Great game!

[zetetic0void]

I have been playing for a number of days and I have to say that this is honestly a really great game! The whole feel of it is well thought out. Some of that may be something that can't be described and is more of a personal preference but I've rationalized some aspects I think are part of this charm.

I do like turn-based or pause-action based (as this might be labeled) games like this more than the frantic real-time variety where one's fumbling for keys and clicks becomes a real nuisance.

Th 2-D graphics are well done and while some may like 3-D more, I actually like the stylization of 2-D graphics (and I find often that 3-D models are blocky and actually take more away from things than what 2-D images do... not to mention struggling with a camera-system trying to visualize your view within the 3-D region whilst battling some enemy in many real-time 3-D games).

The underground caves and dungeons are especially creepy feeling. I think it is the limited lighting distance of your hand-held torch combined with the minimalist ambient sounds including windy drone-like backgrounds and drips with plenty of echo that makes one very cautious (the occasional ambient vague almost laughing sound might just add to the creepiness too!). Once I was so cautious while walking around some underground dungeon about what might be appear within the next step that when my torch just suddenly happened to run out, I jumped a bit from the noise of it extinguishing! Needless to say the sudden appearance of some walking eye-ball entity really caused a shock!


I haven't played too many RPG-style games but tried many demos in the past and found some to be lacking in atmosphere and suspense. Some I feel went overboard with a kind of cheesy uncomfortable dialog between characters.


Maybe other games have had this aspect but I find the 'alchemy' to be interesting. Adding two substances in a flask according to recipes and concocting new potions for some reason is cool (I could add more about historical alchemy and it's more symbolic philosophical and 'spiritual' goals but maybe for a separate post ... but it could be a cool feature if alchemy was also treated in a way to elevate a character's "spiritual" developement so (as an example) creatures would not attack them <so the range one could approach was smaller before they took offense and attacked>)

I think the design of the game has many favourable elements and much of this is within the realm of sound. When near the coast, the sounds of waves and birds (gulls) is kind of refreshing whilst in other regions a background howling wind sets an atmospheric mood. Generally, as I have mentioned about the underground dungeons), the sounds are well thought out to give a great mood for the location.


Anyway, I still have some work yet on this game with my first character (I'll try it again with other character types) but just wanted to commend the work of the creator of this game because in my opinion they have balanced various elements to create a really great little imaginative realm.

I'll definitely buy the Book II version as well.

[Painted Lady]

There are many of us who agree with you about the high quality of the game. I think you will find that there is a great deal of balance and depth in the game's construction - this becomes more obvious as you change your characters and their abilities. Personally, I am completely addicted!

[Dragonlady]

Welcome and glad to see someone else who enjoys this type of game. I love it for its replayablity. I haven't gotten bored yet trying many different ways of doing things/proffessions/skills.

We're all awaiting Book II, some patiently, some not.

[dare49devil]

-Yay another one! Welcome. Join aboard.

-And yes, I agree that the torch going out suddenly gets me once in a while too. =P

[deborah183]

Just wrapped up the game. I have been gaming for 20-plus years and this is by far among the best games I have ever played...I'm a huge Ultima fan and this game brought back memories and was just fantastic. Great work to everyone who developed it. I am waiting (impatiently ) for the sequel.

Once again, thank you for so many hours of interest and fun!

Deborah

[zZZz]

Echoing all sentiments in this thread, I REALLY like this game, and prefer the 2D top-down view and turn-based system. I was also a huge Ultima fan, and still am thanks to Exult and DosBox.

So I've been searching for similar games recently, but not having much success. I tried Oblivion despite my reservations about 3D games and... well, I didn't like it. Graphics can only do so much. And for me, an RPG is based on fantasy, using your imagination, and therefore realistic graphics are almost completely irrelevant.

Can anyone suggest some recent games similar to Eschalon? I'm still buying BookII asap, just wondering what else might be out there. Any ideas would be most appreciated!

(If anyone is interested in some light entertainment, check out "Thy Dungeonman 1-3" or "Peasant's Quest" at www.homestarrunner.com. They are hilarious spoofs on the old-school RPGs and actually quite fun to play.)

[Painted Lady]

Believe me, we are all wishing there were something similar to Eschalon out there to tide us over.

I have spent hours combing web sites looking for something half as intriguing, and to no avail. It seems BW has created something unique, and there is nothing to do but wait patiently for Book 2.