SoZ - First impressions

[Kaeldorn]

An overland map on a PW wouldn't have to be disastrous if additional thought and work were to be put into it. Don't expect the 'encounter around every corner' nonsense if the system is used on Sundren

To prevent granting every new guy access everywhere, area access can be restricted through quests perhaps. Much like where in the initial area if you go all the way up north in the beginning you will get some 'you can't find any way through' message to bar your passage. It could be made possible to have requirements to pass through certain obstacles on the map.

[Urithrand]

I'm still not sure how well it would work, but I guess it's up to Saulus if that gets implemented in Sundren. My excitement about SoZ is most definately not the game iteself, more the potential for Sundren. The graphical enhancements are pretty cool in places, mostly only on the characters though. Although the standalone product sucks, what we can do with it is by far in excess of that, and I'm still excited to see those things arrive.

[Supreme Taco]

My excitement about SoZ is most definately not the game iteself, more the potential for Sundren.

Same here. More placeables, feats, races, and classes to work with. The overland map is a good idea in my opinion, but only because it fixes a big hole in RP -- Instant transitions.

No more fleeing from CvC in the blink of an eye to some place twenty thousand feet away. You'll actually have to outrun them on the overland map, or outsmart them.

[c2k]

Same here. More placeables, feats, races, and classes to work with. The overland map is a good idea in my opinion, but only because it fixes a big hole in RP -- Instant transitions.

No more fleeing from CvC in the blink of an eye to some place twenty thousand feet away. You'll actually have to outrun them on the overland map, or outsmart them.

I agree. Its always frustrating when RP loses continuity due to transition warp.

[Verideth]

Transet Beaming

The Transit system of NWN2 is a bit video gamie for me. I have played to long in NWN1 and servers that covered all of Cormyr. 200 plus areas! Humm Green Acres is were I want to be, farm liven is the life for me.

I assume in the tool set you don't have to use it. It sure saves on space and areas. Less areas, means less lag, less to load. So from a builder's point of view very easy.

Now they add a bit of spice, because your quick clicks may not be so quick. The buff removal is a pain. This world is nice though, ten minutes between resting is nothing. So I say always rest before you travel. Never know what you will run into.

I wonder if DM's can snag people when they are transiting. Force an encounter so to speak.

I also wonder if their will be "friendly" encounters. You meet a patrol of guards, which would be bad if your a certain rebel faction... and the opposite, occasional veritas bandit raids. All scaled to be rare or common in the transit random factoring. That would allow for an easy representation of IG effects to be imposed on PC's that doesnt need a DM to put into effect. Orc's all upettie? Just increase their encounter chances when leaving and going to a specific area.

Even better if a caravan system was invented. Allow PC's to "escort" wagons and such between cities.

my 1 cent

[Urithrand]

Ho-noes! Learning lots of new DM commands

[MithrilBlade]

I personally think that the world map system can be great idea, but it requires some work and planning certainly so I don't see it being implemented very soon in Sundren even if it was accepted.

I think that the problem with encounters can be fixed by making the world map encounters either weaker (so that most people can handle them) or restrict physically some areas from others, for example to access Necropolis you'd have to pass through an area which would restrict your passing unless you were of proper level.

Of course if the world map would be put into Sundren, that would destroy the current "find areas by doing mini-quests" -system and there are several problems such as the fact that most likely every person would have to work alone in the world map and if someone got into fight, would another person be able to join in it somehow?

The main issue with the world map is indeed that it is designed for team-based playing, not for individual adventurers, but if there is time and will to do this, I'm sure Sundren team could overcome the difficulties.

[Product of Void]

once I buy this game will have to look at what the built in the toolset. I figure they made an area just like normal just decreased size of things. If so might be easy to make it spawn small criters that react to the level of those traveling areas. Also send a whole group of PC's into the random encounter.

This can be REALLY cool or really tedious/painful depending on how its done. Perhaps more in the areas of viridal or more wildreness areas so less likely to kill newbies.

[Urithrand]

if someone got into fight, would another person be able to join in it somehow?

Well you can in the SoZ campaign, so there's no reason why you couldn't in Sundren. When you come across someone engaged with enemies, you are given the option to "join battle" in-game.

[JuneyGnomey]

I finally played SoZ for a few hours last night. I have to say, I love it so far - to me, this is exactly what I wanted NWN2 to be like. It feels kinda like Ultima 7, which, at the risk of showing my age, can only be a good thing.

The overland map is a treat - I love the feeling of actually exlporing, rather than going from area to area, which always felt a little false to me.

Only a few hours in, as I say, but it still feels very free & easy. I'm choosing what I want to do, and when I want to do it, rather than feeling railroaded.

Difficulty curve is decent, limited resting is awesome, and coming onto encounters "unbuffed" makes it feel a lot more like PnP, imo - "monsters are bearing down on you, they're 40 feet away - WHAT DO YOU DO?"

Of course, I'll likely post again in a few days with a huge list of gripes, but for now.. I'm very happy.

[Maevan2]

It feels kinda like Ultima 7, which, at the risk of showing my age, can only be a good thing.

Ultima 7? *chuckles* I played Ultima 1!

[Fezzik]

Ultima 7? *chuckles* I played Ultima 1!

Ultima 1!? * snicker * How about that old text based game called Hack? * mumbles something about killer bees *

[Thief Of Navarre]

Fear the ASCII shapes!!

[Verrath]

Hack/Nethack/SlashEM! Best game ever, bar none.

Try eating a killer bee!

[Product of Void]

YAY me not oldest here.....still old though