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I don't really like this approach. Remember that Harvard professor who failed his Streetwise check and fell for a Nigerian 'help us transfer millions of dollars to your account' scam? In real life all these checks can be used in a single conversation with any person. Anyone can be conned, anyone can be convinced (persuasion), intimidated, etc.
As much as I like the skill descriptions, I'll see if I can write a more descriptive guideline for AoD skills and make a thread here for people to contribute.
I don't really like this approach. Remember that Harvard professor who failed his Streetwise check and fell for a Nigerian 'help us transfer millions of dollars to your account' scam? In real life all these checks can be used in a single conversation with any person. Anyone can be conned, anyone can be convinced (persuasion), intimidated, etc.
I would prefer removed tags from dialogues, and all the mixed checks like persuasion+streetwise, instead only streetwise+char(or +int/perception/strength etc. like in World of Darkness)
so at least a player would have to think what skills he is using in certain lines instead just hitting right/green answer, and the deference between those lines would feel much bigger even if the outcome is the same
basically, instead of every persuasion+streetwise line, there could be two separate lines, but with partial success system you could still make viable 5/5 builds in each skill and use deferent skills in single conversation
It’s also important to note a couple things about the combat in Age of Decadence. It’s brutal, almost to the point of being unfair. There are literally several set piece fights given to players in the tutorial section of the game that are impossible to win. Yes, I would say impossible for that one, and yes, in the tutorial. You can abandon those quests and try to come back to them later, but the message the game is sending is that combat shouldn’t really be used in most cases. Again, unlike most RPGs where your character is basically better than the NPCs, here, combat will get you killed more often than not. Especially if you are not a purely combat-oriented character, getting into a fight, almost any fight, is going to spell your doom. You’ve been warned.
Some people returned the game because the tutorial was too hard. Other people complained that you can die in the tutorial or that it took them many hours to beat the tutorial.
I don't even know what the fuck they're talking about...is it the arena fight with like 3 rounds? That's impossible? I thought it was called Training or something.
These fucking people.
It’s also important to note a couple things about the combat in Age of Decadence. It’s brutal, almost to the point of being unfair. There are literally several set piece fights given to players in the tutorial section of the game that are impossible to win. Yes, I would say impossible for that one, and yes, in the tutorial. You can abandon those quests and try to come back to them later, but the message the game is sending is that combat shouldn’t really be used in most cases. Again, unlike most RPGs where your character is basically better than the NPCs, here, combat will get you killed more often than not. Especially if you are not a purely combat-oriented character, getting into a fight, almost any fight, is going to spell your doom. You’ve been warned.
Yeah, we all did, but for us it resulted in creating a new, more suitable character or in finding alternative solutions to the problem. And for them? It's easier to refund the game and bitch about its difficulty on forums. I feel sorry for these people. How do they cope with all the difficult things in their own lives? Just by wining about it to their mommy?
My positive Steam review which is in Russian because I wasn't so sure I could pull it off in English. Would be cool if any other Russian codexer will read and rate it I believe you could as well use Google Translate.
He says something like this: On one hand we have engrossing, multi-layered story with a bit of mysticism and fantasy, many choices and consequences to them, brutal and unique world, interesting characters and challenging combat. On the other hand it has modest content (playing a talkative character took me only 10 hours), unsatisfying playthrough unless we go combat route and old graphics. It's also evident that the main plot is half-baked in the last city.
He also says that he's not a fan of completing a game more than once but in the end he recommends the game to every RPG gamer. Mildly positive review but seems that at least one person got interested in the title so not that bad.
Fuck that folder shit... I just leave the porn right on the desktop itself (though I've almost filled up two screens with icons... gonna have to archive that shit soon) along with browser windows with pre-loaded tumblr archives, gigagalleries, etc. It's too much fucking hassle to click those few extra times with my left hand when the urge strikes...
If anyone happens to see it and says something, I just say "and?"... and if they follow up with some kinda preachy bullshit, I just tell them to shut up and stop being a drama queen... especially true with the fucking GF... FFS, if she'd learn to do shit right and practice with the fucking popsicles like I told her to, I wouldn't need to do it myself.
Fuck that folder shit... I just leave the porn right on the desktop itself (though I've almost filled up two screens with icons... gonna have to archive that shit soon) along with browser windows with pre-loaded tumblr archives, gigagalleries, etc. It's too much fucking hassle to click those few extra times with my left hand when the urge strikes...
If anyone happens to see it and says something, I just say "and?"... and if they follow up with some kinda preachy bullshit, I just tell them to shut up and stop being a drama queen... especially true with the fucking GF... FFS, if she'd learn to do shit right and practice with the fucking popsicles like I told her to, I wouldn't need to do it myself.
The Age of Decadence is a special game. Gross in the details, prone to failure and archaic production values, it is unlikely that this product makes it to the masses of players. It does not help that his extremely difficult and complex gameplay is not for everyone. Those without the gift of patience hardly find something to enjoy in The Age of Decadence.
And it is that The Age of Decadence is not aimed at mass audience. We are facing a game that, without doubt, is a niche game. A game that looks decidedly fulfill the wishes and needs of fans Role and CRPG. More than any other recent experience, The Age of Decadence feels like a real RPG old school. Complex, difficult and intransigent to the player. The Age of Decadence is a real taste of the single player role not accept any compromises.
Almost twelve years is a lot of waiting, no doubt about that. And while the presence of The Age of Decadence in the imagination of fans and growing role dwindled over the years in the last decade, we are able to say that the final result is more than satisfactory. Ambitious, intense, complex and highly replayable. The Age of Decadence is a jewel in the rough, and other more emblematic of this great renaissance of computer RPG in which we are immersed.
"Lo interesante del sistema de habilidades es como la gente de Iron Tower ha logrado encontrar formas innovadoras de responder a viejos problemas de los sistemas de este estilo. En cuanto al combate, por ejemplo, cada punto de habilidad otorgado a un arma específica nos dará una bonificación menor a armamentos similares. Guarda mucha lógica, por caso, que un soldado versado en el uso de espadas sea capaz de empuñar una daga o de blandir un hacha con algo de habilidad. Las habilidades, además, se combinan entre si, con las estadísticas y con elementos propios de mundo a la hora de superar distintas conversaciones y situaciones a lo largo del juego. Por ejemplo, el uso combinado de las habilidades de infiltración y de personificación nos permitirá robar documentos oficiales de un centurión en plena luz del día y en el medio de la calle. Mientras que la combinación de golpe critico con la estadística destreza nos abrirá la oportunidad de acabar con el comandante enemigo antes de comenzar una dificultosa batalla, reduciendo la moral de sus subordinados."
(praises the game system and how said system allows you to do things like instakilling the enemy leader to demoralize his troops and conning people into being robbed in broad daylight)
Como mencionamos anteriormente, los elementos propios del mundo del juego también entran en acción a la hora de superar las conversaciones o situaciones. Por ejemplo, si hemos matado a mucha gente o nos hemos hecho famosos en la arena de Maadoran nuestros enemigos conocerán nuestra fama (o infamia) y nos será más fácil intimidarlos o convencerlos de que luchar contra nosotros no es algo bueno para su salud. En este apartado, también hay que tener en cuenta las diferentes organizaciones y facciones a las que vamos a poder unirnos, tales como la cofradía de ladrones, el gremio de asesinos, el Commercium, o algunas de las pocas casas nobles que se mantienen en pie.
(praises how the reputation system works and how people will fear you if you're a certifiable psycho)
Tal vez el único punto criticable dentro del sistema de personajes, estadísticas y habilidades es que The Age of Decadence no favorece para nada a las clases mixtas. Más nos valdrá especializarnos fuertemente en algún camino (ser un asesino mortífero, un ladrón hábil, un guerrero poderoso o un comerciante inteligente y carismático), que distribuir nuestros puntos entre distintas estadísticas y habilidades. Si hacemos esto, no será casi imposible superar la mayoría de desafíos de conversaciones y situaciones, y fallar en estos casos usualmente nos lleva a una resolución definitiva: el combate. ¡Y hay de nosotros si nuestro personaje no esta listo para el combate!
(whines about the viability of hybrids)
El combate en The Age of Decadence es tan difícil que nos vamos a ver forzados si o si a hacer uso de todas las herramientas y tácticas que estén a nuestro alcance si queremos salir de la lid con la cabeza entre los hombros. Iron Tower ha apuntado al realismo en este aspecto. Si nuestro personaje no cuenta con habilidades marciales, lo más probable es que no estemos en condición de ganar absolutamente ningún combate a lo largo de todo el juego. Además. The Age of Decadence no cree en los grupos, por lo que no vamos a poder reclutar a nadie para que nos ayude o pelee por nosotros. Solo en algunas situaciones especificas participaremos de batallas cámpales con varios aliados, pero incluso en estas situaciones, si no somos hábiles con la espada o el arco, poco podremos hacer para ayudar a nuestro bando.
Incluso en el caso de que escojamos crear un personaje especialmente enfocado en las habilidades de combate, deberemos tener mucho cuidado en cada enfrentamiento para salir bien parados. El uso inteligente de herramientas, los distintos tipos de ataque y el posicionamiento en el campo de batalla nos permitirán lograr la victoria contra nuestros enemigos. Aunque también será necesario tomar en cuenta el rival al que nos tenemos que enfrentar. No es lo mismo pelear contra un centurión armado hasta los dientes que con un veloz asesino. Ajustar el tipo de ataque (rápido, pesado, preciso, etc.) nos permitirá sacar ventajas de las debilidades de nuestro rival.
(says combat is really hard and you have to use every tool in the box, but considers that a positive thing and talks about several mechanics, praising them)
Para todo aquel que no quiera complicarse con el combate, The Age of Decadence ofrece una enorme cantidad de caminos alternativos a los distintos escenarios. Por empezar, vamos a poder hacer uso de nuestras habilidades de conversación, de la inteligencia y del carisma para guiar las decisiones de los personajes del juego a nuestro antojo. Este sistema es extensivo, y se incluyen una serie de características que lo diferencia de sistemas similares en otros productos.
Un ejemplo interesante en este aspecto es la habilidad de personificar. Con ella nuestro personaje puede intentar engañar a sus enemigos tomando la apariencia, el acento y los rasgos de otro personaje. Claro que para completar el disfraz será necesario conseguir la vestimenta adecuada. No podemos hacernos pasar por un sabio si vamos vestidos con una armadura de cuero y un casco de combate. Otras habilidades se combinan de manera efectiva para lograr distintos efectos en las conversaciones. Podremos engañar y embaucar (ayudados por las habilidades de sabiduría callejera, comercio y conocimientos históricos), intimidar (gracias a nuestra fama como asesino y a nuestra presencia física) o convencer (haciendo uso de un carisma elevado y de una alta habilidad de persuasión entre otras cosas). El sistema es complejo, interesante y divertido. Y se ve enormemente beneficiado por la calidad de la escritura presente en el juego, que logra construir con texto cada situación y conversación de una manera muy verídica.
El otro elemento en donde vamos a poder pone en práctica nuestras habilidades de no-combate son los eventos situacionales. Estos eventos funcionan de una manera muy similar a los eventos de Pillars of Eternity, es decir, con un esquema del estilo “elige tu propia aventura” donde entran en juego nuestras estadísticas, habilidades, objetos y conocimientos previos. Habilidades tales como abrir cerraduras y desactivar trampas son necesarias si pretendemos infiltrarnos en complejos protegidos, mientras que el uso de la fuerza, la capacidad de infiltración y de golpe critico nos permitirá resolver combates antes de que empiecen.
(praises how every quest has multiple solutions. Talk about how good it feels to impersonate other ppl in AoD)
En líneas generales, los sistemas de juego que funcionan en The Age of Decadence son excelentes, y presentan una enorme variedad. Al contar con una enorme cantidad de posibles builds de personajes es muy factible que encontremos en cada partida cosas totalmente novedosas, y accedamos a lugares, situaciones y soluciones a las que otro tipo de personaje jamás podría acceder. Con todo dicho, el único punto negativo de este sistema viene ligado a lo mencionado anteriormente: no se favorece a las clases mixtas. Muchas veces se siente algo mecánico y arbitrario el hecho de que para superar una prueba de conversación o un desafió situacional haga falta apenas subir un punto de una habilidad determinada. La presencia de estas barreras tan tajantes y precisas hace que uno se vea tentado a abandonar la misión que estaba realizando de forma momentánea mientras busca subir de nivel por otros medios. Lamentablemente, este problema rompe un poco la inmersión lograda por los otros sistemas del juego.
(praises the system, especially the fact that it allows for so many viable builds. Does whine a bit about hybrids again)
A broken Wasteland
(whining about Torque Engine)
"Great game by Ironforge (lolwut) Studios!"
________________________________________
All in all, it's great to see a gaming website publishing a review that actually discusses the game. As much as I like to see positive reviews of AoD, idiotic stuff like "such hardcore, much oldschool. 9/10, almost as good as Neverwinter Nights" doesn't make me very happy. This reviewer, however, really did play the game. Probably even finished it.
He also gave 88% to Fallout 4, tho.
Which means AoD is better in his opinion.
EDIT: AW GOD, they are from Argentina. Now I'm feeling envious...HUEland gaming sites don't even know AoD exists. (there IS a brazillian LP'er on YT, tho)
Hey :p I'm the founder of ther website. I saw some referrals views so I registered on the forums to see where the views came from.
Sorry about the mistake at the end of the review, don't know why I wrote Ironforge Studios instead of Iron Tower Studio. Guess I got mixed up with some other studio but I already corrected it :p
And yes, he scored Fallout 4 88%, but he nor I are fans of Bethesda and their generic games, we actually consider ourselves fanboys of Fallout 1 and 2. I already requested a code for Underrail but they didn't got back to me yet
On Polish sites Age of Decadence has way less reviews than Underrail even though it's over 2 months older than Underrail. Only one bigger site reviewed it (not the biggest, not even close, I'm talking about gram.pl), in URs case the biggest one reviewed it + at least two ones as big (if not bigger) as gram.pl. I guess it has something to do with Fallout name being dropped more than once.
On Polish sites Age of Decadence has way less reviews than Underrail even though it's over 2 months older than Underrail. Only one bigger site reviewed it (not the biggest, not even close, I'm talking about gram.pl), in URs case the biggest one reviewed it + at least two ones as big (if not bigger) as gram.pl. I guess it has something to do with Fallout name being dropped more than once.
Really? Another thing I've noticed is that Underrail has been getting a lot more youtube publicity than Age of Decadence in the past weeks (it was like two orders of magnitude more according to steamspy), but I guess that was just a temporary spike for the release. It's already slowing down.
Now I feel bad for mocking your attempts to push AoD to UR players. Sorry man, I shouldn't have done that to a fellow cultist.
PS. Vince and Styg should start selling The Incline Bundle at some point.