Lightbound — Major Reintroduction & New Public Build

Hello everyone!

It’s been a long time coming, but I’m excited to finally share a major reintroduction to Lightbound! This is not just a content update — Lightbound has undergone a full engine transformation, shifting from its original Ren’Py visual novel format to a completely rebuilt experience in RPG Maker MV.

Why the Change?

Over time, development in Ren’Py began to hit serious limitations — especially when it came to adding mini-games, interactive elements, and expanding gameplay features beyond text choices. With limited resources and experience in that area, it became clear I needed a more flexible framework. So, I made the big move to RPG Maker MV.

What’s in the Public Build?

This public build covers the same scope as the old Ren’Py demo — but with major enhancements:

• The story has been rewritten for better flow and structure

• Some scenes have been cut, while new content has been added between old sequences

• The prologue is now more linear, with clearer pacing and buildup

• Development on Chapter 1 is already underway, and progress is expected to be quicker (life permitting)

If you’ve played the original demo, I recommend starting fresh to see the improvements.

Gameplay & Features

• New QTE Combat Mechanic: Inspired by Helldivers 2's Strategem inputs, the combat system is currently based around quick input sequences — with more mini-games and interactive systems planned for future builds.

• 2D Exploration: Roam the world and cutscenes in a hand-crafted 2D style.

• 3D Cinematics: Key scenes will still feature 3D visuals for added drama and presentation. Character portraits are now rendered and featured throughout.

Note: Alfee and Jimmy’s models are temporary and will be updated in future builds due to rigging limitations.

Visual & Audio Upgrades

• Parallax Mapping for each levels by hands to allow more map details to be shown.

• New music, both original and royalty-free, to enhance the atmosphere while lightening production load

• New Character Sprites in 2D!

Known Issues & Disclaimers

• This is the first RPG Maker MV build, so think of it as a fresh start.

• No major bugs have been found during testing, but you may discover leftover assets from the Ren’Py version or some inaccessible, unfinished maps. These aren’t reachable in normal gameplay.

• If you notice any uncredited assets, please contact me — it’s not intentional, and I’ll make sure they’re added properly in the next build.

📣 Feedback & Community

You can leave feedback directly on the Itch.io page for now. If enough people join in, I’m considering opening a Discord server to better connect with the community and keep communication smooth.

Thanks for your patience, support, and interest in Lightbound. This version marks the start of a new chapter — not just for the game, but for how I develop and share it. I hope you enjoy what’s here and stick around for what’s coming next!

— [Gani / Paradius Studio]