Which is pretty much what they did. Aside from my minor annoyance about how they changed the implants, which I can see as a change for the better, I can't see anything in the game that wasn't changed for the better.
The cost for using implants is fairly high, but it gives a good reason to put your con at 12 or above. Normally, I leave mine at 10, because I don't want the penalty, but I don't need the boost too much.
It is balanced though, which is nice. Rather than spending a feat to get each level of implant, you need to spend several stat points on high con.
You said it. I think that you can really feel the Obsidian influence. The dialogue was one of the things that made Planescape: Torment so great, and even in the few hours I've played this one, that feeling is there.
Planescape was a great game that was remarkably underrated. Perhaps it is the same issue here?
It is a great update, but most of the changes merely add depth to rpg aspects of the game. It's d20, still, but you've got a better DM this time.
If you were distant the first time, you'll still feel distant on this one. It's worth it, if you can get past that, but if you can't, then it isn't the game for you.
I also played for about 4 hours last night, and I disagree.
Yes, there are quite a bit that is the same, however the interface is better, and the dialogue is better. The skills sytem is better, with a broader range of uses for your skills.
It's also got a different style.
Then again, perhaps you are one of the players who played a Soldier/Guardian combo last game, and are playing a Guardian this game. If so, I can see how you'd miss quite a few of the changes. They improved the depth of the game, and you miss that, playing the big buff warrior route.
Slightly better, in my opinion, but certainly not a big change. Other games have changed quite a bit in a year, and this one hasn't changed since the first.
Not a big deal, in my mind.
The review isn't very accurate. It lacks an appreciation for the little changes that really make the game shine.
The interface has been improved in a variety of little ways, subtle stuff, but good, like two sets of weapons that you can easily swap between. It's subtle, but it makes it much easier to swap between short range and long range, something that was missing in the first game.
The influence system that has been added is great, it makes dialogue with your party actually matter. Instead of just being a way to unlock their sidequest, you are now shaping their destiny. Not only that, but the dialogue is much better, in my opinion.
The changes to the skill and inventory system are amazing. In the first game, several skills had were rarely used. In this one, skills now effect both dialogue options and the range of items that you can manufacture.
I like the fact that awareness has a real use now. Originally, it didn't have much use beyond spotting mines. In this one, it helps you to spot cloaked sith assassins, which helps you to avoid an ambush.
Yes, the graphics are still fairly similar to the original, but I can't see much wrong with that. They bad the first time, and they aren't bad this time.
Also, the load times are still present, and they seem a tad shorter this time, though not by much. This wasn't a big problem in the first game, and still isn't. It would have been nice to see progress in this area, I will admit.
The best way to explain the changes is, Same system, better GM. The first Kotor was the finest example of d20 gaming on a machine that I had ever seen. The engine for the d20 aspects was nearly perfect. This one, they've got the same engine, but they've got a better DM this time around. He has a better idea of how to make the game interesting, and how to make challenges for PCs that use a wider variety of skills.
b) The people who would want to buy their product are discouraged by long pageloads and sporadic outages, decreasing their revenues.
Do these even exist?
Sounds quite a bit like xbox live.
Some people may consider this a troll, but I'm quite serious here. Steam is comparable to xbox live, in some respects, especially with the sale of downloaded games that has been promised in the coming months.
Both systems have their flaws and their detractors, but they both are superior to their immediate competition.
I agree. The orginal Syndicate was amazing, and while the addons were a little tough for me at the time, I enjoyed them. The sequel, Syndicate wars, wasn't as enjoyable, but it did have some great elements.
Dungeon Keeper was remarkably different from most of the cases at time. Not only was the focus on the Anti-Hero, but it had real style.
Yea, I remember Bolo. Damn, that was a great game. Truly a classic game.
It was one of the first games that I played that had a simple user-friendly map making interface.
Those were Sega? I thought they just published them. Jet Set Radio was done by SmileBit, IIRC.
But indeed, Jet Set Radio and Skies of Arcadia were great games. I bought a dreamcast specifically to play Skies of Arcadia, long before it was ported to the gamecube.
Well, I like the new logo, and I can only hope that this will lead to better games from Sega. I can't recall the last Sega game I played.
I remember having some interest in Sonic Heroes, but horrible reviews dropped it to the bottom of my list of games to check out, and I still have yet to bother.
What else have they produced lately?
I do have some doubts about how well Sammy will manage Sega.
I know that in some places, the selling of used games is effected by the pawn shop act, or similar laws. I'm not entirely clear on which areas have those laws, nor on in which areas video game stores are covered by them. However, I would imagine that it would be fairly simple to figure out, if one was interested.
I also recall seeing a story on slashdot about EB ignoring these laws and reselling items rather quickly. The woman who had her PS2 stolen, managed to figure out who'd done, get information from him on what he'd done with it, and went to the store, but despite a short period of time, her ps2 had already been sold.
If the publishers really want to take a bite out of used game sales, would it not make sense to locate and document violations of those pawn shop laws in areas where those laws apply, and then take the used game store to court?
Not entirely true. Some stores have a policy of offering a much higher trade-in value for games during the first month or so. This allows them to get a copy of the game to sell used and still make a decent profit.
From my own experiences, EB makes $10-20 canadian on each used game I bring them, just on the resale markup. Good money for the amount of work it takes.
Afterall, they've already got the store and the shelf space. It really is just a matter of labelling and storing the disc.
We came up with this idea about a week before the game came out, and tested it the weekend after it was released. It works fairly well, though it does tend to end up being overkill.
You can definately mix and match the systems though. 2 gamecubes, 1 gameboy players, and 3 gameboy advanced was what we went with.
Though, I should point out that there is a bug in the system that allows you to control it a 3rd and 4th player with normal gamecube controllers if you have 2 gameboy advanceds, or obviously, two extra gamecubes with gameboy players.
Basically, you use one gameboy advanced to hold the multiplayer window open, plug in the other gameboy advance, let it pass the check, and then swap it with a regular controller.
That method has some disadvantages, because you need to swap controllers at times to give screens to the players who don't have them. For example, in the town, when you're selling things, buying things, customizing items, or rearranging you inventory in preparation for tough battles.
Also, you can swap out a 2nd player's gameboy advanced unit with a normal gamecube controller when they have to leave in the middle of a level, as we learned when a whipped friend's girlfriend called him home.
Just because the dev kits have shipped, doesn't mean that the applications for the system can't change. Suppose they replaced the current dashboard with a version of windows, and gave us a keyboard and mouse combo with it. It would be a pc, without effecting how it plays games.
The fact that there are linux setups that work on the Xbox, without effecting the game ability proves this.
They could easily add a specialized version of windows with full keyboard and mouse support. Heck, if they wanted to, they could do it for the current Xbox.
I have to disagree with part of this. FPS, RTS and Simulation games are better on the PC, but RPGs must be divided into two categories before your statement rings true. Open-ended freeform RPGs are better on a PC. Daggerfall, and Morrowind are two good examples of this. Plot-driven RPGs are better on the console, or at least more popular. The Final Fantasy series, and a variety of others, who lead you along the plot, are more popular on the console.
Slashdot Mirror
Which is pretty much what they did. Aside from my minor annoyance about how they changed the implants, which I can see as a change for the better, I can't see anything in the game that wasn't changed for the better.
The cost for using implants is fairly high, but it gives a good reason to put your con at 12 or above. Normally, I leave mine at 10, because I don't want the penalty, but I don't need the boost too much.
It is balanced though, which is nice. Rather than spending a feat to get each level of implant, you need to spend several stat points on high con.
You said it. I think that you can really feel the Obsidian influence. The dialogue was one of the things that made Planescape: Torment so great, and even in the few hours I've played this one, that feeling is there.
Planescape was a great game that was remarkably underrated. Perhaps it is the same issue here?
It is a great update, but most of the changes merely add depth to rpg aspects of the game. It's d20, still, but you've got a better DM this time.
If you were distant the first time, you'll still feel distant on this one. It's worth it, if you can get past that, but if you can't, then it isn't the game for you.
I also played for about 4 hours last night, and I disagree. Yes, there are quite a bit that is the same, however the interface is better, and the dialogue is better. The skills sytem is better, with a broader range of uses for your skills. It's also got a different style. Then again, perhaps you are one of the players who played a Soldier/Guardian combo last game, and are playing a Guardian this game. If so, I can see how you'd miss quite a few of the changes. They improved the depth of the game, and you miss that, playing the big buff warrior route.
Slightly better, in my opinion, but certainly not a big change. Other games have changed quite a bit in a year, and this one hasn't changed since the first. Not a big deal, in my mind.
The review isn't very accurate. It lacks an appreciation for the little changes that really make the game shine.
The interface has been improved in a variety of little ways, subtle stuff, but good, like two sets of weapons that you can easily swap between. It's subtle, but it makes it much easier to swap between short range and long range, something that was missing in the first game.
The influence system that has been added is great, it makes dialogue with your party actually matter. Instead of just being a way to unlock their sidequest, you are now shaping their destiny. Not only that, but the dialogue is much better, in my opinion.
The changes to the skill and inventory system are amazing. In the first game, several skills had were rarely used. In this one, skills now effect both dialogue options and the range of items that you can manufacture.
I like the fact that awareness has a real use now. Originally, it didn't have much use beyond spotting mines. In this one, it helps you to spot cloaked sith assassins, which helps you to avoid an ambush.
Yes, the graphics are still fairly similar to the original, but I can't see much wrong with that. They bad the first time, and they aren't bad this time.
Also, the load times are still present, and they seem a tad shorter this time, though not by much. This wasn't a big problem in the first game, and still isn't. It would have been nice to see progress in this area, I will admit.
The best way to explain the changes is, Same system, better GM. The first Kotor was the finest example of d20 gaming on a machine that I had ever seen. The engine for the d20 aspects was nearly perfect. This one, they've got the same engine, but they've got a better DM this time around. He has a better idea of how to make the game interesting, and how to make challenges for PCs that use a wider variety of skills.
I'm not sure I can explain it better than that.
Was this a troll, or just an ignorant question?
b) The people who would want to buy their product are discouraged by long pageloads and sporadic outages, decreasing their revenues. Do these even exist?
Yes, the gamecube has two analog sticks, but it doesn't have twin sticks. The C stick just isn't the same.
Heh. Try Marathon. Same time frame, superior experience.
Eh, just count Marathon as being the precusor to Halo, which they clearly are, and Halo becomes 5 games, which should be enough.
Sounds quite a bit like xbox live. Some people may consider this a troll, but I'm quite serious here. Steam is comparable to xbox live, in some respects, especially with the sale of downloaded games that has been promised in the coming months. Both systems have their flaws and their detractors, but they both are superior to their immediate competition.
I emailed him also, and got a strange response. It appears to be a copy of his brief. It's quite long, and rather interesting.
In other words, I believe your story.
I agree. The orginal Syndicate was amazing, and while the addons were a little tough for me at the time, I enjoyed them. The sequel, Syndicate wars, wasn't as enjoyable, but it did have some great elements. Dungeon Keeper was remarkably different from most of the cases at time. Not only was the focus on the Anti-Hero, but it had real style.
Yea, I remember Bolo. Damn, that was a great game. Truly a classic game. It was one of the first games that I played that had a simple user-friendly map making interface.
I did not know that. Thanks for the information. I think I'll keep a closer eye on Sega & Sammy now.
Those were Sega? I thought they just published them. Jet Set Radio was done by SmileBit, IIRC.
But indeed, Jet Set Radio and Skies of Arcadia were great games. I bought a dreamcast specifically to play Skies of Arcadia, long before it was ported to the gamecube.
Well, I like the new logo, and I can only hope that this will lead to better games from Sega. I can't recall the last Sega game I played.
I remember having some interest in Sonic Heroes, but horrible reviews dropped it to the bottom of my list of games to check out, and I still have yet to bother.
What else have they produced lately?
I do have some doubts about how well Sammy will manage Sega.
I know that in some places, the selling of used games is effected by the pawn shop act, or similar laws. I'm not entirely clear on which areas have those laws, nor on in which areas video game stores are covered by them. However, I would imagine that it would be fairly simple to figure out, if one was interested.
I also recall seeing a story on slashdot about EB ignoring these laws and reselling items rather quickly. The woman who had her PS2 stolen, managed to figure out who'd done, get information from him on what he'd done with it, and went to the store, but despite a short period of time, her ps2 had already been sold.
If the publishers really want to take a bite out of used game sales, would it not make sense to locate and document violations of those pawn shop laws in areas where those laws apply, and then take the used game store to court?
Not entirely true. Some stores have a policy of offering a much higher trade-in value for games during the first month or so. This allows them to get a copy of the game to sell used and still make a decent profit.
From my own experiences, EB makes $10-20 canadian on each used game I bring them, just on the resale markup. Good money for the amount of work it takes.
Afterall, they've already got the store and the shelf space. It really is just a matter of labelling and storing the disc.
We came up with this idea about a week before the game came out, and tested it the weekend after it was released. It works fairly well, though it does tend to end up being overkill.
You can definately mix and match the systems though. 2 gamecubes, 1 gameboy players, and 3 gameboy advanced was what we went with.
Though, I should point out that there is a bug in the system that allows you to control it a 3rd and 4th player with normal gamecube controllers if you have 2 gameboy advanceds, or obviously, two extra gamecubes with gameboy players.
Basically, you use one gameboy advanced to hold the multiplayer window open, plug in the other gameboy advance, let it pass the check, and then swap it with a regular controller.
That method has some disadvantages, because you need to swap controllers at times to give screens to the players who don't have them. For example, in the town, when you're selling things, buying things, customizing items, or rearranging you inventory in preparation for tough battles.
Also, you can swap out a 2nd player's gameboy advanced unit with a normal gamecube controller when they have to leave in the middle of a level, as we learned when a whipped friend's girlfriend called him home.
Well, the only real reason I can think of, would be Xbox live. The PC online community lacks anything close to the unified solution that it provides.
Just because the dev kits have shipped, doesn't mean that the applications for the system can't change. Suppose they replaced the current dashboard with a version of windows, and gave us a keyboard and mouse combo with it. It would be a pc, without effecting how it plays games. The fact that there are linux setups that work on the Xbox, without effecting the game ability proves this. They could easily add a specialized version of windows with full keyboard and mouse support. Heck, if they wanted to, they could do it for the current Xbox.
EBGames.com seems to have removed the bundle from their website now. It was there before, without any information, and now it's totally gone.
I have to disagree with part of this. FPS, RTS and Simulation games are better on the PC, but RPGs must be divided into two categories before your statement rings true. Open-ended freeform RPGs are better on a PC. Daggerfall, and Morrowind are two good examples of this. Plot-driven RPGs are better on the console, or at least more popular. The Final Fantasy series, and a variety of others, who lead you along the plot, are more popular on the console.