tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post2667815007243750475..comments2024-03-28T15:25:30.216-04:00Comments on The CRPG Addict: Deathlord: Summary and RatingCRPG Addicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01238237377918550322noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-88090950744673977672022-04-24T22:44:04.346-04:002022-04-24T22:44:04.346-04:00Hello, and while I am stumbling in, late to the pa...Hello, and while I am stumbling in, late to the party, there's a reason for my madness.<br /><br />But as a preamble, I commend you for battling through that much of Deathlord, and only argumentatively disagree with your 4/5 difficulty score because anything 5/5 would then make such game useless to play, negating the value of 5/5.<br /><br />And what you have seen of Deathlord is difficult, but the rest is difficulter. You think the number of encounters is "balanced"? Sure, if you haven't tried surviving waves of hordes of enemies in unending corridors in the 8th level of a dungeon.<br /><br />The Stairs Dungeon is unique, but so are the Doors Dungeon and the Linear Dungeon, and mastery of CRPG should be awarded to those who managed the (entirely optional) infamous 16-level Telegrond which, not so incidentally, has not been included in walkthroughs except for the legendary Obscure Old Gamer who is simply not human.<br /><br />Now to get back to the reason for my many-years-belated comment: I just released the free (and open source) game Deathlord Relorded on itch.io and GitHub. It is the original Deathlord program running under custom emulation, but modernized, with brand new graphics, automapping, huge viewport, and quality-of-life improvements such as no level drain and no save on death.<br /><br />There's also an inventory module that provides for a temporary stash to try out newly acquired items before choosing what to discard, and a battle module that lets you better visualise the unique battle system of Deathlord.<br /><br />Some classes and races have added bonuses (to encourage using someone other than human for example), and there's a world mini-map because nobody likes being lost at sea.<br /><br />You'll still get wiped out and hate life in the teleport chains of Telegrond, but hopefully you'll appreciate even more the incredible dungeon designs of the game.<br /><br />In closing, one last comment:<br />you've fallen for the two classic blunders! The first being never to leave the original continent before reaching level 20 (the TLS Freeman Rule), but only slightly lesser known: never start a game without CON >= 14.Rikkleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16112907215051474229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-79835815281221873202021-02-15T12:37:14.736-05:002021-02-15T12:37:14.736-05:00The "Lost Sectors" duo has a full live p...The "Lost Sectors" duo has a full live playthrough of Deathlord up on YouTube:<br /><br />https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlBsb1mfs4br0Nnx-bYelburiksEwYRuH<br /><br />One of them (Chris) apparently played the game extensively both contemporary with its original release and later, and has deep insight into the game's mechanics, context, and playing it as un/intended. They use save-states and leverage Chris's experience to avoid most fumbling, but even then it still takes them more than 60 hours (!) over a full calendar year (!!) to finish. I haven't watched the full playlist, but portions of the first few sessions are interesting.llasramhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01283557892488990606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-80805607790797967382018-07-23T16:54:12.396-04:002018-07-23T16:54:12.396-04:00I played this game back in the 80s and I had the w...I played this game back in the 80s and I had the walk through guide and maps (separate purchase). I still never finished it. I can't believe I read this blog entry because now I might try again. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17079240583756677787noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-2418366918739046672018-02-27T13:00:25.038-05:002018-02-27T13:00:25.038-05:00(Update, the ICE Online revival has, uh, revived: ...(Update, the ICE Online revival has, uh, revived: https://www.facebook.com/groups/868161636530458/ )Rowan Lipkovitshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08691096685515251681noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-45677559585421192692018-02-03T22:16:46.994-05:002018-02-03T22:16:46.994-05:00I think it's fair to say that I've tried t...I think it's fair to say that I've tried to reach him using all methods humanly possible short of knocking on his door.CRPG Addicthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01238237377918550322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-1060893212871859982018-02-01T03:27:07.235-05:002018-02-01T03:27:07.235-05:00Isn’t chutzpah Kintama? XDIsn’t chutzpah Kintama? XDKenny McCormickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01553499727945099493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-90152524645234372862018-01-31T16:18:45.710-05:002018-01-31T16:18:45.710-05:00I assume you've also seen this (post #12), fro...I assume you've also seen this (post #12), from the game's apparent creator:<br /><br />http://www.amigaworld.net/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=37204&forum=2&20<br /><br />Perhaps you've even contacted him already; I'm sure I'm giving you information you already have.PK Thunderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14416777230563913195noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-49540708580952430532018-01-31T15:11:37.728-05:002018-01-31T15:11:37.728-05:00FWIW I just searched the archives of the email lis...FWIW I just searched the archives of the email list I mentioned above -- no joy. (Also their downloads claim to be GZIP files, but are just plain text...odd.)PK Thunderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14416777230563913195noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-1038774680779261532018-01-31T14:21:28.402-05:002018-01-31T14:21:28.402-05:00Huh, that's a shame. I don't think other C...Huh, that's a shame. I don't think other CoCo magazines were still publishing at the time of <i>Tharoggad</i>'s release, though I could be (and often am!) wrong.<br /><br />There's an email list you might try:<br /><br />https://pairlist5.pair.net/pipermail/coco/<br /><br />If there's anyone out there who knows the answer to your question and retains their interest in the Color Computer, they're probably on that list. Or, there's also a fairly active Facebook group if you're willing to navigate Zuckerberg's waters.PK Thunderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14416777230563913195noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-50232921221972514992018-01-31T13:35:28.171-05:002018-01-31T13:35:28.171-05:00It is. I searched Rainbow's archive for refere...It is. I searched Rainbow's archive for references to the game but only found a review and a letter, both of which I reference in my entry. I think I exhausted any source that's Googlable; my only hope now is direct experience or documents that haven't been OCR'd.CRPG Addicthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01238237377918550322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-42592303604461095652018-01-31T13:30:01.310-05:002018-01-31T13:30:01.310-05:00If anyone reading this has won Castle of Tharoggad...<i>If anyone reading this has won Castle of Tharoggad, I would appreciate a hint (or outright spoiler) as to what to do on the final level to win.</i><br /><br />Is this still an open issue? RAINBOW (the flagship/longest-running CoCo magazine) used to have a hints column that almost certainly would cover this, if the win condition is hard to guess. Or if not, then one of the newsgroups or Delphi archives might have something.<br /><br />I keep meaning to play <i>Tharoggad</i> for more than the 30-40 minutes I've put into it to date, even though I know it's inevitably terrible (seldom has a sequel been a bigger letdown, from all reports) and won't repay my efforts.PK Thunderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14416777230563913195noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-71182443523316284772018-01-31T12:12:13.331-05:002018-01-31T12:12:13.331-05:00Which is larger? Ultima V Underworld or Deathlord...Which is larger? Ultima V Underworld or Deathlord? Harlandnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-44554533379627706022018-01-31T04:19:35.028-05:002018-01-31T04:19:35.028-05:00The hardest CRPG I've completed is Aleshar: Wo...The hardest CRPG I've completed is Aleshar: World of Ice from 1997.<br />No saving in dungeons, a totally unforgiving Critical Hit system which means melee fighting is not really an option, and spell casting is so strenuous that every time you cast a spell your heart may burst.<br /><br />I guess we'll know in about 5-10 years if Mr. Addict deems it worthy of a difficulty rating of 5/5<br /><br />PetrusOctavianusnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-74345073380190707522018-01-31T02:40:35.702-05:002018-01-31T02:40:35.702-05:00Now that I think about it, didn't Nakar's ...Now that I think about it, didn't Nakar's LP of U4 have a scene where he did that?DGMnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-33014748573428185442018-01-31T02:30:57.987-05:002018-01-31T02:30:57.987-05:00Damn it, Dupre, what did I tell you about sipping ...Damn it, Dupre, what did I tell you about sipping potions before monologuing?DGMnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-89369682387107423092018-01-30T12:12:55.827-05:002018-01-30T12:12:55.827-05:00Blade of Destiny wasn't that hard in that resp...Blade of Destiny wasn't that hard in that respect, unless you tried to cross a mountain range in winter. Clothed characters rarely got sick and there were lots of cities. Star Trail had a lot more wilderness and I think characters got sick much more often.<br /><br />Robinson's Requiem takes this to the extreme. You can get hurt and die from a lot of things. You might have to perform an amputation for certain injuries, using morphine, otherwise you might die from the shock. I'm not sure if you travel really far, though. I never survived long enough.Bucknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-85935408774264418202018-01-30T07:01:26.007-05:002018-01-30T07:01:26.007-05:00The first two Realms of Arkania games emulate the ...The first two Realms of Arkania games emulate the hardships of travel very thoroughly. You have to keep track of hunger, thirst, having right clothing and camping supplies and run the risk of catching a number of diseases. They don't feature sea travel though.VKnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-14227189030742976092018-01-30T04:57:07.232-05:002018-01-30T04:57:07.232-05:00I think more than anything I'm remembering bei...I think more than anything I'm remembering being told about some cave I'm supposed to go to in Morrowind, with some vague directions, and wondering "Am I anywhere near where I'm supposed to be?" Then entering a tomb and finding it's the wrong place and it's full of vampires so I have to run for my life. Finding a game that let's the player put themselves at risk like that seems so rare... Just imagine in real life actually getting in a boat in ancient times, heading out into the ocean hoping to find new land. Halfway through your journey you'd be thinking you'd made the biggest mistake of your life. That risk/reward scenario is crazy. Would love to see more games try and emulate that feeling...Joet88https://www.blogger.com/profile/06298640825880372478noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-50889963795285466192018-01-29T15:11:54.813-05:002018-01-29T15:11:54.813-05:00Oregon Trail: the RPG?Oregon Trail: the RPG?Rowan Lipkovitshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08691096685515251681noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-73096843645654407742018-01-29T12:57:37.340-05:002018-01-29T12:57:37.340-05:00First thought, that sounds cool. Second thought, ...First thought, that sounds cool. Second thought, if you are basically mining Ibn Butatta, Anabasis, Lewis & Clark et al., for ultra realistic traveling difficultly, how are you going to manage to fund things as you do the equivalent of fighting your way across Eurasia, or what ever? What's the reason to travel so far without the high tech and magic that would ease the journey? Obvious answer is borrow Xuanxhang's 'courier religious documents', but maybe that doesn't satisfy.<br /><br />Making travel a harsh resource management game, providing multiple options for travel, and providing an opportunity to travel extremely long distances might prove to be conflicting design goals. It'd be interesting to find out.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-86172917010318806852018-01-29T12:39:30.138-05:002018-01-29T12:39:30.138-05:00"And suddenly there was a terrible roar all a..."And suddenly there was a terrible roar all around us and the sky was full of what looked like huge bats, all swooping and screeching and diving around the party. And a voice was screaming: 'Holy British! What are those goddamn animals?'" It turned out they were mongbats, which are fairly common in Britannia and probably didn't warrant such a reaction."CRPG Addicthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01238237377918550322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-90648998745498639212018-01-29T12:24:26.406-05:002018-01-29T12:24:26.406-05:00It's completely understandable why you stopped...It's completely understandable why you stopped here, but more than most games you leave uncompleted, this one sounds like it would be interesting to have fully documented.<br /><br />I hope you do return sometime to give that a try. And yeah, you should use whatever tools needed to minimize the design flaws to get it done.asimpkinsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-41824501592524323552018-01-29T11:40:50.498-05:002018-01-29T11:40:50.498-05:00There is a definite balance between size and depth...There is a definite balance between size and depth when it comes to CRPG design. One one hand, you have the world that's just too small (Ultima III's world map is tiny, and the towns ridiculously large) and then you have Deathlord, where they thought "more is better".<br /><br />You get the sense that some EA executive wanted to brag about how many continents THEIR game had.Adamantyrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14962009901412877763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-46538397286985202912018-01-29T11:07:46.092-05:002018-01-29T11:07:46.092-05:00"We were somewhere around Minoc on the edge o..."We were somewhere around Minoc on the edge of the mountains when the nightshade began to take hold. I remember saying something like 'I feel a bit lightheaded; maybe Iolo should lead the party...'"Reba T, Manuelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15647812457747863166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-52840058293168256292018-01-29T11:00:19.966-05:002018-01-29T11:00:19.966-05:00Good to know that I had no chance of beating this ...Good to know that I had no chance of beating this back in the day. Maybe I'll try this again armed with an FAQ, but my tolerance for permadeath and brutally hard/artificially long RPGs has fallen dramatically. I just don't have the patience anymore.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04654730688076634285noreply@blogger.com