Wow, so I finally played the demo and..jesus christ on a cracker someone kill the guy who was in charge of the camera.
Seriously, I had to fight just to find where all my guys were. Maybe there was a map view I was missing.
Also I played the game for a good hour and just as I felt comfortable and was taking down the tanks one of them rolled over a main guy and it was game over.
Flawed FLAWED game I love the concept though so I'm not totally put off to buying it but I'll definitely have to wait and see.
There is a minimap-thingy.
Anyways, did everyone only play the demo once? I played it twice, and the second time was much quicker and easier. I think once you get used to movement, etc, you'll setup a lot faster, and feel more comfortable.
I'll probably buy it, I liked the demo and the only 360 game I own right now is GTA IV and I'm getting tired of it already. Besides, more SRPG's are a good thing even if they're just mediocre.
It's got a really Westernized feel in that it contains so many of the things common in Western tactical games like lethality of attacks (1 explosive = dead persons), cover, terrain destruction, etc....
... but there are definitely rough spots all over. The minimap, especially given the size of the level, is just TOO IMPORTANT to have hidden. But bringing out the minimap automatically hides the turn order, and having to have to keep swapping between the two is annoying. The camera is awful. I find that I'm doing my targetting on the minimap more than by the camera, because I have such a hard time getting a sense of where things are. Bazooka-toting werewolf shock troopers is totally awesome, but the incredible power of it makes me wonder how the final game plays out. Maybe it'll be like X-COM where explosives ruled the day in early game, but in X-COM you didn't fail missions just because so-and-so gets blown to bits by an enemy explosive. Maybe later in the game you'll be able to absorb the 2000 dmg of a bazooka round like it's nothing. You have a guy who can revive fallen soldiers, but it doesn't help you with regards to the mission-critical guys, because at least in the demo their death = insta-gameover.
I'm also not sure if bullets that miss from non-explosive weapons have the ability to hit things. Maybe I've just been really unlucky in that department, but I really hope that missed bullets don't just vanish into the ether.
There's a skill you get early on that makes your guys automatically use a healing item if they reach low enough HP, even when it's not their turn. It essentially makes them unkillable unless they run out of healing items (or get run over by a tank). However, each healing item takes up an inventory space that could be going to use for something else, like ammo, rockets, SP renewal items, etc. So don't worry about getting insta-killed all the time, because within the first few levels you'll be able to avoid it.
Bursar on
GNU Terry Pratchett
PSN: Wstfgl | GamerTag: An Evil Plan | Battle.net: FallenIdle#1970
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KageraImitating the worst people. Since 2004Registered Userregular
Wow, so I finally played the demo and..jesus christ on a cracker someone kill the guy who was in charge of the camera.
Seriously, I had to fight just to find where all my guys were. Maybe there was a map view I was missing.
Also I played the game for a good hour and just as I felt comfortable and was taking down the tanks one of them rolled over a main guy and it was game over.
Flawed FLAWED game I love the concept though so I'm not totally put off to buying it but I'll definitely have to wait and see.
There is a minimap-thingy.
Anyways, did everyone only play the demo once? I played it twice, and the second time was much quicker and easier. I think once you get used to movement, etc, you'll setup a lot faster, and feel more comfortable.
I did play it just once, mainly because the first time kind of made me feel like I'd need to be in the right mood to put a lot of investment in it. If it is like you say though I'll give it another quick shot see how it goes.
Kagera on
My neck, my back, my FUPA and my crack.
0
KageraImitating the worst people. Since 2004Registered Userregular
edited June 2008
I did play it again and I had much more fun this time around since I knew better what to do. And that auto-heal skill is priceless I would have died so many times if it weren't for that thing.
And hey, the camera was even easier to deal with this time around.
So Doublejump is doing the strategy guide for the game. Is it sad that I'm tempted to buy the strategy guide when I don't even know if I'll pick up the game? Their strategy guide for SMT: Nocturne was impressive to say the least.
Glad I didn't go out and buy this. I was tempted, but it's sounding bad too.
urahonky on
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PunkBoyThank you! And thank you again!Registered Userregular
edited June 2008
I just picked it up. I'll give impressions once I play a bit. I enjoyed the demo, so hopefully I'll enjoy the full game as well.
EDIT: I just played the first mission. I'm actually enjoying it quite a bit. The camera stopped bothering me after a while, and I found it relatively easy to control the characters. Graphics aren't anything special, but they're not bothering me. The voice acting is pretty solid overall. There are some cutscenes, but most of the story is shown through character portraits. We'll see how things go when I get deeper into the game, but I have a feeling that this is going to be like God Hand. It has flaws, but it's still fun.
PunkBoy on
Steam ID:
The Linecutters Podcast: Your weekly dose of nerd! Tune in for the live broadcast every Wednesday at 7 PM EST, only at www.non-productive.com!
I just picked it up. I'll give impressions once I play a bit. I enjoyed the demo, so hopefully I'll enjoy the full game as well.
EDIT: I just played the first mission. I'm actually enjoying it quite a bit. The camera stopped bothering me after a while, and I found it relatively easy to control the characters. Graphics aren't anything special, but they're not bothering me. The voice acting is pretty solid overall. There are some cutscenes, but most of the story is shown through character portraits. We'll see how things go when I get deeper into the game, but I have a feeling that this is going to be like God Hand. It has flaws, but it's still fun.
Tips?
I find it incredibly hard to keep track of what enemy is what, and where they are.
I had a fucking enemy tank hide behind a building. I couldn't find it because the fucking camera would just not let me pan around the general area the tank was in.
Sheep on
0
PunkBoyThank you! And thank you again!Registered Userregular
edited July 2008
I'm not sure it was documented, but press Y while in a battle and the order bar will change to a mini-map. Very useful in seeing locations of enemies and where they're heading. Also be sure to use the overhead view (press X before telling a character to move/attack etc). That gives a good overall view of the battle. If you want to find specific targets, the trigger buttons cycle through them all. Sometimes it's a pain to go through them all, but it should help with the camera issue a little bit at least.
Combat tips:
"Cover" is your friend. Cover Ambush is obviously very useful. Cynthia takes out/softens up tons of targets with her sniper rifle. The manual suggested Cover Ambush/Cover Attack tactic is also very useful. If the Ambush doesn't take out the enemy, the follow up attack(s) generally do.
Cover move is extremely helpful. Your characters can cover a lot of distance with downside is that you can't move immediately, and you can't attack that turn. However, since battles start out with most of your squad going first, just assign everyone to Cover Move during the last member's turn. Your squad moves out as one, and go much farther than moving individually. And for maps that are very large and require a lot of movement (I'm looking at youuuuu demo) getting into battles is a lot faster, and you generally tend to be in better positioning. I'm actually on the mission from the demo, and I was right into the fighting within 2 turns using Cover Move.
PunkBoy on
Steam ID:
The Linecutters Podcast: Your weekly dose of nerd! Tune in for the live broadcast every Wednesday at 7 PM EST, only at www.non-productive.com!
So only have one unit do Cover Move and that will prompt all of them?
Sheep on
0
PunkBoyThank you! And thank you again!Registered Userregular
edited July 2008
Like, say the order is Edward, Cordelia, Herbet, and finally Jude. What I do is that during Edward, Cordelia, and Herbert's turns, I set them to Cover Move and assign them to move on Jude's turn. When Jude comes up, he moves, and everyone else goes as well.
(So, in answer to your question, yes. Sorry, I wasn't sure what you meant exactly.)
PunkBoy on
Steam ID:
The Linecutters Podcast: Your weekly dose of nerd! Tune in for the live broadcast every Wednesday at 7 PM EST, only at www.non-productive.com!
I would certainly say that this is a niche game, but I think a lot of people who gave up on it would really enjoy it if they took the time, and got past the clunkiness. The flaws in OD, like the camera and LOS aren't game-breaking, they're just sort of counter intuitive. Permanent character death isn't something I call a flaw, I remember when MMO's (MUDs when I was younger) had player killing, looting and stealing. Complete with level or at least EXP loss with a death. Not a technical flaw, just a design choice that was true to the developer's vision.
This game is great, by merit of the fact that it has kept me entertained since the demo. If I knew any of you in person I would recommend it. I find it rewarding when I successfully place a gunline utilizing cover-ambush/attack, and use my fast movers to take out enemy ranged units. The shifting momentum when enemy reinforcements arrive, the fact that enemies loot bodies for ammo and weapons when they run dry. Every enemy unit has a full character sheet, a bullet count and inventory. As the missions progress the AI steps it up, and the enemy force will assemble with more dispersion, they will also advance much more cautiously. It's a fine mix of fantasy and realism, and you do have to constantly think and adapt (anyone fought skeletons yet?). The game is a challenge and I welcome it.
And yes, the bullets do hit things when you miss. Every time you miss you will see where the rounds impacted...Friendly fire is a consideration.
Since I don't know you all, I won't straight up recommend you purchase the game, but do try the demo once more with a fresh mind, don't focus on the flaws and see if you can find the fun in it.
Press 'Y' to bring up your mini-map
Use the triggers to cycle through enemies (a red block will appear under them if you have LOS and range)
Use the bumpers to cycle through friendlies
You can move to a corpse, loot and then attack (useful for grabbing up healing items for the inevitable counter attack)
Herbert East's Rez spell doesn't require LOS and has decent range.
It does suck that the werewolves can't just maim those dirty krauts.
It does really suck that you don't get a chance to rez your critical characters.
Fun is what it boils down to, this game is that.
witchkiller on
Barbarism is the natural state of mankind. Civilization is unnatural, it is a whim of circumstance, and barbarism must always ultimately triumph.
It does suck that the werewolves can't just maim those dirty krauts.
I'm rather sure that there is a "Werewolf punch" attack, but it's only available if you aren't carrying any weapons at all. But think of how fast you'd be going if you weren't carrying any guns!
Bursar on
GNU Terry Pratchett
PSN: Wstfgl | GamerTag: An Evil Plan | Battle.net: FallenIdle#1970
Hit me up on BoardGameArena! User: Loaded D1
Yeah you're right, Bursar. Outfitting your guys is a big part of the game (learned the hard way). Around mission 20 I had Keith Miller running around with a dragon sword and all the MS skills/items I could scrounge. His mobility and durability more than made up for the loss of one bazooka gunner. It is odd though that a rocket fired from a werewolf is so much more powerful than a rocket fired from a mere man.
witchkiller on
Barbarism is the natural state of mankind. Civilization is unnatural, it is a whim of circumstance, and barbarism must always ultimately triumph.
0
PunkBoyThank you! And thank you again!Registered Userregular
edited July 2008
Argh, Mission 10 (I think) is frustrating as hell I start out surrounded and apparently all of the enemy forces get to move first. The freakin mage Nazis (I never thought I'd ever type this out) keep on firing off spells, and the Panzers rip my squad apart. By the time I get my first turn, half my team is running low on health items.
PunkBoy on
Steam ID:
The Linecutters Podcast: Your weekly dose of nerd! Tune in for the live broadcast every Wednesday at 7 PM EST, only at www.non-productive.com!
It is odd though that a rocket fired from a werewolf is so much more powerful than a rocket fired from a mere man.
They pull the trigger just that much harder.
I'd find it really, really hard to give up bazooka werewolves, though... being able to zip across the map to plant down massive area damage with superb precision and reliability?
If that sword outfitting is as good as you say, you had better be able to cut down entire city blocks in a slice to make up for the loss of a bazooka werewolf.
Posts
There is a minimap-thingy.
Anyways, did everyone only play the demo once? I played it twice, and the second time was much quicker and easier. I think once you get used to movement, etc, you'll setup a lot faster, and feel more comfortable.
3ds friend code: 2981-6032-4118
... but there are definitely rough spots all over. The minimap, especially given the size of the level, is just TOO IMPORTANT to have hidden. But bringing out the minimap automatically hides the turn order, and having to have to keep swapping between the two is annoying. The camera is awful. I find that I'm doing my targetting on the minimap more than by the camera, because I have such a hard time getting a sense of where things are. Bazooka-toting werewolf shock troopers is totally awesome, but the incredible power of it makes me wonder how the final game plays out. Maybe it'll be like X-COM where explosives ruled the day in early game, but in X-COM you didn't fail missions just because so-and-so gets blown to bits by an enemy explosive. Maybe later in the game you'll be able to absorb the 2000 dmg of a bazooka round like it's nothing. You have a guy who can revive fallen soldiers, but it doesn't help you with regards to the mission-critical guys, because at least in the demo their death = insta-gameover.
I'm also not sure if bullets that miss from non-explosive weapons have the ability to hit things. Maybe I've just been really unlucky in that department, but I really hope that missed bullets don't just vanish into the ether.
So, more than 10 years later, X-COM still reigns.
PSN: Wstfgl | GamerTag: An Evil Plan | Battle.net: FallenIdle#1970
Hit me up on BoardGameArena! User: Loaded D1
I did play it just once, mainly because the first time kind of made me feel like I'd need to be in the right mood to put a lot of investment in it. If it is like you say though I'll give it another quick shot see how it goes.
And hey, the camera was even easier to deal with this time around.
Zeboyd Games Development Blog
Steam ID : rwb36, Twitter : Werezompire, Facebook : Zeboyd Games
SIGH
This game would easily be a 5/10 if it were 2D and top down.
Oh god yes. Just give it Fire Emblem presentation and I'd be happy.
EDIT: I just played the first mission. I'm actually enjoying it quite a bit. The camera stopped bothering me after a while, and I found it relatively easy to control the characters. Graphics aren't anything special, but they're not bothering me. The voice acting is pretty solid overall. There are some cutscenes, but most of the story is shown through character portraits. We'll see how things go when I get deeper into the game, but I have a feeling that this is going to be like God Hand. It has flaws, but it's still fun.
Tips?
I find it incredibly hard to keep track of what enemy is what, and where they are.
I had a fucking enemy tank hide behind a building. I couldn't find it because the fucking camera would just not let me pan around the general area the tank was in.
Combat tips:
"Cover" is your friend. Cover Ambush is obviously very useful. Cynthia takes out/softens up tons of targets with her sniper rifle. The manual suggested Cover Ambush/Cover Attack tactic is also very useful. If the Ambush doesn't take out the enemy, the follow up attack(s) generally do.
Cover move is extremely helpful. Your characters can cover a lot of distance with downside is that you can't move immediately, and you can't attack that turn. However, since battles start out with most of your squad going first, just assign everyone to Cover Move during the last member's turn. Your squad moves out as one, and go much farther than moving individually. And for maps that are very large and require a lot of movement (I'm looking at youuuuu demo) getting into battles is a lot faster, and you generally tend to be in better positioning. I'm actually on the mission from the demo, and I was right into the fighting within 2 turns using Cover Move.
(So, in answer to your question, yes. Sorry, I wasn't sure what you meant exactly.)
This game is great, by merit of the fact that it has kept me entertained since the demo. If I knew any of you in person I would recommend it. I find it rewarding when I successfully place a gunline utilizing cover-ambush/attack, and use my fast movers to take out enemy ranged units. The shifting momentum when enemy reinforcements arrive, the fact that enemies loot bodies for ammo and weapons when they run dry. Every enemy unit has a full character sheet, a bullet count and inventory. As the missions progress the AI steps it up, and the enemy force will assemble with more dispersion, they will also advance much more cautiously. It's a fine mix of fantasy and realism, and you do have to constantly think and adapt (anyone fought skeletons yet?). The game is a challenge and I welcome it.
And yes, the bullets do hit things when you miss. Every time you miss you will see where the rounds impacted...Friendly fire is a consideration.
Since I don't know you all, I won't straight up recommend you purchase the game, but do try the demo once more with a fresh mind, don't focus on the flaws and see if you can find the fun in it.
Press 'Y' to bring up your mini-map
Use the triggers to cycle through enemies (a red block will appear under them if you have LOS and range)
Use the bumpers to cycle through friendlies
You can move to a corpse, loot and then attack (useful for grabbing up healing items for the inevitable counter attack)
Herbert East's Rez spell doesn't require LOS and has decent range.
It does suck that the werewolves can't just maim those dirty krauts.
It does really suck that you don't get a chance to rez your critical characters.
Fun is what it boils down to, this game is that.
I'm rather sure that there is a "Werewolf punch" attack, but it's only available if you aren't carrying any weapons at all. But think of how fast you'd be going if you weren't carrying any guns!
PSN: Wstfgl | GamerTag: An Evil Plan | Battle.net: FallenIdle#1970
Hit me up on BoardGameArena! User: Loaded D1
They pull the trigger just that much harder.
I'd find it really, really hard to give up bazooka werewolves, though... being able to zip across the map to plant down massive area damage with superb precision and reliability?
If that sword outfitting is as good as you say, you had better be able to cut down entire city blocks in a slice to make up for the loss of a bazooka werewolf.