Java RPG Game
Different screenshots from the game, showing the battle screen, overworld, different custom UIs (with custom art!)
Dialogue with the character's Dad
Machine for selecting your partner; flags ensure that you can only do this once talking to your Dad
Holding [Shift] will bring up a tooltip screen where the player can see what each control does, their coordinates, and key strokes
Creating a new save file, saving the game, and it writing the save as a .dat file which can be loaded from with ease
Picking up items in the overworld
Accessing your bag shows you all of your items sorted in different pockets
Items can be moved around inside pockets too to the player's liking
Certain items can be used on your partners, each having a different effect/UI
The player also has an encyclopedia that gets filled out for every new Pokémon you see and catch, seeing information about each species
The player's party, showing their info and can move the members around
There's shops in every town where the player can purchase resources
There are also healing stations in every town that the player can use for free
Each healing station also has a P.C. that stores extra Pokémon that you can swap with/organize with ease!
Sometimes when leveling up Pokémon will learn a new move, and if you have 4 moves already you need to replace one
Certain items can teach moves (infinitely) to customize moveset options. Certain ones also do things in the overworld!
A key item provided from the start that shows which Pokémon can be found in every area, with Pokémon you haven't caught in grey
Once you've captured everyone, you get a gold star for that area!
In-game calculator that contains every trainer, showing how much damage each Pokémon does to each other - doing the math for you!
A fully custom turn-based RPG built entirely in Java from the ground up, inspired by a childhood dream to bring a hand-drawn Pokémon-style game to life. This project has evolved into a massive, self-contained engine supporting exploration, dynamic NPCs, stat-based combat, evolving creatures, and a branching storyline—entirely programmed by a solo developer over two years of continuous development.
Unlike ROM hacks that modify existing Pokémon games, this project features a completely original engine with its own rendering system, UI framework, battle logic, and save/load system. All core mechanics—from wild encounters and trainer AI to item bags, Pokédex systems, and map warping—are built from scratch. Maps, routes, towns, and story elements are adapted from over two notebooks of world-building created as a kid.
Key gameplay systems include:
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Wild encounters, trainer battles, stat growth, evolutions, type matchups
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Save/load using
.datfiles, persistent game state, and progression flags -
Inventory UI with multi-tab bag sorting, item movement, and item use logic
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PC system for party management and a Pokédex that tracks seen/caught creatures
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Tools like a DexNav for area-based capture progress, and an in-game damage calculator for competitive strategy
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Cutscenes, branching dialogue trees, and scripted story events
Over 50 players have joined the growing community, and regular updates are shared through a dedicated Discord server. Sprites and story content are contributed by commissioned artists and writers, while the game's full logic remains entirely Java-coded. The game runs natively and requires only Java to play, with 7 out of 8 gyms complete as of now and more content being added daily.
Technologies Used:
Core Language:
Java 8 (pure Java with no external frameworks)
Game Engine Design:
Custom engine supporting tile-based movement, collision detection, UI rendering, and turn-based combat
Data Management:
Uses .dat files with ObjectInputStream and ObjectOutputStream for full object serialization of game state, including party, items, flags, maps, and trainer data
UI/UX:
Built with JPanel and custom-drawn Graphics2D interfaces for battles, inventory, Pokédex, shops, and more
AI & Battle Logic:
Trainer AI for move selection, decision making and switching in/out, type effectiveness, stat handling, and evolution conditions
Scripting & World Events:
Flag-driven progression for cutscenes, dialogue trees, warp logic, and story progression control
Community & Distribution:
Playable .jar files distributed via a Discord server, with active playtesting and feedback loop
Running in grass sometimes will lead to a wild encounter
Walking on warp tiles will transition you to other maps
Catching a wild encounter!
NPC trainers will spot you for a battle - with custom AI making their move decisions!
Introducing other characters - a neighbor boy who will be your rival trainer
Going to the next town seeing the gym leader (who is a postal carrier) and asking for your help
After delivering the packages, him telling you there's one more to deliver (showing dynamic conversations based on the game state)
Beating the thug who was guarding the warehouse and him giving you a key
Evolving into a stronger and more powerful form mid-fight!
Custom cutscene meeting your other rival
Showing a different town and having to fix their power outage
Battles against static Pokémon - which occur frequently throughout the game!