Digital Nightfall on 13/11/2002 at 12:36
<a href=http://www.stygianabyss.com/arxreview>Clicketh</a>
Thoughts?
Baron Bifford on 13/11/2002 at 15:56
This review feels less like a pro work and more like a rabid-fanboy-trying-not-to-hyperventilate work (but I won't hold that against you ;) ).
I find this a so-so/good game. The voice acting is rather dull, though I guess it works for Am Shaegar in the same way it worked for JC Denton: an emotionless voice which allows us to impose our own ego on the character. I don't like the rune system: initially fun, it is too clumsy for me. It often fails to recognise my rune even when I draw them slowly and carefully (even D&D wizards don't have it this hard). Sound is good, though the noisy footsteps I make eventually ticked me off.
The story combines two cliches (just how many RPGs involve a mad cult/wizard trying to raise an ancient evil, or a hero with no memory yet an irrational desire to stick his neck out for others nonetheless?), and would work if it were not for the poor voice acting (they just don't seem convinced they're all in terrible danger).
To its credit, the games does allow plenty of non-linear exploration, and the tons of things you can do with pickable objects is on par with System Shock 2.
Calagari on 13/11/2002 at 16:18
I find the magic system very difficult at best. You say your game never crashed. While that is great for you some of us had many problems. I count myself among those that did have problems. I find the amount of inventory items to be sparse. I am only in the beginning of the game now and am out of space for items. I think there should have been more monsters to gain experince. As it is you go from rats to goblin lords. More Ex is needed to win the battle against them. I must be concentrating pretty hard on the game as I don't remember much of the music. Double clicking on an npc to converse can be dangerous. More often than not I find myself attacking them without that intention. Don't get me wrong I like the game very much. I just don't like what I find wrong with it.
p7eter on 14/11/2002 at 00:11
thx for the review digi.
i mostly agree. i like the game alot, but i do think it has flaws. but i dont think the flaws are major, cause i am enjoying every minute. I liked Am's voice i guess im a minority.
i got no problem with the spells, even tho it does take 2 or more tries, i dont mind it (it helps me momorize better)
it is painfully prescripted. Sure, you can "non-linearly" wander down to different levels, but usually theres only one or 2 ways to solve certain quests (not always two but often so few that none present themselves). I have had to consult a walkthrough several times. I dont mind having to do that for a secret, but the main storyline should not be that mundane, it should be easier to figure out. I ususally dont need walkthroughs for other games. the journal sucks, and if you miss a cutscene good luck figuring out what to do next from the journal. In its defense, it is amoral. You can often get stuff by agreeing to perform a task. Or you can just kill them all and steal stuff. Or perform the task... and then kill them. And you can steal/pickpocket if that is your style.
also the interactivity is mostly only on the face. sure you can "enchant" weapons, but theres only a small number of ways to enchant them. likewise theres not really that many things you can "cook"... it seems endless possibility at first but it is deceptive. Also theres a sparse selection of weapons/armor. and only 2 bow types in the entire game! (and one is a secret, so effectively one bow). that made me so mad because i put alot of points into bow weapon and i only needed 30 points. Not enough magic items, not enough status effects. certain spells/items are mostly useless like night vision and shovel.
Atmosphere: this is where itt shines. the graphics are great, the architecture is great ( i really felt like i was in such palces). and the sound is GREAT. i loved hearing my chain mail drag on different surfaces. I also liked the ambience sounds as opposed to music. It im in a real crypt im not gonna hear an orchestral score. But i will hear moans/hissing and it is much better. The crypt level for example was quite creepy, as was the temple. I liked these alot. Started out creepier than many thief levels. "join us..." But wasnt so scary once i realized i wasnt in much danger from most crypt enemies. But some really great effects, like opening a door and suddenly... X happens.
Bugs: only crashed once. NPC blocking is indeed a problem. But i was lucky because i could avoid bugs by reading the jowood forums. So i made sure not to talk/steal/piss off people in certain places (tavern) that might trigger a bug making the whole town hostile. But these are not bad enough to mar my game experience. Generally stable. I like the interface too. More spell slots would be nice tho.
I dont think it has much replayability. Sure a second play would find new secrets and makbe even solve main quests differently... but I would feel too much like "been there done that". however i am the type of person who plays DEEPLY the first time through (im still not done). So a brute force player might like a replay.
I think some mods would be great on this engine, but it seems like it would be hard to mod (because unique maps/no SDK yet.) I will definitely be hoping the game sells well though (then ARX2 could get made).
yark on 14/11/2002 at 07:33
I think the game is long on atmosphere and feel. Cliches don't bother me if the game is well done!
My main complaint so far is that the game has a certain obliqueness when you're trying to figure out what to do. This is the result of not incorporaring quite enough player feedback, and sometimes of not giving the player very precise information.
For example (spoilers ahead), take the "Rescue Shany" plot. It seems very clear that she's gone into that crypt. The entrance is right near where she plays, etc. Naturally the player will try to bust into the crypt when that plot comes up. A sign indicates you should be able to talk to the chief guard about opening the door, but he just spouts one basic line at any given time, and won't open it up until you need to get in the crypt for a different quest. There's no option to ask him about the crypt since you can't ask speciific questions. Then, when the quest is solved, you find that Shany wasn't in the crypt at all. Hrm.
Or how about the "murdered woman" quest. She wants you to find her murderer. You locate the guy who obviously did it. You question him. He denies it and tells you to bugger off. However, if you then go to the chief guard, he says nothing about it, and you can't - again - bring up that paritcular topic. Ditto for the king. If you kill the guy on sight, you end up fighting the whole tavern - not acceptable. If you go back into the crypt to report that you found the guy... who do you talk to? The room where you originally heard the ghost voice is empty. I still don't really know what to do here, and would like help if anyone has it - but regardless, this quest is difficult for the wrong reasons. The dfficulty is not finding the murderer. The difficulty is figuring out what the game expects you to do.
Again, though... I like the feel and format of the game. I just think a little more attention to detail would have tightened it up and made it that much more enjoyable.
Microwave Oven on 14/11/2002 at 08:16
The only thing I found to be annoying is the lack of supplemental clues for the quests...you either trigger the cutscene, or have no clue at all.
Otherwise, I'm having a blast with the spell system and combat, both of which harken back to my fond memories of Ultima Underworld.
Also, there is some mega creep-o factor in certain spots...in one room of the crypts, I had thought the 2 stone statues by the door were just ordinary static objects, till I noticed they would turn their heads to look at me wherever I went. That gave me some serious chills.
Not to mention the ratmen noises you hear coming behind you...is it real attack or just a noise? Very few games can creep me out like this one.
