~Thunderscape (SH)

Personal opinions obtained via the Internet from Steven Hicks.


Here is another opinion of Thunderscape, SSI's new CRPG.  Like DM2, 
there are things I enjoy about it but there are also some flaws. 

The worst is the unfathomable automap.  TS uses a 'true' 3D free 
movement engine which allows for multiple levels directly 
above/below each other. Since the automap is so bad, you really need 
to map these areas by hand. Given the complexity of the levels I 
find this a real pain to do, much more difficult than a step based, 
90 degree turn game where you can whip out the graph paper (not that 
I'm saying those are better, but areas this complex need a decent 
automap). 

Combat is pretty slick.  Maybe too slick.  99% of my encounters so 
far have been fought by hitting the F8 key (repeat last attack) once 
for each character.  There are numerous attack and defense options 
depending on weapon type, shield, and characters skills, but I have 
done 80% of my damage in combat with two axe wielding fighters using 
the 'Mighty Blow' attack.  In case you don't know this about TS 
already, melee combat is turn based while ranged combat (bows, guns, 
spells) is realtime (and not worthwhile, in my experience). 

In the first area (Skelon's Gorge) there are a couple of riddles to 
solve, the second area (Troll Caves) is just exploration and key 
finding, and the third I have reached (Vanguard Dungeon) has an 
actual puzzle or three.  The third area is the most enjoyable so 
far, both for the puzzles and the logical layout which makes mapping 
by hand easier. 

There is some NPC interaction, but so far it has been very minor 
(find my lost club and I'll join your party).  Animation for the 
creatures is not all that great.  Most look flat and have jerky 
movements.  So far they show no signs of intelligence in combat.  
Graphics are too dark (even with my monitor brightness turned all 
the way up) and the textures used are only so-so (I thought I was 
going to lose my mind in the Troll Caves which all look exactly the 
same). 

So far my opinion of this game is lukewarm.  If there are more areas 
as interesting as Vanguard Dungeon I'll keep playing, but if I have 
to go thru another Troll Cave or two (yawn) I think this one may go 
on the shelf. 
 

                               (Steven Hicks - steveh@ilx.com)

