Hi everyone. Today I've been testing some of the beta versions for the new eamon delux with it's vi compatibility mode.
it's going very well, all the irritations with display are totally gone so that it just displays like any console window dos application, and the developer has completely altered several menues so that now they all have numbers to press, for instance in the character editer to alter your characters' hardiness you now just hit one and then type the new number just like those number driven choices in dos programs. Also, the developer is doing a lot of very nice extra work in the vi mode, such as writing in text descriptions of graphics, and with more of a campeigne mode to be added where you can actually use that gold from adventures to buy improvement for your character (rather than having to cheat with the editer), this is looking like it'll be awsome. Oh and yes, he's also making the dungeon designer accessible too in case anyone would like to write their own eamon games. So, today i've been playing all the beginner eamon delux adventures and having thoughts. As beginner adventures these are not complicated in the least, go into location, slaughter your way through and grab the loot to take back to the main hall to sell for dosh. what is surprising me is how addictive these are, and how just a few lines of description and a very simple system can create an immersive game. The parza is fairly unsophisticated, indeed the only item manipulation commands are put, remove, wear and use, so puzles tend to be a matter of looking in the room description and searching objects for other objects. the combat is equally simple, but at the same time has enough in for variation. Five basic types of weapons with your character gaining experience in them as they use them, a heal, damage, and speed spell with again limited chance of use, and the chance to have your charisma affect your dealings with npcs, meaning they either ignore, fight, or fight along side you. Yet, the system has enough to be interesting, particularly when you've got got three or four allies on your side vs three or four enemies, ---- indeed in those situations you might play healer. Don't mistake me, the system is stil primative. I'm rather sorry for instance there is no menue driven conversation, and some more spells or fighting moves would be nice to have. Also the descriptions obviously vary in quality according to the game, ---- and yet, i've spent considderable time today just running around dungeons hacking up nasties for fun and prophit. So, what Tom has said recently about text games really holds true I think, even though I personally am not a fan of interactive fiction, ---- too many item manipulation commands and puzles that are too obscure. Yet something like a more complex eamon, with some more commands, some more character interaction and some random text would I think be awsome! indeed I might think about creating something like this if I ever start writing games. 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://mail.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].
