Thoughts on D&D Tactics

[ShadowDragoon]

So, what does everybody think about this game? Will it make us all proud to be gamers, or, like quite a few (but not all) games before it, just let down the community of D&D gamers out there? Is this the game that will finally bring D&D to consoles as it's meant to be played? And, how much depth is there actually in the game, as compared to other D&D games, or the PnP game itself? Is it just a shallow knock-off skin thrown on a Tactical RPG? Opinions, please. I haven't heard much about this game yet.

And, also, does GameBanshee plan to make a page on this game? I thought it would, but the game was released earlier this week, and still nothing here...

[BuckGB]

Yes, there will be a dedicated D&D Tactics subsite on GameBanshee. I should have most of it ready this week. I'll also be publishing a review once I've had a chance to play it longer, but so far I'm really liking the game.

The pros: One of the most faithful D&D representations ever found in a video game, true and accurate turn-based combat with a multitude of strategic options for every battle, more feats, spells, psionic powers, and equipment than one would ever expect to find in a handheld game.

The cons: No multi-classing, handheld menu systems are cumbersome, cutscene dialogue is less than stellar, gamers looking for a fast-paced RPG or instant gratification need not apply.

If you're a fan of the tabletop version of Dungeons & Dragons or turn-based combat in general, I'd highly recommend the game.

[Siberys]

If it were for multiple systems, I wouldn't mind buying it. But honestly it doesn't look that great.

I do like the idea of the tactics part, considering 40% of actual DND (or in my case, 75%) is inch-square map based combat. But, it's for the PSP, and even though we've come a long way in handheld systems, as Buck said, I have no doubt that the game will have severe limitations compared to the actual DND game or many other computer/console based representations.

[BuckGB]

Originally Posted by Siberys

...it's for the PSP, and even though we've come a long way in handheld systems, as Buck said, I have no doubt that the game will have severe limitations compared to the actual DND game or many other computer/console based representations.

I actually went out and bought a PSP specifically for this game and, having never used one before, I'm very surprised at how well a D&D game works on the system. The biggest drawbacks are that it is fairly time-consuming to do simple tasks like trading items between your party members and many of the spell, feat, and magic item names have been truncated to fit on their appropriate listing screens. If you go into greater detail on any of these, though, you're then able to see the full name, description, and all other appropriate information.

The game reminds me a lot of the old SSI Gold Box games except all of the exploration happens in the same top-down strategic point of view as the combat does. The animations, special effects, and sound are all very good, at least for what I would have expected from a handheld device. There are also little additions that I find myself appreciating a lot, such as the inability to identify a creature when it's lurking in a dark cave. You actually have to bring up a party member with a lit torch or an active Light spell to find out what type of monster you're up against. Up until that point, you can only make a guess at what it is by the sound of its growling, gurgling, etc.

Overall, the game is much better than I expected it to be. With a level cap of 20 and all of the classes/races represented (with the addition of psionics), it's a solid D&D RPG with a lot of content to take advantage of.

[ShadowDragoon]

I heard that it will have additional download content at a later time. I suppose, if nothing else, we can hope for a patch to fix the menus? I've heard a LOT of people complaining about the menus and whatnot.

Also, how is the game as far as equipment is concerned? Does it have a lot of varied weapons and armor, or is it just the same old bland and boring gear from the PHB? Do they have many enchanted weapons/armor as well?

And, I just have to ask, did they have the piece of mind to include some extra weapons from beyond the basics? I.e., do they have stuff like the Elven Lightblade & Thinblade?

If this game is as good as I'm hoping it will be, then I'll be buying a PSP specificly for it as well. (Well, that, and Final Fantasy Tactics: The Lion Wars. X3)

[BuckGB]

Originally Posted by ShadowDragoon

I heard that it will have additional download content at a later time. I suppose, if nothing else, we can hope for a patch to fix the menus? I've heard a LOT of people complaining about the menus and whatnot.

Even if they do roll out some sort of downloadable content, I don't see the menus getting altered. They've obviously put a lot of time into making them "work" on such a small screen, so I doubt they intended on overhauling them after release.

Originally Posted by ShadowDragoon

Also, how is the game as far as equipment is concerned? Does it have a lot of varied weapons and armor, or is it just the same old bland and boring gear from the PHB? Do they have many enchanted weapons/armor as well?

Most of the standard equipment is represented (along with masterwork, magical, and silver variations), but then there is a host of "named" equipment that you can purchase from merchants or pick up during adventures. For example, there is a Vorpal Longsword +2 named "Skrep" that I've been wishing I could afford. Other examples include a Short Sword of Goblin Bane +1 called "Green Skinner," some Scale Armor of Cold Resistance +2 called "Frost Scathe," and a Longspear of Frost +3 called "Snowbride."

Originally Posted by ShadowDragoon

And, I just have to ask, did they have the piece of mind to include some extra weapons from beyond the basics? I.e., do they have stuff like the Elven Lightblade & Thinblade?

From what I've seen, they're all from the 3.5E PHB. Some of the more obscure weapons are featured though, like the Siangham, Orc Double Axe, Gnome Hooked Hammer, and Dwarven Urgrosh.

Hope that helps.

[ShadowDragoon]

It helps a lot. I won't be getting the game for about another month (I'm waiting for the PSP Slim to come out in the combo pack. ), so this gives me a good look into the game while I'm waiting for it.

[MonTy]

Hail all and well met!

After finishing the game a few days ago I've got a lot to say about it. First off, I'm thankful that they made the game decent. It's the first of its kind on the PSP, so it's a risk to undertake for the developer. I also bought the PSP just for this game. I've played all the PC D&D games, so you can say I love the genre. Also, I am absolutely the prime target audience for this game, as I travel all day around NYC. With that said and over 60 hours of playing....

I like to say that it's the journey and not the start or end that counts in this game. It's a long game, but it doesn't feel prolonged. I never got the "oh great another dungeon" feel. There were tons of different landscapes and scenery to bring a breath of fresh air into most adventures. The beginning feels lacking, swinging and missing while trying to hit goblins for the first few missions. You get hit once and you have to send a character to the back of the line. It's when your party hits level four or so that the game starts picking up. More spells, more feats for your warriors, and more importantly, a greater challenge. The great aspect about D&D is that it's really up to the player to fill in whatever kind of adventure they want, and D&D tactics lets you do that. I felt like having a cookie-cutter group for my first run through, one that would probably do exceedingly well, and it did (Fight,Fight,Rogue,Wiz,Sorc, & Priest). Now I'm only using a max of four characters per mission, no resting or saving during missions, and no healers in my current group. So I'm really creating an adventure that I want. I have the idea and D&D tactics gives me the tools.. gotta love a game that does that.

Now onto the bad.. No custom characters for Multiplayer games. Whaaaaaat? You mean I can't take my characters that I've grown to love and put a ton of hours into for Multiplayer? Hrmph! You mean that I can't multi or dual-class? Lots of useless skills in the game? No "move all" option for my party? Pffft I personally call it D&D lite now o_O

For all those who are just starting out.. Everybody I talked to thinks the game is too easy. You're able to rest several times during missions and recharge all your spells. You have six characters to work with. If you want a more challenging gameplay experience, try it with four characters and not resting if you feel gutsy. Plus with four characters it's much easier to move around.

So all in all I absolutely love the game and recommend it to anyone who wants some D&D gaming on the go. Although if I'm at home I would not play this game, as I'd just make another party in ToEE, IWD2, or BG2 for a more authentic D&D experience. For something so unique on the market and playing it on the go, I give the game a 9/10. If I had to compare it to PC D&D games I'd give it a 6.5... but that's apples to oranges now.

P.S. - Oh and I had my most intense D&D fight with this game.. I got daring and split my party up, only to be overwhelmed on both sides with a plethora of monsters. I had a 30 minute fight in which I used every strategy I could (hitting and running, positioning for attack of opportunities) and I had no spells left, no ammo, and all my characters HP were less then 10 when I finished (rogue had 1 hp). So yea, gotta give extra credit for having my most intense battle yet.

[MonTy]

Hail again!

In regards to Downloadable content:

"Brimmicombe-Wood: Unfortunately, there are no plans to produce downloadable content for the game. This was something that we had to abandon in order to get the core single- and multi-player game up to a high quality level."

I also saw another interview where a designer stated that originally they had plans for extra content, but with the delays they decide just to include all future content in the retail release.

Let us hope the game does financially well so that it will change their mind about not adding more content.

[ShadowDragoon]

No custom characters for multi-player? That's lame. I doubt they have a Dual-Wielding Elven Rogue as one of the pre-select players. And it sucks to hear about the downloadable content. But, I think, IMO, everything else will be fine. So, yeah, I'll be getting this game.

[secretmantra]

So far, I'm finding a six-character party a little too easy. So I think next go-around I'll try it with just four. Of course, I'm only at 6th level characters, so I know I haven't encountered the hardest sections yet ...

For my next group, I'm thinking maybe Monk, Druid, Psion, and Fighter. (I haven't played any of these yet.)

[ShadowDragoon]

I've already been planning up my party for the game. (Well, my six-character party, anyway.)

Dwarven Cleric (high constitution means he doesn't need to worry about himself as much as everyone else)
Elven Rogue (my universally-used D&D character. High dex makes a great rogue, along with other elf racial traits)
Elven Ranger (ranged ranger, so the dex helps out with his bow abilities)
Elven Monk (a built I've wanted to try for a while. More a defensive monk than a tank)
Half-Elf Wizard (He's going to be the party's face man. Wizard's high intelligence makes for a lot of interaction skills, along with the half-elf bonuses to Diplomacy)
Human Fighter (Have to have one tough guy in the game. Focusing on Greatswords with him.)

If I plan on doing a four-member party, I'll probably drop back to the Wizard/Rogue/Ranger/Fighter party setup.

If I'm feeling like a real challenge, maybe I'll drop back to just my Rogue and Ranger, my two favorite characters.

[secretmantra]

Something to note if you decide to go with a smaller party: The XPs don't come any faster. You still level up at the same exact rate.

I found this out from a guy who is playing through a second time with only a Barbarian and a Wizard.

[ShadowDragoon]

Well, I got the game yesterday when I bought the new PSP Slim Daxter Bundle, and I must say, so far, I'm loving it. I made it through the first six or eight missions so far. Though, I must say, while the menu system is a bit frustrating, it's nowhere near as bad as everyone makes it out to be, I think.

Though, I will say that the looting system is a bit bothersome. You take one turn to open a chest, then another turn to pluck the stuff out of it (even though you get the gold immediately...).

[Luther]

Hey Hey. I've been digging this game too with the exception of just a few annoying quirks and bugs. All the lighting effects are top notch as well as the environments and settings. I think the developers put the most work into these. The game mechanics work just fine for me, you get used to the menus and interface real fast so it is now a non-issue. I really don't care about the deviation from the core 3.5 rules (which I never liked anyway) and I don't absolutely HAVE to have multi-class. I've always been a fan of single-class anyway.

My biggest problem is the game balance. I'm not sure who they had play-testing this game, but those people really misjudged this game. By about the 8th adventure, the battles become a cake-walk. I did not use any power-gaming or level-up tricks, I just played through the available adventures and side-quests as normal. I was routinely about 3 levels above the "recommended" and by Act II at least 6 levels above. And even then I think they were pretty liberal with what they thought was recommended. The enemies they pitted against you in the late adventures were way under-powered and just got in the way. My next play through I will use a smaller party though.

I think the above complaint really stems from just a poor AI. Enemies always cast spells within weapon range (causing attacks of opp and spell failure,) never moved off to a better spot for shooting/casting, never used any defensive spells, never summoned help, always targeted the player summoned creatures, and generally had many of their traditional bad-ass powers nerfed. I never felt afraid for my players like, "oh man, RETREAT!"

But...I'm still playing and will definetely give it another play-through.

-Luther-