Make an Action RPG - Attacking, Rolling, and Depth Sorting

Introduction

In this tutorial, you will learn how to create essential mechanics for an action RPG using the Godot game engine. We will cover input mapping for player actions, implementing attack and roll states, depth sorting for visuals, and adding dynamic backgrounds and shadows. This guide is designed for game developers looking to enhance their skills in Godot and create engaging gameplay experiences.

Step 1: Input Mapping

To begin, you need to set up input mapping for your player controls.

• Open the Godot project and navigate to Project > Project Settings.
• Go to the Input Map tab.
• Add the following actions:
  • ui_left
  • ui_right
  • ui_up
  • ui_down
  • attack
  • roll
• Assign keys to these actions:
  • For ui_left, use the left arrow key or 'A'.
  • For ui_right, use the right arrow key or 'D'.
  • For attack, use the left mouse button.
  • For roll, use the space bar.

Step 2: Implementing Attack State

Next, create an attack state for the player character.

• Define a new state variable in your player script to manage the attack state.
• Use the following code to initiate the attack when the attack input is pressed:

if Input.is_action_just_pressed("attack"):
    attack()

• Create an attack function that handles the animation and damage logic.
• Ensure the attack animation is triggered and the appropriate damage is applied to enemies.

Step 3: Implementing Roll State

Add a rolling mechanic to enhance player mobility during combat.

• Similar to the attack state, create a roll state variable.
• Use this code snippet to trigger the roll action:

if Input.is_action_just_pressed("roll") and not is_attacking:
    roll()

• In the roll function, apply a quick movement in the direction the player is facing and play the roll animation.
• Add a cooldown period to prevent continuous rolling.

Step 4: State Refactor

To improve code organization, refactor your state management.

• Create an enum for the player states (e.g., IDLE, ATTACK, ROLL).
• Use a switch statement to handle state transitions more effectively.
• Example:

match current_state:
    IDLE:
        // Handle idle logic
    ATTACK:
        // Handle attack logic
    ROLL:
        // Handle roll logic

Step 5: Grass Background

To create a visually appealing environment, implement a grass background.

• Import your grass texture into the Godot project.
• Create a Sprite node and assign the grass texture.
• Adjust the scale and position to fit the scene.

Step 6: Camera Setup

Set up a camera to follow the player character.

• Add a Camera2D node as a child of the player node.
• Enable Current to make the camera follow the player.
• Adjust the camera margins to create a smoother following effect.

Step 7: Infinite Grass Background Tiling

To achieve an infinite scrolling effect for the grass background:

• Use a TileMap to manage the grass tiles.
• Set the tileset with the grass texture.
• Use code to reposition tiles as the player moves to create the illusion of an endless landscape.

Step 8: Adding Bushes and Trees

Enhance the scene by adding decorative elements like bushes and trees.

• Import bush and tree textures.
• Create StaticBody2D nodes for each element.
• Position them in the scene to add depth and interest.

Step 9: Y Sorting

Implement Y sorting to ensure objects are rendered in the correct order based on their position.

• Set the z_index of the player and background elements based on their Y position.
• Example:

z_index = position.y

Step 10: Adding Shadows

To add realism, create shadows for your player and environmental objects.

• Use a separate shadow sprite under the player.
• Adjust its opacity and size to simulate shadow effects.

Conclusion

In this tutorial, you learned how to implement key mechanics for an action RPG in Godot, including input mapping, attack and roll states, and visual enhancements like backgrounds and Y sorting. These foundational skills will help you create engaging gameplay experiences. As a next step, consider exploring more advanced features such as enemy AI and item pickups to further develop your game. Happy game developing!