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.
---
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