Keyrock

I hate DA2 because it's a poor game that clearly shows lack of effort and corner cutting. While I wasn't a fan of them taking a more action RPG oriented approach to the game, I disliked it because they tried to make both an action RPG AND a tactical RPG and partially failed on both accounts. I didn't dislike the change simply because it was a change. What really bothered me about DA2 was the cookie cutter lather, rinse, repeat combat (heck, even the boss fights followed the exact same worn out formula of bunch of mobs spawn all around you, kill them, bunch more spawn out of thin air all around you, kill them ,bunch more...) and the blatant recycling of dungeons. To me this made it clear that Bioware was in a rush to get this out the door and they cut corners. If they had made a game that changed a bunch of stuff, but showed that clearly effort and care had been put into it, I would have been fine with that. I'm all for change. You have to constantly try to improve. If you keep things the same just for the sake of keeping things the same, then you wind up with stagnant games. It seems the issue most people are having with this is that Fargo is leveraging the Torment name so he can get more funding. I'm not disputing that at all. I also don't have a problem with it whatsoever. More funding means a bigger and better game. Don't we all want a bigger and better game? If you don't believe in the project, it's pretty simple, don't support it. I believe in the project and I intend to support it. Simple as.

My thoughts exactly. I look at this as a spiritual sequel in the vein of what Bioshock is to System Shock 2. Many of the same creative talents that worked on Planescape: Torment will be working on this, so it's not like Brian Fargo just randomly threw together a team and used the Torment name to garner interest. On that matter, I have no problem with him using the Torment name. Sure he could just call this Game X and apply the same theme's he's going for, but that's not likely to get the same level of interest, and thus the same level of funding, as if he incites the Torment name. And, let's face it, the more funding this draws the better, for everyone involved. I'm not one of these people that's worried that this could "soil" the Planescape: Torment name if it winds up being not as good, which there is a definite likelihood of considering how high PS: T set the bar. Did Deus Ex: Invisible War soil Deus Ex for me? Nope, I still think it's one of the greatest games ever made. Did Master of Orion 3 soil Master of Orion 2 for me? Nope, I still consider MoO2 to be a fantastic game. Did the new Syndicate reimagining, remake, bastardization ruin the original Syndicate for me? Nope, sure didn't. If Numenera: Torment winds up being a dud I will still regard Planescape: Torment to be the best RPG ever made. But if it winds up being even 75% as good as PS: T, it will be a great game and one definitely worth playing. Plus, you never know, they could actually surpass the original, however unlikely that is. As great as PS: T was, there was definitely room for improvement.

Yeah, and tell me too while you're at it. Meanwhile I just romped through the goblin fortress in ch1 of Icewind Dale 2. My party: Female Half-Orc Barbarian Lev 7 Male Human Fighter Lev 7 Female Aasimar Morninglord of Lathander Lev 6 Female Half-Orc Druid Lev 5 Fighter Lev 1 Male Halfling Rogue Lev 7 Male Half-Elf Enchanter Lev 7 My mage, being an Enchanter excels at buffing the party but lacks many of the traditional zorchy spells like lightning bolt and fireball. The barbarian and fighter are melee, all other characters use missile weapons (crossbows for the priest and mage, sling for the rogue, longbow for the fighter/druid). I basically buff my party out hardcore, haste both melee characters, bless, barkskin, bull's strength, barbarian rage, cast a bunch of summons, then just hack through enemies at lightning pace. Having 4 missile using characters helps disrupt enemy casters until my melees can get there to finish the job, though a hastened barbarian with the dash feat gets there pretty quick on her own.

I know nothing about Numenera so I need to do some research, but everything sounds really promising and I will surely be backing this.

Just finished Mirror's Edge. My thoughts, the short version: Ewww, someone spilled some crappy fighting in my awesome parkour game. The long version: The game is very good when it doesn't pretend to be something else. The parkour stuff is really well done with controls that are easy to master yet comprehensive enough to allow you to get really sweet free runs going. Much of the game revolves around dying a bunch of times as you experiment and figure out the proper route, then putting together a good clean run. The game falls apart when it forces you to fight. Many of the fights can be completely avoided by simply running past your enemies and getting the heck out of dodge, which is exactly what the game should allow you to do. Unfortunately there are several battles that are unavoidable and force you to use the game's mediocre at best combat system. What's worse is that it breaks up the cool running action. Still, there are moments of brilliance where I am able to calculate the optimal route on the fly on my first try and there are bullets spraying all around me, people chasing me, and I'm running like the wind, jumping over obstacles, wallrunning, triangle jumping, and other manner of pure badassery. Those moments are adrenaline pumping and pure joy and it's worth slogging through a bit of crappy combat to experience those thrills. On the down side, the game is really short. I beat it in about 7 hours and I'm sure people can do it in much less time. Even with speedruns to extend gameplay, that pathetic an amount of content is simply unacceptable. If and when Dice make a sequel they need to address 2 issues: 1) The game needs to be MUCH longer. 2) The game should NEVER force you into combat. All combat should be optional. There should ALWAYS be the option to simply hightail it out of there. Now I'm getting going on Icewind Dale 2.

4.3 million before fees and failed charges is not too shabby. I'm glad I was able to be part of this momentous movement. Also, get well soon Josh Sawyer.

I'm waiting for a sale on the Zodiac Tournament DLC, hopefully it happens during the Spring Sale. I'm basically looking for any excuse to jump back into Sleeping Dogs.

I agree that Arcanum definitely has major balancing issues and playing a technologist is decidedly more difficult than melee or magic, especially early on. It is, however, definitely doable.

Just started Mirror's Edge. When you get that nice clean run going and the bullets are whizzing by your head it's a helluva rush.

I'd like to hug you right now. /eHugs Hassat //downloads mods

The campaign finished at $120,335.

Think positive. Think positive. Plus, there's the funding the got from PayPal which is in the amount of ??? and, I would imagine, would count toward the stretch goals.

The campaign is down to the last few hours. There will be a livestream tonight at 5 EST. The total as of right now is over 109k, which is over triple the original goal. I think the 120k stretch goal for animated cutscenes is still in play. Either way, this game is going to be awesome.

Happy Holidays everyone! Stay warm, stay safe, and be kind to each other. I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season.

There is a mod floating around out there that adds some Neeshka flirt dialog options and a short scene at Crossroads Keep with her if you romance her. The modding community comes through, as usual.

My thoughts exactly. The premise of the game actually sounds good and I hope it succeeds and is a great game. How much faith do I have that the game will actually be great... or at least good... or even ever released at all? None whatsoever. I certainly won't be pledging a single penny. If they actually make and release this game and it's a good game then I may well buy it.

Damn, I knew I shouldn't have passed up that Kool-Aid.

All I got in my neck of the woods was a bunch of rain then a dusting of snow which immediately melted. Pretty anti-climactic. So when's the next doomsday?

It's kind of a moot point. I doubt you could tell any difference whatsoever in this type of game for any framerate over 30 fps, much less 60, regardless of how convincing your testimonials are. (other than placebo effect "yeah, I can totally tell" difference)

Well, there's finally an answer to what "???" stands for: GOG End of the World Sale

I would expect 1600x900 to become more popular soon (or at least stay the same) and 1366x768 to become less popular as many of 13" and 15" laptops that were 1366x768 are moving to 1600x900 with newer models.

Awesome update and I dig the beard. I'm wondering if there will be weapons with multiple damage types? For example, a halberd could be used both as a slashing and as a piercing weapon. What about a cleaving weapon like an axe? It has an edge, like a sword, but has a good bit of weight behind it that is concentrated into a fairly small area, producing a fair bit of impact. Would that maybe be a weapon that does half slashing and half crushing damage? Lastly, happy holidays to all the good folks at Obsidian!

Chanter - Bards are always interesting Priest - Since they won't be healers Ciphers - Because I'm curious about how psionics will work in this game Paladin - Since they won't be tied to a god The rest of the classes seem fairly straightforward.

I'm about 4 1/2 hours into The Book of Unwritten Tales now and have really enjoyed the experience so far. The game is constantly poking fun at fantasy stories, mythologies, movies, and video games. It doesn't do anything new, it's a standard point n click, but it's just so gosh darn charming that I can't help but smile the whole time I'm playing. Dated, but pretty, visuals. Pleasant soundtrack. Good voice acting. I'm definitely happy I scooped it up when it was on sale.