cheers, yea that’s pretty decent crazy for the first Act actually, 6-8 hours i’m impressed. When i talk about the games length and depth though, to try an explain by comparing similar games; (in crazy rant form)
PoE: has a very disinteresting story for me, actually after picking it up again after launch, i forget what the story is, now it’s just find that loot. As for the level design it’s open(open levels are cool) and textures are cool but something about it just doesn’t draw you in. Essentially i like how gritty it is but the level design(dungeons) and monsters, outside of a few areas (Caves/Markets maybe) is just uninspiring. The loot and skill tree is what keeps me going back.
Daiblo 3: The story I actually like right from the start you are thrown in and the world is in trouble, the level design and the art don’t really match that though, it doesn’t mesh well. Most of the games structure is actually really well done and while the story and certain parts of the game drop the ball a bit, it would have been great if the story/graphics and music went together better. I won’t go into the disaster of the skills and items.
Diablo(the original): This was the masterpiece right here, not sure how everything went so backwards for ARPG’s after this game, but the art design and blood levels can easily be matched these days, they were very hard core back when released. The story, ok it was a bit basic but you were attached right from go and you were scared all the way through of what would happen when you found Diablo and how big he was. This was done through the entirety of the game it was achieved by a few key factors(imo), most importantly, the box art haha Diablo was an imposing figure on that black box, ok maybe that wasn’t important in the context of the game but remember everything about the game they did perfectly that’s a good start(kind of like the darkness of the ‘Grim Dawn’ title art work)… let’s start again… most importantly… The level design, right from when you first enter the catacombs and you get the first taste of the game music and the gothic darkness of the game, I don’t think any game has captured that since. Following on from that levels 5,9,12 (as you get closer to hell) the game lets you know that you are getting closer. Personally i really loved the lava levels and sounds.
When i talk about length and depth I am alluding to this, the way that the story evolves and keeps you attached by pulling you further into the world, by making it more intense, other games recently have failed to do that whether it be certain weak spots in level design, lack of attachment from the music to the game, or weak story.
Grim Dawn:That is why i’m excited initially about Grim Dawn, it’s dark the textures are gritty and so are the enemies and the world so that’s a massive tick in that box.
The music and sound initial impression are excitement here, it seems to go so well together on the first Act.
I really can’t say anything but the story but the setting of the game ties in well with the artwork and the music really well, that is why i am so excited now looking at video’s of the Alpha, comparing it to what Diablo did right all the boxes are being ticked. but that was also why I stated my worry is the length and depth, you can keep that going for 3 hours or even 8, but keeping that feeling going for 20, 30 or 40 hours is the real challenge and if hundreds of people can’t do it(PoE, Diablo 3, countless other games), maybe maybe a smaller team can? or maybe no one can any more?
