Banquet for Fools - party-based RTwP in Serpent of the Staglands setting - now available on Early Access

[buffalo bill]

This is Banquet for fools:

Imo looks like a low rent Baldur's Gate with more cartoony character models. Mainly my issue is that the atmosphere this evokes is a generic fantasy game like I've seen 1000 times before.



Here's SitS:

Has a unique and non-generic atmosphere and nothing is cartoony. Way better imo.

Also, here's Mechajammer to remind you that THAT is what they settled on for the art style after tons of art direction changes.

 

[Jaesun]

I like the art style they are using and I'm ok with the RTwP. Will keep an eye on this. Good luck

 

[Lyre Mors]

looks like a low rent Baldur's Gate with more cartoony character models. Mainly my issue is that the atmosphere this evokes is a generic fantasy game like I've seen 1000 times before.

If that's really what you see, I don't know what to tell you man. There is literally no game out there that looks quite like how this looks, particularly in motion. I agree that I loved the look of Serpent, but calling this "low rent Baldur's Gate except cartoony" shows an aesthetic blind spot on your part, or an overwhelming bias towards the first game's style. I hope they stick strongly to this style and simply refine it through EA.

 

[ERYFKRAD]

I'm okay with the art style but they removed the most humanoid race of SiTS and replaced it with a goddamn green gorilla.

 

[GentlemanCthulhu]

This is Banquet for fools:

Imo looks like a low rent Baldur's Gate with more cartoony character models. Mainly my issue is that the atmosphere this evokes is a generic fantasy game like I've seen 1000 times before.



Here's SitS:

Has a unique and non-generic atmosphere and nothing is cartoony. Way better imo.

Also, here's Mechajammer to remind you that THAT is what they settled on for the art style after tons of art direction changes.

To me, these Stagland and Banquet screenshots evoke almost exactly the same atmosphere. Personally, I prefer the new art style, but I admit that the color palette is reminiscent of PoE, so in that sense a bit generic.

However, by far the biggest thing that needs to be vastly improved here is the gameplay. Stagland had atrocious gameplay.

 

[Darkozric]

Art style is ok, not that I'm crazy about it, but I prefer it over something like this for example.

I agree with Humanophage in this one, the more zoomed-out levels they add, the more beautiful it will look, this claymationy style can often be good but also can produce

faces.

In a weird way it reminds me of the dream machine game

As for the combat I have to say, Staglands is the first game that put me to sleep with its RTwP combat, which is quite an achievement.
Since they chose real time again, it fucking needs to be faster and fun this time, the point of real time is to give you some thrills not to put you to sleep, we have turn-based for that

 

[almondblight]

Whalenought_Joe should get input from Dhaze.

 

[Sensuki]

Demo has received a few updates. Looks like the game will be in a higher resolution than the 1024x768 - the latest version runs in 1080p at least (although it bugs out if you change a graphics setting back to the 1024x768).

They've added the ability to change party members while paused in the combat dome (action select state) and combat flows better now.

 

[ArchAngel]

Demo has received a few updates. Looks like the game will be in a higher resolution than the 1024x768 - the latest version runs in 1080p at least (although it bugs out if you change a graphics setting back to the 1024x768).

They've added the ability to change party members while paused in the combat dome (action select state) and combat flows better now.

Since you are supposed to click for each attack what do other companions do while you control one character?
I do not see a point in such combat if you also have companions unless they are going to be like in Mass Effect where they do almost nothing.

 

[Sensuki]

The AI controls them. Currently I would say the worst thing about it is switching companions during combat. It is better now that you can switch in the combat dome, way less disorienting. The problem is, say you initiate combat and move a little bit with the currently selected character and want to change, chances are the AI has already issued the first action for the companions, so when you change party members, you need to change back to the previously selected character to be able to issue an action 'this turn', or just suck it up and wait for the next one. The AI will control the previously selected character but it feels like a waste of the player's time a little bit.

The new update does play nicer than the original though, combat as it is, feels a bit better.

I've provided that feedback on the Steam forums, so we'll see what they say about it.

 

[GentlemanCthulhu]

Is this yet another case of the devs not being able to get the fundamentals right?

 

[cyborgboy95]

 

[Jermu]

gender is a spectrum confirmed

seems like sex & body sliders affect stats

 

[Spike]

gender is a spectrum confirmed
View attachment 55610

seems like sex & body sliders affect stats

what if you're just responding to a question? from "very no" to "very yes"

 

[Tao]

It must be said that they always stand out in terms of visual style.I'm glad they're still alive. Let's see if the third time's a charm, as they say.

 

[Lord_Potato]

One decent game, one unfinished mess. For the third game its basically a toss of a coin.

 

[Lhynn]

gender is a spectrum confirmed
View attachment 55610

seems like sex & body sliders affect stats

Bought sits, im not buying this shit.

 

[Abu Antar]

I hope there are more spells that can be used outside of combat.

Spoiler

Character screen/creator.

Spoiler

Showing off the lighting.

Spoiler

 

[Infinitron]

Oh hey, it's out:

Why Early Access?​

“We are releasing Banquet for Fools through early access to gather your thoughts and feedback while we progress toward a full launch.”

Approximately how long will this game be in Early Access?​

“We expect Banquet for Fools to be in Early Access for around 8-10 months.”

How is the full version planned to differ from the Early Access version?​

“We expect to improve the following areas as we progress toward the full launch:

- Additional maps beyond the existing 1.0 maps
- More pagan spells
- More songs
- More armor and weapon variations
- Continued content for the main quest line
- Additional NPC models and enemy models
- Additional bug fixes and polish”

What is the current state of the Early Access version?​

“Character creation and all the skills uses have been implemented and are playable, as well as content for the early maps of the game. There are several quests and conversations to interact with in these maps, as well as skill checks, unique items, party-based combat and opportunities for level advancement. The ruleset and UX are still undergoing updates with feedback, and continued testing is needed to keep progressing the game toward a more finished state.

There are 5 playable races, over 100 inventory items with custom art and 3d models, and over a dozen unique enemies to engage as well as a community of NPCs to talk to.”

Will the game be priced differently during and after Early Access?​

“We may explore a change in pricing during and after Early Access.”

How are you planning on involving the Community in your development process?​

“We are hoping for community input on systems, the ruleset and general thoughts on quests and wilderness exploration. We are hoping to engage with players on DIscord to discuss their opinions and report any feedback they have about the game.”

 

[Abu Antar]

I'm sort of intrigued, but I will wait for the full game, and impressions of that before even considering a purchase.

 

[Lagole Gon]

I'm a giant artfag faggot with a faggy degree in artfaggotry. I really want to buy this game just because the bold "puppet theatre" art direction.

But this fucking gender slider... Fuck. I'm not buying it unless it gets a strong bro-approval.

 

[Martyr]

the infamous "sex slider" has exactly 4 options: male, female, tall and short. so no bullshit going on there.
what really bothers me is that not only the game froze after full party creation, but my entire computer froze and I had to shut it off after 10+ minutes of waiting and trying different stuff to get the game to quit.
this stuff happens once more and I'm getting a refund.

 

[Tyranicon]

Having a hearing stat is pretty interesting. And apparently there's an option to import your save or something from SitS?

I've got to salute these devs for at least their perseverance.

 

[Modron]

what really bothers me is that not only the game froze after full party creation, but my entire computer froze and I had to shut it off after 10+ minutes of waiting and trying different stuff to get the game to quit.

Windows tab to create a new desktop and open taskmanager in that instance. (if it was already open in the first window you'll have to close it there first).

 

[mediocrepoet]

On the one hand, I'm curious and sort of want to check this out. On the other hand, I backed Mechajammer at a reasonably high tier which convinced me that either they or I cannot be trusted with money. Possibly both.

Besides potentially corrupting your OS and otherwise destroying your computer, is this actually promising-ish or are we in for another 50 art style changes? (Yes I know they commented on that already.)