MonkeyLungs

quoted for posterity.

I agree with her assessment of the character system as well. Not very much replay value within each class because not very much variety in making completely different types of builds. I would call it dumbing down, she is way nicer than me.

Some of the parts I quoted WERE the positive parts. Then YOU spoiled the conclusion of the review! I think you owe Jim "I like dumbed down games" Sterling a beer! BTW that was an overall positive review I quoted, they gave it a 7.5 GOOD GAME rating!

People are going to flame you hard because ODS is in full swing, defending and stuff ... HOWEVER, no matter what anyone thinks of your opinion I think it is highly relevant to consider that many people might get this game expecting a game like the previous Dungeon Siege games. If they have no prior knowledge about the changes of this title they might be, well see above.

OH, THANKS. They aren't all negative. He likes the streamlining and appreciates how the game doesn't make you worry about mapping abilities for yourself because there's just the right amount to fit on the controller. ::thumbs up

I never thought of Dark Alliance of CoN or Return to Arms as anything but Action RPG's ... same genre as Diablo, Dungeon Siege, Sacred, PSO etc. In fact action rpg's are underrepresnted on consoles. PC has far greater variety in ARPG. You might consider them different genre because of the platform maybe? Also, Dark Alliance and especially the Norath games from PS2 are extremely FEATURE RICH gaming titles that completely overshadow the feature list of DS3. DS3 is a very feature weak title. It's very simple, very few gameplay modes, no persistent characters, no new game +, super gimped MP, etc. Champions of Norath is LIGHTYEARS ahead of this game.

Some snippets. Jim Sterling likes streamlined dumbed down crap BTW and even he could tell the title was 'streamlined'. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Dungeon Siege III's linear story takes us back to the Kingdom of Ehb and revolves around the Tenth Legion, a force decimated by a powerful conqueror known as Jeyne Kassynder. Character development is some of the most simplistic you could ever expect to find in a Western role-playing game, and I suspect that hardcore PC gamers will not appreciate it. Those looking for deep skill trees and manual stat tweaking will not get what they want out of this game. In what is both a blessing and a potential curse, Dungeon Siege III is very much a "casual" role-playing experience, in which most of the thinking has been done for you and your only concern is amassing vast quantities of loot while kicking the crap out of giant spiders and goblins. This approach will be seen by some as a "dumbed down" experience, but if you want a game that dispenses with busywork and gets right down to the acquisition of riches and power, then Dungeon Siege III provides the instant gratification you're looking for. You don't even have to map abilities yourself -- there are just enough special commands to fit onto a controller, and the game assigns everything for you in a way that's incredibly easy to learn. Despite the restrictions, Dungeon Siege III's fights are pretty satisfying, overall. In fact, AI overall is a bit of an issue. There are most certainly some annoying issues that are hard to ignore, but they didn't stop me having fun with the title. As a single-player experience, Dungeon Siege III is a pleasing affair that lets you jump into an RPG experience without any hassle. I can appreciate a game that just throws the player into the action and lets them enjoy themselves without engaging in endless micromanagement. Deeper experiences are always welcome, but there's plenty to be said for the more streamlined approach as well, and Dungeon Siege III is a fine example of that style. The game took me around twelve hours to beat, and that was with me completing the side quests and taking my time to explore. The bland but pleasant story wrapped up in a satisfying manner at just the right time, and I feel the game would outstay its welcome if it lasted much longer. Drop in/drop out co-op is included, and I have to say that it's an incredibly weak part of the game. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. There is no new game+. There is no random generated environment content. 4. 30 8. There are no persistent character saves. All characters in a single game are tied to that gamesave.

Calling people petulant for cancelling their pre-orders is objective?

Those are all rubbish in Diablo 2, though. Diablo 2 strengths are in its replayability and in the very diverse character builds. Actually the stuff I listed is handled quite well in Diablo 2. It's part of why the game got a patch 10 years into it's life and why people still play game, more people than play DS3 by the way. DS3 is not about GOOD ACTION COMBAT either ... it is definitely in the same genre as Torchlight ... this isn't Ninja Gaiden. Enemy variety and AI is good in Diablo 2? HAHAOHWOW No it isn't Ninja Gaiden, it's a BG:Dark Alliance style game. BG: Dark Alliance is an action rpg like Torchlight. What planet are you from? Torchlight just has ultra gimped multiplayer as in they gimped it out of existence which is a huge negative against that game. The next step up in gimpy multiplayer is DS3, you know hobbling along with a cane telling the youngsters it's cool to only have one multiplayer mode cause that's all gramps needs! EDIT: I'm willing to bet that enemy variety in Diablo 2 >>>> (that's much much much much greater btw) DS3 In Torchlight, or Diablo, or Titan Quest you don't have fine control of your character. You don't have active dodge, active block, combos. It's the reason why continuous attack works with the first games but wouldn't work with Dungeon Siege 3. And it's why Dungeon Siege 3 ends up in a very different genre. The player's manual dexterity is much more important in DS3 than in Diablo. Dungeon Siege 3 and Dark Alliance work as lite versions of Ninja Gaiden or Devil May Cry. You may not enjoy that sort of gameplay, but it is what it is. WTF is this then?

Are you for real here? Dark Alliance is an ARPG, like Torchlight and Lionheart and Diablo 2. It's nothing like Ninja Gaiden or Devil May Cry. I don't think the Obsidian Defense Squad even has the ability to tell the truth anymore. If you say so. Quoted for posterity. I was going to rant a lot but I'm flabbergasted that you would actually compare DS3 fighting system to Ninja Gaiden. And you think DS3 is more like Ninja Gaiden than Diablo 2?

You said Dungeon Siege 3 and Dark Alliance were like Ninja Gaiden and Devil May Cry as opposed to being like Torchlight, Lionheart, Diablo 2 etc. IN OTHER WORDS: You claimed that Dark Alliance and Dungeon Sige 3 are pure action titles when clearly they are ARPG's. So you are either lying or really don't understand what you are speaking about ...

I hope all those petulant and impatient people who canceled the pre-order feel pretty silly right now. They will get the game for $20 in a month and you cna continue to insult them to defend your best buds at Obsidian. They need people like you defending them for sure.

Are you for real here? Dark Alliance is an ARPG, like Torchlight and Lionheart and Diablo 2. It's nothing like Ninja Gaiden or Devil May Cry. I don't think the Obsidian Defense Squad even has the ability to tell the truth anymore.

The Obsidian Defense Squad is massing in the wings. I'm getting low on potions ... I might not make it. Oh no the potions got streamlined out .. where are the damn orbs when I need them. EDIT: DS3 combat is >>> Lionheart

Those are all rubbish in Diablo 2, though. Diablo 2 strengths are in its replayability and in the very diverse character builds. Actually the stuff I listed is handled quite well in Diablo 2. It's part of why the game got a patch 10 years into it's life and why people still play game, more people than play DS3 by the way. DS3 is not about GOOD ACTION COMBAT either ... it is definitely in the same genre as Torchlight ... this isn't Ninja Gaiden. Enemy variety and AI is good in Diablo 2? HAHAOHWOW No it isn't Ninja Gaiden, it's a BG:Dark Alliance style game. BG: Dark Alliance is an action rpg like Torchlight. What planet are you from? Torchlight just has ultra gimped multiplayer as in they gimped it out of existence which is a huge negative against that game. The next step up in gimpy multiplayer is DS3, you know hobbling along with a cane telling the youngsters it's cool to only have one multiplayer mode cause that's all gramps needs! EDIT: I'm willing to bet that enemy variety in Diablo 2 >>>> (that's much much much much greater btw) DS3

From a pure gameplay standpoint I find Sacred 2's battle system infinitely more satisfying. I play on Xbox 360 BTW so I'm not even comparing the most optimal interfaces. In fact I can think of many ARPG's whose pure gameplay I find more satisfying AND they have feature rich titles. Saying this title has the best gameplay ever is quite the challenge.

Those are all rubbish in Diablo 2, though. Diablo 2 strengths are in its replayability and in the very diverse character builds. Actually the stuff I listed is handled quite well in Diablo 2. It's part of why the game got a patch 10 years into it's life and why people still play game, more people than play DS3 by the way. DS3 is not about GOOD ACTION COMBAT either ... it is definitely in the same genre as Torchlight ... this isn't Ninja Gaiden.

I don't think he tried to tell the future but he did say it was better than Diablo 2 ... for me there is alot more to combat in arpg than just the moves. Things like enemy variety and ai, ability synergy, encounter design, controller feedback, pacing of combat etc. all factor into my opinion.

Um ... Combat is basic and simple. Upgrade from poit and click? yes. Anything legendary? nope. Fun? sure. Best ever? nope. Really lacklucster rumble support for the control pad. Eenemies with really basic attack patterns. Corridor maps detracting from tactical combat by squashing everything into small areas. Combat animations are ok. Good enough for me. I'm not saying the game is bad, it just isn't anywhere near the best of this genre. I'm glad the upcoming release has you so excited though.

Very classy. You have a different opinion than other people on the internet and don't want to have to suffer their differences ...

My interest is aimed squarely at the story for the moment. I hope its great.

With his defensive ability and rolling and blocking Lucas is really hard to kill.

I would take full blown auto attack as a third option as well. Preferably: Option 1: The way we have now. Option 2: Continuous input. Option 3: Auto attack.

That