Dark Messiah of Might and Magic

**doc_bean** · 10-28-2006, 15:43

Apparently it's still incredibly buggy. Unplayable on several systems. At wait until the first patch is released an then check around if it's still in such an awful state...

**edyzmedieval** · 10-29-2006, 19:12

Ok, so I guess I'll wait to play the demo first.

**doc_bean** · 10-29-2006, 22:14

According to another forum I read, a smoothly running demo isn't a guarantee.

However, pretty much everyone who has managed to get this to run decently seems to think it's a great game. Though it appears to be mostly about kicking orcs off a bridge

**Zenicetus** · 10-30-2006, 02:01

Originally Posted by doc_bean

According to another forum I read, a smoothly running demo isn't a guarantee.

However, pretty much everyone who has managed to get this to run decently seems to think it's a great game. Though it appears to be mostly about kicking orcs off a bridge

And what's wrong with kicking orcs off a bridge?

The final game is probably more than that. There is a hint of a storyline in the demo, although it's probably linear. Also, I think it's designed to let you play as a melee bruiser, or a thief/rogue, or mage type, depending on what skills you develop. Or some combination of the three. For example, there is an indicator in the GUI for how much you're hidden in shadows, so sneaking is an option in areas that aren't brightly lit. The demo does encourage Orc-kicking because melee is easier when the character is brand new, and it's also fun to experiment with the physics engine.

**Bob the Insane** · 10-30-2006, 04:12

Got this and been playing it...

In many ways it is old school FPS with pretty linear levels and objectives. The level design is good though and the pacing is excellent. The one good thing about a linear game is that can allow for a solid stoyline and in this case that is what we have... The locations and levels and pretty stunning and make extensive use of HDR...

A lot of people have been complaining about performance issues and I had some too, but as soon as switched off the above mentioned HDR I found I could have all the other bells and whistles turned on...

Reminds me a little of Hexen if anyone else remembers that...

Physical combat is excellently done and a havock physics are in full effect. Think Oblivion in style but better, faster, smoother and more challenging...

This is not RPG, it is FPS with stats and levels. Think first person Dungeon Siege...

It has excellent moments, like chasing a goul over the roof tops (you can climb, jump onto and jump off ropes). The first time you are attacked by a large flying dragon like creature, the first time you are attacked by a Cyclops and at one point I was attacked by a gigantic worm (think Dune sandworm for scale).

Old school but pretty and with a good story (so far)...

**Zenicetus** · 10-30-2006, 04:30

Hey, Bob_the_Insane:

How is the skill tree working out? Are you playing as a fighter, a mage, or are those distinctions kinda blurred... which is the impression I got from the demo?

**Bob the Insane** · 10-30-2006, 04:52

Well you have to start making decisions as you progress because you come across weapons that regular certain levels in the skill tree to use... If you try going jack of all trades you will be versitile but never get to use the kick arse stuff for any role...

You are never going to get away from magic completely, I mean your a wizards apprentice and you start with the simple 'see in the dark' spell...

Personally I have gone down the warrior route with a little magic for backup and healing. Now I find myself saving up the skill points to get a the appropriate skills to use the latest toy I picked up..

You can do okay with mixing the skills up as it does not require a high level to perform the roles of each "class"... You only need Stealth level 2 to start backstabbing people for example. But as I stated before what pushes you into specializing is finding some cool sword which requires level 3 strength which is a total of 24 skill points to get to... Once you have made that investment it kinda incourages you to use that weapon.

Maybe I am a bad person to ask, I aways play the fighter/warrior... PnP D&D at school, Baldur's Gate, BG2, Dungeon Siege, Oblivion... I even used to fence at university... So setting my character up to use the shiny swords and armour is pretty much automatic to me...

I have always thought that there are not too many problems that con't be resolved with 3 feet of shapened steel...