Years ago when ToEE came out I read horror stories of incredible bugs and the game 'eating hard drives'. I stayed away. Recently, I d/l'd the demo, the pdf file docs, and Patch 3.0.
Have the problems been fixed with the latest patch? Does this patch help the demo? Do I need to d/l some sort of user mod? Do I have to jump thru hoops to make it work? I enjoy turn based games and have no aversion to D&D rules. I'm sure my CPU can run this (bought it in 2005). Running XP. Please help a novice to this game get started... Thanks very much. If it's worth it I'm sure I can find a place to buy it (I hope).
Any responses w/b greatly welcomed.
Is this worth the trouble?
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Lord Plothos
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- Joined: Tue Dec 14, 2004 12:00 pm
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Those horror stories sound a bit exaggerated. I've never heard of the game actually causing troubles outside of itself. It was horribly buggy when first released (thanks Atari, for putting Troika out of business), but it actually didn't take too long before (fan-made) patches fixed the big problems and the game was very playable. Since then, even more mods have come out, improving the ToEE experience. They've even almost completed a complete fan-made game, using the ToEE engine. Anyway, here are some important facts you'll want to know.
The downloadable version of the game is not reliable. Some don't have problems with it, but many many do. If at all possible, you should get a hold of the CD version, preferably the cardboard box and not the jewelcase, though either is better than the download. You can find it on ebay pretty cheap (I got a second copy for $5 after shipping).
After you have the game installed from the CD, you'll want to use Atari's SECOND patch and NOT their third. Instead of the third, you have two fan-made options. Patch three basically was an "official" copy of a fan patch, but one that (i) left out some very useful bug fixes, and (ii) isn't compatible with any other mods/patches out there (they were all made for patch 2 and patch 3 was being ignored, so the mods have never been recoded for patch 3).
So now you've got game + patch 2. Now you have two options.
First, you can just go with Moebius's "temple.zip" (sometimes referred to as "temple.dll") fix. This is the patch that Atari basically copied (badly) with their patch 3). With just these two things, the game is perfectly stable and you're all set. The setup is fairly simple, and you don't need more. I ran the game like this for a couple years with no problems. (Some experience a problem starting the game with this setup - they just get a blank screen - the solution is a bit hush hush, so PM me if it's an issue.) "Temple.zip" is compatible with several other convenient mods, such as Drifter's "humble NPC" patch, which makes NPCs in your party far less annoying.
Your second option after applying patch 2, though, is to install a really nice suite of patches combined together by the modding community at co8. To get the latest install info on their work, and very helpful install advice, go check out the forums at co8.org. They're extremely generous with their help.
It should be noted that the co8 mod does include the Temple.zip mod, so it's not so much a different option as it is an alternative, fancier, and suped-up way to get Temple.zip AND a bunch of other things as well. It should also be noted that the co8 mod includes changes that increase the difficulty of the game. As there are far more people complaining the game is too easy than that it's too hard, this is almost universally considered a good thing, but might be a better option AFTER you've run through the game once. If all you've installed is patch 2 and temple.zip, you can install co8's mod right over it. At least I did, and had no problems.
I hope that helps. If any of it's unclear, just lemme know.
The downloadable version of the game is not reliable. Some don't have problems with it, but many many do. If at all possible, you should get a hold of the CD version, preferably the cardboard box and not the jewelcase, though either is better than the download. You can find it on ebay pretty cheap (I got a second copy for $5 after shipping).
After you have the game installed from the CD, you'll want to use Atari's SECOND patch and NOT their third. Instead of the third, you have two fan-made options. Patch three basically was an "official" copy of a fan patch, but one that (i) left out some very useful bug fixes, and (ii) isn't compatible with any other mods/patches out there (they were all made for patch 2 and patch 3 was being ignored, so the mods have never been recoded for patch 3).
So now you've got game + patch 2. Now you have two options.
First, you can just go with Moebius's "temple.zip" (sometimes referred to as "temple.dll") fix. This is the patch that Atari basically copied (badly) with their patch 3). With just these two things, the game is perfectly stable and you're all set. The setup is fairly simple, and you don't need more. I ran the game like this for a couple years with no problems. (Some experience a problem starting the game with this setup - they just get a blank screen - the solution is a bit hush hush, so PM me if it's an issue.) "Temple.zip" is compatible with several other convenient mods, such as Drifter's "humble NPC" patch, which makes NPCs in your party far less annoying.
Your second option after applying patch 2, though, is to install a really nice suite of patches combined together by the modding community at co8. To get the latest install info on their work, and very helpful install advice, go check out the forums at co8.org. They're extremely generous with their help.
It should be noted that the co8 mod does include the Temple.zip mod, so it's not so much a different option as it is an alternative, fancier, and suped-up way to get Temple.zip AND a bunch of other things as well. It should also be noted that the co8 mod includes changes that increase the difficulty of the game. As there are far more people complaining the game is too easy than that it's too hard, this is almost universally considered a good thing, but might be a better option AFTER you've run through the game once. If all you've installed is patch 2 and temple.zip, you can install co8's mod right over it. At least I did, and had no problems.
I hope that helps. If any of it's unclear, just lemme know.
Proud user and advocate of [url="http://rptools.net/doku.php?id=maptool:intro"]MapTool[/url]for all my RPing-at-a-distance.
(Use the lastest 1.3 build - it's still beta, but stable and far better than 1.2)
(Use the lastest 1.3 build - it's still beta, but stable and far better than 1.2)
i just ant to add, that when you finally (after patching) make the game run, it is a very near D&D rule experience, which is why so many of us love it and keep it running after al these years.
YES! You should play this game, more than once! It has numerous roleplay options if you like to roleplay. But PATCHES are MANDATORY
with Lord P.s above mentioned patces i went through all alignment options (9)just to check, the game can be that good. (although the 9 didnt make a big differ). You can have fun doing 2 good, 3 neutrals and 1 evil easily
YES! You should play this game, more than once! It has numerous roleplay options if you like to roleplay. But PATCHES are MANDATORY
with Lord P.s above mentioned patces i went through all alignment options (9)just to check, the game can be that good. (although the 9 didnt make a big differ). You can have fun doing 2 good, 3 neutrals and 1 evil easily
Oh, When all else fail, put the Dwarf up front!Thanks to you both (Lord Plothos and Mulligan) for the info. I found a copy on Amazon for the XP and ordered it today. If I have any problems I'll let you know. I went to the 'co8' site and d/l'd that mod along with patch #2. I also noticed some info there about a 'front end loader'. I think that's what they called it. Do I need that too, to play with the co8 mod? Thanks again. I should have the game in about a week...
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Lord Plothos
- Posts: 525
- Joined: Tue Dec 14, 2004 12:00 pm
- Contact:
No, you don't need to use their Front End program, but I recommend it. It's a nice straightforward way to configure certain things in the game.
Proud user and advocate of [url="http://rptools.net/doku.php?id=maptool:intro"]MapTool[/url]for all my RPing-at-a-distance.
(Use the lastest 1.3 build - it's still beta, but stable and far better than 1.2)
(Use the lastest 1.3 build - it's still beta, but stable and far better than 1.2)