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Tags: Brian Heins; Obsidian Entertainment; Tyranny
The release date for Obsidian's Tyranny was announced last week and the game was made available for pre-order, but it hasn't exactly been setting the Steam sales chart on fire. Paradox's marketing department hasn't been completely idle, though. It turns out they also gave hands-on previews to a number of gaming sites, which were published today. Most of the previews put a particular focus on "Conquest Mode", the segment of Tyranny's character creation where you determine the Fatebinder's actions prior to the beginning of the story, which we didn't get to see in August's character creation stream. It's an elaborate CYOA sequence that takes place on a board game-like strategic map. You can see that and much more in Polygon's 100+ minute gameplay video:
Here's a list of all the previews we've been able to track down:
Beyond the Conquest Mode, I would say Rock Paper Shotgun's preview has the most information about how the game itself will play. Here's an excerpt:
That's right, a time limit in an Obsidian RPG. Never thought I'd see that again. If you'd like to see more of Tyranny, gaming personality Sean "Day[9]" Plott will be broadcasting it on his Twitch channel later today, at 8PM CEST.
The release date for Obsidian's Tyranny was announced last week and the game was made available for pre-order, but it hasn't exactly been setting the Steam sales chart on fire. Paradox's marketing department hasn't been completely idle, though. It turns out they also gave hands-on previews to a number of gaming sites, which were published today. Most of the previews put a particular focus on "Conquest Mode", the segment of Tyranny's character creation where you determine the Fatebinder's actions prior to the beginning of the story, which we didn't get to see in August's character creation stream. It's an elaborate CYOA sequence that takes place on a board game-like strategic map. You can see that and much more in Polygon's 100+ minute gameplay video:
Here's a list of all the previews we've been able to track down:
Beyond the Conquest Mode, I would say Rock Paper Shotgun's preview has the most information about how the game itself will play. Here's an excerpt:
The ragtag rebellion should be an easy fight, but the Disfavored and the Scarlet Chorus can’t agree on tactics. As a result, the Overlord’s massive armies sit stagnant while the opposition grows stronger. You’re sent down to the Tiers to — *ahem* —convince the two armies to work together.
Your weapon? An Edict. Basically a magical contract infused with the Overlord’s power. This one’s addressed to the leaders of the Disfavored and Scarlet Chorus, and says “Stop wasting time fighting each other. Take over this city within eight days or everyone in the entire valley will die.”
Yes, it’s an actual time limit a la Fallout. Once you’ve read this edict, a counter pops up at the top of the screen informing you how many days are left until all life is extinguished. Time passes whenever you leave to go to a new area (a.k.a. when traveling), and if you don’t accomplish your goal before the eight days is up?
“The game ends,” said Heins. “If you are really good and know where to go you absolutely can do everything in that eight days, though it starts getting tight.”
“We wanted the replayability and playing different paths though, and having a time limit creates a sense of urgency that maybe you don’t want to do everything. And with Kyros and the Edicts,” he continued, “we wanted to add some visual presence. The time limit felt like a good way to show this is actually urgent.”
As for whether you’ll see other time limits later, Heins said Obsidian’s experimenting with a few but they may or may not make it into the final release —and they might not all be game-ending catastrophes. “Others may just change the overall state, or what the win conditions can be. But we’re still evaluating that.”
Your weapon? An Edict. Basically a magical contract infused with the Overlord’s power. This one’s addressed to the leaders of the Disfavored and Scarlet Chorus, and says “Stop wasting time fighting each other. Take over this city within eight days or everyone in the entire valley will die.”
Yes, it’s an actual time limit a la Fallout. Once you’ve read this edict, a counter pops up at the top of the screen informing you how many days are left until all life is extinguished. Time passes whenever you leave to go to a new area (a.k.a. when traveling), and if you don’t accomplish your goal before the eight days is up?
“The game ends,” said Heins. “If you are really good and know where to go you absolutely can do everything in that eight days, though it starts getting tight.”
“We wanted the replayability and playing different paths though, and having a time limit creates a sense of urgency that maybe you don’t want to do everything. And with Kyros and the Edicts,” he continued, “we wanted to add some visual presence. The time limit felt like a good way to show this is actually urgent.”
As for whether you’ll see other time limits later, Heins said Obsidian’s experimenting with a few but they may or may not make it into the final release —and they might not all be game-ending catastrophes. “Others may just change the overall state, or what the win conditions can be. But we’re still evaluating that.”
That's right, a time limit in an Obsidian RPG. Never thought I'd see that again. If you'd like to see more of Tyranny, gaming personality Sean "Day[9]" Plott will be broadcasting it on his Twitch channel later today, at 8PM CEST.
