tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post567566700746911182..comments2024-03-28T09:10:48.790-04:00Comments on The CRPG Addict: Dungeons of the Unforgiven: Won! (One Module; with Summary and Rating)CRPG Addicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01238237377918550322noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-12308263094884920342023-02-05T10:47:53.772-05:002023-02-05T10:47:53.772-05:00"Even if the band is hot you still keep getti..."Even if the band is hot you still keep getting distracted by the squeaking."<br /><br />My thoughts exactly when listening to Space Ritual and some other early Hawkwind records. I usually like the sax in rock music but I'll be damned if Nik Turner didn't try his best to make me feel otherwise.Tipihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11416637333851125884noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-10805648537654465122023-01-30T13:09:36.700-05:002023-01-30T13:09:36.700-05:00Well there was a feature in Diablo 2 that allowed ...Well there was a feature in Diablo 2 that allowed you to "copy" the game, but the "copy" would have Battle.net disabled so you could only play Singleplayer. Not that it mattered at the time, as my family only had 0.5 megabit connection, and you needed like 1-2 megabit to avoid de-syncs. I think the normal way back then was to buy it in box-stores; that is at least how I got my copy of Diablo 1... from a London Drugs I think. Palandushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09573954845997097130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-75003279522364010152023-01-30T08:29:12.641-05:002023-01-30T08:29:12.641-05:00I have no idea what the normal mode of getting Dia...I have no idea what the normal mode of getting Diablo 2 was. I went to a bar one night my sophomore year of college and a promotor was just handing out copies. I ended up with six somehow.Rosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09703211229982182936noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-92063252164998200072023-01-27T23:31:33.130-05:002023-01-27T23:31:33.130-05:00Well I think some of the older FPSes did EGA palet...Well I think some of the older FPSes did EGA palette change. Like Nitemare3D, Blake Stone and Corridor 7. But not fully sure. Palandushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09573954845997097130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-47001105828771735302023-01-27T23:28:17.606-05:002023-01-27T23:28:17.606-05:00Probably an anti-aging cream. Kind of like how the...Probably an anti-aging cream. Kind of like how these days you hear talk of stem cells doing the same thing. <br /><br />Some friends are dirty grubby like that. I had one friend in high school demand I pay him $30 for a burned copy of diablo 2... the copy did have the patch hack to make it playable offline, but still. <br /><br />If there is demand for something, some people will gouge people for as much as they can get. Palandushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09573954845997097130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-40232394170376064502023-01-27T22:45:41.984-05:002023-01-27T22:45:41.984-05:00One thing I'd like to genuinely appreciate thi...One thing I'd like to genuinely appreciate this game for is flipping the monster art to indicate movement. It indicates either the thoughtfulness to store two copies of the monster art just for extra variety, or the thought it takes for Moraff to write a bitmap-flipping routine - no small feat on the computers of the day. Wizardry VI did it too, so it's actually pretty extraordinary that an indie game was able to be graphically on-par with a title from just 3 years earlier.<br />I was gonna say "in programming if not in art"... but honestly, it is. It at least has multiple colours of wall and multiple tilesets. I could rag on it all day for being so green and having you fight rainbow-coloured Giant Garbage Cans... but at least that's a step up from always having the same grey brick walls and fighting "humans" that are also grey-skinned. It's honestly surreal to think that even the shareware/freely-distributable BBS version of this game probably has more and bigger graphics than all of Wizardry VI did.<br />It's also nice to see Moraff using the higher-resolution, same-colour-depth-as-EGA VGA mode. I'm not gonna say I prefer it over 256-colour normal-resolution VGA, but it's an interesting alternate-reality look at how the future of computer game graphics could have gone, and it's also nice to see people getting creative and properly appreciating every setting that was programmed into the graphics card. After a whole bunch of butt-ugly CGA games that at least used even the horrid brown-red-green-black setting and then a whole bunch if EGA games that refused to change their garish default/CGA-compatible palette (because of some "EGA" clone cards not implementing palette-changing, I think?), seeing Moraff using an ugly custom (16-colour?) VGA palette is still a sight for sore eyes.<br />It's honestly sad that any "in-between" graphics technology didn't really have much of a foothold on DOS-based systems. It feels like almost every game skipped from 16-colour EGA with the default palette to 256-colour VGA overnight, when the Atari ST and Amiga showcased how creative and still-good-looking 16/32-colour palettes could be.<br />I also, for instance, appreciate seeing how the Sega Master System (30) and Mega Drive (61) act as "in-between" graphics chips to the original Nintendo (25) and Super Nintendo (241?), similar to how the Atari ST (16) and Amiga (32 or 31 + copper gradients that change down the screen) kind of do that for default-palette EGA and 256-colour VGA DOS graphics chips.<br />Duke Nukem II is the only EGA title that I know of that changed the palette, though if anyone knows of more I'd love to hear about them.P-Tux7noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-77696146185350176232023-01-27T22:18:55.269-05:002023-01-27T22:18:55.269-05:00What is "culture stock" even supposed to...What is "culture stock" even supposed to be? Is it bacterial?<br /><br />It's not an ogre, it's not an ogeroth, it's a shadow ogeroth!<br /><br />Palandus, I love how your friend was only willing to part with Moraff's Dungeons of the Unforgiven for a fee. Were they attached to it... or did they feel as though they deserved financial compensation for having played this game?P-Tux7noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-17523255310301197342023-01-27T13:13:12.209-05:002023-01-27T13:13:12.209-05:00The extensive "Strategy Guide" on gamefa...The extensive "Strategy Guide" on gamefaqs does not mention any explicit winning screen. In fact, under "Objective" it states: "This game doesn't really have a set objective. There are 5 modules, and each module has several "Shadow" boss monsters. I would say that once you beat all or maybe the last of these you have beat the game? Of course you can keep playing after beating the last Shadow monster on the lowest level of the last module if you want to though."<br /><br />And the other "FAQ/Hints and Tips" document found there says under "Storyline of the game": "The game itself tells you that there's basically no plot. It's more an exercise to see how far you can get and how much money/power you can grab. There is no definitive ending."<br /><br />This is not to say there isn't some kind of message acknowledging you beat the final boss in Module IV, but it does not seem to have been very explicit / memorable. Unless it's only on "Normal" and they did not try that.<br /><br />There is also a speedrun in ICHA mode which seems to head directly for the Module V boss once the player is ready, though (haven't watched it, just checked extracts), so probably doesn't show the Module IV boss and in any case not on "Normal": https://youtu.be/pk87czczpm0.Buscanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-55134610147973425672023-01-27T08:42:52.718-05:002023-01-27T08:42:52.718-05:00This wouldn't be the first game to give a &quo...This wouldn't be the first game to give a "Screw you play on the hardest difficulty" type of ending, so it's perfectly possible the normal ending is something along those linesTwibathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11872080022551062309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-37761101597275855702023-01-27T06:30:44.522-05:002023-01-27T06:30:44.522-05:00There is a video of the final bossfight in module ...There is a video of the final bossfight in module 5<br />https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agvUmhOGsCcpianoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-58817595111074394182023-01-27T02:43:51.367-05:002023-01-27T02:43:51.367-05:00Well, like a lot of things, I think the "I ca...Well, like a lot of things, I think the "I can handle anything" was added as an afterthought, and then not thoroughly tested. Which as it was early 90s, it was pretty hard to find public testers or even private testers as that wasn't even a job yet. <br /><br />Other things that I feel weren't well thought out:<br />-> Massively increasing cost of inn and culture stock prices. If it was me, I'd clamp the values to like character level 10 for both. As you would be wasting most of your money on culture stock, I'd think that would be balanced.<br />-> Not being able to visit the inn, at say a reduced price, if you were just resting to restore SP. The whole magic crystals was too much, as culture stock was expensive enough and you never regen spell points, so that would feel balanced to me.<br />-> So many spells that didn't do anything, like anti-magic ring or anti-fire. <br />-> Permanent spells that you could recover the spell points from, such as resting at the inn. Sure remove them permanently until you rest, but let people get them back. Otherwise why would you craft wands or scrolls?<br />-> The need to convert cash to rubles. Also, weird how you convert American cash to Russian cash (ruble is russian). And then the currency limit too. <br />-> Why so many classes had severe problems, and were basically unplayable. Like Monks, Wizards, and Worshippers. Sure, wizards and worshippers get tons of spell points, but once they are out, they are dead. And recovering literally hundreds of spell points at level 20+ without resting, takes forever with random spell point gains as loot.<br /><br />Overall not the best game, but when I played it, I got the demo version off a shovelware disc and it was one of the better games on that disc. Then about 7 years ago, I bought a copy of DOTU off a friend, and played the full game. I know it did complete at boss 4 in module 4 in Normal, but I was sure it did that same for boss 4 in module 5 on I can handle anything... but then again, haven't played the game in 7 years now. Palandushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09573954845997097130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-9243255819993483352023-01-27T02:30:28.993-05:002023-01-27T02:30:28.993-05:00Yeah, maybe if you play long enough you'll get...Yeah, maybe if you play long enough you'll get a message "By you powers combined...".fireballhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01094871771537115267noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-67200917355164483152023-01-27T02:26:05.444-05:002023-01-27T02:26:05.444-05:00I feel you Chet, OTOH I think you really have seen...I feel you Chet, OTOH I think you really have seen enough of this to be done with it. fireballhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01094871771537115267noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-87460064019162411332023-01-27T01:26:56.218-05:002023-01-27T01:26:56.218-05:00"...killing the last boss in module 4 on Norm..."...killing the last boss in module 4 on Normal, ends the game in victory, so there is a victory screen; same applies to module 5 last boss on I can handle anything). "<br /><br />I played through this game on 'I can handle anything' difficulty and cleared module 5, and the game definitely does not end. You are given a few lines of text upon defeating the final boss (THE GREAT SHADOW OGEROTH) and a magical enchantment for your weapon, and then you just... continue playing. Perhaps there is something more substantive than this if you play on 'normal' difficulty and clear the 4th module, but I haven't done so and can't say. BillBullhttps://www.twitch.tv/billbullnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-81494641090531668172023-01-27T00:51:40.027-05:002023-01-27T00:51:40.027-05:00Yeah, the monster portraits look pretty good. The ...Yeah, the monster portraits look pretty good. The palette distracts from the finer detail. To me, visually, it's kind of like listening to a jazz band where one of the players is playing a very squeaky plastic saxophone. Even if the band is hot you still keep getting distracted by the squeaking.stepped pyramidsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-29460790008845070562023-01-27T00:34:56.698-05:002023-01-27T00:34:56.698-05:00Yep. You don't have to kill all the other boss...Yep. You don't have to kill all the other bosses in the game, though it can certainly help. But once you kill the shadow demon prince on floor 80 of module 4, if it is normal difficulty, game ends immediately there. So, technically there is a victory screen, but usually if you survive module 1, you'll be able to push to victory (baring making foolhardy mistakes of course), so I'd still consider it a game completion. Most characters never survive module 1. Palandushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09573954845997097130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-5390505017926514602023-01-26T23:55:02.726-05:002023-01-26T23:55:02.726-05:00Oh, @#$*ing hell. There's a victory screen aft...Oh, @#$*ing hell. There's a victory screen after the fourth boss? AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACRPG Addicthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01238237377918550322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-38437634644441485142023-01-26T23:31:13.091-05:002023-01-26T23:31:13.091-05:00So, some comments on remaining content (since you ...So, some comments on remaining content (since you didn't reach the end; killing the last boss in module 4 on Normal, ends the game in victory, so there is a victory screen; same applies to module 5 last boss on I can handle anything). <br /><br />-> The reason I prefer the priest over the mage, is Power Weapon II and Power Weapon III. They get them for 1 less spell point (7 and 9 respectively). They also get access to Resist Level Drain at I think level 4, and resist poison at 2 and disease at 3. As you find a lot of these monsters it really pays off. <br /><br />-> Power weapon also dramatically increases your hit chance, which for particularly fast foes, really pays off.<br /><br />-> Trap doors are a mixed bag. Sure they can help in a bind, but they always drop you at the same spot, and you get a key OR an attribute potion. <br /><br />-> Fighters can use magic paper, and get a free "relocate" effect on water floor sections (each module has one), when you can no longer "tunnel" anymore. Otherwise they are the only class that can use the Greatsword (which has fearsome damage output, but is less accurate than the Longsword/Mace, so not sure its that great of a weapon).<br /><br />-> Best way to handle boss floors, is to save up your rare item, Stone of Seeing and use them on the floor. That way you see the whole map AND you can avoid all the darn chutes.<br /><br />-> With level drainers, either blast them with a one-hit kill spell, use resist level drain (its like 80% likely to resist a drain) or have power weapon and hope you kill it first.<br /><br />-> You can age yourself to death. You only gain years by resting at the inn. So if you lack culture stock and are a spellcaster, you'll have to use Youth on yourself, and permanently lose 10 spell points. Old age does permanently also reduce CON, DEX and STR... but it boosts INT and WIS...<br /><br />===== Comments on GIMLET =====<br />-> I count the Snake at level up as an NPC. It starts to fear you after you hit level 25+. <br /><br />-> Enemies in Module 3+ do behave a bit differently than previous monsters. ie There is one section where every monster either poisons or diseases you. I tell you that section sucked as a Fighter. You also start encountering Fire foes and Cold foes, that appear to do more damage but the Anti-Fire and Anti-Cold spells don't do anything. The last module in the game, all the bosses level drain you, in addition to something else. Like last boss of Module 4 drains strength and levels with each hit. Also sucked for a Fighter. <br /><br />-> Combat is actually quite deep for such a simple system. You often have to weigh the benefit of fighting something or retreating from it. You might be able to kill something with ease, but... there is a level drainer 4 steps away, and if take the time to kill the first monster, it might catch up...<br /><br />-> Body Armor is like +3 enchant armor, per point, so that +9 body armor gives like +27 enchant armor, and stacks with your armor enchantment. Gauntlets massively increase hit chance by like +4 or +5 per point. So to say they are only minor benefits is a severe understatement. Choice of weapon is also important, as a Short Sword might allow you to attack twice before the enemy can act... so you attack, retreat, then wait to let them get closer and rinse/repeat and kite them death. Greatsword is slow and ponderous but hits like a freight train... if you connect the blow. Palandushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09573954845997097130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-38642006006652116342023-01-26T22:27:38.487-05:002023-01-26T22:27:38.487-05:00No, it's not possible. I had either forgotten ...No, it's not possible. I had either forgotten that I couldn't visit Module V, or I wanted to try anyway and see what kind of message I got.CRPG Addicthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01238237377918550322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-86334179200448319972023-01-26T22:26:31.211-05:002023-01-26T22:26:31.211-05:00Ha. It never occurred to me that colorblindness mi...Ha. It never occurred to me that colorblindness might be an asset.<br /><br />What I like, though, is the detail in some of the monster portraits. I don't really care what color the panels and stones are, and I can't imagine caring even if I could see the colors. Then again, not being able to see such colors is part of why I don't care about color in the first place.CRPG Addicthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01238237377918550322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-39269253374458032352023-01-26T22:18:54.407-05:002023-01-26T22:18:54.407-05:00Not a bad fan theory, even if that's not what ...Not a bad fan theory, even if that's not what the author intended.CRPG Addicthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01238237377918550322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-21744085491038394782023-01-26T18:03:06.743-05:002023-01-26T18:03:06.743-05:00I have to wonder if the Giant Garbage Cans, Flasks...I have to wonder if the Giant Garbage Cans, Flasks of Disease, Diseased Druggies, Chemical Bombs, and Cans of Toxic Waste are meant to have some sort of ecological theme. It's certainly the only explanation I can come up with for why there needs to be Giant Garbage Cans on every level. Actually, judging by all the legged objects, maybe they're the titlular Unforgiven and have been turned into monsters for their crimes against Eart or Earth?P-Tux7noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-21667903870614624552023-01-26T16:47:02.299-05:002023-01-26T16:47:02.299-05:00Oh wow, looking at the screenshots through the afo...Oh wow, looking at the screenshots through the aforementioned filters does make them look much more pleasant... So either Moraff or his artist (or both) were colorblind? The reds and greens aren't clashing anymore, and it all has a more radiant appeal... Since Chet is colorblind als well, I can now understand why he likes the graphics. A game that's actually easier to play when having protanopia or deuteranopia... Who knew?El despertandohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12760941024574852525noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-59916824314936616312023-01-26T14:35:45.448-05:002023-01-26T14:35:45.448-05:00That's really interesting, I was wondering abo...That's really interesting, I was wondering about that. I know a fair few artists who are colorblind, surprisingly enough, but their work usually tends towards muted colors rather than the garish. Perhaps this was a case of one person drawing what needed to be drawn, and another (colorblind) person selecting the colors to fill the objects?Bruce Brenneisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11322005049442981571noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-65736234258303325462023-01-26T04:35:38.400-05:002023-01-26T04:35:38.400-05:00"Nothing breaks the immersion faster than hav..."Nothing breaks the immersion faster than having a character, in-game, refer to his world as "Module III.""<br /><br />Module is a pretty generic term, with the lack of a real backstory you could imagine the dungeons being modules of a spaceship or a failed arcology.Bucknoreply@blogger.com