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Eschalon: Book III
- Thread starter Minttunator
- Start date
Loriac
Arcane
- Joined
- Jan 20, 2007
- Messages
- 2,375
I played the first game quite extensively, and recall putting up some comments on their forum about skills balance (which imo is very poor, as magic is overpowered vs. other skills whilst the rogue skills are very underpowered). From what I saw of book 2 (started it but just couldn't work up the enthusiasm to finish it) the skills were still unbalanced. I expect the same thing from book 3 to be honest.
I get the impression that the designer takes seriously the feedback on his forums from various jokers who believe the game is too hard. Its not, provided you build according to the way the skills system is set up - I recall one fight in particular which the designer thought was an 'automatic death sentence' for characters, as you got dumped naked into a cell with 2 eye beasts (or whatever the beholder equivalents were called) which I destroyed with a level 10 character (levels iirc went to about 17 or 18 in that game).
The combat is also far too simplistic, and that hasn't changed afaik. This game cries out for a well developed action-point based combat system (including a lot more tactical manoeuvres) which would make things much more interesting, but sadly the designer doesn't seem to see this as critical.
I get the impression that the designer takes seriously the feedback on his forums from various jokers who believe the game is too hard. Its not, provided you build according to the way the skills system is set up - I recall one fight in particular which the designer thought was an 'automatic death sentence' for characters, as you got dumped naked into a cell with 2 eye beasts (or whatever the beholder equivalents were called) which I destroyed with a level 10 character (levels iirc went to about 17 or 18 in that game).
The combat is also far too simplistic, and that hasn't changed afaik. This game cries out for a well developed action-point based combat system (including a lot more tactical manoeuvres) which would make things much more interesting, but sadly the designer doesn't seem to see this as critical.
- Joined
- May 13, 2009
- Messages
- 27,231
I have to agree that I was somewhat disappointed by Book 2. I found Book 1 to be alright for what it was, but with Book 2 I was expecting some sort of progress of the system, to address the most glaring faults.
What we got were Special Attacks for the weapons... and that was pretty much it.
I never played Book 1 enough to get an overview of all the skills and how they relate to one another, but even I could see that there was something wrong with many of them. The Cartography skill is retarded, for example. It fills in the automap, and the level of the skill determines how much of the map is filled in. There are in-game means to temporarily raise your Cartography skill, which means that you can get a more detailed automap without having to invest too heavily into the skill. Except, once this temporary boost is removed, the game OVERWRITES the improved automap information with the old one, rendering the whole practice frustrating, unrewarding and completely pointless.
I pointed this out, along with several other minor problems, as part of my feedback for the first game on the official forums. All of which was promptly ignored. It's one thing trying to be old-school in your design, but that doesn't mean that your work is above criticism, and that there isn't room for improvement.
Book 2 had a nice dungeon, IMO, in the sunken town, but that was pretty much the only worthwhile part of the game. The "bonus" dungeon added with one of the later patches is a joke, and every part of the game taking place in the frozen tundra is pathetic.
I will probably pick this up eventually to finish off the trilogy, but only once I get the game at a discount somewhere.
What we got were Special Attacks for the weapons... and that was pretty much it.
I never played Book 1 enough to get an overview of all the skills and how they relate to one another, but even I could see that there was something wrong with many of them. The Cartography skill is retarded, for example. It fills in the automap, and the level of the skill determines how much of the map is filled in. There are in-game means to temporarily raise your Cartography skill, which means that you can get a more detailed automap without having to invest too heavily into the skill. Except, once this temporary boost is removed, the game OVERWRITES the improved automap information with the old one, rendering the whole practice frustrating, unrewarding and completely pointless.
I pointed this out, along with several other minor problems, as part of my feedback for the first game on the official forums. All of which was promptly ignored. It's one thing trying to be old-school in your design, but that doesn't mean that your work is above criticism, and that there isn't room for improvement.
Book 2 had a nice dungeon, IMO, in the sunken town, but that was pretty much the only worthwhile part of the game. The "bonus" dungeon added with one of the later patches is a joke, and every part of the game taking place in the frozen tundra is pathetic.
I will probably pick this up eventually to finish off the trilogy, but only once I get the game at a discount somewhere.
I finished Book I but never got into Book II. I realize it's really the same game - and I guess that's the problem. Don't get me wrong: I could very well live with the dull combat, but the empty world that limits my exploration combined with the worst walking speed of all times kills it for me. So no thanks, I guess.
- Joined
- May 13, 2009
- Messages
- 27,231
Ah, I see your confusion. Let me rephrase my words: "Every part of the game that took part in the frozen tundra" - referring to a part of the game. Not the entire game.
Gord
Arcane
- Joined
- Feb 16, 2011
- Messages
- 7,049
Yes, the combat system could be made more complex. Book II had 3 attack modes, IIRC, but I didn't ever feel the need to use them.
Adding some more special attacks that have different effects (positive and negative) and can be chosen at will, instead of one special attack at skill 10 with a cool-down and more enemies with special attacks/effects would help.
I think the cartography skill is a very cool idea, but you are right that the way the spell works is stupid.
Wasn't it removed from the 2nd game? At least I don't remember it from there.
Anyway, the skill system left a lot of room for exploits. It's not necessarily bad, after all it's single player, but some balancing should be done.
I think it has potential, though, as long as you don't mind the inherent pitfalls of such systems (balancing problems/exploits being one).
Yes, the sunken town was great. The bonus dungeon was ok, I think, but nothing special.
I did spend about 30 min total in the tundra, doing the wolf quest there, traveling to the mq-location and that was about it. If anything it felt very unfinished.
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2011
- Messages
- 97,479
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2011
- Messages
- 97,479
They sent RPGWatch a press release but not us: http://www.rpgwatch.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22587 
They sent RPGWatch a press release but not us: http://www.rpgwatch.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22587
some people will never learn
Sweet. I liked the first 2 games. It is not for everyone but I enjoyed them. <3
hoverdog
dog that is hovering, Wastelands Interactive
Luzur
Good Sir
i hope it will have good music like in Eschalon 1
Likvidator
Unwanted
- Joined
- Nov 20, 2013
- Messages
- 27
Can you run from one level to the next in less then 2 hours nowadays or didnt the technology advacne far enough yet?
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2011
- Messages
- 97,479
GameBanshee preview: http://www.gamebanshee.com/previews/113059-eschalon-book-iii-preview.html
God I love this game series.
I love these games too. Really clever way of making a turn based game feel like real time.
Jedi_Learner
Liturgist
- Joined
- Jun 11, 2007
- Messages
- 894
The game will be so worth the price.
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