GameBanshee Forums

Has anyone noticed that we're about to be flooded by CRPGs and dungeon crawls? Might and Magic IX is currently scheduled to release at the end of March. Due in May are IWD2, Morrowind (possibly April), and Dungeon Siege (which may be more of an action game, like Diablo). September brings NWN, and Bioware has been claiming that the new Stars Wars RPG will be out by end of year.

Well, im only going to get one of those...

Well, the only games I am gonna buy is Icewind Dale 2, NWN, and Warcraft 3 this year.

Originally posted by Sailor Saturn
Geez, and I haven't even gotten the ToB expansion for BG2.

Why not?

Originally posted by Aegis
Why not?

When I can afford it, I can't find it. When I can find it, I can't afford it. Right now, I can't find it and I can't afford it.

I'll probably be able to get it once I get back from my Spring Break trip to Disney Land. But I've still got to finish BG2:SoA anyway, which I wont' be able to do until after I play through BG1 again since I lost my saved games when my computer crashed.

Games I must get this year:
-Neverwinter Nights
-Warcraft 3

Games I might get:
-Unreal 2
-Medal of Honor Allied Assult
-Star Wars Knights of the old republic
-Jedi Knight 2
-The Sims:Hot Date
-Baldur's Gate
-IWD 2
-Star Wars Galaxies (coming out in Summer 2003, IIRC)

Games I still need to finish, games I need to go through again, or still play obessively:
-Unreal Tournament
-Half-life
-Baldur's Gate 2
-Diablo 2

No time.

M&M IX looks pretty good. I've seen screens, and the new Lithtech engine really adds some fantastic detail and textures. The NWC staff is also claiming the following:

Elaborate, BG2-like dialog trees.

A variety of advanced monster AIs. That would be nice, as M&M monster AIs in the past have been braindead (and unable even to move out of range when on the opposite side of a river from your party).

A new spell system.

A new professions system. Characters begin as "might" or "magic," and then progress through at least two promotions, until they choose one of eight professions.

Approximately 60 quests. 40-60 hours of gameplay.

Space for 2 party NPCs to join your group of four.

It's also apparent from screens I've seen that you'll be able to create party formations. Hitherto, all characters have been in a straight line, left to right.

Still figured for end of March release.

M&M is using the Lithtech engine? Nice. That engine is one of the best out there (Used by AvP2). It sounds like something I could get into. Though, I hope it doesn't have the same online problems that te Lithtech engine had with AvP2.

We'll see, soon enough. 3DO's really played a close hand on the game (and on HOMM IV), giving out very little info. I have to wonder if they're deliberately trying to bomb us out of our little minds with a massive hit that "comes out of nowhere."

Has Might and Magic finally adopted a decent combat system. I guess I haven't played one of those games for a while. The last I believe had Xeen in its' title. Anyway, that game played like the bard's tale and/or wizardry. No battlefield to move about. Just select attack and your character will attack. Cast a fireball and your enemies will take damage. It's still pretty fun but doesn't compare to what BG has given us.

@fable, you really think DS will resemble diablo more than other CRPG's. That's not the feel I get from all the reading I've done about the game. I hope that's not the case because I made it through about 20 minutes of diablo II before I got frustrated and couldn't deal with the interface. If DS works the same way, it will be a waste of 50 bucks for me because I am definitely buying it.

@Ned Flanders:

I personally feel that D2 is a very fun game, it reminds of NetHack, and I was obsessed with NetHack for a very long time. As to the interface, I find nothing wrong with it, it's pretty easy to use for me. D2 is a good dungeon crawl, with (theoritically) almost infinite replay value, but lacking even a somewhat decent backstory, and it gets boring after a while. But it was a good ride while it lasted.

Ned, NWC changed the rules slightly for combat back in M&M VII. A movement turn was added after all characters attacked or defended. M&M IX is supposed to add party formations. That will put it about on-par with the last Wizardry for first-person combat. Don't know if that answers your question, but I tried.