Together Retro: First-Person Dungeon Crawlers

[pierrot]

So you're not completely nuts.

--Just mostly nuts.

From what I've read about it though, the Sega CD version adds in a bunch of audio and a couple of animated sequences for the ending, but it might be the harder version simply because of the controls.

I happen to have a Mega Mouse, so that part of it actually wouldn't be too much of an issue. It does still play a little strangely with the controller and mouse, but more smoothly than with just the controller. I've wanted to sink some time into EotB for the longest time, but it's probably pretty unlikely that I'd get to it this month, regardless. I'd like to get through Arcus (which seems pretty doable), and hopefully finish up SMT if..., at least. If those things happen, then I might start debating versions of EotB to play.

I'm pretty positive I've got the bugged version. No FPDC for me then, it would seem

The bugs seem to be numerous, and I guess the Dominator bug is pretty common, but you might be able to play it and enjoy it, if you have pretty good luck, and manage to escape most instances of the bugs. Here's a website dedicated to the bugs for that revision, if you wanted to take a look: http://ゆめのしま.jp/shin2/shin2_bug.html. Some of the bugs have methods for getting around them, like not taking double damage with the main character from multi-target spells/attacks by placing a party member in the back right of the party.

Also, the PSN version is the revised version of the game.

[Exhuminator]

In fairness, EotB 3 is not Westwood.

Thanks for the clarification. I see it was developed by Strategic Simulations.

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I put three more hours into Mazes of Fate DS last night. I thought I was closer to the end than I actually was. However, I am 99% sure I'm at the final dungeon now. I might just have this one beaten today.

[BoneSnapDeez]

May 4th and the thread is on page 9. Nice to see you guys rolling.

Seems like everyone participating had a game in mind and jumped right in. This month's genre seems to be rather unambiguous, which is helpful.

Keep on grinding.

[PartridgeSenpai]

I'm pretty positive I've got the bugged version. No FPDC for me then, it would seem

The bugs seem to be numerous, and I guess the Dominator bug is pretty common, but you might be able to play it and enjoy it, if you have pretty good luck, and manage to escape most instances of the bugs. Here's a website dedicated to the bugs for that revision, if you wanted to take a look: http://ゆめのしま.jp/shin2/shin2_bug.html. Some of the bugs have methods for getting around them, like not taking double damage with the main character from multi-target spells/attacks by placing a party member in the back right of the party.

Also, the PSN version is the revised version of the game.

Ooo! Thank you so much for the work-around website! I'll probably just end up selling this physical version and trying to get it on PSN if I ever go through it though. Having "pretty good luck" to avoid bugs is a game requirement that I try to avoid whenever possible

[Exhuminator]

Well I finished my first FPDC for this TR:


Mazes of Fate DS

Pretty good FPDC in your pocket. Took me a little over sixteen hours to beat. I'd give it a 7.5 outta 10.
Review here.

Up next for me is Fighting Fantasy: The Warlock of Firetop Mountain on DS, and also Orcs & Elves II on Symbian OS. I plan to alternate between the two until I finish them (unless they suck and I don't finish them). Sticking with portable entries for a bit longer, as I've got travel for work going on next week so I won't be around my consoles or gaming PC. However after travel and these are done, I will go for a console FPDC.

[Ack]

I have also beaten my first dungeon crawler for the month. After a harrowing final battle which featured multiple encounters with the evil Namtar, I have hurled him screaming back into the pit from whence he came. Dragon Wars is complete. I'll do a full write up in the Games Beaten 2018 thread later

Up next, I'm not sure yet, but I have a lot of good options.

[MrPopo]

I think you should give Pool of Radiance a try, Ack. It's really a stand out game.

[Exhuminator]

Dragon Wars is complete.

About how long did it take to beat? I'd like to know.

[Ack]

I think you should give Pool of Radiance a try, Ack. It's really a stand out game.

I plan to eventually, but I have now found myself getting into Dungeon Hack, which is like a streamlined Eye of the Beholder with less plot.

I gave my fiancee 3 options, and that is the one she picked. The other options I gave her this time we're Might and Magic 1 and Ultima Underworld 2.

Dragon Wars is complete.

About how long did it take to beat? I'd like to know.

I really couldn't say. GOG apparently doesn't track time when you are offline. I guess I would estimate around 50 hours or so, but I tend towards being a completionist.

[Exhuminator]

Dungeon Hack is pretty cool, but you're missing out by not playing Ultima Underworld II: Labyrinth of Worlds instead. I haven't beaten UU2 myself, but I put a lot of time into it back in 1999. It was very impressive, very immersive, and significantly improved over UU. What screwed my progress is I didn't have any of the literature that came with the game (only had the installation disks). Remember when manuals and included documentation actually mattered?

Ack are you planning on beating Dungeon Master for SNES? Isn't that one of the few USA SNES RPGs you own but haven't beat yet? This TR seems the perfect excuse.

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I put two hours into Fighting Fantasy: The Warlock of Firetop Mountain for DS tonight. This FPDC is loosely based on the old gamebook of the same name. "Professional" reviewers unsurprisingly crapped all over this when it released in 2009 (45% Metacritic rating ). At the beginning you're described situations to resolve, and depending on how you answer those questions, your character is generated (or you can roll your own). Based on my answers I ended up as a berserker mercenary specializing in dual handed axes. Fair enough. Solving problems by leaving behind quivering masses of bloody giblets gets the job done. I could have been a mage, or a ranger, or a sneaky thief just as easily. I guess pictures are worth a lot of me bothering to type so:



Not pictured is NPC discussion, you do talk to NPCs often and receive dialogue choices (usually leads to sidequests or trading). FF:TWoFM has an impressive 3D engine, lots of detailed textures and very smooth framerate. Thankfully unlike Mazes of Fate DS this DS game has been legitimately challenging. I'm enjoying this one so far.