Do Tell.... [Archive] - .com.unity Forums

View Full Version : Do Tell....

MythicalMino

January 27th, 2004, 01:52 AM

Ok, so, since Dominions 2 has been out for a couple months....what is your favorite aspect of the game?

Mine?

well....there are so much that I do like, but here is probably my favorite:

The magic strategy. There is so many different spells, that so many "killer" strategies can (and probably will) be countered with a spell, or combination of spells. Even though I don't know the magic system all that well, with all the different spells, but the whole magic system is impressive to me. Along those same lines, are the forged magic items....I think that these things add much to the strategy/counter-strategy also.

So, again, what are your favorite aspect of the game (so far, anyways)?

diamondspider

January 27th, 2004, 01:57 AM

I've always loved auras. The Last 2 year RPG campaign I ran was all about a war between Divine, Infernal, and Faerie auras from Ars Magica.

While Total War has a kind of aura feature, not many games do, and it isn't central to the strategy in Total War like it is in Dom2.

So, between that and the sophisticated philosophical coverage of the fantasy elements of the game, along with the extreme flexibility and smart design, this all comes together to make Dom2 a real winner as far as game design goes in my own eyes.

Besides, it's fun http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

[ January 27, 2004, 01:24: Message edited by: diamondspider ]

Kristoffer O

January 27th, 2004, 05:51 PM

Originally posted by diamondspider:
I've always loved auras. The Last 2 year RPG campaign I ran was all about a war between Divine, Infernal, and Faerie auras from Ars Magica.

Ars Magica has probably influenced us more than any other game (RPG or computer). MoM, contrary to common belief was not a major influence. I didn't play it very much, although I liked it. Actually I do not play computer games that much.

Lord_Devi

January 27th, 2004, 06:09 PM

Ars Magicka was a bigger influence than MoM? Wow.. really? What kind of influences did it have on you? I got pretty far in Ars Magicka, but hrmm.. I can think of ANY similarities between D2 and A.M..

diamondspider

January 27th, 2004, 06:20 PM

Originally posted by Kristoffer O:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by diamondspider:
I've always loved auras. The Last 2 year RPG campaign I ran was all about a war between Divine, Infernal, and Faerie auras from Ars Magica.

Ars Magica has probably influenced us more than any other game (RPG or computer). MoM, contrary to common belief was not a major influence. I didn't play it very much, although I liked it. Actually I do not play computer games that much. <hr /></blockquote>Wow, you guys have good taste http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

We had a bLast in that campaign and the effect of the auras, how they conflicted, weakened or aided each other really added a ton to the game.

There is something about wars of "energies", wars of ideas, wars of belief, and such that has always facinated me; even more than the more physical sorts of war.

Maybe the pen really is mightier than the sword http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

[ January 27, 2004, 16:23: Message edited by: diamondspider ]

diamondspider

January 27th, 2004, 06:22 PM

Targa

January 27th, 2004, 06:34 PM

Originally posted by Kristoffer O:
Actually I do not play computer games that much.Hehe. Sounds like the old story of the plumber who had leaky faucets in his house. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Kristoffer O

January 27th, 2004, 06:37 PM

Originally posted by Lord_Devi:
Ars Magicka was a bigger influence than MoM? Wow.. really? What kind of influences did it have on you? I got pretty far in Ars Magicka, but hrmm.. I can think of ANY similarities between D2 and A.M.. Magic sites and gems - magic gems are referred to as 'vis' by us. The path-school matrix is comparable with the form-technique concept. Dominions - auras. Medieval/ancient history in a fantasy setting. Armor names - cuirass, hauberk, full armor. Combat system with att-def, dmg-prot (although ars uses d10). Spells and rituals. Empowerment of mages by usage of vis/gems. Probably lots of other stuff I cant remember now.

Kristoffer O

January 27th, 2004, 06:43 PM

Originally posted by Targa:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Kristoffer O:
Actually I do not play computer games that much.Hehe. Sounds like the old story of the plumber who had leaky faucets in his house. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif <hr /></blockquote>JK and Johan O do most of the gaming in the Illwinter neighborhood.

Psitticine

January 27th, 2004, 07:08 PM

I've heard a lot about Ars Magicka around here and I have to say I'm getting very intrigued. Is it still available? Who published it, and does anybody know if there's a Version available in the US?

Kristoffer O

January 27th, 2004, 08:07 PM

First and second print by Lion Rampant, I believe.

Lion Rampant => White Wolf

Third print: Wizards of the Coast

Fourth Print: Atlas Games

This is a pen and paper RPG. In case you didn't know.

Psitticine

January 28th, 2004, 01:20 AM

I grew up on pen-and-paper RPGs. Serious fun, especially when combined with soda and pizza. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Thanks for the info!

Strages Sanctus

January 28th, 2004, 01:34 AM

Any of you ever play chivalry and sorcery? That was in the vein of ars magicka but a little older.

You even generated the star charts for your birth day to see if your auspices were good. hehe

Arryn

January 28th, 2004, 02:01 AM

I first got into C&S in 1985. C&S was and is a great game. (IIRC, it was around as recently as 2000 when I saw it at GenCon, and may still be available.) Personally, I prefer Harnmaster/Harnworld. Imminently more playable than C&S (C&S can be cumbersome, and is not friendly to players who only have AD&D as their background in FRPGs, which is the only FRPG most pen & paper RPGers have ever played).

[ January 29, 2004, 01:01: Message edited by: Arryn ]

Jasper

January 28th, 2004, 02:13 AM

Originally posted by Psitticine:
I've heard a lot about Ars Magicka around here and I have to say I'm getting very intrigued. Is it still available? Who published it, and does anybody know if there's a Version available in the US? Ars Magica arguably has the best magic system in an RPG game, and is definitely one of my Favorites. The "troupe" style of play and strong background are great as well.

It's latest incarnation is published by Atlas Games, and IMHO this is in general the best edition. They let you download the rules for free here:

http://www.atlas-games.com/arsmagica/index.html

Coffeedragon

January 28th, 2004, 02:13 AM

Originally posted by cpbeller:
So, again, what are your favorite aspects of the game (so far, anyways)? The awful lot of choices. Ability to tailor-suit things to your personal taste.

The more-is-better philosophy is correct. It even takes care of balance, because with so many diverse things included it becomes a question of simple probability that for every overpowering strategy someone will somewhere happen to find a counter.

I admire the ingeniously simple way of avoiding balancing issues by throwing so much stuff in that no one will ever be able to sort it out. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

PvK

January 28th, 2004, 02:42 AM

Copied from the first post of my rant thread about how great the game is (http://www.shrapnelgames.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=74;t=001035)

PvK wrote:

"Why am I hooked on Dominions? Why is it such an awesome game?

One of the best reasons is that not only does it have thousands and thousands of units and spells and all sorts of other stuff to discover, but that practically all of the things in it are interesting, creative, and well-done. There are not only many different units, but many different game systems at work (things like effects of heat, morale, supply, different kinds of undead, equipment effects, experience, battle afflictions, etc), and those game systems all work together very well. Maybe not always perfectly, but generally in ways that make sense, and are in good and interesting proportion to each other, for the most part.

The result of all those systems working well together, is a game world where things happen for a reason, and the reasons make sense, and can be surprising and interesting, leading to an interesting game because you always have a different and often new set of toys to play with, and all sorts of ways to try putting them to use.


And lots more.

PvK

Gandalf Parker

January 28th, 2004, 04:27 AM

I bought alot of multiplayer strategy games that I was unhappy with. Too often a perfect strategy showed up that made it a test of only who could click the commands quicker. With Dom everytime you THINK you have a perfect strategy someone is bound to bounce you out of it. As long as that remains true, I will stay happy with Dom.

OG_Gleep

January 28th, 2004, 09:33 AM

Here are my favorite after a few weeks of play.

1. The game allows you to become focused on Commander characters. The developers added a few things in to get me emotionally attatched to my men. The Hall of Fame is brilliant. You should give whoever thought of that a raise.

2. I have never liked magic that much, in any game. I always play pure fighters in CRPG's, and PnP RPG's. I do dig the magic item system. I also think that is was brilliant to have artifacts. That must be a pain in MP games hehe.

3. The sheer amount of units and nations. I wish that there were more indy types. And I wish that there were more variance in the indy ~ national units. I know that there are a lot of different units already, but I always think that there could be more. Its just me. Even though there are tons of units per nation, I wish there were larger lists per nation.

4. Mercs. I like the idea in general. I wish they had more personality, that the commanders were unique, and that the units and commanders had unique graphics.

5. The magic sites and gem system is great.

6. The developers are active in the community.

7. And the most important thing in any turn based game. It has that magic quality that developers can only hope for....it afflicts its user with something I like to call the "One More Turn Syndrome". You start at 4pm in the afternoon and before you know it its 4am in the morning.

Psitticine

January 29th, 2004, 02:51 AM

Originally posted by Strages Sanctus:
Any of you ever play chivalry and sorcery? That was in the vein of ars magicka but a little older.

You even generated the star charts for your birth day to see if your auspices were good. hehe I remember that one! I couldn't get my gaming group to bite, as it was a bit too complicated for their tastes, but I still enjoyed playing around with character generation and so forth.

Karacan

January 30th, 2004, 05:13 PM

The german Version of Ars Magica is still avaiable from Truant, by the way, since there's a load of german players out there. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Love the magic system myself, but the combat system is unfortunately extremly bulky. *shrug*

I still prefer Theatrix and Fudge. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif