Its out! - Any first impressions?

fable · Post by **fable** » Wed Aug 20, 2003 1:48 pm

I've heard anywhere from September through November. If they're smart, they'll aim for Sept-Oct, since so much else intended for that time frame has slipped a month (like KotoR).

immortal1 · Post by **immortal1** » Mon Aug 25, 2003 9:17 am

Combat Mode...

I have not had a chance to try this game out, as of yet. I do plan on trying soon. What is the deal w/ the combat mode? With ToEE stressing the turn-based, I am wondering if it is a trend that is starting. The pause feature can be utilized in the BG games, but what about this one? Is it possible to pause while casting spells/choosing weapon, etc? Somewhat new to a lot of this and trying to become informed... Thanks.

Skuld · Post by **Skuld** » Mon Aug 25, 2003 4:45 pm

This one(being lionheart) does have a pause feature, but you can do everything but doing something that involves targeting someone. you can change armour and weapons, drink poitions, and i think that's about it. But you can't pause target an enemy and unpause like in BG. It's basically backwards from BG(which made sense) come to think of it. Oh well.

The Z · Post by **The Z** » Thu Aug 28, 2003 4:07 pm

From what I've heard, Lionheart would be a major disappointment if I decided to buy it. Which is a shame, because I love Black Isle and I love their games. But if this game is indeed riddled with minor technicalities and graphical pull backs, than it's not deserving of my money. Do you think they'd release a patch to allow "targeting while paused", to fix some of the movement speeds, and of course, to fix the quest imbalance? Or will we have to wait for some Modder to salvage the better parts of the game in a fan patch (kind of like the speed utility in Pool of Radiance)?

fable · Post by **fable** » Thu Aug 28, 2003 4:10 pm

There are a host of features missing from the game--not just the targeting, but automapping, user notes on maps, the ability to set a destination point for your character more than a few feet ahead, etc. I really don't like it. As for patching it: they've already announced a patch, but it deals with crash and multiplayer issues only. I seriously doubt that Reflexive will be adding targeting anytime soon, not when they were arguing against any pause control at all until about 6-9 months ago.

The Z · Post by **The Z** » Thu Aug 28, 2003 10:04 pm

That sucks. I was really looking forward to it. I guess I gotta wait for KOtOR to come out on PC along with ToEE.

fable · Post by **fable** » Fri Aug 29, 2003 8:22 am

Not too long a wait, @Z. I think TOEE is slated for September, and KotoR is November. Etherlords, much more of a fantasy strategy game, has gone gold, and so has Republic: The Revolution. Sometime soon, I don't doubt Gothic II will show up.

Jotun · Post by **Jotun** » Sat Aug 30, 2003 1:22 am

if you're awaiting a Lionheart patch, and crave some more Diablo-clone mayhem, then try out Divine Divinity, if you havent already. Just be sure to patch it up before playing

DD has a sequel already in the works too, but I think I stated this in another post, dont remember where though, me and my short term memory

fable · Post by **fable** » Sat Aug 30, 2003 8:02 am

Hey! DD isn't a Diablo clone. For the first hour it may feel that way, but after that, the game veers dramatically towards an Ultima VI/VIII feeling, with plenty of dialog, pausable action, and tons of simultaneous quests you can choose among. That doesn't sound like Diablo, to me.

Be sure to check out our Divine Divinity forum.

Jotun · Post by **Jotun** » Sat Aug 30, 2003 12:46 pm

DD has combat similar to most CRPG, being real time and not turn based, and yet still being able to pause when needed.

sure it has many quests, but dont most any CRPG game we play? like BGs, there are multiple quests too.

I cant really compare it at all to Ultima, then again I never played 6 or 7, I played 3 and 4, Exodus, and Quest of the Avatar, and combat for that seemed very much like HOMM/AOW series.

Im looking forward to Riftrunner, as Im sure you are, aye?

fable · Post by **fable** » Sat Aug 30, 2003 3:25 pm

Originally posted by Jotun
DD has combat similar to most CRPG, being real time and not turn based, and yet still being able to pause when needed.

I think perhaps you're thinking of console games, where the only elements borrowed from roleplaying are defining class and attributes. That's not what makes an RPG, though. There's much more to it, and one of those factors is the ability to strategically manage combat for your party. Whether it's done through pausing or turns, that's essential.

Divine Divinity has that; Diablo does not. DD lets you simultaneously explore (or ignore) a host of subsidiary quests; Diablo does not. The world of DD is inhabited by many cities filled with people who go about various tasks; Diablo's cities are no more than settings where you can find a few folks who give out successive quests. DD's combat has reasons, and activities in its locations. Diablo's battlefields are just excuses for combat, with boxes holding goodies. DD allows you to explore a countryside where there are many separate artifacts and objects, some suitable for use, some just there to provide that atmosphere which really makes puts the "roleplaying' in RPG. Diablo, again, is just a place where you get quests and a place where you fight.

In all honestly, once past that first hour of play, I don't see much similarity between DD and Diablo. The former is an RPG, and the latter is an action game. I'm not knocking the latter; I just don't see the similarities.

Im looking forward to Riftrunner, as Im sure you are, aye?

Well, yes, but I'm looking forward to TOEE, and am currently playing KotoR.

corsair · Post by **corsair** » Sat Aug 30, 2003 6:05 pm

Well, i was downloading the demo for Lionheart (even though my old POS probably couldnt run it) until I read some of these negative comments. I just canceled the d/l and figured it wasnt worth while. Thanx for sparing me the pain of having my computer crash and/or the pain of playing a sucky game.

fable · Post by **fable** » Mon Sep 01, 2003 4:49 pm

Don't necessarily take our word for it: try it out, yourself. You may disagree. As the ability to check out the results is so cheap--no more than a free download--you can make your own mind, which is infinitely better than having it made up for you.

The Z · Post by **The Z** » Mon Sep 01, 2003 8:13 pm

Originally posted by fable
Don't necessarily take our word for it: try it out, yourself. You may disagree. As the ability to check out the results is so cheap--no more than a free download--you can make your own mind, which is infinitely better than having it made up for you.

For us lucky people who have broadband. For people using 56k's, it could be a major pain in the 'arse

Skuld · Post by **Skuld** » Tue Sep 02, 2003 12:42 am

I'd say the demo is worth while... I have a 3 year old laptop(750mhz, 128MB) and it runs it just fine. I think it's a pretty good game from what I've seen in the demo. And character creation gives so many options.

fable · Post by **fable** » Tue Sep 02, 2003 7:41 am

I think he's not criticizing its ability to run, but the time it takes to download if you don't have cable or SDN.

corsair · Post by **corsair** » Fri Sep 05, 2003 4:41 pm

No, i was criticizing its ability to run (lol). Ive got a 98 compaq that can barley run BG2 at a decent clip with all the spell effects turned off. Its graphics look similar to Diablo 2 and the demo of that ran fine on my computer. The d/l is no prob. Ive got cable

I might take a whack at it once i get ungrounded (shhhh... im not supposed 2 be typing this) If it takes me a while 2 reply 2 anything, thats why

fable · Post by **fable** » Sat Sep 06, 2003 7:17 am

Grounded! Well, I'd ask why, but this isn't the forum for it. You might try posting about your situation in SYM (Speak Your Mind).

Save your dollars for TOEE, which has gone gold. And now, get off the computer, or we'll all go tell your mom and dad.

corsair · Post by **corsair** » Sat Sep 06, 2003 2:31 pm

I know this is a newbie question, but whats TOEE?

fable · Post by **fable** » Sat Sep 06, 2003 3:23 pm

Greyhawk, Temple of Elemental Evil.