Is there anyway to tell them apart visually, or is it by the weapon they use?
As of right now it is broken down by weapons :/
All of the level ups are real time/in-game
Here's the breakdown of upgrades per level(which is not really a level...just after so many points you get full health and a possible upgrade).:
LIGHT
Starts out with Flame Staff and Green Tunic
~ level 3 - receives a mithril cane which shoots magic missiles
~ level 5 - receives a blue tunic(less damage taken)
~ level 7 - receives a Red Rod(abilities undetermined)
~ level 10 receives a Red Tunic(even less damage taken)
~ level 13 receives a Blue Rod(possible ice attack)
~ level 15 dual wield(gains the ability of using both the red rod and blue rod in tandem)
MEDIUM
Starts out with basic sword, green tunic, and small shield
~ level 3 - receives a mithril sword(more damage)
~ level 4 - receives a heavy shield(can repell more attacks)
~ level 5 - receives a blue tunic(takes less damage)
~ level 7 - receives a red sword(possible sword beam w/ full health)(more damage)
~ level 9 - receives a gold shield(can reflect some magic)
~ level 11 receives a red tunic(even less damage taken)
~ level 13 receives a gold sword(permanent sword beam)(more damage)
~ level 15 receives an ancient shield(can't tell ya yet
)
HEAVY
Starts out with a hammer, green tunic, and small shield
~ level 4 - receives a mithril hammer(more damage)
~ level 6 - receives a blue tunic(less damage taken)
~ level 7 - receives a heavy shield(can repel more attacks)
~ level 9 - receives an axe(more damage: possible throwing ability?)
~ level 12 receives a red tunic(least damage taken)
~ level 14 receives a gold shield(some magic reflected)
~ level 15 receives some kind of dual-headed axe(most powerful attack in the game)
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I am trying to find some kind of risk/reward.
By the estimates and what not with the ideas I have, the easiest character to play would be the Medium character with the Light just a slight touch harder because of less health.
The hardest character to play would be the Heavy character but once/if you reach level 15, you would have the strongest attack in the entire game.
Here's a breakdown of health/skill power:
LIGHT
6 hearts , longest special/skill bar to fill
MEDIUM
8 hearts, mid sized special/skill bar
HEAVY
10 hearts, smallest sized special/skill bar
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Specials would be useable once a certain amount of combos or damage taken.
Haven't ironed out what I want yet...probably would change based on level so as to entice the player to keep playing to see the new special.
Just a loooooooooooooooooooooong answer to your question