapture the imagination of a people.
As the hero, your mission will require you to make tough choices. Rarely will you be required to make a decision which has simple choices between good and evil. In a morally ambiguous world; your choices can affect the fate of others in different ways. Pokémon: Phoenix Rising features multiple endings that result from the choices you make throughout the game. Your decisions have an impact on how this war wages and who remains on top. With three penultimate epilogues, and various end-world states Pokémon: Phoenix Rising offers much replayability.
Only the best and the brightest receive acceptance to Trinita University, the Hawthorne region's premier establishment of education. The School offers several disciplines focusing on Pokémon Battling, Pokémon Breeding, and all around knowledgeable adventuring. As a newly enrolled student you will choose what you study, your choice affects your gameplay. The discipline you choose will affect your skill tree and the perks you can obtain in the game. Trinita University will serve as a new home for you during your journey. A place to return to for new quests, to stock up or just to chat with characters you’ve met along the way.
Screenshots
Characters
Just some of the characters you'll meet in Episode One of Phoenix Rising.
Perrin
A new friend you meet along your journey, Perrin is a drifter, with a love for exploring and self-experience. They are stifled by polite society or traditional education, and they feel most comfortable outdoors, while surrounded by unfamiliar flora and fauna. Travelling is a joy to them, cooking their own meals and setting up camp, and travelling is easiest for them without company. Perrin puts much weight on their independence from society.
Lin
Another character you meet along your journey through Hawthorne. Lin is an inhabitant of Sonata Town living alone, she is still affected by the tragic loss of her sister some years past. When the player first meets Lin, they have an interesting encounter that sets the pace for a friendship that never borders upon rivalry. As a reoccurring character, Lin brings some fun stories and new angles to various events which make the player's journey much more wholesome.
Regan
Regan is a member of the Council of Hawthorne, an Oracle of great strength. She wields Dragon-type Pokémon with enormous efficacy. Regan grew up in Cornell City, a town which now idolizes their former citizen. Having grown up surrounded by mountains and rough terrain, Regan has developed a sense of location and a survivalist streak. She feels a kinship with powerful, misunderstood Pokémon, as something of a loner herself. Features
Choice Determined Gameplay
The decisions you make during the main quest and side-quests will have various outcomes. Rarely is it ever a simple choice between good and bad - in a morally grey world there is never an easy answer.
Character Customisation
Change your outfit and your skin tone to resemble the hero you want to play as. Unlock new outfits as you play, and mix and match clothing! You're the hero, express your individuality.
Skill Trees
Skills trees allow you to unlock "talents". You achieve talent points as you play, You can spend them on new perks to suit your play style. Trinita University will help you unlock more skills!
Quest System
You will encounter people who are in need of your help. They may not be on the path of your main adventure but each one holds a story. Track quests using your journal and choose to help them - or not!
Multiple Save Files
Whether you're making different decisions in this playthrough or simply want to choose a different starter Pokémon this time around - you'll be able to do so without deleting your previous saves!
PokéStrap
The PokéStrap is a key item you receive during your adventure. Packed with useful applications and utilities - it should surely help you during your adventure. You can always toggle it on or off if you wish to!
New Mega Evolutions & Formes
Let's Play Mode
Something we always wanted to deliver for Pokémon: Phoenix Rising is a full PC game experience. As a team we’ve all played fan games and loved them. However there was a common theme throughout, and that was a small screen that takes up a small amount of your monitor. So this is our answer, a whole new full screen option we name the “Let’s Play Mode”!
The mode was inspired by Let’s Players who take advantage of the entire screen with elements such as current Pokémon in their party, current location, and so on. We decided we would do something similar. The Let’s Play Mode or “LP Mode” for short, has several features. In the center you have your game screen. So the action is always right in front of you. To each side of your game screen there are multiple GUI elements that aid you in your game, you can see your Party and their current health and status, your registered items and what button each of them are mapped to, your region map and where you’re currently located, and plenty more.
The mode was inspired by Let’s Players who take advantage of the entire screen with elements such as current Pokémon in their party, current location, and so on. We decided we would do something similar. The Let’s Play Mode or “LP Mode” for short, has several features. In the center you have your game screen. So the action is always right in front of you. To each side of your game screen there are multiple GUI elements that aid you in your game, you can see your Party and their current health and status, your registered items and what button each of them are mapped to, your region map and where you’re currently located, and plenty more.
Relic Forms
Interwoven in the tension between Oracles, the Royal Family, and indeed the inhabitants of Hawthorne, is the mysterious appearance of these alternative Pokémon forms. Even stranger is that so called “Relic Pokémon” are quite rare compared to their more well documented base forms which are still found in the wild.
Having only appeared recently, nobody seems sure where they have come from or why. There are whispers that link them back to Ho-oh, and the war that ravaged Hawthorne so many years past...
Having only appeared recently, nobody seems sure where they have come from or why. There are whispers that link them back to Ho-oh, and the war that ravaged Hawthorne so many years past...
Pokémon © The Pokémon Company | Original work - 2017 © The Phoenix Rising Team & Credits
All visuals & features are subject to change
