tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post54111016054122880..comments2024-03-28T07:13:19.910-04:00Comments on The CRPG Addict: Tyrann: Won! (with Final Rating)CRPG Addicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01238237377918550322noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-29645952533657135412024-01-31T16:00:59.756-05:002024-01-31T16:00:59.756-05:00Not really.
Firstly, I started reviewing your ol... Not really.<br /><br /> Firstly, I started reviewing your old games and lists (with some mistakes of mine, as you noticed) to try to help you find something you may find interesting.<br /><br /> Secondly, your writing really kept improving through 2010's. I'd say you reached your current form some time around 2019. Your approach to games changed. You are much more, should I say, considerate with historic RPGs these days, particularly ones that weren't big titles. <br /><br /> But, thirdly, unfortunately, it looks like your blog treats a lot of what was done in 2010's as "finished", so this is more of a footnote that some of the games perhaps deserve a second look or otherwise fell through the cracks. <br /><br /> I personally came here due to Chaos in Andromeda, and I played a lot of older "mainstream" titles myself, so, from my egoistic point of view, Out Live is much more interesting than yet another game that I tried to play back then. I also doubt that there are that many hidden gems left in shareware scene at this point: by 1993, RPGs were well-known, and making something turn based was a choice of a lot of wannabe game developers because, well, it was easier to program than real-time arcade game, at least - initially.RandomGamerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14180997176123968298noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-6795538701419755682024-01-29T22:37:27.533-05:002024-01-29T22:37:27.533-05:00Is your whole raison d'etre this week to give ...Is your whole <i>raison d'etre</i> this week to give me grief about games I didn't play? <br /><br />I think I tried it and I couldn't get it to emulate. I just searched my email and I got some helpful files from a commenter at one point. I don't know if that was before or after I tried. I'll revert it to "Unplayed" and maybe it will come up again.CRPG Addicthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01238237377918550322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-56726222891030274612024-01-29T11:23:10.589-05:002024-01-29T11:23:10.589-05:00So, what happened to Le Fer d'Amiknor? So, what happened to Le Fer d'Amiknor?RandomGamerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14180997176123968298noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-56600498888720325122023-04-22T13:21:41.512-04:002023-04-22T13:21:41.512-04:00i'm not a very big fan of the game changing it...i'm not a very big fan of the game changing it's nature in the last act, but here it seems almost fascinating that they didn't /entirely/ jettison their base, they just made it sort of wonky.<br /><br />that notion of "praying/casting" gear is actually pretty neat. "make what you can of the situation with what the gods have given you." though...i'm not sure this is the sort of thing that should happen at the 11th hour like this.<br /><br />might have been more intriguing as something stuck in the middle of the game as a challenge dungeon or the like.<br /><br />[though that sort of idea would take a while to come along.]<br /><br />---<br /><br />having said that: tyrann just seems - as you say - a poster-child for 1984. i think it's gimlet'd fate is sort of well-deserved for what it is.lostwolfehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11697299839262994456noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-57831706840541044072016-05-24T06:22:32.260-04:002016-05-24T06:22:32.260-04:00Indeed, Tyrann's "side B" aka "...Indeed, Tyrann's "side B" aka "last level", is an entirely different program (and different game, too) which merely uses the characters' data. Each program uses up almost the entirety of an Oric's RAM, so it simply would not have been possible to load both into memory at the same time. And unlike disks, cassettes (Tyrann's original media) don't allow for random access, so moving between side A and side B would have required reloading a program each time (probably 10-15 minutes).<br /><br />Unlike Wizardry II which, while marketed as a game, was the same program with different levels and (some) different monsters and items, Tyrann is essentially two different games disguised as one.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-4146503067098913612016-01-28T23:38:57.460-05:002016-01-28T23:38:57.460-05:00This turned out to be a more interesting linguisti...This turned out to be a more interesting linguistic puzzle than I had anticipated.CRPG Addicthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01238237377918550322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-20878763436855294132016-01-28T23:26:56.924-05:002016-01-28T23:26:56.924-05:00I can't speak for everyone, but I'd be int...I can't speak for everyone, but I'd be interested. I'm particularly curious how the rules and mechanics compare to the original game as I've described it here. Did they just update the original weird gameplay with new graphics, or is there more meat to the game?CRPG Addicthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01238237377918550322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-85100582892280555482016-01-28T13:57:14.788-05:002016-01-28T13:57:14.788-05:00I am actually playing Tyrann on my Android phone. ...I am actually playing Tyrann on my Android phone. Am I a masochist? No. Why am I doing it? Well, since Chet mentioned the remake/reboot by the original developer and since it's so easy to install an app from the store (free, too) - I have decided to give it a shot out of curiosity.<br /><br />Sidenote: I have tried Fallout 4 and it didn't captivate me right from the start. However, I have enjoyed playing the Fallout easter egg retro-RPG "Grognak the Barbarian" on Pip-Boy phone app. I really enjoyed the simplicity and the straight-forwardness of its gameplay. I find, as I get older I prefer shorter and simpler games as opposed to those boasting "hundreds of hours of gameplay". For that reason I prefer the original PC Hack to the more developed and polished NetHack (but that is a topic for another post that I hope to make in the future). Anyhow, back on topic.<br /><br />So, Tyrann - the Adnroid version looked pretty slick - with modern graphics and even neat music and sound effects. The touch interface was intuitive, if a bit clumsy due to retro mechanics. The game drew me in. Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of flaws and grievances. I almost uninstalled the app right away due to bugs and crashes when you try touch an on-screen items that you're not supposed to. Most of the item and skill descriptions remain in French that I can only vaguely understand. Even English translations are often wrong, for instance, "Jellyfish" instead of "Medusa".<br /><br />Regardless, once you know how to avoid the bugs and learn a few "quality of life" tricks, the game is fairly enjoyable for being what it is - an 80's game port with a little face lift.<br /><br />I am about halfway through the game (Dungeon Level 7). I was thinking about making a longer post, sort of an addition to Chester's review, but not sure anyone will be visiting this page by the time I finish the game and find time to write an article (I hope I do).<br /><br />For those who might want to try the app version but afraid of bugs or horrible gameplay - don't be - try it. Once again, I'll try to post some Androind-specific tips that make the gameplay more enjoyable, or tolerable I should say :)<br /><br />If there's a slightest interest, I will write more.Futilityhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01643793625835280685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-5539017222773446602016-01-26T16:45:10.574-05:002016-01-26T16:45:10.574-05:00You're really not going to be satisfied until ...You're really not going to be satisfied until I revisit <i>Braminar</i>, are you?CRPG Addicthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01238237377918550322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-31676339017245576882016-01-26T16:44:31.651-05:002016-01-26T16:44:31.651-05:00I'm always glad when I win a game, no matter w...I'm always glad when I win a game, no matter what effort it took to get there. What I hate is spending that much effort and then not being able to win (cf., <i>Dungeons of Avalon</i>).CRPG Addicthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01238237377918550322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-28529594705417192032016-01-26T16:43:43.610-05:002016-01-26T16:43:43.610-05:00That makes sense. What's too bad is that by co...That makes sense. What's too bad is that by constantly adjusting the "ceiling," so to speak, the game eliminates much of the tension associated with, say, <i>Wizardry</i>, where you constantly wonder whether to explore further or go back. When every level can become "Level 1" with just a quick save and reload, there's no incentive not to pop back to the town after every few battles.CRPG Addicthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01238237377918550322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-10421582646968216672016-01-25T19:32:31.629-05:002016-01-25T19:32:31.629-05:00Not much for CRPGs but this happens a lot in AD&am...Not much for CRPGs but this happens a lot in AD&D. High-leveled campaigns usually turns into a Civilization/Fantasy Empires/Warhammer strategy board game.Kenny McCormickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01553499727945099493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-61606899130578149462016-01-25T19:30:03.625-05:002016-01-25T19:30:03.625-05:00Oookay... All along, I thought "Marmite"...Oookay... All along, I thought "<a href="http://static1.squarespace.com/static/5289fe80e4b0020f1bc979b4/528a121de4b089ab61d11e76/528c9026e4b0f75d79abca58/1423075186608/marmite.jpg?format=1500w" rel="nofollow">Marmite</a>" was just Bovril's poorer cousin. Learn something new everyday.Kenny McCormickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01553499727945099493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-36528334865419054292016-01-22T14:25:54.093-05:002016-01-22T14:25:54.093-05:00The system of needing to save and reload your game...The system of needing to save and reload your game is equivalent to saving characters from one game (e.g. Wizardry or Quest for Glory) to import into the next game.<br /><br />What Tyrann seems to have done was to include the "sequels" with the original game. That was most likely a memory consideration - they couldn't fit all of the text and dungeon mechanics for the entire game into memory at one time, so players must reload to get the next set of levels.Corey Colehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16772474266362396768noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-39295461297768378902016-01-22T09:42:29.112-05:002016-01-22T09:42:29.112-05:00Congratulations!
Well, at least it was interesting...Congratulations!<br />Well, at least it was interesting at the end. Who knows, without the technical problems the game might have scored very, very slightly better.Alexander Sebastian Schulzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15135338616598357444noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-22061253225039807182016-01-22T01:59:43.334-05:002016-01-22T01:59:43.334-05:00Respect. Everyone who plays CRPGs has to expect s...Respect. Everyone who plays CRPGs has to expect some hardcore grinding now and then, but I would have given up with the technical problems you faced. And then pushing forward even when all the rules changed on the final level. Good stuff! Now aren't you glad I begged/shamed/encouraged you to keep going? You're not? Oh, sorry.Jeremy Patrickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11398438801903631183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-6685751624421945092016-01-21T17:01:05.025-05:002016-01-21T17:01:05.025-05:00There's a more complete list here: http://www....There's a more complete list here: http://www.uvlist.net/companies/info/1833<br /><br />A rather sad collection. A few arcade, adventure and strategy games, all by different authors.Peternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-57566217469962826792016-01-21T16:41:17.384-05:002016-01-21T16:41:17.384-05:00Wow, that final level sounds brutal. I admire your...Wow, that final level sounds brutal. I admire your determination.<br /><br />At first I thought Tyrann was a random fantasy name, but it really is the German word for "tyrant". So your quest is to free the imprisoned tyrant? Weird.<br /><br />Peternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-85063284341623577492016-01-21T15:50:58.497-05:002016-01-21T15:50:58.497-05:00Or a 3rd alternative which is a little bit of both...Or a 3rd alternative which is a little bit of both.Petri R.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-39704273732228979882016-01-21T13:59:43.345-05:002016-01-21T13:59:43.345-05:00Switching to an entirely different mechanic for th...<i>Switching to an entirely different mechanic for the endgame is a rare trope, but we've seen it before in a few games</i><br /><br />Not that anyone knows but me for sure, but this happens in a sense in Braminar also.Rowan Lipkovitshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08691096685515251681noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-60491096893089855662016-01-21T13:56:14.734-05:002016-01-21T13:56:14.734-05:00Or maybe it's just that we got so used to amer...Or maybe it's just that we got so used to american CRPGs that we perceive them as the baseline. It's not that hard to imagine an alternative scenario where euro-RPGs become mainstream and the US ones are viewed as a historical peculiarity. VKnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-41998211755913591112016-01-21T12:30:20.131-05:002016-01-21T12:30:20.131-05:00Or rather the americans were in it for business fi...Or rather the americans were in it for business first while Europeans were for fun and profit.<br />In many games of the era you can see that american made games rarely diverge from the pattern because it's generally bad for business to sway too far from the mainstream while europeans have no such worries hence their games tend to be rather odd or even unpolished.<br /><br />Also one part of the business like mind set is that american games were always heavy on the hardware because they had little desire to tweak their games to run as smoothly as possible (mainly because it costs money) while european games usually ran pretty smoothly even with better graphics.<br /><br />You can actually see the trend even today.Petri R.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-40381567612011638942016-01-21T12:08:20.560-05:002016-01-21T12:08:20.560-05:00On link from anon my Microsoft Security Softwer de...On link from anon my Microsoft Security Softwer detects Trojan: JS/Redirector.NL know as<br /><br />W32/Iframe.AO (Fortinet), Mal/Iframe-AO (Sophos), JS.IFrame.568 (Dr.Web).. <br /><br />Alert level: Severe<br /><br />So be cerful to check this website.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-109717562492331732016-01-21T11:13:28.450-05:002016-01-21T11:13:28.450-05:00”One story about Rossignol should be deflated, how...”One story about Rossignol should be deflated, however. This is that his solutions were made 'in a fashion so marvelous to his contemporaries that the device with which a lock is opened when the key has been lost is still called in French a rossignol'. While the fact of the current usage is true, its implied origin is false. Unfortunately, for so charming an etymology, this particular use of the term rossignol appears as a criminal argot in police documents as early as 1406 – almost two centuries before the cryptologist was born. Since the word also means 'nightingale', it may be possible that the thieves adopted it as a slang for a picklock because its nighttime solos of clicks and rasps were music to their ears.” - David Kahn: ”The Codebreakers”.Ilmari Jauhiainenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01655841880034965950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-51042102614845640442016-01-21T09:41:51.090-05:002016-01-21T09:41:51.090-05:00I love how these old cRPGs are weird and you can n...I love how these old cRPGs are weird and you can never tell what to expect. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com