tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post5132478786058963387..comments2024-03-28T13:31:55.554-04:00Comments on The CRPG Addict: Chaos Strikes Back: Lessons in ManeuverabilityCRPG Addicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01238237377918550322noreply@blogger.comBlogger61125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-19850268502176191962013-02-11T01:48:30.600-05:002013-02-11T01:48:30.600-05:00I have been, but without anything new to report. S...I have been, but without anything new to report. Started a bunch of characters, died a bunch of times.CRPG Addicthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01238237377918550322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-72678939965543767192013-02-11T01:04:22.147-05:002013-02-11T01:04:22.147-05:00Slip of the fingers- CSB, not DM2, I knowed that b...Slip of the fingers- CSB, not DM2, I knowed that but thank you anyways :)<br />williamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13165046805752023823noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-71244817735098086482013-02-11T00:12:43.375-05:002013-02-11T00:12:43.375-05:00Take the edge off with a a little NetHack ;)Take the edge off with a a little NetHack ;)Trukkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05133977742999412260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-55253030454486442022013-02-10T22:40:01.343-05:002013-02-10T22:40:01.343-05:00Telefragging in an RPG. Cool. Telefragging in an RPG. Cool. Canageekhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03770924810559440307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-21403120361432772202013-02-10T19:58:24.529-05:002013-02-10T19:58:24.529-05:00I think I read that somewhere, not sure where. May...I think I read that somewhere, not sure where. Maybe the monster class existed on both levels in that case?Georgeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10801694109856585537noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-23488191281592202013-02-10T18:04:54.915-05:002013-02-10T18:04:54.915-05:00Ha, I thought of a general clue about iron keys an...Ha, I thought of a general clue about iron keys and onyx keys. It's not a specific spoiler but rather some general usage tips. In Rot13 if you wish:<br /><br />Veba xrlf naq Balk xrlf ner na vagrerfgvat srngher bs PFO, va gung gurl ner abg "rffragvny" xrlf. Lbh pna svaq n ybg bs gurz, naq gurl ner abg arrqrq gb nqinapr. Gurl freir n srj checbfrf ubjrire:<br />- Bcra cynprf jurer lbh pna svaq vgrzf/gernfher/sbhagnvaf/sbbq<br />- Bcra fubegphgf orgjrra cnguf<br />- Qrnpgvingr gencf<br />- Bcra n qbbe gb na nygreangvir jnl bs trggvat fbzrjurer.<br /><br />Hfvat gur xrlf sbe gur ynfg gjb guvatf vf fbzrgvzrf hfryrff: sbe rknzcyr n jnl yrsg unf lbh orng guebhtu qrzbaf, gur jnl evtug vf bcrarq ol na balk xrl naq qbrfa'g unir n svtug. V hfhnyyl cersre svtugvat naq rkcrevrapr naljnl, naq xrrc gur xrl sbe n orggre fcbg.<br /><br />Veba xrl ner cyragl naq ner hfhnyyl sbe yrff vzcbegnag gernfher/fubegphgf, balk xrlf ner enere naq sbe zber vzcbegnag cynprf.<br /><br />By the way, such multiple solutions to puzzles or alternative paths are I think a rare thing in dungeon crawlers at the time.<br /><br />Georgeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10801694109856585537noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-44458245110757135302013-02-10T15:56:55.335-05:002013-02-10T15:56:55.335-05:00This actually isn't Dungeon Master 2. That cam...This actually isn't Dungeon Master 2. That came out in 1993, with the subtitle, "The Legend of Skullkeep."Amy K.https://www.blogger.com/profile/10892876651484617812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-13499277365844189422013-02-10T15:38:30.583-05:002013-02-10T15:38:30.583-05:00You got one of the Corbums! Congratulations!You got one of the Corbums! Congratulations!Amy K.https://www.blogger.com/profile/10892876651484617812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-58373229477416941872013-02-10T14:57:04.101-05:002013-02-10T14:57:04.101-05:00I'm too far into the game to do that, but it&#...I'm too far into the game to do that, but it's good advice for readers who might be wondering what version to play.CRPG Addicthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01238237377918550322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-26345252732174456692013-02-10T14:54:56.571-05:002013-02-10T14:54:56.571-05:00I think Nathan was using "FPS" as more o...I think Nathan was using "FPS" as more of a metaphor than a literal description of the game. But I agree that this game prizes action--the player's reflexes--over attributes or even tactics. After the manual-dexterity hell that the game just put me through in getting the Corbum ore, I'm not going to feel bad about exploiting its own engine against it.CRPG Addicthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01238237377918550322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-33296998909444543002013-02-10T14:50:40.006-05:002013-02-10T14:50:40.006-05:00I haven't made any secret that it's not my...I haven't made any secret that it's not my favored type of game. I do like some of its elements, but I like them more when they're present in greater moderation in games that have, as you say, more of a story. CSB takes what it does well to a certain extreme.<br /><br />I'm not going to quit on it, though. I hope the older games I'm reviewing in the meantime take some of the edge off.CRPG Addicthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01238237377918550322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-780376054309181262013-02-10T14:23:39.717-05:002013-02-10T14:23:39.717-05:00Trukk off. ;-)Trukk off. ;-)PetrusOctavianusnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-1217006133099078382013-02-10T14:22:11.776-05:002013-02-10T14:22:11.776-05:00Are you certain about that? I can think of one exc...Are you certain about that? I can think of one exception to that rule. I'm thinking about the place where you can use a lever to open a pit under some monsters. Depending on wether you used another lever or not, the monsters will either drop one level down and only get hurt, or they will drop two levels down and die.<br />I assumed that the reason monsters die if the party lands on them is simply because that two different living "entities" can't occupy the same square.PetrusOctavianusnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-449012688976502812013-02-10T13:13:38.065-05:002013-02-10T13:13:38.065-05:00Time to stop playing this adventure game, and get ...Time to stop playing this adventure game, and get back to playing CRPGs where skills and stats matter and there is a story.<br /><br />Reading this is making me frustrated. This is a glorified puzzle game.<br /><br />-ChrisTrukkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05133977742999412260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-59415557381387200292013-02-10T12:32:23.659-05:002013-02-10T12:32:23.659-05:00DM1 was a game I played and never solved. I think ...DM1 was a game I played and never solved. I think I could have solved that one and not been too upset. DM2 is a game I could never solve, ever, even now with all I know and have learned about games. Just reading about it pisses me off. Damned glad I never played it when I was younger or I would have been turned off crpgs entirely. Damn, I hate even reading about this game. Again, I am sorry for your pain but I would never inflict it upon myself.williamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13165046805752023823noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-90923406076352668872013-02-10T11:38:05.916-05:002013-02-10T11:38:05.916-05:00Due to limitations of the engine, each level can o...Due to limitations of the engine, each level can only have a limited amount of different monster types. If a monster gets to a level where it doesnt exist it is killed instantly.Georgeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10801694109856585537noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-28571410681491873002013-02-10T11:29:18.366-05:002013-02-10T11:29:18.366-05:00I rather hoped the pit itself killed them.I rather hoped the pit itself killed them.CRPG Addicthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01238237377918550322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-36631184785658030342013-02-10T03:35:58.889-05:002013-02-10T03:35:58.889-05:00I believe you following a creature through a pit A...I believe you following a creature through a pit ALSO means instant death for them. You may want to save before testing that, though.Tanuveinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12397078211341079561noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-42449381055592753772013-02-10T02:30:48.357-05:002013-02-10T02:30:48.357-05:00Maybe now it's the right moment to decide whet...Maybe now it's the right moment to decide whether to switch to another engine. There are 3 additional functions of the Magic map (you can find 3 different spells scattered in the dungeon) which enhance your orientation and bring ability to understand some mechanics and puzzles. 1) you can fix the map position, go somewhere else (even to another level!) and use a switch or button and check what happened on your original position. 2) you can see spells on the map - very useful if you try to aim your fireball or open-door spell to an otherwise unreachable area. 3) you can see enemies - similar to the previous topic; they are quite often the key to solving a puzzle. Neither of these functions is definitely self-redemptory. Without them you can still finish the game as a blind person finding their way out of the house full of sharp pieces of furniture.. Check this link if you decided to try (for the first time) the Amiga version. There is no alchemy needed to launch the game thanks to the owner of the site. http://hobring.esero.net/games.htm<br />The basic instructions are in English. I'm trying to push you there because I understood that you enjoy the mapping part of the game (like I do) which is IMHO one of two main reasons why to play the game (the second one is combat). Thanks to Excel you can merge/split parts of the dungeon having understood the structure better, and these precious moments are so satisfying that you forgive the authors everything :-) Again, my respect to everyone who was able to finish the game without the map or using only a graph paper (I tried it 20 years ago, but became too frustrated after third of fourth need to re-draw key parts of the map around the junction of ways.. QuidoAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-19520789716676257662013-02-10T01:25:17.607-05:002013-02-10T01:25:17.607-05:00I actually agree entirely with your self-imposed r...I actually agree entirely with your self-imposed rules, Petrus, though I tended to shy away from the door trick. I thought I was the only one that played this way.Tanuveinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12397078211341079561noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-68072933218882426172013-02-10T01:21:53.531-05:002013-02-10T01:21:53.531-05:00I have to agree with Petrus here, it only feels li...I have to agree with Petrus here, it only feels like an FPS if you play it that way. Puzzles and riddles and the like, to me, are iconic of CRPGs of this area. It's part of what defines them in my eyes, though that simply may be bias towards the sort of games I preferred at the time.<br /><br />I think the simple dynamics of how NPCs interact with you in combat separates this from an FPS so thoroughly it can't be considered like one even if that's sort of how you try to play it. In an FPS, enemies obey the same real-time movement rules as you and operate in the same manner of strafing, firing and chasing you around. While the limitations of the technology at time make it fundamentally the same when you attack (ie, you simply face them and fire, there was no pixel-to-pixel targeting), you do get stronger in DM and it makes a noticeable difference. I do admit, both because of technology limitations of FPS and design choices of dungeon crawlers at the time, the actual method of attacking is similar.<br /><br />What makes them significantly different, other than the puzzles, is the defensive strategies. In games like Doom, Wolfenstein 3D, Heretic, etc., the point is damage avoidance. You want to strafe away from attacks or hide behind something, etc. This is where I agree with Petrus - if you play the damage avoidance game, it can begin to feel like one and largely make your stats irrelevant. However I find a greater joy comes from playing with the more RPG styled method of damage-mitigation. All the spells Petrus mentioned are ways you'd do this that WOULD let you stand toe to toe with enemies and allow the damage avoidance options to be secondary.<br /><br />I suppose it's ultimately up to gameplay preferences however. I enjoyed trying to mitigate damage and use avoidance as simply a backup. Even when playing that way, however, I think it's a bit disingenuous to say it makes it an FPS. It simply makes it a different style of CRPG.Tanuveinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12397078211341079561noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-67613563417574844182013-02-10T01:11:28.580-05:002013-02-10T01:11:28.580-05:00If I remember right, having a creature fall on ano...If I remember right, having a creature fall on another is instant death for them. That's another trick you can use to take out dangerous creatures that don't hover/fly. I never played this expansion, however, so I may be confusing it with a sequel or another game. When I did play the original, however, I tended to just try and fight toe to toe. I would use the dance of death, however I tried to avoid the door trick. I don't think the stair one ever occurred to me, though.<br /><br />As for looking at walls for secrets or knocking on them, I found a quicker way was to clear a room (which clearly you can't always do) and then simply strafe through the area sideways. Once you are familiar with the 'tricks' to a level, it's pretty easy to spot them throughout. It saves a little time, at least.<br /><br />Finally caught up on your blog entries. A bit sad I don't have a backlog of entries to read anymore, but at least I can now participate in the discussions.Tanuveinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12397078211341079561noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-35613949729381497332013-02-09T22:49:51.120-05:002013-02-09T22:49:51.120-05:00No problem. You and Petrus have helped plenty with...No problem. You and Petrus have helped plenty with other areas.CRPG Addicthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01238237377918550322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-1251001488373224422013-02-09T21:47:03.894-05:002013-02-09T21:47:03.894-05:00Sorry. I forgot that you found the solid key.Sorry. I forgot that you found the solid key.Amy K.https://www.blogger.com/profile/10892876651484617812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-34064550435954154682013-02-09T18:50:54.182-05:002013-02-09T18:50:54.182-05:00I spoke too soon with "I spoke too soon."...I spoke too soon with "I spoke too soon." Apparently, I can just destroy the doors in this room. I have to remember to try that with every door I encounter and not just assume I need a key or I need to approach it from the other side.CRPG Addicthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01238237377918550322noreply@blogger.com