But Nick, there isn't a #6?!
Yeah, whatever. Screw you.
I was busy, ok?

Anyway, ITB: Gameplay concepts and ideas.
(The actually interesting stuff for you)
So. I just lost my previous huge wall of text to the void so I don't know if I'll remember all I had written before...

The most important part is probably, what kind of genre is this game anyway?
Well, not an easy question to answer since it contains elements of three different genres.
The first being obviously J&R or Platformers, since the game is based on 2D platform elements.
The second being a sort of Action Adventure, because there are small puzzles integrated into the game, as well as action sequences that don't rely on platforming.
And the last being an RPG element, because you can control different players that vary in abilities and looks.
Personally I'd say Action Adventure is the closest fit of the three.

Now, how is the world built up?
It's not your generic Side-scroller, that's for sure. The world could be closer described by some sort of disk.
Meaning that it expands in all two dimensions about equally.
This would normally lead to the problem of letting the player go to stages for which he's not ready yet with his abilities.
However, in Transcend, this issue is avoided by inserting puzzles and player-stage requirement passages.
Meaning that even though the way to every goal is already there, you can't always go through that way because you don't possess the right abilities (yet).

These abilities are in actuality morphing forms.
The character you play can morph into different forms that have different abilities, properties and looks.

You can gain new morphing forms by defeating the end bosses of a stage in the world.
With the new form, you can then travel new ways and discover new areas that weren't accessible before.
For example, the mouse form allows you to go through small passages and is very quick in movement, however, it is very weak in combat.

Now, this of course wouldn't be of any concern if you could switch between forms limitlessly.
However, in order to switch the form, you need to pay morph points. You can gain these points by defeating enemies or, if you're desperate, by transferring life points.

The combat itself can take the form of three different types.
A) Free-Run: You can attack enemies on the run and also just escape them by running away. This only works for lesser enemies.
B) Sealed: Bigger enemies or doors place a seal onto the world. Meaning that your fighting ground is limited to the currently visible area. You can't escape this seal unless you either defeat the enemies or die.
C) Finals: End bosses have their own extra type. In this, the view zooms out and you get to see a way larger part of the world as usual. However, as with Sealed fights, you can't escape the area.

Enemies will consistently re-spawn in the world, however you don't always have to fight them, especially as soon as you gain the Air form, which allows you to fly.
Keep in mind though, that you always need to gather enough morph points for the puzzle elements and possible unavoidable fights.

Now, I won't tell you anything about the game's story itself, so I don't spoil anything.
(I also haven't got much written down yet anyway.)

Yeah, that's it for now.
I hope I can keep you entertained with these blog entries and that all this isn't too boring for you...
Otherwise it'd be pretty pointless to make these, right?

-->Nick over and out.