massive move in static/img/games towards respective subdirs
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@ -7,7 +7,6 @@ see [jefklakscodex.com](https://jefklakscodex.com)
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> find . -name "*.jpg" -exec convert {} -sampling-factor 4:2:0 -strip -quality 85 -interlace JPEG -colorspace sRGB {} \;
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### Twitter videos
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- Use `youtube-dl --no-check-certificate [m3u8link]`. Requires `ffmpeg` to be installed.
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- Cut/convert with https://ezgif.com/video-to-mp4/ instead of ffmpeg - faster!
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Add as alias `webo` in `.aliasrc` to quickly access cmdline.
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@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
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---
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title: About the Codex
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ignore: true
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disableComments: true
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---
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@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ Jeff is still playing the original Gamecube version of Animal Crossing - anno 20
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- 12. **Cherry blossom festival** - Yes! It just passed in April.
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- 24. **Catching Wisp's spirits**. He's grateful and gives an item in exchange, but I can't remember which one it was... I might have sold it. Whoops.
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(Via [jvgs.net](https://www.jvgs.net/acblog/2018/05/25/31-features/#comment-7281))
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@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
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---
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image: "/img/games/Arcanum/logo.jpg"
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image: "/img/hltb/557.jpg"
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date: "2007-03-30"
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title: "Arcanum: the Gunslinger"
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tags: ['Arcanum']
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@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ aliases: ['/articles/guides/arcanum-gunslinger/']
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- Various battle strategies
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- Your followers
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### The statistics of a good Gunslinger
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@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ aliases: ['/articles/guides/arcanum-gunslinger/']
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</li></ul>
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</p>
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### The Best Races
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@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ aliases: ['/articles/guides/arcanum-gunslinger/']
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</li><li><strong>Halflings</strong><br />The Halflings usually prefer to keep to themselves, staying away from politics. Although most aren't criminal in nature, they seem to have a natural talent for thievery. While Halfling women are treated as equals by their men, they are rarely seen outside the halfling communities. While Halfling men are usually not inclined to go out into the world, Halfling women are an even rarer sight.<br /><em>Statistics</em>: Halflings gain +2 to Dexterity, 2 ranks of Prowl and 1 rank of Dodge and +5% to their chance to cause a critical hit, but at the cost of a -4 modifier to Strength. The -4 modifier is crucial; no boms carrying around... But the prowling and DEX skill is nice! They'll do ok, but I prefer dwarves. Nothing keeps you from going the 'sneaky' way!
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</li></ul>
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<a name='bg' id='bg'></a>
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<a name='schematics' id='schematics'></a>
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@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
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---
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image: "/img/games/Arcanum/logo.jpg"
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image: "/img/hltb/557.jpg"
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date: "2007-03-30"
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title: "Arcanum: Magick VS Tech"
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tags: ['Arcanum']
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@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ First things first: you are not reading this wrong, it's magick and not magic. I
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A complete spell list/guide can be found on Terra Arcanum. There are 16 spell realms in total: Earth, Fire, Water, Air, Force, Mental, Black & White necromancy; Divination, Meta, Morphing, Nature, Phantasm, Summoning and Temporal. Each realm has its advantages and disadvantages: some realms focus on damage dealing spells, others to influence humanoids, or to summon undead. White necromancy is for example used mainly for healing purposes (by the NPCs Virgil and Dante).
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Of course you won't be able to select more than 4 realms, simply because you won't have enough CPs. Every level you'll earn 1 and every 5 levels 1 extra. That's 65 at the maximum level of 50... If you want all level #5 spells - the most powerful ones - you also need a very high WP, 18 or so. It's best to concentrate on two realms and use scrolls / item activations for other things. Yes indeed, some weapons/armor will unleash a certain spell.
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Every single character throughout the whole game has a Magick/Tech Meter. If you invest points into schematics, which are technology, you'll align yourself more with all technological people by the values of the meter. If you can cast a lot of different spells, you'll have a magick meter. This way, a magick user with a high meter (usually a powerful creature) won't be able to use any technological items, and vice versa. So, another advantage of magick-aligned users: you'll be able to wear magickal Armor/weapons!
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@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ When your meter is fully tech-aligned, you'll encounter little problems which ar
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Conclusion: tech makes the game more difficult throughout 1) equipment and 2) money. The Third thing is damage.
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Yes indeed, damage. There aren't many technological weapons, and if there are any good ones, they won't be enchanted because enchanting is magick. So, the only option you'll have left are guns. And that means carrying a LOT of bullets which cost a LOT of money and not being able to damage a lot per round in combat.
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Enough disadvantages, why do you want to be technological aligned anyway? Aha! Because 1) it makes the game much more challenging 2) it's way more fun! And the most important part - "crafting" in Arcanum is done trough schematics. You'll find a lot of them in-game without investing SPs (but you also can). You will actually be able to make your own "uber" armor (healing jacket)! Isn't that cool? Selling those things won't give you that much profit, but it's so much fun! Troughout the whole game, ingredients are scattered. Example: herbs which are combined to healing 'pills' (<> potions).
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@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
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---
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image: "/img/games/Arcanum/logo.jpg"
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image: "/img/hltb/557.jpg"
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date: "2007-03-30"
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title: "Arcanum: Party Seleciton"
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tags: ['Arcanum']
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@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ aliases: ['/articles/guides/arcanum-parties/']
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<div class='vspace'></div><h3>Party Numer ONE - November 2004</h3>
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<div class='vspace'></div><div><img src='/img/games/Arcanum/Laprovski.jpg' style='float: left;' alt='' title='' /> <img src='/img/games/Arcanum/Sogg.jpg' alt='' title='' style='float: left;' /> <img style='float: left;' src='/img/games/Arcanum/Jayna.jpg' alt='' title='' /></div>
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<div class='vspace'></div><div><img src='/games/pc/arcanum/Laprovski.jpg' style='float: left;' alt='' title='' /> <img src='/games/pc/arcanum/Sogg.jpg' alt='' title='' style='float: left;' /> <img style='float: left;' src='/games/pc/arcanum/Jayna.jpg' alt='' title='' /></div>
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<p style='clear: both;' class='vspace'><strong>Level</strong> - 25.<br /><strong>Laprovski</strong> - Male Dwarf - Raised by Monks<br /><strong>Skills</strong> - Technologist: firearms, gunsmithy, electricity & explosives<br /><strong>Stats</strong> - First PER Second INT Third DEX
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</p>
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<p class='vspace'>After a few tries, this dwarf managed to get himself to Tarant. There, the beautiful game acutally started with so many options - especially for technology! The dozens of shops give you plenty of possibilities and you'll never run out of your own gadgets. This was the *decent* first-try char, but actually I would like to have a few things changed - that'll be for the next few plays. He has 2 degrees in electricity for the "charged rings" which raise your DEX by 2 each and since I didn't have enough that's good. The backup plan is throwing but I didn't get enough points and a decent non-bullet-consuming weapon... Explosives for the damage & pushing monsters backwards, works really nice. Prowling is good too but your followers tend to disagree, heh.
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@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ aliases: ['/articles/guides/arcanum-parties/']
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<div class='vspace'></div><hr />
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<div class='vspace'></div><h3>Party Numer TWO - 01 February 2005</h3>
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<div class='vspace'></div><div><img style='float: left;' src='/img/games/Arcanum/Rhadek.jpg' alt='' title='' /> <img style='float: left;' src='/img/games/Arcanum/Virgil.jpg' alt='' title='' /> <img style='float: left;' src='/img/games/Arcanum/Geoffrey.gif' alt='' title='' /></div>
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<div class='vspace'></div><div><img style='float: left;' src='/games/pc/arcanum/Rhadek.jpg' alt='' title='' /> <img style='float: left;' src='/games/pc/arcanum/Virgil.jpg' alt='' title='' /> <img style='float: left;' src='/games/pc/arcanum/Geoffrey.gif' alt='' title='' /></div>
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<p style='clear: both;' class='vspace'><strong>Level</strong> - 31.<br /><strong>Rhadek Boktor</strong> - Male Halfling - Beat with Ugly Stick<br /><strong>Skills</strong> - Magick: Backstab, Prowling, melee, dodge, several magick realms<br /><strong>Stats</strong> - First DEX Second WP
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</p>
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<p class='vspace'>I like playing very very sneaky characters. Yup, they are usually evil aligned too. Virgil doesn't care anyway... This time, I'll go for backstabbing. Comes out its too bad I did that: all poor sap enemies don't even have a chance to hit me... I'm starting to think dodge are some wasted CP points! Prowl behind your enemies, backstab, un-prowl, let your compainons do something and repeat. Mostly, level 30 beasts are slain in round one when I'm level 12 or so. That's great but it's also way too powerfull and boring to play... He uses magick like haste, blind flash, charm e.d. too. Creep armor is good!
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@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
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---
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image: "/img/games/BaldursGate2/logo.jpg"
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image: "/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/logo.jpg"
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date: "2008-04-30"
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title: "BG2: Cleric/Ranger Guide"
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tags:
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@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ So, what's the worst part about the cleric, in general? He can even wear full pl
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The cleric/ranger combination actually works pretty well: high wisdom is needed for both classes to cast spells. Dex and Str are very useful, especially the first one. Don't build it up to 18 wearing plate mail though as it dismisses your evade bonus completely. There are good leather armors later in the game (if you've installed Throne of Bhaal: the obvious dungeon & further upgrades)
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<a id="progression"></a>
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### Basic Progression guide
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@ -48,8 +48,8 @@ While playing the game, there is nothing much to follow or remember, just play i
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### Character Equipment
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<span style="float: right;">
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<img src="/img/games/BaldursGate2/flail.gif">
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<img src="/img/games/BaldursGate2/mace.gif">
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<img src="/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/flail.gif">
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<img src="/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/mace.gif">
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</span>
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Which weapon should you use? There is more than enough choice for this class. Since most other party members use a different type of (melee or ranged) weapons, you have the freedom to fully claim all maces/flails and morning stars for yourself. Try to get the Flail of Ages as soon as possible to +3 since the extra elemental damage helps quite a lot to certain otherwise immune enemies. An undead crushing mace and a skull crusher are always handy, equip when needed. It's generally not needed to grab your slingshot as a backup weapon: use buff spells or ranged magic.
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@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ Which weapon should you use? There is more than enough choice for this class. Si
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If you've installed Throne of Bhaal or the bonus merchants, you can get your hands on a nice leather armor quite soon. Shadow armor is always good (AC -1) and still one of the best leather armors there are in the game. But most of the time your thief or another character will claim those equipment pieces. If you can't find any decent set, temporary equip good plate mail. Remember to switch soon as it reduces your DEX bonus and completely nullifies your hard work to buff up the character.
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<span style="float: right;">
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<img src="/img/games/BaldursGate2/girdle.gif">
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<img src="/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/girdle.gif">
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</span>
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Buy a frost belt/girdle from one of the bonus merchants or find one of the many available. It'll help increase your damage output while swinging the dual maces or flails. If you plan on equipping another belt, you should have built your character different since 14 STR is not nearly enough. Of course, this build is quite melee minded, adjust as you see fit.
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@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
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---
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image: "/img/games/BaldursGate2/logo.jpg"
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image: "/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/logo.jpg"
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date: "2008-04-30"
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title: "Baldur's Gate 2: Mage Talk"
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tags:
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@ -13,43 +13,43 @@ Ever wondered whatever the heck those crazy Arcane spellcasters say every time t
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**Update November, 2020**: Broken links galore... Replaced with embedded `<AUDIO/>` tags.
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<div class='vspace'></div><div><span class='rfloat'> <img src='/img/games/BaldursGate2/bg2_ill.gif' alt='' title='' /></span></div>
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<div class='vspace'></div><div><span class='rfloat'> <img src='/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/bg2_ill.gif' alt='' title='' /></span></div>
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<div class='indent'>1. <strong>Illusion</strong><br /><em>"Veritas, Credo, Oculos"</em> = "The truth, I believe, with my eyes"<br />
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{{< audio "/files/bg2_illusion.mp3" >}}
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</div><div class='vspace'></div><div><span class='rfloat'> <img src='/img/games/BaldursGate2/bg2_alt.gif' alt='' title='' /></span></div>
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</div><div class='vspace'></div><div><span class='rfloat'> <img src='/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/bg2_alt.gif' alt='' title='' /></span></div>
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<div class='indent'>2. <strong>Alteration</strong><br /><em>"Praeses, Alia, Fero"</em> = "Protecting, another, I bring this forth"<br />
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{{< audio "/files/bg2_alteration.mp3" >}}
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</div><div class='vspace'></div><div><span class='rfloat'> <img src='/img/games/BaldursGate2/bg2_necro.gif' alt='' title='' /></span></div>
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</div><div class='vspace'></div><div><span class='rfloat'> <img src='/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/bg2_necro.gif' alt='' title='' /></span></div>
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<div class='indent'>3. <strong>Necromancy</strong>: <em>"Vita, Mortis, Careo"</em> = "Life, and death, I am without"<br />
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{{< audio "/files/bg2_necromancy.mp3" >}}
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</div><div class='vspace'></div><div><span class='rfloat'> <img src='/img/games/BaldursGate2/bg2_div.gif' alt='' title='' /></span></div>
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</div><div class='vspace'></div><div><span class='rfloat'> <img src='/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/bg2_div.gif' alt='' title='' /></span></div>
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<div class='indent'>4. <strong>Divination</strong><br /><em>"Scio, Didici, Pecto"</em> = "I know, for I have studied, with my mind"<br />
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{{< audio "/files/bg2_divination.mp3" >}}
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</div><div class='vspace'></div><div><span class='rfloat'> <img src='/img/games/BaldursGate2/bg2_abj.gif' alt='' title='' /></span></div>
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</div><div class='vspace'></div><div><span class='rfloat'> <img src='/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/bg2_abj.gif' alt='' title='' /></span></div>
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<div class='indent'>5. <strong>Abjuration</strong><br /><em>"Manus, Potentis, Paro"</em> = "A hand, powerful, I prepare"<br />
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{{< audio "/files/bg2_abjuration.mp3" >}}
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</div><div class='vspace'></div><div><span class='rfloat'> <img src='/img/games/BaldursGate2/bg2_evo.gif' alt='' title='' /></span></div>
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</div><div class='vspace'></div><div><span class='rfloat'> <img src='/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/bg2_evo.gif' alt='' title='' /></span></div>
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<div class='indent'>6. <strong>Evocation</strong><br /><em>"Incertus, Pulcher, Imperio"</em> = "Uncertain, beautiful things, I command"<br />
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{{< audio "/files/bg2_evocation.mp3" >}}
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</div><div class='vspace'></div><div><span class='rfloat'> <img src='/img/games/BaldursGate2/bg2_conj.gif' alt='' title='' /></span></div>
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</div><div class='vspace'></div><div><span class='rfloat'> <img src='/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/bg2_conj.gif' alt='' title='' /></span></div>
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<div class='indent'>7. <strong>Conjuration</strong><br /><em>"Facio, Voco, Ferre"</em> = "This I do, I call, to bring you forth"<br />
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{{< audio "/files/bg2_conjuation.mp3" >}}
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</div><div class='vspace'></div><div><span class='rfloat'> <img src='/img/games/BaldursGate2/bg2_ench.gif' alt='' title='' /></span></div>
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</div><div class='vspace'></div><div><span class='rfloat'> <img src='/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/bg2_ench.gif' alt='' title='' /></span></div>
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<div class='indent'>8. <strong>Enchantment</strong><br /><em>"Cupio, Virtus, Licet"</em> = "I want, excellence, allowed to me"<br />
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{{< audio "/files/bg2_enchantment.mp3" >}}
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---
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image: "/img/games/BaldursGate2/logo.jpg"
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image: "/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/logo.jpg"
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date: "2006-11-08"
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title: "BG2/Infinity Engine Mods"
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tags: ['Baldurs Gate 2']
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#### Divine Remix
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The Divine Remix aims to rebalance and change several aspects of divine-magic-using classes (clerics, paladins, druids, and rangers) in Baldur's Gate (via Baldur's Gate Tutu) and Baldur's Gate II. The mod originally began as Cleric Remix. The most notable change to the spell system is the proper implementation of spheres. Like arcane magic and its school system, divine magic can be broken into spheres such as animal, necromancy, protection, etc. And finally, druids are able to pick another alignment than True Neutral, as long as it has the keyword neutral in it. Clerics can pick special kits which gain innate abilities relevant to their chosen deity.
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##### The Tactics Mod
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##### The Tactics Mod
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Tired of playing Baldur's Gate II? You know all possible ways to defeat enemies and bosses? Well install this great modification and be prepared to get kicked in the ass bigtime again! Tactics does what the title says: it adds some serious tactics to most encounters. The enemy AI has been greatly improved, enemy spellcasters now act just like you: buffing, protection seeking, and then firing away. Bodhi, Irenicus, Bhaal, the Sahuagin City, Torgal, Golems (auch!), the Undead, ... - you name it, they've improved it. There have even been added some very challenging encounters such as the Acid Kensai "Kuroisan".
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#### Other Fixes
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---
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image: "/img/games/BaldursGate2/logo.jpg"
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image: "/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/logo.jpg"
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date: "2007-03-30"
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title: "Baldur's Gate 2: Party Guide"
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tags: ['Baldurs Gate 2']
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</div></li></ul><div class='vspace'></div><h3>Party Numer TWO - 06 Jan. 2006</h3>
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<div class='vspace'></div>
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<table border='0' cellpadding='10' cellspacing='20' ><tr><td valign='top'>
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<div><span class='lfloat'> <img src='/img/games/BaldursGate2/xandarr.jpg' alt='' title='' /></span></div>
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<div><span class='lfloat'> <img src='/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/xandarr.jpg' alt='' title='' /></span></div>
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<p><strong>Attitude</strong>: Xandarr, my main character. I decided to create a melee divine spellcaster, for the very first time, since I've been using Arcane Magic way too much. I ended up with three members who are able to cast divinity spells, which is awesome. Xandarr is also the main melee mob killer, besides Keldorn. He performs this job very well using two maces or a flail, fully buffed up with his own spells.<br /><br /><strong>Type</strong>: Human Chaotic Good, Cleric/Ranger <br /><strong>Name</strong>: Xandarr<br /><strong>Strength</strong>: dual wielding melee combat, maces/flails, divine magic
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</p></td><td valign='top'>
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<div><span class='lfloat'> <img src='/img/games/BaldursGate2/keldorn.jpg' alt='' title='' /></span></div>
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<div><span class='lfloat'> <img src='/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/keldorn.jpg' alt='' title='' /></span></div>
|
||||
<p><strong>Attitude</strong>: Ah, my beloved Inquisitor. I love this guy, especially when he's wielding the Holy Avenger, the +5 two-handled sword carefully preserved by Firkraag. The only paladin in the game. His only weak point is the low DEX, but that can be easily fixed by a pair of gauntlets. Keldorn's True Sight and Dispel Magic are very powerful and useful too.<br /><br /><strong>Type</strong>: Human Lawful Good, Inquisitor <br /><strong>Name</strong>: Keldorn<br /><strong>Strength</strong>: melee 2-handled swords, crossbows, innate abilities
|
||||
</p></td></tr><tr><td valign='top'>
|
||||
<div><span class='lfloat'> <img src='/img/games/BaldursGate2/valygar.jpg' alt='' title='' /></span></div>
|
||||
<div><span class='lfloat'> <img src='/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/valygar.jpg' alt='' title='' /></span></div>
|
||||
<p><strong>Attitude</strong>: I never picked up Valygar, besides the planar sphere quest. My party is always too full. Instead of creating the cheesy Kensai/mage I'm used to, I am doing fine unlocking Valygar's true powers: also katana's of course. Give him a pair of haste boots and some buffs and watch him kill. As a ranger, Valygar can also cast some useful (divine, again) spells. Radical Enemy is a plus!<br /><br /><strong>Type</strong>: Human, Chaotic Good, Stalker <br /><strong>Name</strong>: Valygar<br /><strong>Strength</strong>: dual wielding melee combat, katana's, special abilities
|
||||
</p></td><td valign='top'>
|
||||
<div><span class='lfloat'> <img src='/img/games/BaldursGate2/cernd.jpg' alt='' title='' /></span></div>
|
||||
<div><span class='lfloat'> <img src='/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/cernd.jpg' alt='' title='' /></span></div>
|
||||
<p><strong>Attitude</strong>: Cernd is the only Druid/shapeshifter in the game and it's time to spread the word: shapeshifters are powerful if you use the right strategy. Partially thanks to the shapeshifter fix modification, of course. And Cernd has access to some pretty powerful spells, and can serve as a backup healer. Yes. <br /><br /><strong>Type</strong>: Human, True Neutral, Shapeshifter<br /><strong>Name</strong>: Cernd<br /><strong>Strength</strong>: melee (shapeshifted), divine magic
|
||||
</p></td></tr><tr><td valign='top'>
|
||||
<div><span class='lfloat'> <img src='/img/games/BaldursGate2/jan.jpg' alt='' title='' /></span></div>
|
||||
<div><span class='lfloat'> <img src='/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/jan.jpg' alt='' title='' /></span></div>
|
||||
<p><strong>Attitude</strong>: I cannot live without a proper backup mage, whether it's a silly Illusionist or not. I did not rescue my sister yet, so chances are I'll ditch Jan in the future. I know all his silly stories and he was never really useful, except as a backup. But I need some thief abilities (my previous main char was an assassin).<br /><br /><strong>Type</strong>: Gnome, Chaotic Neutral - Illusionist/thief<br /><strong>Name</strong>: Jan Janssen<br /><strong>Strength</strong>: Magic: Illusions, ranged - crossbows
|
||||
</p></td><td valign='top'>
|
||||
<div><span class='lfloat'> <img src='/img/games/BaldursGate2/kelsey.jpg' alt='' title='' /></span></div>
|
||||
<div><span class='lfloat'> <img src='/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/kelsey.jpg' alt='' title='' /></span></div>
|
||||
<p><strong>Attitude</strong>: Ah, the main damage output has finally arrived. There is sadly no sorcerer present in the unmodified version of <span class='wikiword'>BG2</span>, and I cannot live without Kelsey anymore. He never ever let me down: whether it's spamming fireballs or lowering mage's resistances and breaching their shields. Less spell picks, more spell memorization slots. That's a pretty good deal.<br /><br /><strong>Type</strong>: Human, Lawful Neutral Sorcerer
|
||||
<strong>Name</strong>: Kelsey<br /><strong>Strength</strong>: Arcane magic.
|
||||
</p></td></tr></table>
|
||||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
|
|||
---
|
||||
image: "/img/games/BaldursGate2/logo.jpg"
|
||||
image: "/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/logo.jpg"
|
||||
date: "2008-04-30"
|
||||
title: "BG2 Solo Blade: A Report"
|
||||
tags:
|
||||
|
|
@ -73,15 +73,15 @@ After a few decent rolls, I managed to create a character with enough STR, DEX,
|
|||
<div class="row">
|
||||
<div class="col-md-6">
|
||||
<figure>
|
||||
<a class="lbox" href="/img/games/BaldursGate2/screens/b_01_startstats.jpg">
|
||||
<img class="img-responsive" src="/img/games/BaldursGate2/screens/b_01_startstats.jpg" title="Level 7 start stats" /></a>
|
||||
<a class="lbox" href="/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/screens/b_01_startstats.jpg">
|
||||
<img class="img-responsive" src="/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/screens/b_01_startstats.jpg" title="Level 7 start stats" /></a>
|
||||
<figcaption>Level 7 start stats</figcaption>
|
||||
</figure>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<div class="col-md-6">
|
||||
<figure>
|
||||
<a class="lbox" href="/img/games/BaldursGate2/screens/b_02_firstlvlup.jpg">
|
||||
<img class="img-responsive" src="/img/games/BaldursGate2/screens/b_02_firstlvlup.jpg" title="First level up" /></a>
|
||||
<a class="lbox" href="/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/screens/b_02_firstlvlup.jpg">
|
||||
<img class="img-responsive" src="/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/screens/b_02_firstlvlup.jpg" title="First level up" /></a>
|
||||
<figcaption>First level up</figcaption>
|
||||
</figure>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
|
@ -98,13 +98,13 @@ Armed with the shortbow, I manage to lure most second and third goblin mobs in p
|
|||
<div class="row">
|
||||
<div class="col-md-6">
|
||||
<figure>
|
||||
<a class="lbox" href="/img/games/BaldursGate2/screens/b_03_otyguth.jpg"><img class="img-responsive" src="/img/games/BaldursGate2/screens/b_03_otyguth.jpg" title="Otyguth killed with a quarterstaff" /></a>
|
||||
<a class="lbox" href="/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/screens/b_03_otyguth.jpg"><img class="img-responsive" src="/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/screens/b_03_otyguth.jpg" title="Otyguth killed with a quarterstaff" /></a>
|
||||
<figcaption>Otyguth killed with a quarterstaff</figcaption>
|
||||
</figure>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<div class="col-md-6">
|
||||
<figure>
|
||||
<a class="lbox" href="/img/games/BaldursGate2/screens/b_04_duergar.jpg"><img class="img-responsive" src="/img/games/BaldursGate2/screens/b_04_duergar.jpg" title="Duergar down with Skull trap" /></a>
|
||||
<a class="lbox" href="/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/screens/b_04_duergar.jpg"><img class="img-responsive" src="/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/screens/b_04_duergar.jpg" title="Duergar down with Skull trap" /></a>
|
||||
<figcaption>Duergar down with Skull trap</figcaption>
|
||||
</figure>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
|
@ -121,13 +121,13 @@ Whoops, I forgot the lesser clay golem guards! Luckily, the last defensive spin
|
|||
<div class="row">
|
||||
<div class="col-md-6">
|
||||
<figure>
|
||||
<a class="lbox" href="/img/games/BaldursGate2/screens/b_05_claygolems.jpg"><img class="img-responsive" src="/img/games/BaldursGate2/screens/b_05_claygolems.jpg" title="Clay golem guards" /></a>
|
||||
<a class="lbox" href="/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/screens/b_05_claygolems.jpg"><img class="img-responsive" src="/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/screens/b_05_claygolems.jpg" title="Clay golem guards" /></a>
|
||||
<figcaption>Clay golem guards</figcaption>
|
||||
</figure>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<div class="col-md-6">
|
||||
<figure>
|
||||
<a class="lbox" href="/img/games/BaldursGate2/screens/b_06_airmephit.jpg"><img class="img-responsive" src="/img/games/BaldursGate2/screens/b_06_airmephit.jpg" title="Air portal: summon does work for me." /></a>
|
||||
<a class="lbox" href="/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/screens/b_06_airmephit.jpg"><img class="img-responsive" src="/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/screens/b_06_airmephit.jpg" title="Air portal: summon does work for me." /></a>
|
||||
<figcaption>Air portal: summon does work for me.</figcaption>
|
||||
</figure>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
|
@ -144,13 +144,13 @@ To get the anti-crushing-belt I had to kill another group of duergars. Good thin
|
|||
<div class="row">
|
||||
<div class="col-md-6">
|
||||
<figure>
|
||||
<a class="lbox" href="/img/games/BaldursGate2/screens/b_07_portals.jpg"><img class="img-responsive" src="/img/games/BaldursGate2/screens/b_07_portals.jpg" title="Mephit portal + meteors = win." /></a>
|
||||
<a class="lbox" href="/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/screens/b_07_portals.jpg"><img class="img-responsive" src="/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/screens/b_07_portals.jpg" title="Mephit portal + meteors = win." /></a>
|
||||
<figcaption>Mephit portal + meteors = win.</figcaption>
|
||||
</figure>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<div class="col-md-6">
|
||||
<figure>
|
||||
<a class="lbox" href="/img/games/BaldursGate2/screens/b_08_copperguards.jpg"><img class="img-responsive" src="/img/games/BaldursGate2/screens/b_08_copperguards.jpg" title="Copper guards: huh 4 extra mages? Ouch!" /></a>
|
||||
<a class="lbox" href="/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/screens/b_08_copperguards.jpg"><img class="img-responsive" src="/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/screens/b_08_copperguards.jpg" title="Copper guards: huh 4 extra mages? Ouch!" /></a>
|
||||
<figcaption>Copper guards: huh 4 extra mages? Ouch!</figcaption>
|
||||
</figure>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
|
@ -171,13 +171,13 @@ Before starting the slaves quest in the Copper Coronet, I first talked to Mae'Va
|
|||
<div class="row">
|
||||
<div class="col-md-6">
|
||||
<figure>
|
||||
<a class="lbox" href="/img/games/BaldursGate2/screens/b_09_pickpocket.jpg"><img class="img-responsive" src="/img/games/BaldursGate2/screens/b_09_pickpocket.jpg" title="Checking out my pickpocket stats." /></a>
|
||||
<a class="lbox" href="/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/screens/b_09_pickpocket.jpg"><img class="img-responsive" src="/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/screens/b_09_pickpocket.jpg" title="Checking out my pickpocket stats." /></a>
|
||||
<figcaption>Checking out my pickpocket stats.</figcaption>
|
||||
</figure>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<div class="col-md-6">
|
||||
<figure>
|
||||
<a class="lbox" href="/img/games/BaldursGate2/screens/b_10_zerthblade.jpg"><img class="img-responsive" src="/img/games/BaldursGate2/screens/b_10_zerthblade.jpg" title="Yes! A very useful blade" /></a>
|
||||
<a class="lbox" href="/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/screens/b_10_zerthblade.jpg"><img class="img-responsive" src="/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/screens/b_10_zerthblade.jpg" title="Yes! A very useful blade" /></a>
|
||||
<figcaption>Yes! A very useful blade.</figcaption>
|
||||
</figure>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
|
@ -204,14 +204,14 @@ Tanner disappears, skull trap fires and the first one is injured. I flee back up
|
|||
<div class="row">
|
||||
<div class="col-md-6">
|
||||
<figure>
|
||||
<a class="lbox" href="/img/games/BaldursGate2/screens/b_11_rune.jpg"><img class="img-responsive" src="/img/games/BaldursGate2/screens/b_11_rune.jpg" title="The Rune assassins." /></a>
|
||||
<a class="lbox" href="/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/screens/b_11_rune.jpg"><img class="img-responsive" src="/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/screens/b_11_rune.jpg" title="The Rune assassins." /></a>
|
||||
<figcaption>The Rune assassins.</figcaption>
|
||||
</figure>
|
||||
<center></center>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<div class="col-md-6">
|
||||
<figure>
|
||||
<a class="lbox" href="/img/games/BaldursGate2/screens/b_12_sewers.jpg"><img class="img-responsive" src="/img/games/BaldursGate2/screens/b_12_sewers.jpg" title="Bye bye stupid hobgoblins..." /></a>
|
||||
<a class="lbox" href="/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/screens/b_12_sewers.jpg"><img class="img-responsive" src="/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/screens/b_12_sewers.jpg" title="Bye bye stupid hobgoblins..." /></a>
|
||||
<figcaption>Bye bye stupid hobgoblins...</figcaption>
|
||||
</figure>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
|
@ -236,13 +236,13 @@ As for the crypts, I entered and encountered the first bunch of spiders (sword,
|
|||
<div class="row">
|
||||
<div class="col-md-6">
|
||||
<figure>
|
||||
<a class="lbox" href="/img/games/BaldursGate2/screens/b_14_crypts.jpg"><img class="img-responsive" src="/img/games/BaldursGate2/screens/b_14_crypts.jpg" title="Whoops, wrong crypt!" /></a>
|
||||
<a class="lbox" href="/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/screens/b_14_crypts.jpg"><img class="img-responsive" src="/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/screens/b_14_crypts.jpg" title="Whoops, wrong crypt!" /></a>
|
||||
<figcaption>Whoops, wrong crypt!</figcaption>
|
||||
</figure>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<div class="col-md-6">
|
||||
<figure>
|
||||
<a class="lbox" href="/img/games/BaldursGate2/screens/b_13_slavers.jpg"><img class="img-responsive" src="/img/games/BaldursGate2/screens/b_13_slavers.jpg" title="Cloudkill still works..." /></a>
|
||||
<a class="lbox" href="/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/screens/b_13_slavers.jpg"><img class="img-responsive" src="/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/screens/b_13_slavers.jpg" title="Cloudkill still works..." /></a>
|
||||
<figcaption>Cloudkill still works...</figcaption>
|
||||
</figure>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
|
@ -257,13 +257,13 @@ The astral prison proved to be... Hard in the beginning, very easy in the end. T
|
|||
<div class="row">
|
||||
<div class="col-md-6">
|
||||
<figure>
|
||||
<a class="lbox" href="/img/games/BaldursGate2/screens/b_15_spiders.jpg"><img class="img-responsive" src="/img/games/BaldursGate2/screens/b_15_spiders.jpg" title="Say hello to my little spider." /></a>
|
||||
<a class="lbox" href="/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/screens/b_15_spiders.jpg"><img class="img-responsive" src="/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/screens/b_15_spiders.jpg" title="Say hello to my little spider." /></a>
|
||||
<figcaption>Say hello to my little spider.</figcaption>
|
||||
</figure>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<div class="col-md-6">
|
||||
<figure>
|
||||
<a class="lbox" href="/img/games/BaldursGate2/screens/b_16_prison.jpg"><img class="img-responsive" src="/img/games/BaldursGate2/screens/b_16_prison.jpg" title="New shiny equipment" /></a>
|
||||
<a class="lbox" href="/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/screens/b_16_prison.jpg"><img class="img-responsive" src="/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/screens/b_16_prison.jpg" title="New shiny equipment" /></a>
|
||||
<figcaption>New shiny equipment</figcaption>
|
||||
</figure>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
|
@ -285,13 +285,13 @@ Instead of attempting to kill the guy with my current arsenal, I cast improved i
|
|||
<div class="row">
|
||||
<div class="col-md-6">
|
||||
<figure>
|
||||
<a class="lbox" href="/img/games/BaldursGate2/screens/b_18_daystar.jpg"><img class="img-responsive" src="/img/games/BaldursGate2/screens/b_18_daystar.jpg" title="Lich + Breach = out of luck =(" /></a>
|
||||
<a class="lbox" href="/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/screens/b_18_daystar.jpg"><img class="img-responsive" src="/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/screens/b_18_daystar.jpg" title="Lich + Breach = out of luck =(" /></a>
|
||||
<figcaption>Lich + Breach = out of luck =(</figcaption>
|
||||
</figure>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<div class="col-md-6">
|
||||
<figure>
|
||||
<a class="lbox" href="/img/games/BaldursGate2/screens/b_19_sewerparty.jpg"><img class="img-responsive" src="/img/games/BaldursGate2/screens/b_19_sewerparty.jpg" title="Stupid of them, demanding gold. Now they're dead." /></a>
|
||||
<a class="lbox" href="/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/screens/b_19_sewerparty.jpg"><img class="img-responsive" src="/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/screens/b_19_sewerparty.jpg" title="Stupid of them, demanding gold. Now they're dead." /></a>
|
||||
<figcaption>Stupid of them, demanding gold. Now they're dead.</figcaption>
|
||||
</figure>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
|
@ -307,13 +307,13 @@ Stole the amulet and reported to Mae'Var. He send me to Edwin, and I had to do h
|
|||
<div class="row">
|
||||
<div class="col-md-6">
|
||||
<figure>
|
||||
<a class="lbox" href="/img/games/BaldursGate2/screens/b_20_rayic.jpg"><img class="img-responsive" src="/img/games/BaldursGate2/screens/b_20_rayic.jpg" title="Puny little mage." /></a>
|
||||
<a class="lbox" href="/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/screens/b_20_rayic.jpg"><img class="img-responsive" src="/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/screens/b_20_rayic.jpg" title="Puny little mage." /></a>
|
||||
<figcaption>Puny little mage.</figcaption>
|
||||
</figure>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<div class="col-md-6">
|
||||
<figure>
|
||||
<a class="lbox" href="/img/games/BaldursGate2/screens/b_21_maevar.jpg"><img class="img-responsive" src="/img/games/BaldursGate2/screens/b_21_maevar.jpg" title="What the heck is going on?" /></a>
|
||||
<a class="lbox" href="/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/screens/b_21_maevar.jpg"><img class="img-responsive" src="/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/screens/b_21_maevar.jpg" title="What the heck is going on?" /></a>
|
||||
<figcaption>What the heck is going on?</figcaption>
|
||||
</figure>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
|
@ -337,13 +337,13 @@ Anyway, on to the Temple District. Hello Inquisitor, no I don't need your servic
|
|||
<div class="row">
|
||||
<div class="col-md-6">
|
||||
<figure>
|
||||
<a class="lbox" href="/img/games/BaldursGate2/screens/b_22_vampires.jpg"><img class="img-responsive" src="/img/games/BaldursGate2/screens/b_22_vampires.jpg" title="Taste Daystar, Vampires." /></a>
|
||||
<a class="lbox" href="/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/screens/b_22_vampires.jpg"><img class="img-responsive" src="/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/screens/b_22_vampires.jpg" title="Taste Daystar, Vampires." /></a>
|
||||
<figcaption>Taste Daystar, Vampires.</figcaption>
|
||||
</figure>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<div class="col-md-6">
|
||||
<figure>
|
||||
<a class="lbox" href="/img/games/BaldursGate2/screens/b_23_shadelich.jpg"><img class="img-responsive" src="/img/games/BaldursGate2/screens/b_23_shadelich.jpg" title="Getting the first Kangaxx part" /></a>
|
||||
<a class="lbox" href="/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/screens/b_23_shadelich.jpg"><img class="img-responsive" src="/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/screens/b_23_shadelich.jpg" title="Getting the first Kangaxx part" /></a>
|
||||
<figcaption>Getting the first Kangaxx part</figcaption>
|
||||
</figure>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
|
@ -360,13 +360,13 @@ The beholders in the lair were as hard as the lower reaches beholder, maybe even
|
|||
<div class="row">
|
||||
<div class="col-md-6">
|
||||
<figure>
|
||||
<a class="lbox" href="/img/games/BaldursGate2/screens/b_24_tensers.jpg"><img class="img-responsive" src="/img/games/BaldursGate2/screens/b_24_tensers.jpg" title="Tenser's Transformation = godly" /></a>
|
||||
<a class="lbox" href="/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/screens/b_24_tensers.jpg"><img class="img-responsive" src="/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/screens/b_24_tensers.jpg" title="Tenser's Transformation = godly" /></a>
|
||||
<figcaption>Tenser's Transformation = godly</figcaption>
|
||||
</figure>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<div class="col-md-6">
|
||||
<figure>
|
||||
<a class="lbox" href="/img/games/BaldursGate2/screens/b_25_bonegolem.jpg"><img class="img-responsive" src="/img/games/BaldursGate2/screens/b_25_bonegolem.jpg" title="First level up" /></a>
|
||||
<a class="lbox" href="/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/screens/b_25_bonegolem.jpg"><img class="img-responsive" src="/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/screens/b_25_bonegolem.jpg" title="First level up" /></a>
|
||||
<figcaption>Annoying bone golem!</figcaption>
|
||||
</figure>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
|
@ -384,13 +384,13 @@ Okay, time to try and get Celestial Fury. I arrived at the compound, fully buffe
|
|||
<div class="row">
|
||||
<div class="col-md-6">
|
||||
<figure>
|
||||
<a class="lbox" href="/img/games/BaldursGate2/screens/b_26_druidgrove.jpg"><img class="img-responsive" src="/img/games/BaldursGate2/screens/b_26_druidgrove.jpg" title="At the Troll hideout" /></a>
|
||||
<a class="lbox" href="/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/screens/b_26_druidgrove.jpg"><img class="img-responsive" src="/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/screens/b_26_druidgrove.jpg" title="At the Troll hideout" /></a>
|
||||
<figcaption>At the Troll hideout</figcaption>
|
||||
</figure>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<div class="col-md-6">
|
||||
<figure>
|
||||
<a class="lbox" href="/img/games/BaldursGate2/screens/b_27_liches.jpg"><img class="img-responsive" src="/img/games/BaldursGate2/screens/b_27_liches.jpg" title="Another group of liches..." /></a>
|
||||
<a class="lbox" href="/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/screens/b_27_liches.jpg"><img class="img-responsive" src="/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/screens/b_27_liches.jpg" title="Another group of liches..." /></a>
|
||||
<figcaption>Another group of liches...</figcaption>
|
||||
</figure>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
|
@ -406,13 +406,13 @@ I knew Kuroisan the Acid Kensai from tactics was going to spawn since I equipped
|
|||
<div class="row">
|
||||
<div class="col-md-6">
|
||||
<figure>
|
||||
<a class="lbox" href="/img/games/BaldursGate2/screens/b_28_kuro.jpg"><img class="img-responsive" src="/img/games/BaldursGate2/screens/b_28_kuro.jpg" title="Kuroisan wants my Katana." /></a>
|
||||
<a class="lbox" href="/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/screens/b_28_kuro.jpg"><img class="img-responsive" src="/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/screens/b_28_kuro.jpg" title="Kuroisan wants my Katana." /></a>
|
||||
<figcaption>Kuroisan wants my Katana.</figcaption>
|
||||
</figure>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<div class="col-md-6">
|
||||
<figure>
|
||||
<a class="lbox" href="/img/games/BaldursGate2/screens/b_29_newequip.jpg"><img class="img-responsive" src="/img/games/BaldursGate2/screens/b_29_newequip.jpg" title="New and strong equipment" /></a>
|
||||
<a class="lbox" href="/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/screens/b_29_newequip.jpg"><img class="img-responsive" src="/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/screens/b_29_newequip.jpg" title="New and strong equipment" /></a>
|
||||
<figcaption>New and strong equipment</figcaption>
|
||||
</figure>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
|
@ -438,13 +438,13 @@ I can't exactly remember anymore how I killed him, but I do remember that in his
|
|||
<div class="row">
|
||||
<div class="col-md-6">
|
||||
<figure>
|
||||
<a class="lbox" href="/img/games/BaldursGate2/screens/b_31_kangaxx.jpg"><img class="img-responsive" src="/img/games/BaldursGate2/screens/b_31_kangaxx.jpg" title="Thank you for the ring!" /></a>
|
||||
<a class="lbox" href="/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/screens/b_31_kangaxx.jpg"><img class="img-responsive" src="/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/screens/b_31_kangaxx.jpg" title="Thank you for the ring!" /></a>
|
||||
<figcaption>Thank you for the ring!</figcaption>
|
||||
</figure>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<div class="col-md-6">
|
||||
<figure>
|
||||
<a class="lbox" href="/img/games/BaldursGate2/screens/b_30_sphere.jpg"><img class="img-responsive" src="/img/games/BaldursGate2/screens/b_30_sphere.jpg" title="Boom in the planar sphere" /></a>
|
||||
<a class="lbox" href="/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/screens/b_30_sphere.jpg"><img class="img-responsive" src="/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/screens/b_30_sphere.jpg" title="Boom in the planar sphere" /></a>
|
||||
<figcaption>Boom in the planar sphere</figcaption>
|
||||
</figure>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
|
@ -464,13 +464,13 @@ The Shadows and Elder Shadows proved to be very annoying because of their "glare
|
|||
<div class="row">
|
||||
<div class="col-md-6">
|
||||
<figure>
|
||||
<a class="lbox" href="/img/games/BaldursGate2/screens/b_32_shadowtemple.jpg"><img class="img-responsive" src="/img/games/BaldursGate2/screens/b_32_shadowtemple.jpg" title="Daystar rocks this world - and the next one" /></a>
|
||||
<a class="lbox" href="/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/screens/b_32_shadowtemple.jpg"><img class="img-responsive" src="/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/screens/b_32_shadowtemple.jpg" title="Daystar rocks this world - and the next one" /></a>
|
||||
<figcaption>Daystar rocks this world - and the next one.</figcaption>
|
||||
</figure>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<div class="col-md-6">
|
||||
<figure>
|
||||
<a class="lbox" href="/img/games/BaldursGate2/screens/b_33_byedragon.jpg"><img class="img-responsive" src="/img/games/BaldursGate2/screens/b_33_byedragon.jpg" title="Bye bye little dragon." /></a>
|
||||
<a class="lbox" href="/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/screens/b_33_byedragon.jpg"><img class="img-responsive" src="/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/screens/b_33_byedragon.jpg" title="Bye bye little dragon." /></a>
|
||||
<figcaption>Bye bye little dragon.</figcaption>
|
||||
</figure>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
|
@ -484,7 +484,7 @@ Last problem: the "shadow lord" awaiting outside at the temple. After the dragon
|
|||
<div class="row">
|
||||
<div class="col-md-6">
|
||||
<figure>
|
||||
<a class="lbox" href="/img/games/BaldursGate2/screens/b_34_badsaves.jpg"><img class="img-responsive" src="/img/games/BaldursGate2/screens/b_34_badsaves.jpg" title="Death Spell - Death. Go figure." /></a>
|
||||
<a class="lbox" href="/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/screens/b_34_badsaves.jpg"><img class="img-responsive" src="/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/screens/b_34_badsaves.jpg" title="Death Spell - Death. Go figure." /></a>
|
||||
<figcaption>Death Spell - Death. Go figure.</figcaption>
|
||||
</figure>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
|
|||
---
|
||||
image: "/img/games/BaldursGate2/logo.jpg"
|
||||
image: "/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/logo.jpg"
|
||||
date: "2007-03-30"
|
||||
title: "Baldur's Gate 2: Spell Protection"
|
||||
tags:
|
||||
|
|
@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ This is why 90% of the time, if you have breach and remove magic, you can kill a
|
|||
|
||||
Breach will strip out any elemental and physical protection, and almost nothing stops it...spell trap will not stop breach, spell turning will not stop breach, only spell shield will stop breach, but only once, and the spell shield is consumed by stopping breach. However due to its nature as a single target spell, you can stop enemies from breaching you by being improved invisible. It is a single target spell, after all. Liches are immune to breach, since they are immune to spells below a certain level, and breach is one of the spells liches are immune to. So how do you strip off the protections of a lich???
|
||||
|
||||
<img src="/img/games/BaldursGate2/lich.jpg" alt="" title="">
|
||||
<img src="/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/lich.jpg" alt="" title="">
|
||||
<center>Gebhard Blucher's Improved Lich. Painful at the very least.</center>
|
||||
|
||||
### Remove Magic VS Breach
|
||||
|
|
@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ Spell Immunity: Abjuration will not stop any Spell Protection Remover, not even
|
|||
So when confronted with such a spell defense, simply point your Wand of Spell Striking at the opponent and cast Pierce Magic twice or use a scroll of Spell Strike, preferable by a Simulacrum. This is much simpler than using a Chain Contingency of triple RRoR, such as UseRUnfriendly proposes, and moreover usable by a bard.
|
||||
Thanks Lark!
|
||||
|
||||
<img src="/img/games/BaldursGate2/skeleton.jpg" alt="" title="">
|
||||
<img src="/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/skeleton.jpg" alt="" title="">
|
||||
<center>Project Image combined with Skeleton Warriors as decoy is so deadly...</center>
|
||||
|
||||
### Beating difficult Mages without magic
|
||||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ Let me give you an idea of what made Troika great. Here are two scenarios, one f
|
|||
|
||||
**What the developers were thinking:** Well, this has to be this way, right? I mean, the bartender has knowledge that keeps the quest moving along so we can't kill him. And what if we attacked someone else in the corner of the bar? We couldn't have that because it would look strange if the people just sat there! And I mean, c'mon, if you can kill this guy, wouldn't that mean you can kill the others too? Oh plus, our publisher informed us yesterday that we have to take out all the kids in the game because we can't sell the game in Germany if it has kid killing. Yeah..... killing people in a friendly town is out of the question.
|
||||
|
||||
<img src="/img/games/Arcanum/screens/arc_tarant.jpg">
|
||||
<img src="/games/pc/arcanum/screens/arc_tarant.jpg">
|
||||
<center>Let's kill her. I hope her husband will be happy.</center>
|
||||
|
||||
**Troika game:**
|
||||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ I failed. Miserably.
|
|||
|
||||
There is of course no clicking involved in a console version of Diablo, and let's start with the good parts: it runs extremely smoothly, even with a bunch of stuff happening on screen (like, say, exploding bodies on lightning-enhanced enemies). The revamped inventory screen and UI to match a console button layout is overall well-done. It's easy to walk through the world and through the screens, and it gets the job done. I of course prefer a full inventory screen instead of a list I need to scroll through but I understand the limitations of two analog knobs. Skills are assigned to face buttons and I never felt the need to use a shortcut to quickly switch between them, as you had to do in D2. There are more buttons than the 2 skills you had back then, so that might explain something.
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
On to the fun part: **character building**! Or rather, what seems to be completely absent in D3. Why are my skills automatically unlocked? Why are runes a subset of skills now? Why can't I dump points into skills? Where is the **tree** in "skill tree"? Where are the attributes? I'm starting to feel like the Angry Video Game Nerd here. Don't get me wrong, I still enjoy Diablo 3, and I hate myself for doing so, but all the complexity that was so amazing and an integral part of the predecessor now seems to be completely vanished... Locked in a soulstone, perhaps? I know this is a 6-year old discussion, but now I'm finally starting to understand Diablo 2 fans, as I am one. I spent more than 200 hours creating "WW bars", "CE necros", doing Mephisto runs at 3 AM. Good times. But what made those times so great was my own decisions and the **permanent impact** I made on my character. Diablo 3 seems to play with me instead of the other way around: it feels like cruising on auto-pilot. All skills are automatically unlocked at level 70 and you can switch between them as you see fit. In D2, you had to start over. That might be harsh, but that was part of the fun.
|
||||
|
||||
|
|
@ -22,11 +22,11 @@ Venturebeat talks about the [fun factor of D2](https://venturebeat.com/2018/07/0
|
|||
|
||||
Why would a game like this, completely built around the concept of "_runs_", automatically make choices for the player? That **defined** the previous Diablo games! That is hack & slash. Take a look at Path of Exile, for example. The screenshot below illustrates my attempt at explaining the endless possibilities of character builds. And no, these things are not unlocked if you level up. My Corpse Explosion necromancer with Bone Spikes doesn't need "Corpse Devour", as CE turns corpses into bombs. It's just ridiculous. When my character levels up, I shrug my shoulders. When my character levels in Diablo 2, I'm super excited as the game gives me a chance to _crunch the numbers_.
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
Another part of the fun was "MF runs" (magic find) - in Diablo 3, rare items drop at exceedingly regular rates. I can't remember ever wearing something blue ("simply" magical, instead of yellow "rare" or orange "unique"). Unique drops are still exciting though. Speaking of loot: runes seem to be gone forever, embedded in the amazing skill tree. The activation of a rune will slightly modify a skill, for instance enhancing it with frostbite or doubling corpse explosion range. Damage might be altered too, but in mysterious ways. I can't see what damage what skill does, and in Diablo 2 this was essential: do I put one more point into this skill or do I wait until the next subtree is unlocked and I switch from flesh to fire golem? Now, the Necromancer only has one "Golem" skill, which he can spice up using runes. Simply awful. **What were they thinking?**, I can hear the Angry Video Game Nerd saying.
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
It's in fact quite an accomplishment that I still like the game, for some reason. The World of Warcraft-like graphics don't hold me back as much as I feared, and they've done a decent job at trying to integrate the story into the main game run by sprinkling auditive notebooks into the world here and there. I'm however not excited enough to do lot's of runs and will now say that I'm not interested in doing this online in any way, but local co-op play looks pleasant enough. My wife looked at me while playing it and said "that seems like a very repetitive, boring game". Indeed, but Diablo 2 was also very repetitive, that's the core of the game. I don't mind, but I do want choice and I do want to think about what I put where. Now, I feel like Blizzard thought younger gamers can't seem to think and make good decisions anymore. My wife asked me about something else while I was involved in a "heavy fight" with some enhanced monsters in a lair. I didn't even pay attention and just pressed Y (Corpse Explosion, boom headshot!). Not a scratch. I remember being vulnerable and weak in Diablo 2. I've never even used one single health potion. Even if this is a "normal" difficulty run, the game should "give" - it should be scary and difficult (well, at least provide a challenge), not be a walk in the park![^3]
|
||||
|
||||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
|
|||
---
|
||||
title: Infinity Engine Mods
|
||||
image: "/games/pc/baldurs-gate-2/logo.jpg"
|
||||
date: 2007-01-18
|
||||
---
|
||||
|
||||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ First, let us take a look at each game in the list.
|
|||
|
||||
### [Diablo 2](/games/pc/diablo-2)
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
Read [the retrospective](/games/pc/diablo-2). There, we concluded:
|
||||
|
||||
|
|
@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ The question is, does any other game come close to matching its greatness?
|
|||
|
||||
### [Diablo 3](/games/switch/diablo-3)
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
Read [the full review](/games/switch/diablo-3). There, we concluded:
|
||||
|
||||
|
|
@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ The skill choice instead of tree greatly reduces the complexity, and the added s
|
|||
|
||||
### [Nox](/games/pc/nox)
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
Read [the full review](/games/pc//nox). There, we concluded:
|
||||
|
||||
|
|
@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ Westwood knows how to put the _charm_ and unique atmosphere in a game: it is vis
|
|||
|
||||
### [Dungeon Siege](/games/pc/dungeon-siege)
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
Read [the full review](/games/pc/dungeon-siege). There, we concluded:
|
||||
|
||||
|
|
@ -114,7 +114,7 @@ Being still an impressive looking game with a seamless world that does not invol
|
|||
|
||||
### [Titan Quest](/games/switch/titan-quest)
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
Read [the full review](/games/switch/titan-quest). There, we concluded:
|
||||
|
||||
|
|
@ -135,7 +135,7 @@ Titan Quest offers a titanic amount of hours in Ancient Greece, Egypt, and on Th
|
|||
|
||||
### [Sacred](/games/pc/sacred)
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
Read [the full review](/games/pc/sacred). There, we concluded:
|
||||
|
||||
|
|
@ -158,7 +158,7 @@ The unique world of Ancaria comes with goofy voice acting, funny but mostly mund
|
|||
|
||||
### [Torchlight](/games/pc/torchlight)
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
Read [the full review](/games/pc/torchlight). There, we concluded:
|
||||
|
||||
|
|
@ -181,7 +181,7 @@ The surprise hit Torchlight strikes just the right tone to the Diablo fan, espec
|
|||
|
||||
### [Torchlight 2](/games/switch/torchlight-2)
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
Read [the full review](/games/switch/torchlight-2). There, we concluded:
|
||||
|
||||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ I love [Wizardry 8](/tags/wizardry8) - I really do. I've been bragging about the
|
|||
|
||||
So, after spending the necessary hours being stuck in the character creation sheets - I really couldn't choose - this is the party I've decided to go for:
|
||||
|
||||
{{% dualscreens "/img/games/Wizardry8/playthrough/" "wiz8-party.jpg" "The starting party." "wiz8-inventory.jpg" "My Samurai doesn't let down." %}}
|
||||
{{% dualscreens "/games/pc/wizardry-8/playthrough/" "wiz8-party.jpg" "The starting party." "wiz8-inventory.jpg" "My Samurai doesn't let down." %}}
|
||||
|
||||
- Ninja: _Muesli_, Felpurr
|
||||
- Lord: _Mielie_, Rawulf
|
||||
|
|
@ -54,13 +54,13 @@ Right, our ship crashed. Correction: it was shot out of the sky! We're stranded
|
|||
|
||||
Next time, I'll keep my fingers positioned on top of `Q` (quicksave) and occasionally `CTRL+Q` (quickload) - and hopefully will not mix up both hotkeys. A second try did help with the slime, but my mage got overconfident, trying to cast a higher level _Frost_ than he'd probably be able to handle. *BOOM* - backfire. Shit. This time though, I knew what to do: `CTRL+Q`!
|
||||
|
||||
{{% dualscreens "/img/games/Wizardry8/playthrough/" "monastery-slime-death.jpg" "Noxious Slime: 1. Party: 0." "monastery-backfire-death.jpg" "Great, spell backfire: another death." %}}
|
||||
{{% dualscreens "/games/pc/wizardry-8/playthrough/" "monastery-slime-death.jpg" "Noxious Slime: 1. Party: 0." "monastery-backfire-death.jpg" "Great, spell backfire: another death." %}}
|
||||
|
||||
After a business meeting with **Gregor** in the main hall (the deal fell through), we were well on our way to grab the _Safe Key_ by plucking at the skeleton head of the statue - that is, after getting rid of Gregor's little helpers, and they know how to bite (and gang up on us). I hope your party formation is in order! Okay, so we now have `6` portions of resurrection powder: three from the safe and three from the hidden waterfall place, after "sleeping with the fishes" near the iron bridge. I couldn't remember where to get the key for the "dangerous weapons", according to a cryptic Rapax note, but after a few minutes, I thought it must have been near Arnika itself.
|
||||
|
||||
So, nothing much left to do than to clear out the Upper Monastery Floor - and meet another enemy type: bandits. We spot a shiny piece of samurai armor equipment, but it's sealed shut behind glass. Hmm... Should we "microwave" it, like how we got the chip for Wooly our Gadgie? It turns out that there's a key that unlocks a door in the Silent Room, where we can ring the monastery bells. Crank it all the way up and all the glass in the entire building breaks! Oh-oh... Luckily, the Higardi Monks have long been gone, and all that is left for us to do is to read their boring administration, grab all the spellbooks we can get our hands on (including a soon-to-be important note), and get the hell out of here.
|
||||
|
||||
{{% dualscreens "/img/games/Wizardry8/playthrough/" "monastery-key.jpg" "The Monastery Safe." "monastery-messenger.jpg" "A mechanical messenger." %}}
|
||||
{{% dualscreens "/games/pc/wizardry-8/playthrough/" "monastery-key.jpg" "The Monastery Safe." "monastery-messenger.jpg" "A mechanical messenger." %}}
|
||||
|
||||
Christina our Bishop is as crappy as can be expected from an untrained low-level Bishop. I already shiver when I think of the many hours of "exercise" (casting _Knock Knock_ in the Arnika vaults) I used to put into such builds. I'm not sure if I'll be able to do that this time. Anyway, when entering a side chapel, suddenly, in a flash, a robot appears! Oh no, wait, it was waiting for us but it _disappears_ in a flash. We were impressed. But what to make of it? It seems that there's a race going on, a quest to "**ascend**", and for that, we need to be as "smart as the cosmic lords". How do we do that? By getting three important artifacts! The flags on the walls hint towards these, but other than that, there's not much here. We grab a few more unnecessary potions, Wooly's first gadget, spot more hidden piles of stones for Wooly's Omnigun, and get going by opening the front door.
|
||||
|
||||
|
|
@ -70,13 +70,13 @@ Christina our Bishop is as crappy as can be expected from an untrained low-level
|
|||
|
||||
After a long, long road - basically a big slog - the most gruesome part of Wizardry 8 is finally over: the road from the Monastery to Arnika. A lot of people gave up on this road, and a lot of reloads were needed. Enemy mobs scale to your level, and if you camp too many times, multiple mobs will spawn and make your journey even more difficult. I managed to trash the rogues guarding the treasure fairly quickly, but after closing in on the abandoned house (housing a hidden portal), I got stumped myself.
|
||||
|
||||
{{% dualscreens "/img/games/Wizardry8/playthrough/" "arnika-patrols.jpg" "So many nasty rogues out here!" "arnika-vi.jpg" "We rescued Vi!" %}}
|
||||
{{% dualscreens "/games/pc/wizardry-8/playthrough/" "arnika-patrols.jpg" "So many nasty rogues out here!" "arnika-vi.jpg" "We rescued Vi!" %}}
|
||||
|
||||
Arnika itself isn't what it used to be: many people flet since the arrival of the _Dark Savant_. The bastard build a huge tower here, from where he shot down our ship. We can't seem to access it yet, but a shady looking character named _Myles_ reports on a kidnapping. Naturally, we comply, and temporarily accompany Myles to the location of the crime: another crashed ship, with a destroyed house. There, we rescue Vi from a bunch of angry droids, and we find another interesting part that might come in handy for Wooly our gadgeteer.
|
||||
|
||||
In this game, you are nowhere safe, not even in He'Li's bar, not even in the rooms she rents, as another group of mercenaries were keen on stealing our money and shiny looking equipment. After stealing Antone's keycard, plundering the bank and getting every piece of useful information out of all NPCs, we prepare to leave for Trynton. Muesli, our Feline Ninja, "guarded" Myles' gear, as we politely asked both Myles and Vi to leave. _All your XP are belong to us!_ No, really, wee need it, desperately - especially after getting our butts kicked by a guardian golem in the vaults. The treasure was worthless. It was a sad day. Sharptooth got killed, and said _"next time, help me BEFORE I die!"_ after sprinkling him with our priceless resurrection powder.
|
||||
|
||||
{{% dualscreens "/img/games/Wizardry8/playthrough/" "arnika-wheel.jpg" "Grabbing the Wheel Key after being interrupted by ghosts." "arnika-bank.jpg" "Lured a mob into the bank, whoops! A few rounds later, Lorrac the clerk gave up and fled." %}}
|
||||
{{% dualscreens "/games/pc/wizardry-8/playthrough/" "arnika-wheel.jpg" "Grabbing the Wheel Key after being interrupted by ghosts." "arnika-bank.jpg" "Lured a mob into the bank, whoops! A few rounds later, Lorrac the clerk gave up and fled." %}}
|
||||
|
||||
I can't stand the fact that we have to go back to the Lower Monastery in order to fetch those damn "special weapons" after getting hold of the Wheel Key - thanks, Lord Braffit! (We handed over an official signed declaration, it's okay!)
|
||||
|
||||
|
|
@ -88,11 +88,11 @@ Right, the _Wheel Key_. We need to go back to the Monastery - to the lower level
|
|||
|
||||
After another excruciating long walk to the Monastery, and being ambushed by poisoning and sleep-inducing plants that nearly kicked our butt, we finally make it back. The crypt is guarded by two floating heads, but this time, Muesli our Ninja does his first **insta-kill** and Christine our Bishop manages to turn undead for 92 damage. Boom - the treasure is ours!
|
||||
|
||||
{{% dualscreens "/img/games/Wizardry8/playthrough/" "monastery2.jpg" "Ah, the secret weapons of the Monks." "thievesdagger.jpg" "We were finally able to afford Muesli his Thieves Dagger." %}}
|
||||
{{% dualscreens "/games/pc/wizardry-8/playthrough/" "monastery2.jpg" "Ah, the secret weapons of the Monks." "thievesdagger.jpg" "We were finally able to afford Muesli his Thieves Dagger." %}}
|
||||
|
||||
Back - again - to Arnika, before heading to Trynton. Why? Because Christine could do with some training, and Muesli could do with better equipment. We've heard that Antone has his special daggers back in stock - the _Thieves dagger_ - and we were hoping he could make us a nice deal. It turned out to be freakishly expensive: over 10k! So now we're broke, and it is up to Christine her Alchemy skills to fix that. Before being rich again and being able to afford all spellbooks, she'll need to do some Identify Item training (Divinity, Mental Magic) and Knock Knock (Alchemy/Wizardry, Earth Magic). It is not especially pleasant to do, but it turned out to be very much needed. In the end, she trained well, and the party is satisfied.
|
||||
|
||||
{{% dualscreens "/img/games/Wizardry8/playthrough/" "training1.jpg" "A training session with Christine in the secret bank vault." "training2.jpg" "Nice job, Chrinstine!" %}}
|
||||
{{% dualscreens "/games/pc/wizardry-8/playthrough/" "training1.jpg" "A training session with Christine in the secret bank vault." "training2.jpg" "Nice job, Chrinstine!" %}}
|
||||
|
||||
We hope those misfires - and especially backfiring Mental Stabs - will happen less often now. We're finally ready to pack up and travel to Trynton!
|
||||
|
||||
|
|
@ -102,13 +102,13 @@ We hope those misfires - and especially backfiring Mental Stabs - will happen le
|
|||
|
||||
On our way towards Trynton, we come across a shady looking character that introduces himself as _Rattus Rattus_, and wants us to deliver a "note" to the Arnika Bank. _Sure thing, bro!_ - we say. But after reading the note (_THIS IS A STICK UP!_), we discard the idea and continue southwards, until we see a desolate graveyard. A mummy and a few ghosts roam the area, we quickly pick up crafting ingredients and get the hell out of there. Bad vibes!
|
||||
|
||||
{{% dualscreens "/img/games/Wizardry8/playthrough/" "graveyard.jpg" "Mielie smells danger. Let's get out of here!" "instakill.jpg" "Muesli's Ninjitsu mastery is coming in handy, INSTANT KILL!" %}}
|
||||
{{% dualscreens "/games/pc/wizardry-8/playthrough/" "graveyard.jpg" "Mielie smells danger. Let's get out of here!" "instakill.jpg" "Muesli's Ninjitsu mastery is coming in handy, INSTANT KILL!" %}}
|
||||
|
||||
Muesli our Ninja and Sharptooth our Samurai are becoming real pro's at hitting the right notes in combat. Muesli's _INSTANT KILL_s are very gratifying, especially if it's with a simple fairy dart, as ninja's can also do critical kills using thrown weapons. Trynton's tree is a big maze mess, and we do our best to scour every secret (Wooly's exclamations _"What is that??"_ help) to fill our bags with loot.
|
||||
|
||||
On the third Bough, the Trynton Zoo is open, and a sign reads _DO NOT FEED THE HOGAR_. Of course, we feed the hogar (with drugged meat). The beast falls asleep, we steel the gadget its guarding, and let the beast live. On the other hand, we do slaughter the pixies: those little pests scare us, and their Eye for an Eye magic caused all sorts of mayhem. Santa wasn't paying attention, hurled a Fireball in their direction, but it came right back and killed a few crew members... Great...
|
||||
|
||||
{{% dualscreens "/img/games/Wizardry8/playthrough/" "hogar.jpg" "Welcome to the Trynton Zoo." "barlone.jpg" "BAM! We'll Get 'em! The Don and our team become good friends." %}}
|
||||
{{% dualscreens "/games/pc/wizardry-8/playthrough/" "hogar.jpg" "Welcome to the Trynton Zoo." "barlone.jpg" "BAM! We'll Get 'em! The Don and our team become good friends." %}}
|
||||
|
||||
Get the Zuzu petals - check. Buy the Mystery potion - check. Find the seventh Bough - check. Get high - check. The no-magic zone gave us a bit of trouble too: Christine wanted to eagerly heal everyone but we forgot that it wasn't allowed, so a Spider bit and killed her when retreating. Whoops. Oh well, Resurrection Powder is still in stock, right guys? After meeting Madras, he instructs us to kill "Breeders", "big as a house, wide as a ..." - yeah we get it, it's a deal.
|
||||
|
||||
|
|
@ -120,7 +120,7 @@ The Rattkin tree proved to be a walk in the park after a good night of sleep and
|
|||
|
||||
Right, the swamp. An ugly place, full of mud, with muddy colors, and our shoes get all mucky. Mud. Oh, and insects - that too, a lot of 'em. Some highly poisonous swarms manage to surround and basically kill us, so watch your step! A few occasional reloads later, we arrive at Corck's shack which allows us to stock up on Level 4 spellbooks, practice some more magic, and buy... Rapax Perfume. The smell isn't exactly tantalizing, but it is said to capture the Rapax' attention, and we have the feeling we'll bee needing something like that.
|
||||
|
||||
{{% dualscreens "/img/games/Wizardry8/playthrough/" "swamp1.jpg" "Skill building at Crock's house." "sewilderness.jpg" "The boobalicious Aeromancers massacre our party..." %}}
|
||||
{{% dualscreens "/games/pc/wizardry-8/playthrough/" "swamp1.jpg" "Skill building at Crock's house." "sewilderness.jpg" "The boobalicious Aeromancers massacre our party..." %}}
|
||||
|
||||
Close to Corck's place, there's a big hollow tree, housing a big ol' Alligator that's as tough as nails. Our ninja shines again here with an INSTAKILL after a few rounds: awesome! The crocodile hide might be useful for Antone when we eventually make it back to Arnika. For now, we did not come across the Dark Savant yet, and I thought he was supposed to drop a fake Dominae? Strange. Not all paths have been treaded, though. First, we explore a path leading to the "South-East Wilderness". Only to return to the Swamps fifteen minutes later since a couple of sensual Aeromancers with their lesser Air Elemental pet ("Level 4: Puny"! And it eats us for breakfast!) massacres our party... This does not end well! CTRL-Z!
|
||||
|
||||
|
|
@ -132,7 +132,7 @@ We're not exactly welcomed with open arms here: eight or so T'Rang patrols stop
|
|||
|
||||
After avoiding a apparently non-working crushing trap, a lift suddenly takes us down to the inner workings of the Bluff, and we meet Z'Ant, the leader of the T'Rang. He proposes us to work for him in exchange for... well... money and fame? Sure thing, bro. What do you want us to do? Aha, a flag, you say. Where? Mt. Gigas? Dude, that's way up North! Oh well. Okay then.
|
||||
|
||||
{{% dualscreens "/img/games/Wizardry8/playthrough/" "zant.jpg" "Yesss, a new cooperation!" "deadtrang.jpg" "Watch out for booby-traps! What a strange note..." %}}
|
||||
{{% dualscreens "/games/pc/wizardry-8/playthrough/" "zant.jpg" "Yesss, a new cooperation!" "deadtrang.jpg" "Watch out for booby-traps! What a strange note..." %}}
|
||||
|
||||
Since we're here already, let's snoop around a bit more. A broken catapult allows us to climb the fortress and we discover a dead T'Rang with his arm chopped off. Aha, that might solve the closed door problem with the strange imprint on it in the lower levels! We're not sure yet what to make of that note.
|
||||
|
||||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
@ -1,12 +1,12 @@
|
|||
---
|
||||
image: "/img/games/Wizardry8/wiz8.jpg"
|
||||
image: "/games/pc/wizardry-8/wiz8.jpg"
|
||||
date: "2008-04-30"
|
||||
title: "Wizardry 8: Classes Guide"
|
||||
tags: ['Wizardry8']
|
||||
aliases: ['/articles/guides/wizardry8-classes/']
|
||||
---
|
||||
|
||||
<img src="/img/games/Wizardry8/bishop.gif" style="float: right;"/>
|
||||
<img src="/games/pc/wizardry-8/bishop.gif" style="float: right;"/>
|
||||
### The Bishop
|
||||
|
||||
#### Race
|
||||
|
|
@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ Best Races:
|
|||
or if you like, try to go for the staff & wand skill. just practice trough combat, that'll do.
|
||||
If you are going for the Elf, you'll want the MACE skill + some shield. Very nice AC bonus, and a good weapon.
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
Training the different skills is very difficult. You should at least try to cast a variety of spells in combat. Start with a protective spell, use some healing, cast insanity and start throwing rocks. This makes use of all 4 realms much better. Another tip: use 1 level of rogue (they level quite fast, you'll need 1000 XP instead of 1600 as specialist class) and train stealth - a lot-. Every 10 points in the skill allows you to increase your AC by 1. Or, if you like to train a lot, you'll need to do the following:
|
||||
|
||||
|
|
@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ Some recipes:
|
|||
|
||||
### The Monk
|
||||
|
||||
<img src="/img/games/Wizardry8/monk.gif" style="float: right;"/>
|
||||
<img src="/games/pc/wizardry-8/monk.gif" style="float: right;"/>
|
||||
|
||||
#### Races
|
||||
|
||||
|
|
@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ Best Race:
|
|||
- Psionics (SEN/INT; it's always nice to cast a terrible spell before engaging fist-to-fist with your high speed)
|
||||
- Eventually throwing (I do not encourage, use your magic instead!) and a staff (the Bo's/Staff of Doom) >> STR based which is not good...
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
Do you go with a quick, agile Monk, capable of delivering an insane amount of attacks with a chance to critical on each blow landed? (Maximize as fast as possible SPE and DEX. Then go for SEN and INT) The trade-off is that you wont deal much damage per hit. Or do you develop a Monk capable of dishing out incredible amounts of damage with each hit and able to withstand even the mightiest blow from the enemy? The trade-off with this route is that you won't have as many attacks per round when compared to the above setup. (Maximize first DEX, and SPE/STR, go for SEN/INT after that)
|
||||
|
||||
|
|
@ -93,7 +93,7 @@ Practise psionics with healing, charming and mindreading (last works best, highe
|
|||
|
||||
### The Ninja
|
||||
|
||||
<img src="/img/games/Wizardry8/ninja.gif" style="float: right;"/>
|
||||
<img src="/games/pc/wizardry-8/ninja.gif" style="float: right;"/>
|
||||
|
||||
#### Races
|
||||
|
||||
|
|
@ -113,7 +113,7 @@ Best race:
|
|||
|
||||
As a ninja, you have access to the thrown criticals special skill. It would be wise to invest into throwing stuff like shurikens/slings because you'll be able to archive a nice #hits per round and a good critical strike skill maximizes the chance of instant-killing with every hit. If it doesn't equip a lot of alignment-changing items like KO/Poison/etc because you also automatically penetrate! Keep in mind, ranged user = maxing senses, keeping dex very high. just like the samurai you'll want many hits, hence the speed factor.
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
#### Controlling skills:
|
||||
|
||||
|
|
@ -130,7 +130,7 @@ Other advised close-range weapons are the staff (extended reach, some good usabl
|
|||
|
||||
### The Samurai
|
||||
|
||||
<img src="/img/games/Wizardry8/samurai.gif" style="float: right;"/>
|
||||
<img src="/games/pc/wizardry-8/samurai.gif" style="float: right;"/>
|
||||
|
||||
#### Races
|
||||
|
||||
|
|
@ -151,7 +151,7 @@ Best Race:
|
|||
|
||||
Try to maximize STR and eventually INT for the power skills. You don't need to keep SEN over 80 (second controlling for dual plus it only adds half of the points into hit, AR as STR or even DEX does.)... Although it is wise to keep on bumping points into dexterity because it is a controlling attribute for both close combat, your sword skill AND dual weapons!
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
#### Controlling Skills:
|
||||
|
||||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
|
|||
---
|
||||
image: "/img/games/Wizardry8/wiz8.jpg"
|
||||
image: "/games/pc/wizardry-8/wiz8.jpg"
|
||||
date: "2007-06-17"
|
||||
title: "Wizardry 8: General Tips"
|
||||
tags: ['Wizardry8']
|
||||
|
|
@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ aliases: ['/articles/guides/wizardry8-tips/']
|
|||
A warm welcome to you, stranger. Right here where you stand, you will eventually be able to find some very useful information about the best Role-playing game I've played ever on the PC! Isn't that marvelous? Let me start directly with the tips: number one - if you are looking for spoiler quest information or a walktrough, you are on the <i>wrong</i> place click on the related articles in the navigation bar to your left. Otherwise, read on!
|
||||
<br /><br />
|
||||
|
||||
<img src="/img/games/Wizardry8/map.jpg" alt="the wiz8 map">
|
||||
<img src="/games/pc/wizardry-8/map.jpg" alt="the wiz8 map">
|
||||
|
||||
The beautiful world map to your right has been provided by the late Flamestryke. If you are eager to visit her site and actually 'navigate' the worldmap, please do so by surfing to her [recovered wiz8 guide](http://www.zimlab.com/wizardry/recovered/flamestryke/wizardry8/flamestrykes_w8.html). If you are a first time player, please read the tips carefully, some might actually save your day on Dominus! (the planet) Oh; the tips were collected from several forums and websites and most of them are my own of course. You can copy everything if you like, but keep in mind some things are not home-made. Oh forgive my rambling, let's just get on with it...<br /><br />
|
||||
</td>
|
||||
|
|
@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ They are also influenced by positive magic like soul shield - you can even heal
|
|||
Whenever using resurrection powders, make sure the person using it isn't blind, they may pick a wrong target, like an alive character, thus wasting one of your precious powders early in the game.</li>
|
||||
</ul>
|
||||
|
||||
<div align="center"><img src="/img/games/Wizardry8/Wiz8_killthetemplars.jpg" alt="Wiz8 screen" align="center"></div>
|
||||
<div align="center"><img src="/games/pc/wizardry-8/Wiz8_killthetemplars.jpg" alt="Wiz8 screen" align="center"></div>
|
||||
|
||||
<ul>
|
||||
|
||||
|
|
@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ Psionic Blast is a great spell because it goes around corners and attacks enemie
|
|||
At the fountain in Trynton there's a riddle which increases ALL your chars +5 INT so never put more points than 95 into INT...</li>
|
||||
Develop the bow skill (or throwing / sling) of at least 2 characters. By the time you get to the fifth or sixth level, it really helps in melee. Besides there's nothing worse than being stuck after being surprised waiting to move and not being able to do anything except deplete spell points. Ranged attacks are great for just chipping away the hit points of monsters.</li></ul>
|
||||
|
||||
<div align="center"><img src="/img/games/Wizardry8/Wiz8_professions_S.jpg" alt="Wiz8 screen" align="center"></div>
|
||||
<div align="center"><img src="/games/pc/wizardry-8/Wiz8_professions_S.jpg" alt="Wiz8 screen" align="center"></div>
|
||||
|
||||
<ul>
|
||||
<li>The open road is very dangerous in the beginning of the game (especially the road to Arnika), your party will have only a few items of weak equipment, but your enemies, with a few fixed exceptions, are randomly created or re-spawned near the level of your party (they go up in level as you do). Therefore most experienced players move fairly quickly through the open road portions of the early game, until civilization is first reached. There you will find help, equipment, and less dangerous initial experience. Soon you will be strong enough to take on almost any location in the game that seems like a logical next choice.</li>
|
||||
|
|
@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ alchemy bug/misfeature. it seems that mixing 2-5 stacked potions at once vs. 1 p
|
|||
<li>To Survive you will need protection from magic. Magic protection is hardly necessary for about the first third of the game, but when you do need it as the game </li>progresses - you need it A LOT. Magic protection varies, but the two main spells you’ll need are element shield and soul shield (and magic screen is highly recommended as well).</li>
|
||||
</ul>
|
||||
|
||||
<div align="center"><img src="/img/games/Wizardry8/Wiz8_luredcrabs.jpg" alt="Wiz8 screen" align="center"></div>
|
||||
<div align="center"><img src="/games/pc/wizardry-8/Wiz8_luredcrabs.jpg" alt="Wiz8 screen" align="center"></div>
|
||||
|
||||
<ul>
|
||||
|
||||
|
|
@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ If you ever find yourself surrounded, kick a blind/terror Area of Effect spell i
|
|||
<li>For you phased combat goers, instead of pressing enter to start your turn, you press the '\' button twice. This way, if you want to make a change, you can just enter continuous and change it. Also, if you for some reason started the turn normally, if you keep on switching, you will eventually reach the continuous mode where you can change your actions.</li>
|
||||
</ul>
|
||||
|
||||
<div align="center"><img src="/img/games/Wizardry8/Wiz8_inventory.jpg" alt="Wiz8 screen" align="center"></div>
|
||||
<div align="center"><img src="/games/pc/wizardry-8/Wiz8_inventory.jpg" alt="Wiz8 screen" align="center"></div>
|
||||
|
||||
<ul>
|
||||
|
||||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
@ -20,11 +20,11 @@ Yes! The Acorn festival starts today! I managed to grab 15 acorns as quickly as
|
|||
I received a Mush Chair and End Table in exchange for his acorns. Pfew, luckily I threw the rotten ones away. Oh yeah, and it's Drift's Birthday. He got a Raven Pole from me, hehehe.
|
||||
So here is a picture of Jefklak's washing/tubbing/cleaning room with too cool swords and the new mush furniture -
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
And Drift enjoying his present with his two best buds: me of course and Alfonso (yes that is a pretty crappy picture this time)
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
<h3>Strange Neighbours on the Flea market</h3>
|
||||
<div style="text-align: right;">[ Date: 07/10/2006 | <a href="#top">top</a> ]</div>
|
||||
|
|
@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ Bluebear tries to persuade me to sell her own Picture she gave me a month or two
|
|||
friends anymore? Or is she just a little bit greedy? Anyway, the deal is off and she's disappointed. Bluebear shouldn't be since she bought my Coconut palm, an Exotic
|
||||
Screen and even my Modern Sofa! Luckily I know where to find Nook's Catalog.
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
<h3>Life in Arnika</h3>
|
||||
<div style="text-align: right;">[ Date: 20/09/2006 | <a href="#top">top</a> ]</div>
|
||||
|
|
@ -43,11 +43,11 @@ This is one fine day in Arnika. Jefklak decides to do some gardening in town. Wi
|
|||
white roses (positioning them next to each other) according to the guide, there might grow a purple rose.
|
||||
The result of weeks of gardening, patience and a lot of love is pictured here:
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
If you manage to keep your town clean and beautiful for 20 straight days, a special gift will be awarded. You'll have to plant enough trees, but not too much, and weed the town every day.
|
||||
Be sure to plant enough flowers everywhere so your neighbours can fully enjoy them and don't forget to water the dried up ones! Check your work by contacting Pelly at the Town Hall.
|
||||
Once you did everything correctly, ta-daa:
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ game_developer: 'Konami'
|
|||
aliases: ['/games/castlevania-portrait-of-ruin/']
|
||||
---
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
Castlevania games tend to pop up each year on Nintendo's Handheld platform. The last entries: Aria of Sorrow and Dawn of Sorrow, followed the story of Soma, who mysteriously inherited Dracula's dark abilities. Forget about all that, and the soul harvesting system. Portrait of Ruin is the spiritual successor of Castlevania Bloodlines on the SEGA MegaDrive/Genesis. Jonathan Morris is the son of Bloodlines' whip-equipped hero. PoR takes place during or just after the second World War. Dracula's castle reappeared because of the many sacrificed souls during that era. Together with your childhood friend Charlotte, you'll have to explore the castle and beat Dracula, again!
|
||||
|
||||
|
|
@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ Yes indeed, like the unlockable Julius mode in Dawn of Sorrow, you can now switc
|
|||
|
||||
Using these two vampire hunters, Konami implemented a couple of little puzzles which can only be completed using them both. You can order one of them to "standby" instead of following. New orders are received through cubes like in Symphony of the Night and Harmony of Dissonance. Sadly these puzzles are more annoying than enjoyable, just like the ice blocks in Dawn of Sorrow. Speaking about those: there is no touch interaction, whatshowever. Which is good. The upper screen is still used as a map though. Many monsters make their return (of course there are new ones), mostly copied from Symphony of the Night. Most of them have been completely remodelled, which gives PoR a nice retro feeling. As said before, the soul hunting system has been replaced by a similar skill system: monsters drop either weapon or spell skills, usable by Jonathan and Charlotte respectively. Killing enough minions using these techniques allows you to "master" it and do more damage.
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
### The Vampire Killer
|
||||
|
||||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
@ -19,13 +19,13 @@ While this was 1989, the launch year of Nintendo's Gray Brick, Mario already adv
|
|||
|
||||
Revisiting Super Mario Land in 2021 will inevitably result in disappointment. We are simply used to better 2D platform games---even from the same 8-bit old system. The sprites are teensy tiny: Nintendo R&D was still figuring out how to program for the Z80 CPU. No big surprises then, that the GB hardware natively supports `8x8` sprites, and that not even bosses look that much bigger. In perspective, though, the technological leap that was made in-between Mario Land 1 and 2 is astonishing. 2 is bigger (literally), longer, bolder, and yes, much better.
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There is little reason to replay Super Mario Land on the Game Boy---except, of course, for nostalgia. I wanted to see what was beyond world 2! Forty-five minutes later, I was flabbergasted. The game showed its _the end_ message. What the? How did I _not_ finish this when I was a kid? Later levels aren't particularly harder. If any, my attention span for gaming now is much shorter than it was back then! The lack of a savegame or password feature might be one reason. Parents declaring _That's enough son, now come and eat your soup_ meant switching the GB off: there goes your progress.
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There is one thing I do love about this game, besides that it was a kick-start to a grand series. And that is the scenery. Yes, there are many world 2 Mario designs that are sandy, but none take place _inside_ a pyramid with sphinxes shooting fireballs at you. I have yet to encounter a Mario game where I can jump into a submarine. Or how about Mario's travels to Japan? Lush bamboo forests and ninja's are refreshing to look at, even if the limited sprite capacities impede more variety. I wish more Mario games would experiment with original and varied world design instead of the obligatory greenery-desert-ice-mountain-etc.
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There's little time to wonder what those things in the background or foreground are. Before you know it, you're facing the boss and it's off to the next world---of which there are only four.
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@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ This immediately reveals _Wendy_'s biggest problem. There weren't many cartridge
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Yes and no.
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Yes---the game is great, and we'll delve into that. No---the game is extremely short. Without speed running, it's easily finished in about 45 minutes---less than an hour! Fifty euros for an hour of retro platforming fun is very steep. Replayability is limited: the game only has 12 levels (spread in a 3x4 fashion) and there's little extra to collect except beating your high score. But there's no save state present, so you'll have to write that down, diminishing its appeal by quite a bit.
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@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ So what's the Witchy deal with this kiddy platformer? It's a late GBC game, mean
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2D Game Boy Platformers are rarely known for their back story. Wendy can jump and shoot with her wand (which can power up if you collect enough stars). The unique premise of this game compared to other platformers is the fact that Wendy herself can "flip" during a jump, sticking to the ceiling, avoiding pits and all manner of sharp objects among the way. This opens up a lot of clever level design that has you flipping over Wendy several times every few seconds to navigate her through the castle maze.
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The shortness of the game felt a bit of a missed opportunity as to me, the floor/ceiling gameplay mechanic could be explored and experimented with more to create truly crazy (and challenging) levels. Wendy is far from a hard game, and the concepts are gradually introduced without the need of any text. The music is catchy, but not great enough to stick around, even though some levels use recycled versions. In-between stages, a short broomstick flying session keeps you on your toes and has you collecting more stars. The more enemies you manage to zap with your wand, the higher the score. These sections feel a bit like a Schmup, which is a nice change of pacing.
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@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ Bringing up this argument might sound weird coming from someone who hates certai
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I want to grind when I feel like it, not when the game tells me I haven't encountered enough enemies yet to progress through that part of the map. That indicates a design flaw to me - or a way to artificially lengthen the game, as it did in the NES days. The Dragon Quest formula hasn't really changed since then. I don't mind: I'm a retro gamer. But as McGonigal points out: we need to be **intrinsically motivated** to do anything well, from playing a game to doing chores in real life.
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Running around to reach new places can become boring if the world is empty or if it takes a long time to go from point A to B. Aria of Sorrow has neither. Even without Black Panther to dash, a quick travel system allows you to jump from one area to the next and even those aren't too far away if you decide to do things on foot. Hollow Knight, a great and highly acclaimed modern Metroidvania, doesn't offer quite the same: there are a lot less but more dangerous enemies and it's a bit too large to reach one of the edges for my liking. Souls aren't readily harvested so punching the same monsters in the face again and again will net you something interesting instead of simply gold.
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@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ Getting to the end boss does net you a scrolling stage select screen that also g
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Without #2, Diablo wouldn't exist. Why would anyone be motivated to do Nightmare or Hell runs in Diablo 2? To gain experience quickly, and to find nice items in the form of monster drops. Aria of Sorrow enemies also drop items and it's also a rarity that could be increased with the right soul or support items. Another reason why backtracking isn't bad here.
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"Getting better" also means getting more flexible: unlocking a double jump, or being able to fly with the Giant Bat soul. Soma literally strengthens on the screen, separate from the statistics only visible in the character screen or in the health bar number. The implementation of all those things combined yet to be matched in my mind.
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@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ The last piece of the puzzle why Aria of Sorrow is one of the best Metroidvania'
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Aria of Sorrow's [Soundtrack](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6i-D60cxt0&list=PL5312754A0D082327) is a masterpiece that still sounds amazing, 15 years later, ripped from the Gameboy Advance. The opening song, "Castle Corridor", sends shivers down my spine every single time I hear it. To be fair, all the Castlevania DS soundtracks are at least as good, as is of course the Playstation instance.
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So, would I burn through this game again anytime soon? It can be over in 5 hours, with the map reporting "97,5%" explored. I neglected to mention the map! Another great piece of the puzzle that is required in games like this. The castle map that slowly becomes more and more visible also serves as an immediate graphical feedback on the feeling of progress. Games like [Etrian Odyssey](/articles/etrian-odyssey-review/) add another dimension to this mechanic by making you draw the map edges yourself, but the core concept remains: each "block" is slowly automatically discovered when you enter that particular area.
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@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ As the hunt continues, from [Aria of Sorrow](/articles/aria-of-sorrow-retrospect
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If you've read the reviews, you know that Circle of the Moon is considered a hidden masterpiece, but you also know that it was "too dark", had "drab" graphics, was "too difficult" and that Iga even scratched it from the official Castlevania timeline, thereby admitting it might have been a mistake. The darkness can be solved with a GBA SP, modded GBA or Nintendo DS, but the difficulty is something you have to get used to - especially if you've played Aria of Sorrow before, like I did.
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I'm still not sure whether I like the difficulty or not, or the game in general. It tries to do it's own thing: different enemies spawn in familiar locations after defeating certain bosses, forcing you to never let down your guard, even while backtracking. As backtracking is such a big thing in the Metroidvania series, it got me to swear quite a few times. Simple axe armors are replaced by Dark, Light, Forest or "whatever" _armors_ and these guys know how to dish out damage: three strikes and you're out. Taking the odd and too economically placed save rooms into account, that can hurt my gameplay experience quite a bit.
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@ -27,13 +27,13 @@ Nathan uses his "DSS" card system to pull off magic attacks like Soma uses his S
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### So... Why bother then?
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And yet, it still managed to hold my attention for over 6 hours to reach the end boss. The music is magnificent with a great opening track and some remixes thrown in. Sound effects are a bit lackluster though: the hollow sounding footsteps and "ugh" effects take me out of the experience. The castle is huge and Nathan feels puny compared to enemies, stairs and hallways. The player sprite is literally smaller than in AoS - it's part of Circle of the Moon. I honestly did not like the endless staircase repetition, even if the castle is unique and big it grew tiresome in some places rather quickly compared to Aria. The worst part is the first relic you acquire: _dash boots_ that lets you run. What? Double tap the directional pad and you can finally increase the snail-like speed of character movement? I had to stop playing on my Gameboy after an hour because my hands got cramped after constantly double-tapping - I can't believe they didn't playtest that for longer than 5 minutes.
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Circle of the Moon feels like a more classic mix between classic Castlevania and Metroidvania: the inclusion of the subweapons, the increasing difficulty and oh, the big kickback after being hit is _very_ painful. The bosses are all very challenging, even the first one got me to reload three times! Of course, once you find the cross, all other subweapons are obsolete and bosses are a bit easier to defeat because of their big hitboxes. If you don't like a cakewalk like Aria of Sorrow or Harmony of Dissonance you'll find what you're looking for here.
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It was actually not the castle design, the card system, subweapons or relics that got me hooked, but the challenge and unique monster design that did. A lot of the enemies make it into the later games that were invented here: the ice maiden and floating tables are recognizable from Aria and Dawn of Sorrow. Where Aria shines in item, soul, castle and graphic design, Circle shines in the challenge _an sich_. There is still a big sense of progress with a gradually unlockable castle and the item hunt in the form of HP, MP and Heart upgrade containers from Symphony of the Night are also present - mostly hidden behind breakable walls that are a lot of fun to search for.
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