NEWS ITEM: January 13, 2009 - Peek #1 @ RPG Vault is up!

[BasiliskWrangler]

RPGVault has posted Peek #1 for Eschalon: Book II, looking at the rules and challenges we've incorporated into the game. Includes two new screenshots! Head over and take a look!

Direct Link: http://rpgvault.ign.com/articles/944/944387p1.html

[IJBall]

The Game Stats screen is very, very cool. I love it. (And I love that it's one of the "game buttons" now too - will there be a 'hot key' for bringing it up?)

Question about that though - it looks like, from the screenshot, that you can actually select and deselect challenges during a game. Is that right? Or am I just looking at the screenshot wrong?...

But the Stats screen is very cool.

[Dragonlady]

Whoa! Niiiice!

Game cannot be saved or loaded while your character is diseased, cursed, ...etc. Wicked!

[Randomizer]

Nice set of options and an easy way to pick them at the start. No more one size fits all gaming.

The challenge list will probably grow when we start playing and come up with new ones.
The Pacifist - can't harm monsters. Like that one will work with this blood thirsty group.

[BasiliskWrangler]

Question about that though - it looks like, from the screenshot, that you can actually select and deselect challenges during a game. Is that right? Or am I just looking at the screenshot wrong?...

No. If there is a green check beside the challenge that means you have met the requirements of that challenge or you have (up to that point) adhered to the rules of that challenge. A red X means just the opposite: you've done something to violate the rules of the challenge, or you have not yet met the requirements to earn that challenge title.

Once you have failed a challenge, you can never redeem yourself and earn that challenge back... unless it is like the "Wealthy Lord" challenge which is based on your total cumulative wealth, so as long as the game ends with you carrying 100,000 gp worth of gold and equipment, you'll earn that title.

[IJBall]

Question about that though - it looks like, from the screenshot, that you can actually select and deselect challenges during a game. Is that right? Or am I just looking at the screenshot wrong?...

No. If there is a green check beside the challenge that means you have met the requirements of that challenge or you have (up to that point) adhered to the rules of that challenge. A red X means just the opposite: you've done something to violate the rules of the challenge, or you have not yet met the requirements to earn that challenge title.

Ah. Got it!

Once you have failed a challenge, you can never redeem yourself and earn that challenge back...

On that note, I have a comment about "True Thief" - I think it's probably too hard! The not 'bashing' and not being caught committing a crime parts are doable.

But playing this game the first time through, the odds of not accidentally triggering a trap are astronomically small. (Yeah, sure, after a couple of play-throughs, you'll start to memorize where the traps are on maps - but what fun is that!?!)

Anyway, unless Rogues are going to start out with some Spot Hidden skill, people will have to pour a bunch of points into Spot Hidden at the beginning to even have a hope of succeeding at the "True Thief" challenge!

[BasiliskWrangler]

On that note, I have a comment about "True Thief" - I think it's probably too hard! The not 'bashing' and not being caught committing a crime parts are doable ... Anyway, unless Rogues are going to start out with some Spot Hidden skill, people will have to pour a bunch of points into Spot Hidden at the beginning to even have a hope of succeeding at the "True Thief" challenge!

Which is why it's called a challenge. The Spot Hidden skill is your best friend in this case, as it should be for any character trying to earn a "True Thief" title. Also, if you fail a challenge because you were caught by a trap, it doesn't mean you can't return to a previously saved game and re-continue from there with the challenge still valid.

Or, you can just ignore these challenges and enjoy the game. That's really what is important to us.

[Saxon1974]

I love these challenges and overall tracked statistics approach. It's not the main reason while I will play but knowing achieving a better overall score is just an added bonus to the game.

I think the game that did this the best was Pirates....

Basilisk; Will the game notify you when you have failed a challenge and one is marked red?

[Saxon1974]

Whoa! Niiiice!

Game cannot be saved or loaded while your character is diseased, cursed, ...etc. Wicked!

I for one will be playing with that setting turned on. Im the type of player that loves a good challenge and games that limit where you can see add a level of suspense you just can't get when you can save at any time. Most players are a bunch of wimps!

[Dragonlady]

Whoa! Niiiice!

Game cannot be saved or loaded while your character is diseased, cursed, ...etc. Wicked!

I for one will be playing with that setting turned on. Im the type of player that loves a good challenge and games that limit where you can see add a level of suspense you just can't get when you can save at any time. Most players are a bunch of wimps!

Huummph! When I was younger I loved a good challenge. Now that I'm older and falling apart, having to redo and redo is hard on the wrists and stress levels.

[Randomizer]

Anyway, unless Rogues are going to start out with some Spot Hidden skill, people will have to pour a bunch of points into Spot Hidden at the beginning to even have a hope of succeeding at the "True Thief" challenge!

Perception in the 30+ range and some patience to stand in one spot for a few rounds will usually disclose a trap. Spot Hidden skill is a waste of skill points unless Book 2 changes this.

[Rune_74]

Cool, so does this mean the beta is almost on us?;)

Really like the options but you know I will be playing with them all selected.

[Yeliu]

Eeee! Yay! Wow, those screenshots are awesome and I reread the entire article very carefully to gleam every piece of information I could.

I'm so excited for Book II! Please tell us we can beta test soon?

[BasiliskWrangler]

Thanks everyone. Peek #2 was submitted yesterday- don't know yet when they will schedule for posting. It contains 3 cool in-game screen captures showing actual gameplay.

[Slushduck]

Very cool, looking forward to Peek#2 and some gameplay!
I'm getting so excited I may have to replay book 1 again