With all the talk of rpgs and text games, I just came upon an absolutely fantastic example of the power of text to transform a comparatively uninteresting combat mechanic into something fun.
Sinse the next gamebook from www.arborell.com, a Murder of Crows is due out very soon, I decided to replay the first in the series, Shards of moonlight (which has actually had a bit of a rewrite recently). I just had a combat with two stone statues that was, ---- from a mechanics point of view, not particularly interesting. This isn't the Gm's fault, sinse the Arborell gamebooks involve no internal programming whatsoever just rolling dice and recording on a character sheet like Lone wolf or fighting fantasy (though he has introduced tallents and a crytical hits system into the mix recently). So, I went through a few rounds of progressively smacking the statues with my hammer and being clobbered by their swords. However once I defeat them and turn to section 20, instead of just "and you won" I get the following: The Stone Guardians rush your position, their intent obvious as they raise their swords to attack. In the darkness you stand your ground, unwilling to take a backward step no matter how large the opponents you face. Quickly you ready yourself, taking a tighter hold upon your warhammer. In concert their weapons fall upon you and the battle is joined. Under the power of their blows you falter, but only for a moment. The Guardians are old, but powerful opponents nonetheless. Against their assault you fall back then attack again, swinging your hammer in a wide arc as the Guardians try and force you from open ground and up against the walls of the canyon. It is a desperate struggle, the size of the Guardians an advantage that has you constantly on the defensive, using all the strength you have to deflect their enormous blades. They are not however, without weakness of their own. A single blow from your hammer has a startling effect upon the leg of one of your foes. The Guardian's limb shatters in a shower of crystal dust with the impact and it is then that the tide of the battle turns. Quickly you take advantage of this weakness, attacking the other and smashing one of its legs as well. Both Guardians struggle for their footing as you advance upon them and it is only a matter of time before they lay as piles of rubble in the darkness. You do not stop though. The battle is only over when you are sure that they are completely destroyed, and you hammer their remains until there is little left that is recognisable. Only then do you look to the entrance beyond and consider what it is that these obsidian warriors guard so ruthlessly. Fantastic stuff, and a perfect example of how you can have an immersive fight in text. While certainly some music would've been nice, ---- the description can virtually stand alone. Beware the grue! Dark. --- Gamers mailing list __ [email protected] If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to [email protected]. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to [email protected].
