Review Codex Reviews Seal of Evil

[Sotka]

Yeah .. An example of proper use:

"The game encourages the employment of the static and dynamic effects of light and shade. However, players can close this special operation if your PC is slow."

(taken from PoQ).

Sounds dead even to me.

Mix this style with barely pronounceable chinese names you get the picture. Miao Xiao Liang Shang Lao Fu Sheang Xing. Quest: Xiao Miao asked to find Sheao Mu Xing to tell him that Lao Vei Czhu betrayed Shing Xai. Report to Chao Su Juan.

I bought the jewel yesterday, being deceived by the review. Wow! Game's definitely worth the try. Well I can't even say which aspect sucks more - story, cutscenes, AI (!) or combat. How was that?- BRUTALLY BAD - disgusting Diablo 1 clone. From what I tried there are only 3 games that are worse - GoldenLand (2), Konung (2) and Restricted Area.

I don't usually buy chinese products and this was the last attempt.

 

[Sol Invictus]

Chinese names might seem very foreign and generic to you, but I assure you, Chinese people don't have a problem telling each others names apart. I don't know how difficult it is to tell "Shing Xai" apart from "Lao Vei Szu". It's no different from "Adam Smith" and "John William".

Seal of Evil isn't a Diablo clone. It's closer to Baldur's Gate than anything else. What's wrong with the story? It's based on real history + mythology. It's too bad you don't find the ancient Chinese setting very interesting, but that's not the fault of the game. You should stop treating it like a Diablo clone.

 

[taks]

Seal of Evil isn't a Diablo clone. It's closer to Baldur's Gate than anything else.

actually, it's closer to Nox than anything else i've ever played. the diablow clone portion is certainly the combat... just keep pressing that button till you hit! i played about a half hour of the demo and was not overly impressed. the voice acting is awful and combat is beyond boring. the graphics are nice, however, and the music is actually kinda captivating (my son loved the music). i like the interface as well and the automap feature is good. obviously the demo does not contain as much "story" as the full blown game, however, it did seem overly fed-exish. i'd say this is a decent action-rpg with more emphasis on action though i won't rush out to buy it any time soon...

all things considered, i also DL'ed the Kult demo and i quite like it. it's been patched up quite a bit so i'm sure the full game is pretty nice. there are some annoyances, of course, but not many. i plan to purchase it as soon as i get done with ski week from hell (i leave tomorrow afternoon for most of next week in keystone).

taks

 

[Sotka]

Hehe, of course they don't but was not it meant for non-hieroglyphical audience (got this because of English subtitles and voiceacting ) They'd better named NPCs as Liu 1, Shang 2, it would brought more sense.

Seal of Evil is a Diablo 1 clone with elements from Diablo 2 (Witch, Wizard, Assassin, Paladin and Beastman classes. Compare to D2). Baldur's Gate scent which was present in Prince of Qin has decomposed, reserving for probably dozens/hundreds? of moronic fedexes. How do you get through areas, btw? All mobs seem to repop every time you leave and you should kill them 117 times in line running for a piece of shit eh wood for grandma Shuao Xing Lai. And moreover, combat does not require player attention. You easily can take a shower or relax watching some stupid TV show, just put Lai in the spot.

The story in your interpretation may be not that disgusting. But heck, have you even read those 3-km length dialogues? And, every NPC idiot is spitting tons of snotty Xiangish details on their kin, either hopelessly crippled or deeply distressed. It greatly adds to the story. I played yesterday night, my head still rings. I ended clicking on down arrow.

 

[Sol Invictus]

Your remarks could be perceived as somewhat racist and offensive, Sotka. Most of the NPCs in the game look very different from each other so I don't understand how you could mistake 'guy who looks like old man' with 'guy with big muscles', especially when their names are different. And if you don't like playing games with dialogues, why bother playing RPGs at all?

I don't recall Diablo having NPC companions, either, or any game with item creation as advanced as the one in Seal of Evil. You only have to go to each area once (the game is linear), so I don't understand your complaint about the monsters that respawn when you reenter the map. The fact that they respawn makes it easier to collect items you need to make equipment.

 

[Sotka]

Your remarks could be perceived as somewhat racist and offensive, Sotka.

Exitium, do not swindle with non-spellable names and racism. Offensive? Why not if game and developers do deserve beating?

Most of the NPCs in the game look very different from each other so I don't understand how you could mistake 'guy who looks like old man' with 'guy with big muscles', especially when their names are different.

That's because one should have really good eyesight to distinguish one slipping pixel from another, sorry couldn't stand but npc look is also horrible.

And if you don't like playing games with dialogues, why bother playing RPGs at all?

Agree with the statement, except in this case it's unfouded generalization from your side. Not just "with dialogues" but "with tedious boring childish-sentimental humdrum pseudo-ancient-chinese and packed with names that cannot be apprehended, dialogues".

I don't recall Diablo having NPC companions, either, or any game with item creation as advanced as the one in Seal of Evil.

Does it makes SoE not Diablo clone? Seriously, what do you mean under advanced item creation system? Try experimenting with different pieces of found junk, you'll get same or almost same results, except probably for classification (earth, iron etc) which depends on mere quantity or position of material (number 1 or number 5?).

You only have to go to each area once (the game is linear), so I don't understand your complaint about the monsters that respawn when you reenter the map.

Wrong. You visit areas several times, even in the early chapters and when passing through you have to fight same mobs again and again. It seems there are 9 chapters and I can imagine what pain into the arse it can bring if I need to cross several areas to get to another. Away from the fact that for respawn rate of such sort, mobs have idiotically unwarranted number of HPs. So, how many minutes/hours? do I need to cross 2-3 areas, only moving "silly farm girl" (citation from the game) from one battle point to other and having coffee in-between because mobs do not do serious damage and she fights on her own?

Ok. If you like this piece of utter crap, you can even replay it. Why not? That is a matter of taste and I strongly believe there are prolly very good games that I like and you despise, RPG or tactics.

 

[Sol Invictus]

Agree with the statement, except in this case it's unfouded generalization from your side. Not just "with dialogues" but "with tedious boring childish-sentimental humdrum pseudo-ancient-chinese and packed with names that cannot be apprehended, dialogues".

You make some references to the 'poorly written dialogue' of Seal of Evil, while you yourself seem to exhibit worse English than anything I've seen in the game thus far. The English interpretation of Seal of Evil is well done, unlike anything you're saying.

 

[Jed]

As someone who played, didn't finish, but overall enjoyed Prince of Qin, I'm gonna give this one a look when it becomes available. I can't for the life of me remember why I didn't finish the first game, but I really love the historical/mythological Chinese setting. I almost only watch Asian films, and bad translations in subtitles or horrible voice-overs in dubbing are practically a sentimental must for this game, in my opinion. I also agree with Rex *gasp!* in that it's really not that difficult to distinguish these names or characters from one another. In the first game, the dialog revealed a lot of historical flavor and even gave XP, to boot. And like Rex said, if you don't like reading why are you even playing cRPGs?

That said, I wish you could choose the audio. I'd love to hear the original Chinese voiceovers, and have the dialog written in English. Especially if the voiceovers were in Old Beijing-accented Mandarin. The absolute coolest-sounding language EVAR!

 

[Sol Invictus]

I think you can wait for the game to be imported to the US (though they have not claimed a publisher yet), which should be fairly soon. This imported version will come with the original Mandarin voiceovers.

 

[Jed]

I think you can wait for the game to be imported to the US (though they have not claimed a publisher yet), which should be fairly soon. This imported version will come with the original Mandarin voiceovers.

Sweet. I just noticed that re-reading the first page of this thread. Any idea when the US import may happen?

We need more fuedal Asian themed cRPGs. Gawd--I'd probably even play Jade Dragon if they port it. I'm just that desperate for games in these kind of settings...

 

[Sol Invictus]

Well, nothing's set in stone, but according to Object Software, they think it'll only go in as an import to the U.S. by one of their international publishers (Atari, or GMX) unless they find a publisher for the American distribution first.

No dates yet, but you might have to wait awhile. If you decide to import the game, try to check if it's the 3-CD version, as that's the one with Bilingual VO's. the 2-CD version only comes with English.

 

[Jed]

Thanks for the info. I'll just have to keep my eyes out for this one...

 

[bryce777]

It is a good review, but it kind of needs an executive summary at the top. Like a title that sets the general tone and gives us the basic idea.

I dislike idiotic point rating systems, but I thinkt hat would help weed out which are worth even reading about and which are not.

 

[Sotka]

You make some references to the 'poorly written dialogue' of Seal of Evil, while you yourself seem to exhibit worse English than anything I've seen in the game thus far. The English interpretation of Seal of Evil is well done, unlike anything you're saying.

Heh I learn. Guess what, we don't discuss my English, I don't sell it unlike Object Software.

Let me repeat, the story in your interpretation is way much better than it is in the game. Dialogues are not 'poorly written' as you state, they are boring as hell and meaningless.If not the GOOD WRITTEN review I would never buy the box. I'm happy I returned.

Jed, I hope you won't be dissappointed. Pay attention:

And like Rex said, if you don't like reading why are you even playing cRPGs?[/qoute]

Why the heck you decided I don't like reading? Because Rex said? I don't like reading shit. Bet my home library is bigger than yours, same way Rex's trying to imply his virtual penis is bigger than mine. Game still remains shitty Diablo 1 clone and is unplayable. The way Chinese copy foreign goods get on a public intergovernmental scale. As far as I know OS got a huge bonus from their government. The money can be spent for hype and as for me I got the bait. Soon you'll get more games in chinese setting for your pleasure. Too bad the quality sucks ass.

Btw the PoQ was somehow closer to Baldur's Gate flavor.

 

[Skirmisher]

for gods sake...

I've read the review, read the forum, and got the game. Honestly, I was really looking forward to an ACTION-rpg, but this game seems to be a normal RPG.

Even then it's not truely normal. The makeup of the game is a disaster; because of its huge size (2 gigabytes) I would have to install it over one of my networked computers.

It seems that it expects me to run the game from my own computer, it searches for files manually, meaning if you're missing even a single important one, you're pretty much screwed as you wont be able to pass the area. FOr example... as Liang Xiong and Chi Huang, i completed chapter one. Only to find that I am Lan Wei the next day, in LiAN XIONG'S BODY! Can you imagine the crappy voiceover of lan wei in his fathers body?

I casually walk out as a LVL 20, mind, and attempt the quest with AH WAN... i pick up lan weis companion to fight the snake boss, kill him easily with a bugged up level 20 companion, along with my already level 20 "lan wei". What do you expect when i get back... AH WAN is already up and concious, i cant revive him witht he antidote, and i go to where the beastman was before.. he's still there and now i have 2 beatmen standing there. If you really want proof, add my on msn xD'.

The voiceovers are extremely horrible, i would have never thought that one could speak so.. slow... the choices in voice actors is horrible.. Lan Wei sounds like a 40 year old. Her father is no better, he sounds like.. 130 years old if its possible. The battle system is incredibly indifferent. Same stuff, ugly skills, ugly AI. It totally dissapoints me out that none of the main characters has a sword... you'd think that medievil chinese ppl would have huge blades and stuff=.=''.

To conclude, I am sooo.. extremely scarred bythis experience, that .. i'm never going to touch a CRPG for many years to come.. I'll just wait until those beijing studious can hire voiceactors that have gone through grade 2, and programmers that can learn to be flexible. And ofcourse, the 3-d modellers, who can make snakes look a little better than a large green condom.

 

[Fez]

Ok, bye then.

 

[Otaku_Hanzo]

Guess he didn't like it, eh?

 

[Fez]

If you change a few words in that you'd think it was the testimony of a rape victim.

 

[Selenti]

 

[theverybigslayer]

And moreover, combat does not require player attention. You easily can take a shower or relax watching some stupid TV show, just put Lai in the spot.

I agree. Yesterday evening I fell asleep during combat.

 

[Astromarine]

are we even playing the same game? Jesus. NO, the combat is not Diablo-like clickclickclick. The main attack is automatic, you only need to select special attacks. It's hectic, sure,m which is GOOD, but repeatedly hitting the enemy with the mouse is not what's hectic about it.

As for falling asleep during combat: Sure, there are junk fights just like there are in any RPG. But try letting the party fight for itself in the general case and you'll die. Unless you're playing on Easy, but then you suck.

Names: a small hint: when one of your complaints about the game is that you can't figure out all the names of the characters, then for all the REST of the audience, those that, erm, can do so perfectly well, you sound like a hopeless idiot. Especially since you sound like a fucking racist. Seriously, features in good games are used in further games EVERYWHERE, but somehow you manage to put in a rant about Chinese being filthy IP thieves here. what the flying fuck?

I do not get a Diablo vibe at all except for ONE point: the skill selection on left and right mouse button. That's IT. There are no skill trees, for example. You do not spend points in skills. There are no uber drops, as far as I can see the game is driven by crafted items. The Character system is different, the combat dynamics are different, there are choices in dialogue unlike Diablo (granted, not many)... How the fuck can you say this is a Diablo clone? except that you saw the left and right mouse button clicks, got bored reading OMG 3 KMS OF TEXT OMGOMGWTFBBQ!!1! and your ADD-like ass made the connection to Diablo.

Some people's children. Sheesh.

 

[Sol Invictus]

That, and all Chinese people are ugly. Especially me. Some of these morons sound like they're better suited to being antagonists in the Alvin Maker novels than as real people. But then again, all of Orson Scott Card's characters are based on real people, so he really hit the nail on the head with them.

 

[Fez]

Don't hate him because he's beautiful.

Seal of Evil is a decent RPG, and I'd be happy to see more from that studio. Isn't it a good thing if we get a little diversity in setting and ideas? The more RPGs we get from all over the world the more innovation we will get in themes and plot, I can't see how any RPG fan could complain about that. Unless you were afraid of seeing someone who might look a bit foreign.

People complaining about the names is just stupid as they'd probably happily swallow up elves/orcs/whatever called El't'kxeth'alz'y'rn and see nothing wrong with it. It's probably the same kind of people who go on holiday to the other side of the world on holiday and complain they can't find a McDonald's or get a Budweiser.

 

[Otaku_Hanzo]

Oh, the game already has my money. Had it before Exit's review. I absolutely loved Prince Of Qin, bad voice acting aside. It was a damn fine cRPG and I will definitely give this one a chance.

 

[Skirmisher]

=.=''

You've got to be kidding me, you're sterotyping all asians as being ugly? Don't even think of a lame ass excuse for that. Honestly, i've had more fun phoning up my friend to keep him from pirating SOE (ironic isn't it) and recording some of the voice acting in the game. I'm sure the VA's were trying their best to do their jobs (or rather..maybe a computer program)(i can hear the strain in the voice), but it was horrible. Playing single-player was just a chore, and it's not satisfying to have the VO option off, but at the same time i definately don't want it on either. There is a lot of non-relevant talk (and talk about events) that occur to initiate normal quests. The least they could have done, was to make it more enjoyable (I don't have any suggestions =.='').

Okay, so if you left your characters to fight on their own, they would die. Whats your point? Are you just making up an arguement to support the game? Or to say that 'someone' is wrong? There are plenty of reasons why this game has problems, and to name one, it isn't graphically captivating. The main character in my honest opinion, doesn't look special (not pretty btw =)).

As a side note, people may have said SOE was a diablo-clone as... well the map is exactly the same (not like its bad)." Before you judge someone... walk a mile in their shoes, that way you're a mile away, and you have their shoes."

Enjoy the game, to those who find this fun ;/. While i obviously don't xD'