Good reviews.
I disagree this game doesn’t have endless combat like in Wiz8, but at least that is true so far. I am enjoying this game, but I think it could be far better. I wouldn’t take the time to write this if I didn’t like the game and want number 2 to be a better game (for me and my tastes at least). Minor spoilers to follow.
There are only a couple of things I strongly dislike. One of them is the (realistic) system of getting progressively more tired the more you exert yourself and rest. I call it getting smoked. Realistic, but annoying. And it may could have worked well if there was more stamina in general. My dual-weidling rogue is out of stamina within a four person fight and is down to a 20 or 25% cap penalty. I purchased all the, what seem, stamina related perks but I’m not sure if they do anything. Is a regular attack an active feat? Does energy conservation do anything to help stem the tide? I have no idea. Give us the numbers for the perks, feats, skills, etc.
I dislike there being only one resource to manage (stamina). Even though it is realistic and I should agree with it (but it is so annoying I don’t) I dislike regular attacks using the one resource. I think only active combat feats/abilities should use stamina and I think there should be more and better feats, like bleeds, etc. The current feats would work well as modes (+ hit, - def).
And I also think that magic users should use mana, and there should be a lot more of it, and that AoE spells shouldn’t require spellstones. I literally never use AoE spells because of that. I am a saver. I don’t use potions or any consumables either unless I’m stuck or need to in order to not revert to an earlier save. I don’t know if there is a ridiculously hard dungeon around the next corner I’ll need all my resources for.
I hate (or, I should say for emphasis I really fucking hate) any game that makes you rest after each battle. I hate it with a passion. Restrict the areas we can rest and make us manage our resources well between those areas. And for the love of all that is holy let us use AoE spells without using a rare consumable. The amount of stamina (hopefully mana in part 2) used should be the restricting factor. Make the powerful spells, like the one increasing melee damage by 50% cost a lot more so you only use it on boss type fights.
Combat in this game is more of a chore than tactical, TB fun. I can’t rebind key 2 but my attack key is 1 and I usually just hit 1 over and over and over because spells usually do similar damage but for more stamina and have far more steps to cast and require more thought than just hitting 1. A lot of times I just have one of my kids do it for me while I ran out to have a smoke or to piss. “Just keep hitting 1.” I’d come back and throw out a heal or two.
I don’t buff for regular fighting because I don’t want to waste time and my precious resource. And if it wasn;t for the HoTs I would’ve stopped playing from annoyance a while ago.
The combat system could be great, but is really, really annoying as is now. I think you should shoot for a Wiz7 type combat system
Also, this might be just me but I dislike character development systems that include one way to level increase anything (like this game and spiderweb games). I personally like systems that have different inputs. i.e. every other level you get a stat point, and every level you get a point to pick for anything but a stat.
And lastly, I haven’t found one good piece of equipment to spend my money on. That is a huge carrot on a stick. I’m assuming there is a second town, but if not, for me at least, a huge appeal of pushing through to the next town was to check the shops and get some upgrades. I think paper dolls would help in this regard as I am not certain what slots there are for equipment. For instance, out of nowhere addriana’s damage went way down and I finally figured out it was the necklace I equipped unequipped her sword.
Other than that, great job. I enjoy the game until I get too annoyed to play, but so far have gone back to it and have enjoyed the game, and the story, and the mechanics not mentioned above tremendously. This game is far more worth the price than any other game I’ve bought since Avernum 5, and then ToEE before that, and Wiz8 before that.
Also, I think Wiz7 was a better game than Wiz8 when it come to most mechanics/features but Wiz8 did some great things with spells (like the various teirs, levels and fizzling/backfired) and the formation options.
p.s. I would like a quicksave included in part 2.
p.p.s Sorry this was not well written. I am in a rush.