Why is everything so tiny in newer Spiderweb games?

[Humanity has risen!]

This is so obnoxious, I would love to start Geneforge 4 after having completed the first three ones, and have a try at Avadon later... but everything is just so tiny and samey. It's hard to really see the scenery well, or at least very uncomfortable.

I've seen tons of people complain about it. This new engine is really bad. Couldn't Vogel, I don't know, zoom in a bit more? It's to the point where I'm probably going to use a lower resolution and upscale it.

I'm puzzled by this decision. Or perhaps it is because otherwise, some of the pixel art he has used for 12-13 years would look too indistinct...

Then again, remember the boat in Geneforge 1-2-3? I've never seen anything so ridiculous.

 

[shihonage]

EDIT: on second thought, their screenshot section suggests that Vogel either

a) made everything smaller
b) weirdly scales his screenshots

 

[Nim]

4 doesn't have higher resolutions though, so not sure what the prob is ? And the engine in 4 is actually pretty good regarding everything else, so give it a try HRR. Better AP and encumbrance system alone make a world of difference.

 

[Humanity has risen!]

I'm pretty far ahead in 3, which I enjoyed, but which was a bit meh. Do you miss anything by skipping it?

 

[Nim]

How far in ? Dhonal ? Gull ? No you won't miss much, there is a reason 3 is universally panned as the worst Geneforge game.
G1->G4->G2-->G5->G3 for me

 

[Pope Amole]

Before making questions here, first you need to give an answer - which side you are on? Rebels or shapers?

 

[Humanity has risen!]

Shapers

 

[Nim]

Isle of Spears for loyalists is pure combat :D Nothing you will miss. Gull is a bit better but not much.

 

[Lightknight]

Better AP and encumbrance system alone make a world of difference.

Wasnt encumbrance changed in like, 2nd one ? And what does "better AP" means ? If you mean the way he changed the system so that you only need 1AP for an action - that was the dumbest move ever, annihilating the already tiny tactical part of the game. Now there isnt any point in moving any of your characters, all you can do is just stand there and trade hits. Duuuumb.

This new engine is really bad. Couldn't Vogel, I don't know, zoom in a bit more?

He could, but he wont. And i'd really rather he didnt. You know why ? The fucking centering that you cant turn off. I just finished playing G5, and THE FUCKING SCREEN CENTERS ALL THE TIME, especially at moments when i DONT WANT IT TO. If it was more zoomed in - there would be even more centering, and i might fucking bash someone's head in. Vogel's preferrably, but whoever is nearby will have to do.
Geneforge is generally is a godawful game except for that whole "choose your faction" aspect. Horrible interface, horrible combat...i dont mind that he reuses graphics, but he fucking reuses dialogues and entire pages worth of exposition and narration from the very first game ! Avernum series was his best in terms of pure gameplay, and he probably wont ever rise that high again. Except for the remake, of course.

 

[Nim]

Wasnt encumbrance changed in like, 2nd one ?.

3 had a new inventory but items in it still counted towards encumbrance. Since 4 only worn items count.

And what does "better AP" means ? If you mean the way he changed the system so that you only need 1AP for an action - that was the dumbest move ever, annihilating the already tiny tactical part of the game. Now there isnt any point in moving any of your characters, all you can do is just stand there and trade hits. Duuuumb

tactical part of his games Where in Geneforge was there ever something tactical ? It's an absolute barebones combat system so I'd rather have a less annoying AP system.