Game News Eschalon: Book 1 embraces the penguin.

[Nedrah]

Tags: Eschalon: Book I

<A HREF="http://basiliskgames.com/">Basilisk Games</a> released their final <a href="http://basiliskgames.com/demo/eschalon_book_1_demo.tar.gz">Linux Demo</a> on December, 19th. On December, 21st the <a href="http://basiliskgames.com/order.htm"> purchase links</a> for the full Linux version were activated. So, if you decided to stay away from Windows even for your gaming needs, here's your chance to get your hands on one of the best RPGs you are likely to find for your OS. BasiliskWrangler also <a href="http://www.basiliskgames.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=995">seems open to the idea</a> of giving people who already own the Windows version a Linux license for free.

 

[spacemoose]

that is very interesting

 

[OSK]

So, if you decided to stay away from Windows even for your gaming needs, here's your chance to get your hands on one of the best RPGs you are likely to find for your OS.

So is Eschalon that good? Or are you just putting down Linux?

 

[Elwro]

I find Eschalon quite good so far. The Codex review is coming :wink:

 

[thesheeep]

Its a very nice game yeah, the only downside is that it is rather short and some things are a bit unbalanced. But other than that, it is worth the money you are going to spend on it.

 

[spacemoose]

if you're implying that he's going to spend zero moneys on it then you are right

 

[Shagnak]

I didn't find it too short. I spent over 32 hours on it.

It probably helps that I spread my skill points a little thinly, thus ensuring that I was never ubar and that the game remained a challenge. And even then I didn't get a single level in Elemental magic, only a few levels in Divination for reasons of utility and healing, and I did only a little Alchemy. So there's still room for some replay for me, as a Wizard-type dude.

 

[thesheeep]

if you're implying that he's going to spend zero moneys on it then you are right

blah?

 

[spacemoose]

shit sucks is what I'm saying

 

[Nedrah]

So, if you decided to stay away from Windows even for your gaming needs, here's your chance to get your hands on one of the best RPGs you are likely to find for your OS.

So is Eschalon that good? Or are you just putting down Linux?

Why would I put Linux down? I am convinced that it's the superior OS, and I have Ubuntu on one of my machines. It's just not the prime choice for pc gaming just yet, which has not so much to do with the OS itself and everything with most games only being released for Windows.

So, yeah, I actually like Eschalon a great deal. Now, if only they could add an option for a little faster movement...

 

[thesheeep]

So, yeah, I actually like Eschalon a great deal. Now, if only they could add an option for a little faster movement...

Haha. Yeah.
I really think Book II will be much an improvement. As BasiliskWrangler stated, the world will be bigger (meaning more time to spend in it), and other things will be improved, too.
Well, just what you would expect from a sequel, I guess.


@ Spacemoose:

I really don't get your antipathy for this title.

 

[Jasede]

As much as I like it as an independent effort, it's still pretty mediocre compared to, say, Eye of the Beholder or, dunno, RoA. Poor, even. But it's an engine I like; give me an editor and a dialogue editor and one can make something real good with it. Book 2 has potential.

 

[Saxon1974]

Eschalon was very good, I spent about 36 hours playing it. I wish there were more companies making games like this.

 

[Nedrah]

As much as I like it as an independent effort, it's still pretty mediocre compared to, say, Eye of the Beholder or, dunno, RoA. Poor, even. But it's an engine I like; give me an editor and a dialogue editor and one can make something real good with it. Book 2 has potential.

Well, for some reason Eschalon gave me a desire to replay the Ultima 7s. Pretty painless process with Exult, too. I'd love to give ROA another go, actually. But I remember that you needed to either remember or constantly look up those spells. Now, if there was any way (a mod, for example) to do something about that, I'd likely be all over the three games.

 

[Jasede]

No idea what takes you 30+ hours, guys. Finished in 10. However, I did got straight wizard, never using anything but the fire spell you get at the beginning, so I guess that made it easier. Or I just played way too many RPGs in my time, lawl.

Nedrah, huh? The spells in RoA are pretty self-explanatory. Just read the manual once. Or use a spell if you forgot what it does. Besides, they even speak a Latin-style invocation when you use a spell, so I can always remember what the spell does at the time I hear its Latin invocation, lawl.

Hey, Wizardry 1, Might and Magic 1, those require way more memorization of spells! RoA 1 is pretty luxurious, it even gives you the spell name.

 

[Nedrah]

Those other games you speak of are too oldschool for me.

So, how are the translations? Are the games still good in their english version or should I look for DSA? Also, is the first game good compared to part two? Or could I safely skip it?

 

[spacemoose]

hey jasede, here's something just for you: http://www.superdeluxe.com/sd/contentDe ... 70EB80B1B7

 

[Major_Blackhart]

That's mighty white of them.

 

[Binary]

BasiliskWrangler also <a href="http://www.basiliskgames.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=995">seems open to the idea</a> of giving people who already own the Windows version a Linux license for free.

It's actually better than that. He says:

"However, if anyone here really, really wants another license just email me your order number and I will allow you to have one copy of another version."

So it doesn't have to be Windows + Linux (although I suspect it is what most people would choose ).