Kinda rough around the edges... - by Raisen
Raisen on 18/11/2003 at 20:21
Is it just me, or you people also feel that DX (and SS2) are a bit rough around the edges? Mind you, I really like these games, but I get the feeling that both could have had a little bit more polish.
But rest assured I do not blame this on the development team. I believe that DX is the kind of game that would be impossible to REALLY clean up completely. It's so open and full of features, that there's always one more little "edge" left along. Maybe some levels should have been shorter, maybe this street area should have been more different than this other one, maybe this weapon could have been better balanced... But if they hanged onto this, perhaps DX would be right beside Duke Nukem Forever...
Just sharing my 2 cents, what do you think?
PS: I know SS2 had a reeally short development cycle.
Thanx.
Amorpheus on 18/11/2003 at 20:57
Agreed. I always thought DX was very rough around the edges, from unbalanced systems (augmentations, skills, weapons) to the engine. We'll probably see from DX:IW how much a game like that can really be cleaned up...
chris the cynic on 19/11/2003 at 05:54
Quote:
Originally posted by Amorpheus Agreed. I always thought DX was very rough around the edges, from unbalanced systems (augmentations, skills, weapons) to the engine. We'll probably see from DX:IW how much a game like that can really be cleaned up...
I'm sure we will, but I think I'd rather have it be rough with them pushing to get more stuff in (I trust them to make the decision on which stuff to do) than clean with less ambitious work. Of course I think that we are going to get clean and ambitious, so it's [cliché warning] all good.
Iron Shadow on 21/11/2003 at 02:28
I loved DX so don‘t get the idea that I‘m here to rip it to shreds- excellent story, multiple ways of finishing the game and developing the main character. I am eagerly awaiting the release of DX-IW but I was troubled by the 'rough edged' feel and not only in the graphics (So what if they just used the Unreal engine. At least they didn’t use the inferior Q2 engine).
The maps, I found to be the main problem- not enough, too small and in some places dull namely the 'Hells Kitchen' maps (I felt like I was walking around a small compound instead of a city block. Also where was the daylight???) I found however, despite my criticism of the maps, that each 'obstacle' (i.e.: a locked door) was, generally, well placed and had more than one way around it (find the key, pick the lock, blow the door up or jump into the vent around the corner)
The augs and the weapon mods I didn't have much problem with except that many of the maps didn't allow the player to take full advantage of them. (with the exception of speed enhancement and regeneration)
The Skills I had a big problem with. There was no need to upgrade to 'master' for many of them (I.e.: A rifle weapon with a few mods acts like a 'master' weapon on the skill of 'trained') and for others there was no need to upgrade at all. Many augs replaced the need for the environmental training skill; there were only 5 real water obstacles in the game so forget swimming and demolitions.... Pfft! Untrained can use grenades as well as 'Masters'.
AI- it was very impressive compared many games. I had a few problems with it though- the fact that you could drop a small crate in front of them to block their movement, blow apart a door right next to them and not blink, entirely re-arrange a room on a common patrol route, even hide in a vent at ground level and pick them off as they stand in front of you.
I would say more but I just wanted to add in the things that bothered me- to add more would be Overkill for a game that offered so much.
Iron Shadow
GCD
Fred Chook on 21/11/2003 at 04:37
If I can just add one minor thought... an upgraded weapon may work as well as a mastered skill, but have you ever had a fully-upgraded weapon with master skill? A stealth pistol becomes a rifle that can't miss. It's blissful.
Phydeaux on 21/11/2003 at 08:10
Rough edges are almost a guarantee with something as ambitious as Deus Ex was.
Raisen on 21/11/2003 at 18:31
I do think I won't be missing the skills... And I hope that the retooling of the augs make the lot better. It's a bad sign when ALL kinds of players all pick the same ones, instead of choosing the ones corresponding to their style. Exemple: I chose Run Silent because I like to sneak around, but then I found out while playing that it's probably only SILENT when maxed out. Why bother, then, if Run faster is so much better??? This shouldn't happen.
And correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the weapons favor the sniper sneaky types. The weakness of the AR and all this aiming makes the life of those who want to go in guns blazing a lot hard.
Well, I really like the game. But I feel it can get better! And I believe it will. Only experimenting will take this idea to it's peak,
