If you're looking for a RPG that works

[EmilyH]

I picked up a copy of Heretic Kingdoms so I could have a game to play while waiting for the patch. It actually works. You have character customization (well, you don't get a gender choice -- the main character is female, but at least they don't advertise that you are supposed to get it and you can customize the looks). There are no bugs so far in the quests. There is a map. The interface is point and click, no holding down keys to move places. And there is actual furniture in the buildings, and there are chickens and horses roaming around the villages. See, this is what a game is supposed to be like. And it cost $10 less than the copy of DL I bought.

[Runeblade]

It looks nice for a RTS type game. I'm not into that Strategy stuff all that much. Age Of Mythology was pretty neat but I got bored by the time I made the Trojan Horse....

[EmilyH]

It's more of a RPG than strategy, at least from what I can tell so far. I do enjoy that aspect. And they do have a 1.5 patch out, so I guess there were bugs, but they weren't game-stopping bugs, apparently.

[Runeblade]

That sounds better. /me roots around for a demo

[ldonyo]

Heck, if you're looking for something to do until DL gets fixed, head over to Wal-Mart, EBGames, or K-Mart and see what they've got in the jewel case section. There's usually a former Game of the Year or three for about $10, sometimes paired with another game!

I've seen Fallout and Fallout 2 packaged that way in the not-too-distant past, as well as Baldur's Gate and Tales of the Sword Coast. If you can find Planescape: Torment, pick that up and see what the fuss was all about several years back. ;)

[darkpoet]

K-Mart still exists? :eek: Haven't seen one of those in years.

The EB Games closet to me doesn't sell much in the PC game department. One guy who worked there claimed that PC games were "bad for business and can't compete with console games". They only have 2 very small racks for PC games and 1 rack of used PC games which never seem to sell. heh Wal-Mart had more than they did in both new and old titles and they have the jewel case stuff.

Best Buy on the otherhand has everything LOL They're just so far away. :(

[txa1265]

You can check out my review of Heretic Kingdoms at GamerDad. (http://www.gamerdad.com/detail.cfm?itemID=2245)

It is a solid isometric action-RPG with a couple of really nice features that keep things interesting. There was a new patch (1.5) since my review that added the mini-map and allowed more flexibility in attunements as well as helping performance.

If you're a fan of the genre (single player iso's) it is *definitely* worth the budget price they're charging.

Mike

[EmilyH]

K-Mart still exists? Haven't seen one of those in years.

Ditto. The K-Mart that used to be in town changed to a JC Penney. There are a heckuva lot more Targets around, though.

[Hacknshoot]

Yeah, Heretic Kingdoms rocks! I didn't want to win the game because I wanted to level up one more time, but I got carried away. I have to find a place to rest on there while I try to find a way to get all the enemies in the Reliquary back so I can have more than 3200 HP. By the way, archers are the absolute best in that game. Try attuning all the things that you would use with a bow and see... I can get a screenshot of my person if you would want to see. *looks evil*

[Ernest]

Sacred isn't too bad. Mostly though I've been playing Psychonauts, which I can't recommend highly enough. Another terrific crpg is Beyond Good and Evil, which unfortunately didn't get nearly the recognition/market success it deserved--and which I loved even more than Psychonauts. Neither is a traditional crpg with stats and such, but both are crpgs in every other sense--i.e., you play a role in a richly developed world with a compelling, well-conceived and written storyline.

For all the complaining we do about the poor quality of games, it's a real shame when 2 gems come out like these that gamers then ignore. Even moreso if/when releases like DL take away gamers money from games that really deserve the support.

[Visigoth]

Heck, if you're looking for something to do until DL gets fixed, head over to Wal-Mart, EBGames, or K-Mart and see what they've got in the jewel case section. There's usually a former Game of the Year or three for about $10, sometimes paired with another game!

I've seen Fallout and Fallout 2 packaged that way in the not-too-distant past, as well as Baldur's Gate and Tales of the Sword Coast. If you can find Planescape: Torment, pick that up and see what the fuss was all about several years back. ;)

Fallout... GREAT GAME!

[Visigoth]

Sacred isn't too bad. Mostly though I've been playing Psychonauts, which I can't recommend highly enough. Another terrific crpg is Beyond Good and Evil, which unfortunately didn't get nearly the recognition/market success it deserved--and which I loved even more than Psychonauts. Neither is a traditional crpg with stats and such, but both are crpgs in every other sense--i.e., you play a role in a richly developed world with a compelling, well-conceived and written storyline.

For all the complaining we do about the poor quality of games, it's a real shame when 2 gems come out like these that gamers then ignore. Even moreso if/when releases like DL take away gamers money from games that really deserve the support.

Don't forget Gothic 1 and 2.

[Xyyth]

What do you all think of Wizardry 8?

[ldonyo]

I kind of liked Wizardry 8. Seeing enemies show signs of the pounding they were taking was pretty cool. ;)

The only issue I had with it was the frequency with which the scripted NPC movements would get the NPCs stuck in doorways I was truying to get through. They eventually worked themselves free, but it could take as long as 10 minutes for them to do so!

[txa1265]

What do you all think of Wizardry 8?

I've been doing 'deal hunting' for Wiz 8 on eBay for a while ... got the "Ultimate Wizardry Archive" with 1-7 and 'Gold' some time ago.

I just got my 'deal' yesterday, and should have it in a few days ... let you know then.

Mike

[Xyyth]

EB Games usually has a few copies in their bargain bin. That's where I found mine if anyone else is looking for it.

[EmilyH]

I didn't really care much for Gothic. Didn't like the fact that I couldn't make a female character, and I didn't think there was much of a plot.

Wizardry 8 was pretty good, once it got patched up. Sacred was much better, IMHO.

Now if only they'd do another Baldur's Gate sequel!

[darkpoet]

What do you all think of Wizardry 8?


I played it for about 2 hours and then took it back to the store.

[txa1265]

I didn't really care much for Gothic. Didn't like the fact that I couldn't make a female character, and I didn't think there was much of a plot.Not only that, in the first one, the only females were doing 'service' work and cleaning ... but at least it was stated as such, due to th enature of the penal colony. Did you try the second one? I liked it much better - again, there is not total freedom, you are still playing that guy (as you will in Gothic III), but the types of environs are much more open and I personally like the story better.

Wizardry 8 was pretty good, once it got patched up. Sacred was much better, IMHO.But they don't really compete, do they? It is like comparing Quake and Diablo ... you may like one more than the other, but the genres are dufferent.

Now if only they'd do another Baldur's Gate sequel!There is still a rumor of a BG3, fueled by a note in PC Gamer last October ... but no details.

Mike

[Dhruin]

@EmilyH, have you looked into Kult: Heretic Kingdoms (US title is Heretic Kingdoms: The Inquisition)? It's a female character only (balances the scales a little ;) ) action-RPG with a rather nice story and a couple of twists to the usual action-RPG formula. It's no BG to be sure but well worth a look.

[Dhruin]

Gah! Just realised this whole thread started with Kult...can't see an edit function so my poor memory will have to be immortalised for now...

[txa1265]

Gah! Just realised this whole thread started with Kult...can't see an edit function so my poor memory will have to be immortalised for now...

Ha ha ha ;) Most of us have been burned by the 'disappearing edit button' :D I was about to post, then noticed a page 3. Oh well, it is a good recommendation anyway for those not willing to read the whole thread. My review for Heretic Kingdoms is linked back on page 1.

:)

Mike

[Hacknshoot]

I don't even think I meet the qualifications to post my own reviews, so I'll scale it here:
10/10 (that's just for how powerfufl my character is :D )

[txa1265]

I don't even think I meet the qualifications to post my own reviews, so I'll scale it here:
10/10 (that's just for how powerfufl my character is :D )

My review for Heretic Kingdoms is posted at GamerDad, a site that I contribute to as it is full of gaming parents ... people who love to game and are constantly asked 'is this OK for my kids', so a site sprung up ...

Mike

[Hacknshoot]

Very nice, and I have to agree with that "one-hit kill business," I am way too powerful for my own good. Archers are the most powerful people there. Maybe us who have finished the game should show our stats/active attunements(and unused ones if they want)/equipped items. I'll post it later, though.

[EmilyH]

Not only that, in the first one, the only females were doing 'service' work and cleaning ... but at least it was stated as such, due to th enature of the penal colony. Did you try the second one? I liked it much better - again, there is not total freedom, you are still playing that guy (as you will in Gothic III), but the types of environs are much more open and I personally like the story better.

I did try the second one, but I just couldn't get into it.

EmilyH, have you looked into Kult: Heretic Kingdoms (US title is Heretic Kingdoms: The Inquisition)?

Yep! Loving it so far, although my character sucks at the moment, but she's only level 6. Her melee skill is like a D and her magic is D+. I usually do fire-based specialties with mages because I like blasting bad guys with fire balls, but I gave her an air attunement, hoping that there is a lightning bolt down the road since it's usually in air spells in most games.

[txa1265]

I did try the second one, but I just couldn't get into it.
That happens ... I'm no great lover of beloved games like Morrowind, Half-Life, Halo, and Half-Life 2 ...

Yep! Loving it so far, although my character sucks at the moment, but she's only level 6. Her melee skill is like a D and her magic is D+. I usually do fire-based specialties with mages because I like blasting bad guys with fire balls, but I gave her an air attunement, hoping that there is a lightning bolt down the road since it's usually in air spells in most games.Remember that you can change attunements whenever you want to - it isn't like most RPG's where once you pick 'fire' you're done ... so level up air some, work on others ... one hint - you cannot win the game with a single specialty. There are areas where your enemy encounters include monsters nearly immune to one type of damage or other. I died spectacularly discovering this ;)

Mike

[GeorgeKeith]

I have enquired about Heretic Kingdoms and will most likely head to Walmarts today. They are going to the Super Walmart theme (24 7) which makes it most convenient.

A couple of years back I got a dual game pack, at Walmart, for 10 bucks. Planescape Torment was one of them. Best durn deal ever and PT was surprising.

[Hacknshoot]

Remember that you can change attunements whenever you want to - it isn't like most RPG's where once you pick 'fire' you're done ... so level up air some, work on others ... one hint - you cannot win the game with a single specialty. There are areas where your enemy encounters include monsters nearly immune to one type of damage or other. I died spectacularly discovering this ;)
Don't you just love that? I think I got about every single attunement in the game. No kidding, but I may have missed like 1-5 attunements after I ran out of enemies at the Reliquary. I think I missed Quick Study. Oh, and Fortitude(that really sucks that I would have to use something I don't use because of element type...) Well, I don't use a shield, so what do you expect?
Anyone know the respawn rate for enemies near the end of the game? When I got an attunement, I would immediately look for another item I haven't attuned to yet, and start fighting with it to avoid wasting the attunement points. Try that tactic, and you'll be really powerful.
Yep! Loving it so far, although my character sucks at the moment, but she's only level 6. Her melee skill is like a D and her magic is D+. I usually do fire-based specialties with mages because I like blasting bad guys with fire balls, but I gave her an air attunement, hoping that there is a lightning bolt down the road since it's usually in air spells in most games.
Yes, it's about the first spell you get for Air Magic(I think) And don't worry, your ADV points increase more and more as you level up. You start only getting 50 when you get to Level 2, but you can get as much as 200-250 in the 17-21 range. Thankfully, it only costs 100 for all levels, so there's no "waste" in getting more for just 1 level. But a good word of advice, knock your Speed up to S. You'll get rewarded well for that. Since I'm a mage-type, I'd recommend knocking magic to S, but I chose an archer, and I think those are the best. Sure, they may be weak at the start, but if you want, I can give you a list of my attunements to show you what I did.

[EmilyH]

Yes, it's about the first spell you get for Air Magic(I think) And don't worry, your ADV points increase more and more as you level up.

I've got thunderbolt now, but it doesn't do very much damage. I'm trying to beat the guy in the Taymurian shrine, and keep dying every time. I've tried various weapons on him. Apparently there is some kind of fire shield spell, but I don't have that yet.

There are trainers for it, but none of them work after the 1.5 patch.