Game Controls (can't read the reference card)

[Hagatha]

When, oh when, will game publishers realize that nobody over the age of 45 can read anything printed in a font size smaller than 10? I can't read the quick reference card even with my glasses on, and can barely read the manual.

Also, it would be very helpful to have a manual that has a section called "game controls".

Anyway, I stopped playing this game about two months ago, and I want to finish it, but I can't figure out the main action keys and I can't find these in the manual, either.. For example, I can't rememeber how to unpick a lock, and where the heck is the "use" key? I can't even remember how to open a door. I can crouch, I can swing my sword, but I can't do much else.

Can anyone give me a quick guide to the controls?

What I need to know are these controls:

How to pick something up...I have just found a flamethrower, but I can't pick it up.

How do I open a door?

How do I pick a lock?

with a magnifying glass I can see that the "e" key is supposed to be the "use" key but it isn't doing anything.

I could really use some help, here, so I can finish the game.

[the_limey]

Usually you just press the action/use key and the default action will be performed, i.e. if a door is unlocked it will open, if not you will begin picking the lock.
The best thing to do is to remap the controls in game to something you're more comfortable with.

[Hagatha]

But...my character has very good lockpicking skills, and when I come to a door that shows a lock icon, nothing happens when I press the "use" key - nothing at all. I am in an area where I obviously need to pick locks, and I can't get anywhere at all. There has to be something else I'm not doing.

So exactly how do I unlock a door that shows a lock on it? I'm looking at one right now in the game, and I'm not getting a thing.

[the_limey]

Most important: do you have a set of lockpicks? Did you pick them up in the tutorial or buy them from the pawn shop?

[Mavrik]

Also to note SOME doors are not unlockable or picked. Example being doors that remain locked until certain missions are started, or if your in a fight and a door won't unlock till your done the fight.

[yrthwyndandfyre]

Originally Posted by Hagatha

When, oh when, will game publishers realize that nobody over the age of 45 can read anything printed in a font size smaller than 10? I can't read the quick reference card even with my glasses on, and can barely read the manual.

Welcome to my world, Hagatha (47 and short-sighted). Short reference to the keys (default configuration):
W: Forward S: Back D: Right A: Left.
Z: Toggle between first/third person view.
Ctrl: Toggle between Crouch and Stand (must crouch to sneak)
Shift: Walk Tab: Alternate Fire (Ranged) or Block (Melee)
E: Use (pick lock (pickable lock icon appears), open door (door icon appears - two kinds), pick up (some item in sight), press button (buttons glow), talk to NPC (mouth icon appears), stealth attack (skull and crossbones icon appears))
F: Feed (rats and humans, also stealth feeding)
R: Reload (ranged weapons only) H: Holster weapon (melee and ranged)
Space: Jump C: Access character sheet (spend XP) I: Inventory
L: Access Log K: Configure hotkeys
F1: Select Melee and Unarmed weapons
F2: Select Ranged weapons F3: Select Armor
F8: Deactivate Passive Disciplines
F9: Quick Save F12: Quick Load
F10: Screen Shot
Left Mouse Button: Hit/Fire
Right Mouse Button: Activate Discipline
Mouse Wheel: Cycle through disciplines

Now, having some modicum of control, I hope you enjoy yourself. You may find it useful to copy this guide, paste it into Word, and print out a reference copy.

[Celacena]

aha - so there is stealth feed!

I had been pressing F when the stealth-kill icon was on screen and had not been seen whilst feeding, so I figured that Stealth-feed was an option, but I never saw anybody else mention it - or comment when I posted about it in my accounts of stealth-missions - so I wondered if it really existed as an actual game concept.

I found it good in Traffik and in the end-game. drain those annoying guards - although "communing" them is just as good for the animalistic.

PS

F3 for cycling through clothing/armour.

[yrthwyndandfyre]

Just to the right of F2: <eg>

[yrthwyndandfyre]

Originally Posted by Celacena

aha - so there is stealth feed!

Are you kidding? It got me through Grout's Mansion a dozen times, the Kuei-Jin ten times, and Glaze more than a few. Stealth feed is awesome. By rights, my PC should be a very *FAT* vampire by now.

[Celacena]

I didn't doubt I could do it - I have - but I hadn't seen it recorded as a game "concept" - Grout is another fine place to use it.