After browsing through GB News, I ended up at this link for an upcoming RPG called [url="http://www.worthplaying.com/article.php?sid=30754"]Two Worlds[/url]. Now assuming all of these plans come to fruition, and the game actually includes all that the article says it will...it looks like it might be a very promising RPG... Indeed.. it looks like the sort of thing Oblivion (or Fable?) could have been but is not. Okay, I'll admit upfront, I have not actually played Oblivion but I have read a lot of reviews, and a number of people I trust have also discussed the game with me.
The most visible aspect of the Two Worlds gameplay is the freedom to change the world and shape the story within it. Other important features are unlimited character development and exciting, spectacular combat. The player is encouraged to experiment with the world, test the results of good and evil deeds and find the most satisfying way to deal with challenges. The gameplay has been designed to evoke the long-term outcomes that are important to the player and offer them the power to change their state. The rush of adrenaline accompanying frequent combat situations will ensure short-term, powerful motivation to continue the current session of play.
The game offers a unique opportunity to influence the game world - unseen, to this scale, in other Role Playing games. Freedom of choice (like freedom to join or betray various organizations) and the importance of every decision are the core mechanisms to evoke the sense of meaningful play.
Depending on the way that a problem is solved, the player gains or loses their reputation in certain organizations, various options are being closed or opened, quests are offered and new locations are unlocked. For example, a player must decide whether to help a city hold off the invasion of orcs or to secretly open the gates and let the invaders in. The latter decision will result in an onslaught and the take over of the city by the barbaric hordes. The next time the player visits this location, it will be populated and managed by orcs, unless the human army arrives and tries to liberate the city. The world lives its own life, but the player has the power to change it. The challenge lies in finding the right "strings" and skilfully "pulling" them.
Key Features
* Offering a freedom of choice unseen in other Role Playing Games. The world literally comes to life as it immediately reacts to the player's actions and changes accordingly -offering new and exciting challenges.
* Strong, non-linear storyline. Players can shape their own story by choosing the path of conducting the main conflict and resolving meaningful side-quests.
* Spectacular and dynamically choreographed fights. The combat system combines intuitive steering, tactical challenges and movie-like visual experiences.
* Free and unlimited character development. Players can experiment with different careers and even reverse their former choices with the help of "career changers".
* Unique magic system. The Players are allowed to assemble their own magic spells.
* Animals to be ridden on. Players can travel and fight on various animals from horses to tamed lizards and beasts.
* A choice of traps and snares are at the Player's disposal making the gameplay both rich and flexible.
* Huge variety of items to be found. Randomly generated pieces of equipment, thematic sets and combined items offer the space to experiment and satisfy the need to collect.
* Wide range of beautifully rendered terrains: from high mountains to seashores and deep caves with all of the locations featuring ultra sharp texturing and stunning design.
* Hyper-realistic tree physics and sophisticated weather system make the world come to life as has never been seen before.
* Advanced Artificial Intelligence that manages group behaviour of large virtual communities.
* Up to 8 players in the multiplayer mode.
* Symphonic music to make the experience more emotional and memorable.
* Extensive usage of Pixel Shader 2.0 and 3.0, HDR, multiple materials and unique shadow engine to ensure the best visuals possible.
* Support of Multi CPUs and Multicore CPUs, SLI and CrossFire Technology
Sooo.. thoughts?
What Oblivion might have been
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dragon wench
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What Oblivion might have been
Spoiler
testingtest12
Spoiler
testingtest12
"The world literally comes to life..."
...what?
otherwise it sounds very promising, despite the mention of orcs. the ability to profoundly alter events in the world that aren't tied to the plot would be very nice change. on the other hand, it could just be a shinier version of sacred but with a better variety of factions and optional scripted world events.
regardless, I'm very excited about the tree physics.
...what?
otherwise it sounds very promising, despite the mention of orcs. the ability to profoundly alter events in the world that aren't tied to the plot would be very nice change. on the other hand, it could just be a shinier version of sacred but with a better variety of factions and optional scripted world events.
regardless, I'm very excited about the tree physics.
Here where the flattering and mendacious swarm
Of lying epitaths their secrets keep,
At last incapable of further harm
The lewd forefathers of the village sleep.
Of lying epitaths their secrets keep,
At last incapable of further harm
The lewd forefathers of the village sleep.
Multiplayer is a very important part of gaming that I truly enjoy, and if it's otherwise similar to Oblivion, it would be fantastic.
But I wonder about the ability to mod the game by users... sometimes that can create the most unique and valuable experiences in games as well.
It looks very promising..
But I wonder about the ability to mod the game by users... sometimes that can create the most unique and valuable experiences in games as well.
It looks very promising..
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fable
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It's obviously the perfect game, stronger than white bread, happier than Valium, and able to leap superlatives in one easy jump. Funny, haven't we heard it before...? Oh, right. On the last 15 RPGs that have been publicized before they appeared. That's right. 
I disregard all PR. When the game shows up, then and only then will I look at its features, and decide if I'm interested. Too many games have 1000% more of what I want in the planning stage than they've got when they appear on store shelves. Or as Texans like to say, their alligator mouths are overruning their mockingbird asses.
I disregard all PR. When the game shows up, then and only then will I look at its features, and decide if I'm interested. Too many games have 1000% more of what I want in the planning stage than they've got when they appear on store shelves. Or as Texans like to say, their alligator mouths are overruning their mockingbird asses.
To the Righteous belong the fruits of violent victory. The rest of us will have to settle for warm friends, warm lovers, and a wink from a quietly supportive universe.
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TonyMontana1638
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Sounds cool I suppose but, if I recall, I was really excited five years ago about a game in the works by my favorite developer that was to be Baldur's Gate set during the Crusades ...
"Be thankful you're healthy."
"Be bitter you're not going to stay that way."
"Be glad you're even alive."
"Be furious you're going to die."
"Things could be much worse."
"They could be one hell of a lot better."
"Be bitter you're not going to stay that way."
"Be glad you're even alive."
"Be furious you're going to die."
"Things could be much worse."
"They could be one hell of a lot better."
I agree - to many buzzwords to trust such a list/statement.fable wrote:It's obviously the perfect game, stronger than white bread, happier than Valium, and able to leap superlatives in one easy jump. Funny, haven't we heard it before...? Oh, right. On the last 15 RPGs that have been publicized before they appeared. That's right.
I disregard all PR. When the game shows up, then and only then will I look at its features, and decide if I'm interested. Too many games have 1000% more of what I want in the planning stage than they've got when they appear on store shelves. Or as Texans like to say, their alligator mouths are overruning their mockingbird asses.
I'll wait untill playable demos or reviews start comming in - Neverwinter Nights burned me enough that I don't listen to such PR.
* Offering a freedom of choice unseen in other Role Playing Games. The world literally comes to life as it immediately reacts to the player's actions and changes accordingly -offering new and exciting challenges.
Didn't Fable and most other new CRPGs list something similar? World reacting to player's actions ... well, didn't really happen there yet. This is one of the single most hard things to do in a CRPG.
So "Freedom of choice" is freedom between two or three possibilities for which, if you are lucky, some limited scripted NPCs will respond with a different dialog
Unlimited? Never.* Free and unlimited character development. Players can experiment with different careers and even reverse their former choices with the help of "career changers".
Unique? Doubtfull.* Unique magic system. The Players are allowed to assemble their own magic spells.
Translation: We'll spend so much time on fluff and graphics (and subsequently forget about gameplay), that the game can't run on todays high-end machines* Wide range of beautifully rendered terrains: from high mountains to seashores and deep caves with all of the locations featuring ultra sharp texturing and stunning design.
* Hyper-realistic tree physics and sophisticated weather system make the world come to life as has never been seen before.
<snip>
* Extensive usage of Pixel Shader 2.0 and 3.0, HDR, multiple materials and unique shadow engine to ensure the best visuals possible.
I want to see this before beliving it is more then just a few scripts governing the NPCs. I mean no Artificial Intelligence has yet been developed, so when ever somebody uses "Advanced AI" as a buzzword I am extra carefull.* Advanced Artificial Intelligence that manages group behaviour of large virtual communities.
To many things, which I do not trust. As said - I'll have to wait for something real and substantial to be released before beliving any of that for this game. I'll almost right now - due to being cynical - form my own opinion on what kind of game this will be, based on the amount of buzzwords used.
Insert signature here.
In my opinion, its too early to tell how the game will turn out to be. I'd rather wait for a gameplay demonstration or as what Xandax has said, playable demos or reviews. Screenshots and gameplay features alone will not interest me.
[Quote=Xandax]
Translation: We'll spend so much time on fluff and graphics (and subsequently forget about gameplay), that the game can't run on todays high-end machines [/Quote]
At first, I thought FPSes are the leading edge in graphics technology. Now it seems like RPGs in general are following this trend too.
[Quote=Xandax]
Translation: We'll spend so much time on fluff and graphics (and subsequently forget about gameplay), that the game can't run on todays high-end machines
[/Quote]At first, I thought FPSes are the leading edge in graphics technology. Now it seems like RPGs in general are following this trend too.
''They say truth is the first casualty of war. But who defines what's true? Truth is just a matter of perspective. The duty of every soldier is to protect the innocent, and sometimes that means preserving the lie of good and evil, that war isn't just natural selection played out on a grand scale. The only truth I found is that the world we live in is a giant tinderbox. All it takes...is someone to light the match" - Captain Price
Today's developers for the most part a reflecting a general trend in society, they worry about looking pretty. When will they ever learn that its what's on the inside that counts?
If God did not exist, it would be necessary to invent him.
Voltaire
[QUOTE=Xandax]Color me purple and call me barney.[/QUOTE]
Voltaire
[QUOTE=Xandax]Color me purple and call me barney.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=Phreddie]Today's developers for the most part a reflecting a general trend in society, they worry about looking pretty. When will they ever learn that its what's on the inside that counts?[/QUOTE]
Not before the customers do. The developers are just giving out what the majority wants otherwise they'd have no profit. If people stopped buying these run-of-the-mill games and attempted to purchase the more complex games, the "trend" would be changed. But when good solid games gets suparsed by games with easy gameplay but loads of graphics in profit, then unfortunally most developers and distributors will push for the latter type of games.
Not before the customers do. The developers are just giving out what the majority wants otherwise they'd have no profit. If people stopped buying these run-of-the-mill games and attempted to purchase the more complex games, the "trend" would be changed. But when good solid games gets suparsed by games with easy gameplay but loads of graphics in profit, then unfortunally most developers and distributors will push for the latter type of games.
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fable
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[QUOTE=Xandax]Not before the customers do. The developers are just giving out what the majority wants otherwise they'd have no profit. [/QUOTE]
Exactly.
As long as there are plenty of players who will buy a heavily bugged game and play it to do the beta-testing, heavily bugged games will be released.
As long as there are plenty of players who will buy an unfinished game despite griping about, unfinished games will continue to be released.
As long as there are plenty of players who will buy pretty games with no substance, no-substance games with pretty surfaces will continue to be released.
As long as kiddies will continue spending much of their time oogling completely unrealistic PR materials a year in advance of title releases, completely unrealistic PR materials will be released.
Exactly.
As long as there are plenty of players who will buy a heavily bugged game and play it to do the beta-testing, heavily bugged games will be released.
As long as there are plenty of players who will buy an unfinished game despite griping about, unfinished games will continue to be released.
As long as there are plenty of players who will buy pretty games with no substance, no-substance games with pretty surfaces will continue to be released.
As long as kiddies will continue spending much of their time oogling completely unrealistic PR materials a year in advance of title releases, completely unrealistic PR materials will be released.
To the Righteous belong the fruits of violent victory. The rest of us will have to settle for warm friends, warm lovers, and a wink from a quietly supportive universe.
That is just what marketing speech is all about I like the hype, although I know it's just hype, it gets me hyped up only to get dissapointed when I actually get to play the game.
I like the hype, although I know it's just hype, it gets me hyped up only to get dissapointed when I actually get to play the game."The hypothalamus is one of the most important parts of the brain, involved in many kinds of motivation, among other functions. The hypothalamus controls the "Four F's": 1. fighting; 2. fleeing; 3. feeding; and 4. mating."
[QUOTE=Masa]That is just what marketing speech is all about I like the hype, although I know it's just hype, it gets me hyped up only to get dissapointed when I actually get to play the game.[/QUOTE]
And what exactly is good about that?
I lost all interest in "Two Worlds" the moment I read something about how innovative the game is going to be. Hey, honestly, we're talking about a AAA cRPG developed *these days*! There's no innovation there, just good graphics and bad game play - and dumbed down but *absolutely new* copies of features which were introduced to the game world about 10 years ago. The Gothic series seems like an exception, but Gothic 3 still ain't released so whatever.
I'm looking forward to Age of Decadence - and that's all I'm looking forward to when it comes to cRPGs. Indy games - that's where the future's at!
I like the hype, although I know it's just hype, it gets me hyped up only to get dissapointed when I actually get to play the game.[/QUOTE]And what exactly is good about that?
I lost all interest in "Two Worlds" the moment I read something about how innovative the game is going to be. Hey, honestly, we're talking about a AAA cRPG developed *these days*! There's no innovation there, just good graphics and bad game play - and dumbed down but *absolutely new* copies of features which were introduced to the game world about 10 years ago. The Gothic series seems like an exception, but Gothic 3 still ain't released so whatever.
I'm looking forward to Age of Decadence - and that's all I'm looking forward to when it comes to cRPGs. Indy games - that's where the future's at!
"Some people say that I must be a terrible person, but it’s not true. I have the heart of a young boy in a jar on my desk."
-Stephen King
-Stephen King
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fable
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[QUOTE=Monolith]I'm looking forward to Age of Decadence - and that's all I'm looking forward to when it comes to cRPGs. Indy games - that's where the future's at![/QUOTE]
That does look interesting. I imagine it's a year or two out, but it bears watching. Not a lot of skyhigh promises.
That does look interesting. I imagine it's a year or two out, but it bears watching. Not a lot of skyhigh promises.
To the Righteous belong the fruits of violent victory. The rest of us will have to settle for warm friends, warm lovers, and a wink from a quietly supportive universe.
Moreover, they seem to be stating implementation facts, rather than implementation qualities such as "Non-combat quests resolutions (...)" instead of "Great and intriguing quest system". In the end, factual implementation details are so much easier to actually implement than vague qualitative goals.
And yes, it looks promising indeed.
And yes, it looks promising indeed.
[QUOTE=fable]That does look interesting. I imagine it's a year or two out, but it bears watching. Not a lot of skyhigh promises.[/QUOTE]
It's said to be finished this fall. The guy developing it (not on his own) is Vault Dweller of RPG Codex. There are some interviews with him which are rather interesting - and about hundrets of threads on the RPG Codex Forums (AoD has a subforum there). Gamebanshee has posted some news about it in the course of the last month.
It's said to be finished this fall. The guy developing it (not on his own) is Vault Dweller of RPG Codex. There are some interviews with him which are rather interesting - and about hundrets of threads on the RPG Codex Forums (AoD has a subforum there). Gamebanshee has posted some news about it in the course of the last month.
"Some people say that I must be a terrible person, but it’s not true. I have the heart of a young boy in a jar on my desk."
-Stephen King
-Stephen King
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dragon wench
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@Monolith,
Age of Decadence looks like it could be excellent!
And this heartened me too, I'd actually be able to play it on my machine!
[url="http://www.rpgcodex.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=14131"]System Requirements[/url]
Pentium III 500, 128 MB RAM
*does happy dance*
Regarding "Two Worlds," I do agree, it likely is hype *sighs*
But what can I say, every so often I get vaguely hopeful, because there has been such a drought when it comes to good RPGs.
Age of Decadence looks like it could be excellent!
And this heartened me too, I'd actually be able to play it on my machine!
[url="http://www.rpgcodex.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=14131"]System Requirements[/url]
Pentium III 500, 128 MB RAM
*does happy dance*
Regarding "Two Worlds," I do agree, it likely is hype *sighs*
But what can I say, every so often I get vaguely hopeful, because there has been such a drought when it comes to good RPGs.
Spoiler
testingtest12
Spoiler
testingtest12
[QUOTE=dragon wench]@Monolith,
Age of Decadence looks like it could be excellent!
And this heartened me too, I'd actually be able to play it on my machine!
System Requirements
Pentium III 500, 128 MB RAM
*does happy dance*
[/QUOTE]
It's developed by some guys doing it in their free time after work and who are funding it themselves. No publisher involved nor sponsor or anything. Besides, they don't give such a damn about graphics to value it higher as e. g. game play. Therefore there are no resources for next gen hardware eating graphics.
BTW, if you're looking forward to AoD you should give Prelude to Darkness a shot. Also an indy game which strongly inspired Vault Dweller to develope his own one. Hardcore RPG, turn based combat, many choices and consequences, great character development, branching storyline - and freeware by now. It can be downloaded at Zero Sum. It's unstable and the interface and journal need some polishing, but it's playable and for *sure* enjoyable. One of those rare diamonds that haven't got the attention they deserve. Probably a game that should be covered at gamebanshee, if you're interested in my opinion... (not because indy devs need to be supported, but because it's great)
Age of Decadence looks like it could be excellent!
And this heartened me too, I'd actually be able to play it on my machine!
System Requirements
Pentium III 500, 128 MB RAM
*does happy dance*
[/QUOTE]
It's developed by some guys doing it in their free time after work and who are funding it themselves. No publisher involved nor sponsor or anything. Besides, they don't give such a damn about graphics to value it higher as e. g. game play. Therefore there are no resources for next gen hardware eating graphics.
BTW, if you're looking forward to AoD you should give Prelude to Darkness a shot. Also an indy game which strongly inspired Vault Dweller to develope his own one. Hardcore RPG, turn based combat, many choices and consequences, great character development, branching storyline - and freeware by now. It can be downloaded at Zero Sum. It's unstable and the interface and journal need some polishing, but it's playable and for *sure* enjoyable. One of those rare diamonds that haven't got the attention they deserve. Probably a game that should be covered at gamebanshee, if you're interested in my opinion... (not because indy devs need to be supported, but because it's great)
"Some people say that I must be a terrible person, but it’s not true. I have the heart of a young boy in a jar on my desk."
-Stephen King
-Stephen King
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dragon wench
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@Monolith,
I'm downloading it now, it looks pretty good. Thanks!
It seems to resemble some of the early Ultima games, from what I can tell.
Is there any kind of party interaction, and do the party members have any opinions on the sort of course you take?
I'm downloading it now, it looks pretty good. Thanks!
It seems to resemble some of the early Ultima games, from what I can tell.
Is there any kind of party interaction, and do the party members have any opinions on the sort of course you take?
Spoiler
testingtest12
Spoiler
testingtest12
[QUOTE=dragon wench]@Monolith,
I'm downloading it now, it looks pretty good. Thanks!
It seems to resemble some of the early Ultima games, from what I can tell.
Is there any kind of party interaction, and do the party members have any opinions on the sort of course you take?[/QUOTE]
Sort of. Your party members interact with non-party NPCs based on the skills they have. If you have a character in your party who is skilled in making music it can happen that he'll take over dialog which centers on music. Besides there are many situations other party members with different skills come in handy. A character who is not skilled in literacy can't read nor write - therefore it's always usefull to have such a character in your party (although never being necessary). This can have a significant effect on the course of the game because without certain skills you're pretty much bound to certain paths. If you can't talk a NPC into telling you the truth, you'll have to beat him up (or let it be). Or perhaps you'll find a different way - stealing a certain item or getting a certain piece of information or whatever. It's more subtle - there's no NPC telling you to join a certain faction or to side against another one. All in all it's up to you and the decisions you make.
There is no party intern interaction like in BG2 except the dialogs you have with NPCs before they join your party - or after you dismiss them.
I'm downloading it now, it looks pretty good. Thanks!
It seems to resemble some of the early Ultima games, from what I can tell.
Is there any kind of party interaction, and do the party members have any opinions on the sort of course you take?[/QUOTE]
Sort of. Your party members interact with non-party NPCs based on the skills they have. If you have a character in your party who is skilled in making music it can happen that he'll take over dialog which centers on music. Besides there are many situations other party members with different skills come in handy. A character who is not skilled in literacy can't read nor write - therefore it's always usefull to have such a character in your party (although never being necessary). This can have a significant effect on the course of the game because without certain skills you're pretty much bound to certain paths. If you can't talk a NPC into telling you the truth, you'll have to beat him up (or let it be). Or perhaps you'll find a different way - stealing a certain item or getting a certain piece of information or whatever. It's more subtle - there's no NPC telling you to join a certain faction or to side against another one. All in all it's up to you and the decisions you make.
There is no party intern interaction like in BG2 except the dialogs you have with NPCs before they join your party - or after you dismiss them.
"Some people say that I must be a terrible person, but it’s not true. I have the heart of a young boy in a jar on my desk."
-Stephen King
-Stephen King