Pillars of Eternity Beta Discussion [GAME RELEASED, GO TO NEW THREAD]

[Athelas]

Retard proofing is more evidence this game isn't made for the backers 1st and foremost.

A large segment of the backers thought the romances in Baldur's Gate were genuinely compelling.

 

[Infinitron]

Questions like these do always get lots of likes: http://jesawyer.tumblr.com/post/106147845166/as-a-fan-of-exploration-factions-story-for-the

 

[Sensuki]

Despite apparently being 'straight forward' they're quite different from how such rules work in other games and there are a lot of rules to learn. There is a bit of a steep initial learning curve. One thing they are doing is that they are making sure easy is actually really easy.

 

[Athelas]

Actually, they've paradoxically created a system that will possibly be very difficult for the masses to grasp, by abandoning typical RPG conventions. I.e. even the most simple and casual of RPG's use different stats to determine physical and magic damage.

 

[Sensuki]

Yeah I kind of find that a bit ironic as well. The optimal damage types versues DR types and all that also is a bit beyond the casual gamers care factor. There also should probably be a warning about the absolute need for accuracy too, in a big warning sign in the main menu lol

It also seems they picked the right Publisher.

 

[Copper]

I doubt colour blindness has anything to do with this - if anything, Josh should be slightly more sensitive to tonal differences.

From a 'reality' point it's flawed, since you only see this level of contrast when your face is practically in the clover, not 12 metres + up in the air, and it seems really busy as a background, all those sharp blades of grass on the same flat plane.

EDIT: Although it does look better on my home monitor than the Mac in work.

 

[Bester]

I hadn't seen that before, thanks for the link. Does it also disable those horrible interaction icons over doors that transition scenes and loot containers?

So many people have asked for this, this is now the next thing in line.

The development happens in this thread btw.

 

[Copper]

The game has a Lead Environment Artist: http://pillarsofeternity.gamepedia.com/Hector_Espinoza

Let's no go too far with the auteur theory, hmm?

Checked links, raged at stronghold again. :mrfussy:

 

[Sensuki]

The flat grass used in that image looks much better than the tall grass they use.

 

[Copper]

The outer walls that are one stone block thick (check out the ruined tower) less so. Thing couldn't take a hit from any siege weapon. (Then again, when your inspiration is hiking in California, you tend not to stumble on many ruined castles.)

EDIT: Agreed on the grass though

 

[Infinitron]

The outer walls that are one stone block thick (check out the ruined tower) less so. Thing couldn't take a hit from any siege weapon. (Then again, when your inspiration is hiking in California, you tend not to stumble on many ruined castles.)

Who says there are siege weapons? The place isn't exactly Minas Tirith. It could have been a simple provincial fort meant to house patrols and guard against Glanfathan raiders.

 

[Athelas]

I'm pretty sure all the environments in PoE are historically accurate and well-researched, it's just that they chose the least visually exciting/dullest time period/place (in terms of architecture and such) as a template.

 

[Sensuki]

LOL @ Codex Inn "Rest Bonuses"

 

[Copper]

Who says there are siege weapons? The place isn't exactly Minas Tirith. It could have been a simple provincial fort meant to house patrols and guard against Glanfathan raiders.

Isn't it the former lair of a mad wizard?

I'm pretty sure all the environments in PoE are historically accurate and well-researched, it's just that they chose the least visually exciting/dullest time period/place (in terms of architecture and such) as a template.

Nah, a mix of renaissance and high gothic stuff should be pretty interesting, I doubt anyone on the team is that interested in the subject though.

Spoiler

 

[aeonsim]

If you want something crazy then try eating your vegetables in 392 (the ones found next to the inn) +50 Perception, critical hits on every one!

 

[Sensuki]

People played for the better part of a work week, though that's always slow-going in Beta. We invariably wind up asking each other a lot of questions (e.g. "Is this supposed to work this way?" "Have you seen the bug here? Let me show you...") and writing things down. If we assume 25% efficiency in terms of actual productive time spent playing, that's ~10 hours. You can certainly get to Defiance Bay in way, way less than 10 hours if your mind is set on it, but most people spend their time exploring and doing side quests around the first village.

 

[Sensuki]

If you want something crazy then try eating your vegetables in 392 (the ones found next to the inn) +50 Perception, critical hits on every one!

The bonus doesn't actually seem to be working properly. It did nothing on my Fighter, and increased the Perception of my Rogue by two different amounts on two different saves (from 22 to 26, and from 22 to 29).

 

[aeonsim]

The bonus doesn't actually seem to be working properly. It did nothing on my Fighter, and increased the Perception of my Rogue by two different amounts on two different saves (from 22 to 26, and from 22 to 29).

Could well be buggy, for my Cipher the accuracy was ~170 after using it which tended to make short work of everyone in front of them.

 

[hoverdog]

so guys, I haven't been following this thread for the last few months, how do you rate the development? are the improvements noticeable? I'm concerned mostly about gameplay issues (engagement, useless attributes), bugs come and go.

 

[Metal Hurlant]

I feel not much has changed and considering this is coming out in about 8 weeks (eg. some people expect a March release), I think this game is going to be a disaster for Obsidian.

 

[Infinitron]

It might be a disaster for some people's self-esteems, but not for Obsidian

 

[Nihiliste]

so guys, I haven't been following this thread for the last few months, how do you rate the development? are the improvements noticeable? I'm concerned mostly about gameplay issues (engagement, useless attributes), bugs come and go.

Mods might fix some of it.

 

[Infinitron]

http://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3593502&pagenumber=300#post440011381

 

[Zed]

dimitri bringing high cheekbones and wild eyebrows back to the elfs #pillarsofeternity

http://instagram.com/p/xp9HVypx-W/


EDIT: can someone in favor of the engagement mechanic explain why it's good? all I hear are complaints about it.

 

[Shevek]

Its preference. Do you have a system where you have to work for movement in combat or should you have to work for stability? Its, which abstraction of real life murder makes more sense to you. The reason you hear more bitching is that bitching is loud and satisfaction isnt.