Mystery Combat Man IV: Akaishi Mountain Village (Japan, 1602)
Mystery Combat Man IV: The End of Time is the gripping final installment in the legendary Mystery Combat Man series of Source Engine mods. The story follows the Mystery Combat Squad, led by the Mystery Combat Man on their time-traveling and globetrotting quest to save the timeline of Earth from meddling by nefarious forces.
In the Akaishi Mountains, a small village has been attacked by a group of Samurai Terminator Odells and Ninja Mossmen. Mystery Combat Man is sent in to investigate, and soon finds himself fending off surprise attacks left and right as he fights through the quiet locale.
This level was difficult to work on, due to the high number of terrain displacements required to sell the mountain environment. Optimization was incredibly challenging. The colour palette and general atmosphere was inspired by the 1995 film Love Letter, highly regarded for its winter cinematography by Noboru Shinoda. As with my other levels for MCM4 the idea is to contrast beautiful environments with hyperviolent chaotic action sequences - and this one in particular was intended to capture a melancholic yet romantic tone. The limited roster of foes also meant that the level couldn't last for too long, for fear of running out of unique encounters.
The starting garden, with the Dojo beyond.
Garden reverse view.
Outside the Dojo, looking out over the mountains.
The cliffside.
After an action-heavy opening, the player then gets to peacefully descent the cliffside path in to the village.
Village entrance, with a bridge over a waterfall.
A view from the village, with the Dojo in the distance.
Village street.
Village plaza, with makeshift market stalls at the far end.
Village exit, with another bridge to parts unknown.
Village exit, view from the other side of the river.