Interview Lionheart shotgun interview 12 at RPG vault

[Saint_Proverbius]

Tags: Lionheart: Legacy of the Crusader

<A href="http://rpgvault.ign.com">RPG Vault</a> has the <A href="http://rpgvault.ign.com/articles/403/403770p1.html">twelveth shotgun interview</a> about <a href="http://lionheart.blackisle.com">Lionheart</a> up and ready for your viewing pleasure. I'll take the answer from <b>Dan Ruskin</b>, because <b>Dan</b> is so cool.
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<blockquote><b>Jonric: Speaking as a gamer, what are a couple of things that will help differentiate Lionheart and make it stand out from other recent and current RPGs?
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Dan Ruskin
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Designer, Reflexive Entertainment</b>
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One thing that I believe sets Lionheart apart from other RPGs is its spell system. What is unique to our system is that each spell is allowed to grow more powerful as skill points are spent. Because of this, spells do not become obsolete, and in fact, some even gain new abilities as skill points are increased. The spell description system is also unique in that it constantly updates to let the player know the spell's current capabilities. As you put points into Fireball for instance, the current amount, and radius, of damage is displayed. A buff spell like Armor of Bones tells you exactly how much resistance is going to be added and for how long.</blockquote>
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I always like a game that gives a lot of information about what you're getting. The number crunching aspect appeals to me.
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Spotted this at <a href="http://www.bluesnews.com">Blue's News</a>.

 

[Vault Dweller]

As you put points into Fireball for instance, the current amount, and radius, of damage is displayed. A buff spell like Armor of Bones tells you exactly how much resistance is going to be added and for how long.

Great, I like little things like that, they add a lot to overall gameplay experience. It sounds Diabloish, of course, but there is no shame in paying attention to what worked in other games.

 

[Saint_Proverbius]

I actually prefer systems like that. I think it works a lot better to make spells get more powerful by skill than have FireZap I, FireZap II, FireZap III, etc.

 

[EEVIAC]

One particular quote in this interview made me immensely unhappy :

One of the biggest features that helps to differentiate Lionheart from other RPGs is the depth of character development. This is one of the greatest achievements of the SPECIAL system, the ability to create and roleplay a character that you can customize as much as you want. Since SPECIAL is classless, you can put points directly into skills that you would like to improve upon without restriction.

Lionheart differs from RPG's how? Or are they trying to say the Lionheart is actually a role playing game and not just an RPG by genre. After 20 years of the CRPG, devs still have to educate the public.

 

[Sol Invictus]

I think they're trying to say that it isn't Final Fantasy.

 

[Zetor]

Exactly. When you ask a random person what an 'RPG' is, they'll go 'oh, Final Fantasy', 'Diablo' or perhaps 'Chrono Trigger'. About 1 in 50 people will MAYBE mention 'Baldur's Gate' and 1 in 100 [or less] will say 'Fallout'.

Mainstream gaming, gotta love it.

-- Z.