Previews
These are games that are either in early stages of development, or have not yet been ported to DOS or MS-Windows. The opinions and facts I issue in here are founded on preliminary impressions and guesswork and are not to be considered in any way trusthworthy. That said, here are some glimpses of games to come.
Adventurer of the Realm
Latest version: alpha 0.02 (07-FEB-1999)
- very early version
- looks like rogue
- no online help
- no help documents
- I got a fatal bug by typing "Q"
Crossfire
Latest version: ?
This has been around for a while, but hasn't yet been ported to MS-DOS or MS-Windows.
- X-windows only
- multiplayer
- pretty graphics
- appears to have nice depth
|
|
Standard Features |
Highlights (Good Ideas) |
Problems |
| - VGA graphics - keyboard or mouse movement - no character creation yet - no apparent stats/levels yet - skills don't do anything |
- global map looks nice - the "feel" is right: more like a roguelike than an ultima clone - objects have qualities (excellent, well-made, etc.) |
- buggy
sometimes keypresses ignored - no help in or with game; have to look online - crude graphics [I'd prefer text] - cheesy mix of sci-fi and fantasy - has to run maximized |
Bottom line: Dimensions is still in its VERY early stages. According to the developer's web page, development is continuing as of Feb99, so we should [hopefully] see a more playable version in the somewhat near future.
Availability: This used to be available for download but Simon has withdrawn it until it's in a more complete state.
|
|
Standard Features |
Highlights (Good Ideas) |
Problems |
| - ASCII, color - town level like Angband - multiple stores of each type - AD&D stats, some skills - 4 magic realms: fire/air/water/earth
|
- nice menus,
panels, scrolling - view centers on character - humorous description of AD&D stats - provides default character names |
- extremely buggy
lots of crashes - sloppy randomization; I once got a town that didn't sell torches - awkward inventory mgmt; to wield item in slot one you have to hit 'i' 'q' <space> 'b' <space> - lack of instructions within game - no high score list or tombstone |
Bottom line: As perhaps hinted by its name, there is [so far] nothing truly original about Dungeon, nothing that would make me want to play it instead of one of the other Roguelikes. The most unique aspect is the inventory management, which in my opinion, is even worse than Omega's; it's VERY hard to use and doesn't give me anything extra in return. Hopefully the author will employ his humor and smarts in giving the game some direction.
Availability: I used to have it on my downloads page but since we moved servers I cannot find it anymore.
Dungeons of Des Moines
Estimated release date: DEC-1999
- estimated size > 100
Grey Wastes
Estimated release date: DEC-1999
|
|
Standard Features |
Highlights (Good Ideas) |
Problems |
| - ASCII, color, scrolling dungeon - AD&D-ish stats plus Toughness - practice-based skills - critical hits, edible corpses - combat tactics (aggressiveness) - shops a la Nethack |
- great menus
& intro screen - multiple tutors/classes - monsters fight each other - weapon wear and tear - HP for body parts - wilderness |
- no save feature - stats don't stand out on screen - so-so inventory mgmt - no rest command - int, wis, chr don't do anything - some battles take forever |
Bottom line: This game has potential. Though it's very heavily ADOM-influenced, it at least introduces several cool, "modern" features like practice-based skills, tactics, shops, weapon degradation, etc. Erno's head is in the right place; he's trying to create a deep game with new ideas and not just going through the motions of making a Roguelike clone as a programming exercise. I sincerely hope he's able to continue his efforts.
The previous release date [for version 0.30] was 19apr98, exactly a year before the current one [0.34]. Interesting, huh? Anyway, I noticed much more of an ADOM influence in the current version, which is unfortunate because I dislike ADOM's keybindings and quest-orientation. The dungeon still has enough wide-open Angband flavor to remain interesting, however.
Availability: You can get it from my downloads page.
~ Additional previews and updates are forthcoming ~