hoam
Recruit
Hi, I've only tried M&B for a few hours, and so far it hasn't been disappointing. However, though the core gameplay is very good, immersion has been marred here and there. No doubt there is still room for improvements
The main issue that was distracting was the lack of a detailed city. It mattered because I spend a lot of time in my RPGs running through cities, talking to NPCs, comparing prices and trading. I just felt compelled to run out of the city because of the lack of gorgeous skyboxes. It was stunning to behold the view when I fought outside of the city, but in Zergan, the city looked like a post-apocalyptic area. The distractions, imho, lie with the skyboxes, the lack of any civilian NPCs (esp in the jousting arena) and the fact that all dungeons including the Count's house look identical to the merchant's shop I had been to 10 mins ago
The world map also looks a little bland. I was looking at the thread comparing M&B to Darklands, and I remember that Darklands' map of Germany was distinctively drawn. There were fields of grain, rivers, forests etc. It was drawn with simple colours, yet very detailed. It was almost like looking at Google Earth...well almost...
The music is fitting, but sound effects could be better. I would have loved to hear birds chirping during daytime, and maybe the sound of city folk chattering and going about their own business, and people shouting. Would really really change the whole experience
I've found a problem with the character menu too - there's a + box, but no - box, so when I make a booboo, I have to click on Reset Changes. Not a big problem thoguh
I'm quite impressed though, that the game is done by just 2 people. The core combat itself is already a landmark in gaming history - I've not seen such immersive yet simple sparring since Blade of Darkness. Good job on this one
The main issue that was distracting was the lack of a detailed city. It mattered because I spend a lot of time in my RPGs running through cities, talking to NPCs, comparing prices and trading. I just felt compelled to run out of the city because of the lack of gorgeous skyboxes. It was stunning to behold the view when I fought outside of the city, but in Zergan, the city looked like a post-apocalyptic area. The distractions, imho, lie with the skyboxes, the lack of any civilian NPCs (esp in the jousting arena) and the fact that all dungeons including the Count's house look identical to the merchant's shop I had been to 10 mins ago
The world map also looks a little bland. I was looking at the thread comparing M&B to Darklands, and I remember that Darklands' map of Germany was distinctively drawn. There were fields of grain, rivers, forests etc. It was drawn with simple colours, yet very detailed. It was almost like looking at Google Earth...well almost...
The music is fitting, but sound effects could be better. I would have loved to hear birds chirping during daytime, and maybe the sound of city folk chattering and going about their own business, and people shouting. Would really really change the whole experience
I've found a problem with the character menu too - there's a + box, but no - box, so when I make a booboo, I have to click on Reset Changes. Not a big problem thoguh
I'm quite impressed though, that the game is done by just 2 people. The core combat itself is already a landmark in gaming history - I've not seen such immersive yet simple sparring since Blade of Darkness. Good job on this one