Should I buy this game?

VoodooDali · Post by **VoodooDali** » Sat Apr 06, 2002 1:27 pm

If you've played it, please tell me whether you think it's worth plunking down 40-50 dollars for it.

Also, I prefer single-player game.

Delita · Post by **Delita** » Sat Apr 06, 2002 1:50 pm

Depends.

Basically it's a 3d Diablo but you don't have click half as much. You also get plenty of NPCs and you specialize your character as you go.

You get 3 attributes: Str, Dex and Int.

And 4 skills: Melee, Ranged, Nature magic, Combat magic.

You'll need a pretty fast comp (more than 400 mhz) to play it without chopiness during huge fights.

Other than the slight chopiness, this game rawks!

fable · Post by **fable** » Sat Apr 06, 2002 5:04 pm

Despite the 3D, it's very IWD-like: you can pause as you wish to give commands, but it's extremely linear and has no real interaction between the characters. IWD bores me, so...

CDriven · Post by **CDriven** » Sat Apr 06, 2002 11:01 pm

This game is neither D2 or IWD, it's a "Darkstone" knock-off. Darkstone 2 if you will. (Not a bad thing)

It took me about a half an hour to figure out what this game reminded me of, but it eventually came to me.

So far so good...

fable · Post by **fable** » Sat Apr 06, 2002 11:35 pm

Darkstone featured a percentage of randomly generated dungeons; DS doesn't. Darkstone had largely identical and mostly featureless rooms; DS doesn't. Darkstone was largely indoors or underground; DS isn't. Darkstone had no pause control that allowed you to give commands; DS does. Darkstone didn't allow you to give commands to any NPC that accompanied your character; DS does. Darkstone allows you to switch your persona between a pair of characters; DS doesn't.

Otherwise, there is a resemblance between the two, if I close my eyes.

(Note: I wouldn't have been anywhere near as sarcastic and detailed, above, if we could have kept this at a level of people simply all being right, but disagreeing--like I did, with the poster who preceded me. But when I'm told I'm wrong on a matter of opinion...

)

And Cdriven: Welcome to the forum.

Delita · Post by **Delita** » Sun Apr 07, 2002 12:24 am

Let's just say it's like other RPGs but it's different.

Demis · Post by **Demis** » Sun Apr 07, 2002 4:49 am

Ok, i have not yet decided to buy the game, mostly because i keep hearing that this game is somehow Diablo-like, even if i think that it is a game that you will buy and not regret. Anyway the game will be to Europe at 19th so i have some time yet to decide. I want to ask something though, what about the replayability, i've red that the game is pretty linear, this is something that will cause you not to replay it or there are other aspects to consider?

Delita · Post by **Delita** » Sun Apr 07, 2002 10:43 am

I have a feeling the game is pretty long since I've heard characters max at lvl 150...

(mainly because of the cheaters on the internet now...)

The singleplayer may not have good replayability but you may try switching the way your character may turn out. Like you play a character that goes hand to hand all the time you may switch to a magic user next time.

acuoio · Post by **acuoio** » Sun Apr 07, 2002 12:13 pm

Demise, have you played Rune or Rune II? That game reminds me of DS. I don't think this game is Diablo like at all. This world is 3D, Diablo isn't. DS is more simplified in terms of stats and skills. It also has a story line. And there are real NPCs with usefull information. It also has quests. Diablo has "quests", but not really.

If you are looking for a game that is fun to play and worth the fifty bucks, then buy this game. Don't spend any time comparing this game to other games. It's fun and that's all that matters.

Sabretooth · Post by **Sabretooth** » Mon Apr 08, 2002 7:37 am

I seriously doubt my Celeron 500, 192 RAM, 32 MB Gforce can handle DS smoothly. Otherwise, I'd be tempted

I dont even wanna know what Neverwinter will require to run smoothly.

VoodooDali · Post by **VoodooDali** » Mon Apr 08, 2002 9:08 am

Thanks for the advice...I still can't decide!!! It's weird, I liked IWD once I accepted that it was a hack n slash game and not like BG. I've actually only played Diablo I, and didn't like that.

I just don't want to end up with a coaster. I'm still mad about buying PoR.

I'm feeling impatient now--probably Morrowwind will be better, but I have to wait another month. Amazon says that NWN is coming out June 12. IWDII--who knows?

Baldursgate Fan · Post by **Baldursgate Fan** » Mon Apr 08, 2002 12:09 pm

Thanks for the advice...I still can't decide!!! It's weird, I liked IWD once I accepted that it was a hack n slash game and not like BG. I've actually only played Diablo I, and didn't like that.

Like you, I came here to check out the comments on this forum (I was thinking of buying the game due to the good reviews on another site), and jugding by what others are saying, methinks it's better to wait for NeverWinter Nights to debut. Granted, that's another few months away. So...

my fix is to replay SoA, ToB and Planescape like crazy until it happens. Maybe replaying IWD in your case will save you the agony of going through another PoR-like experience and 40-50 bucks to boot.

Cheers.

Ned Flanders · Post by **Ned Flanders** » Tue Apr 09, 2002 3:43 pm

worth it

@Voodoo,

with that new kickin' system of yours (do you have it yet), the should aptly run on it. I guess there are some issues (bugs) though with the geforce4.

anyway, it has some elements of bg and some diablo elements i guess. i played a little diablo and cared little for it but i really enjoy this game. the graphics are stunning although it blows that you can't look up. you can only level the camera off at the characters eye level and apparently they don't look up. that's just nit picky though.

The game runs, obviously, on a much simpler engine. There are no saving throws, fewer abilities, no thieving skills, no hiding, no magic resistance (at least not by percentage), no pluses to hit or damage for weapons although some weapons do increase skill (sort of a plus).

The nice thing with the game is the consistent non stop gameplay. I don't think the pause feature should ever be used. i use it now, very sparingly, because i'm still becoming familiar with the interface. One of the doldrums of the bg series was all the pausing during large battles. Granted, I didn't mind the scheming and the tactics and I guess I didn't have to pause as much as I did, but it certainly helps for survival. The feel to this game is just different.

Now, you point out you're not big on multiplayer. With this, you may want to wait for another game. This game was designed with mulitplayer in mind. I don't forsee the single player version having a lot of replayability, probably not even the multiplayer. It is a linear straightforward game and it is no fun dying and then having to replay the same section over. This is where BG2 shines (how many times have we been through that game).

Still, the game is a lot of fun. Its a rush and it is very cool to have control over the camera.

fable · Post by **fable** » Thu Apr 11, 2002 8:39 am

The nice thing with the game is the consistent non stop gameplay.

In other words, it ain't an RPG.

Sure, it offers improving skills and a choice of professions, but it's basically a twitch game. That's not a bad thing, but it does help to define expectations.

Nocturnalist · Post by **Nocturnalist** » Fri Apr 12, 2002 2:39 pm

Darkstone

Cdriven, I agree that it bears some resemblance to Darkstone in spite of the many resemblances. It was my first thought too that it reminded me of Darkstone. As you progress through the game and begin to assemble your party, the differences get bigger.

VoodooDali · Post by **VoodooDali** » Fri Apr 12, 2002 10:30 pm

@Ned: yes I got the new PC today, but haven't set it up yet. Spent 6 hours trying to upgrade one of my other 2 pc's to give to a relative--OS would not install. It's a long story, but what finally happened is the motherboard on it just gave out. (It was a top of the line mb from when it came out--an Intel 740/ASUS P2B--the first mb with AGP). I suspect it is the I/O switch. I'm gonna order a barebones athlon system and throw all the cards from the one that just died into it. Anyhoo, thanks for the review of DS--it really clarified it for me. Even though I'm curious about a higher end game for the new PC--I'm gonna wait for Morrowwind. I might do another type of game like Civ III or Max Payne in the meantime.

@Fable. Thank you too! As usual.

Quark · Post by **Quark** » Sat Apr 13, 2002 12:18 am

I was initially going 100% for Dungeon Siege ... now I don't think so.

Reading in a forum of BG lovers, they thought it was too RPG-lite.

Reading in a forum of Diablo lovers, they thought the combat and advancement was oversimplified (many complaints about magic).

Progress Quest, surprisingly, was mentioned more than once. Ouch.

I just don't know anymore ...

Obsidian · Post by **Obsidian** » Wed Apr 17, 2002 3:17 pm

heh, I too came to this forum to check out opinions..
is the multiplayer free?

AngusThermopole · Post by **AngusThermopole** » Wed Apr 17, 2002 7:14 pm

Budgetary matters aside, the game is worth picking up merely on the scope of the 3D graphics and the seamless streaming of new landscapes. Truly sensational on those levels.

The fighting, tough smoove and effortless, can get tedious; but nothing on the scale of the Diablo games. Strategy can become mute if you let it. The simple addition of damage by friendly fire could add a strategic aspect that is not there.

The only real interaction is with your current foes, but the bottom line is that the game is fun to play.

smass · Post by **smass** » Wed Apr 17, 2002 8:05 pm

"The only real interaction is with your current foes, but the bottom line is that the game is fun to play."

No offense AngusThermopole, but I strongly disagree

. Certainly the word "fun" is very subjective, but I believe that most members the gamebanshee forums would consider a game to be fun if it included a good story, exciting goals and rewards, non-linear character development, strategy, and replayability. Dungeon siege has none of these qualities.

I bought this "game" based on the pre-release hype and I have definitely been sold a false bill of goods. Dungeon Siege has been falsely advertised as an RPG - THIS GAME IS NOT AN RPG - The Magic Mirror game on my Shrek DVD is more interactive.

Dungeon siege fans (read: apologists) point to the gorgeous and seamless no load 3D environment and non stop action and say "what a fun and exciting game". For me the pretty pictures had me excited for about 15 minutes and the fun completely disappeared a half hour later.

Bottom line: If you are an RPG fan and are looking for a quick fix before the release of Neverwinter Nights or Morrowind - save your money. The fix you will get if you buy this game will last a half hour or so.

If you are a fan of games like Gauntlet, Diablo, or typical console action/adventure trash you will probably enjoy this game - although you would still be better off saving your money and playing a freeware game that is comparable in depth to Dungeon Seige - Progress Quest.