The walkthrough is for version 1.34 (which shows up as version 1.0034A on the main menu screen). It is also for the default (normal) difficulty setting.
You should read the background story before playing the game. The story is 28 pages, but it's well written, and it sets up several things that happen during the game.
Experience points gained through quests depend on your level. The higher your level, the more points you'll receive. So while we've listed experience point rewards in the walkthrough, these are just representative values, and your rewards will undoubtedly vary.
Gameplay Tips
Each time you gain a level, you'll receive less experience for the enemies you kill but you'll receive more experience for the quests you complete. In other words, to maximize the experience you gain during the game, you should concentrate on fighting first and then completing quests later.
Pressing the control key automatically targets nearby enemies. If you're using a ranged weapon, then the control key effectively works the same as the shift key in Diablo II -- it prevents you from moving when you attack. As a side effect, pressing the control key also shows when enemies are near so you can use it for scouting as well.
Almost all characters can act as shopkeepers, so always press the "trade" button during conversations. Sometimes the oddest people will have spellbooks and other good equipment.
You'll get better prices from shopkeepers the more you deal with them. However, don't feel obligated to use one shopkeeper exclusively. If you're thorough about picking up and selling objects, all the shopkeepers in Rivertown will eventually like you a whole lot.
With skills, when you see that something adds x+y damage, that means it adds x to x+y damage. (For example, the first point of "augment damage" adds 1+2 damage. That means it adds 1-3 damage.)
Be sure to add a point to the "alchemy" skill. It allows you to combine healing and magic potions to create restoration potions. How good is this? As an example, minor healing potions add 40 to hit points, minor magic potions add 40 to mana points, but minor restoration potions add 50% to hit points and mana. That's a huge bonus almost right away in the game.
The game doesn't do an especially good job of "protecting" quest objects. They'll often look just like regular objects, and you'll be able to sell them to merchants. So whenever you get one -- like exquisite wine or strange weapons -- it's a good idea to immediately store them someplace safe.
If you want to kill any enemy, including end bosses, just learn a couple points of "deadly gift" and then drop down 3-4 scorpions when the fight starts. The scorpions will make short work of the enemy, but you might not get any experience for the kill.
|