This Is Not a Bug but a Game Feature-Chapter 72: Hero Battles Demon King

Jiangning, food court.

It’s around dusk, and the area around the plaza is bustling with people. Each stall and shop front is crowded, and the air is filled with the aromas of various delicacies.

Chen Ba, accompanied by Dong and Lu, steps into a restaurant named Jingzhou Authentic Grilled Fish. They spot Wang Kun, who has been waiting for them at table 7.

"Why are you so late? Oh, by the way, didn’t Zhang Xiaojun come with you?"

"She’s been busy working on a new DLC recently."

After explaining the reason for being late, Chen Ba glanced at Wang Kun’s disappointed expression and couldn’t help but tease, "Why ask only about Zhang Xiaojun and no one else?"

This guy is up to something!

Chen Ba realized last time during the studio relocation that Wang Kun probably likes Zhang Xiaojun but is too shy to admit it.

Lately, Kun has often found reasons to invite Chen Ba and Lu out for meals. He probably isn’t as interested in treating them but rather wants more opportunities to interact with Zhang Xiaojun.

"If you want to ask her out, just go for it!"

After all, being good buddies, Chen Ba doesn’t beat around the bush and just says bluntly, "You keep inviting us, but she’s not very familiar with you. After a few times, she might feel too awkward to come again."

Kun Kun is a bit of a blockhead.

Finding it awkward to ask her directly, he uses excuses to invite her colleagues out, creating opportunities to meet.

Such gatherings are fine once or twice, but too frequently makes the girl feel too shy to come because the relationship isn’t that close.

"That’s true..."

Yang Dong also sensed Wang Kun’s interest in Zhang Xiaojun and suggested, "Next time, don’t invite us, just ask her out directly. If she’s interested, you can use the chance to build the relationship."

"What if she’s not interested and doesn’t agree to meet?" Wang Kun asked naively.

"Then try another approach!"

Chen Ba looked at the menu, his expression full of disbelief: "I don’t get it, why are you interested in Zhang Xiaojun? I remember you liked those cute, pure types."

"But she’s so adorable when she smiles!"

"Just that?"

Chen Ba couldn’t believe Wang Kun liked Zhang Xiaojun for such a simple reason, just because she smiles adorably?

"My parents introduced several girls to me, they are quite pretty but I didn’t like their personalities, they don’t feel like the kind you’d settle down with."

When the beer arrived, Wang Kun opened a bottle and said, "She might not be that pretty, but I like such gentle and cheerful girls, being with her makes me happy."

"Alright then, we’ll do our best to help you."

Saying that much, Chen Ba thought they could give matchmaking a try. Whether it works out is uncertain, but he must help his bro.

Dong and Lu also expressed they would play wingman to create opportunities for Wang Kun.

After all, you can’t say no to the generosity.

Kun treated them to so many meals, helping out a little was no issue. But, they still couldn’t guarantee success.

"Come on, let’s eat the fish!"

After getting several wingman guarantees, Wang Kun was delighted and urged everyone to quickly start, not to waste the feast.

"By the way, Ba!" In the midst of grabbing food, Wang Kun asked intriguingly, "After finishing ’Star Emperor,’ will you develop a new game?"

"Of course!"

Chen Ba, his mouth full of oily fish, said without looking up, "I’ve already discussed the new game with Dong. It’s likely to be a kind of Hero vs. Demon King RPG adventure exploration game."

"Hero vs. Demon King?"

"Exactly!"

Before Chen Ba could speak, Yang Dong explained proactively: "It might sound cliché, but it’s not what you expect."

"In the story, players will play as a summoned Hero, following the King’s order to rescue the princess kidnapped by the Demon King..."

Such Hero vs. Demon King trope stories are quite played out; they honestly are a bit boring; people are sick of hearing them.

But that’s not important.

In adventure games, the key is the adventurous process, not the reason for the adventure. The Hero rescuing the princess is merely a setup for the ensuing adventure.

This is Tianba Studio’s first attempt at this genre of RPG adventure game.

So, Chen Ba has specially devised a set of equipment and class system, along with a complete Western fantasy sword and magic world framework.

"The game contains several maps. Players need to explore, recruit team members, unlock stronger equipment and advanced classes, enhance attributes to defeat the Demon King."

The game content is quite diverse.

Although it sounds like just mindless monster grinding, dungeon runs, enhancing character and gear, finally defeating the Demon King.

But in reality, it’s not just that.

The game has significant freedom; though the plot is simple and direct, there’s ample content for players to explore.

For example, a favorability system!

The game includes multiple towns, each with unique characteristics, some are Dwarf settlements, others are Elf tribes...

In these town maps, there are a huge number of NPCs. If the Hero is tired of fighting monsters, they can chat and connect with these NPCs. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

Once the favorability reaches a certain level, the NPCs will follow the Hero, maybe even marry an NPC with sufficient favorability.

"This is great, this is great!"

Wang Kun clapped repeatedly, "Having a romance with an Elf girl in an Otherworld seems quite appealing."

"Certainly!"

Yang Dong laughed, "Not just Elf girls, you could marry a Duke’s Daughter, a bold female swordsman, a bashful female mage, or a Dwarf Blacksmith."

"By then, you’ll have a huge harem squad to defeat the Demon King, flaunting your love right in front of him..."

With high freedom, this can be completely achieved in the game.

However, the game’s primary gameplay revolves around recruiting and nurturing team members. The Hero must have help to defeat the Demon King.

In other games, protagonists usually have predetermined teammates, meaning the "Hero’s Squad" member choices are made upfront.

But their new game is different.

"I believe developers predetermining teammates for Heroes can’t cater to every player’s liking."

Chen Ba swallowed a bite of grilled fish, smiling, "Hence, our game has no fixed teammates, players can freely choose preferred partners to embark on the journey to defeat the Demon King."

This is the core gameplay.

Players can form their ideal Hero’s squad based on personal preference, then nurture them to defeat the Demon King together.

You can form a team entirely of soft, cute Elf girls, a crew full of muscular men, or a big harem group...

There’s no limitation.

Once NPCs join the Hero’s squad, they can help collect and craft equipment, promote specific battle classes, and enhance various attributes.

Even the old village chief, the apple vendor by the road, the tavern owner with a limp... with careful nurturing, they can accompany you to defeat the Demon King!