More Game Reviews

arturchix · Unread postby **arturchix** » 18 Dec 2006, 21:05

<IMG hspace=10 src="/http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f390/ ... henrig.jpg" align=right vspace=10>While it’s a relatively quiet period, people are busy talking about sexism in Dark Messiah and Christmas is coming closer, there are still some people out there who are reviewing games, including our Hammers of Fate and Dark Messiah. PC Zone UK, who rated the original Heroes V with 80%, <A href="/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/ar ... 1470">this time gave HoF only 69 out of 100</A>. While the review actually is quite neutral, short and half of it contains a brief description of delivered features, the game got yet another reference to World of Warcraft.



For instance, generic dwarf-type folks are now part of the festivities, adding an overall look that's not too far removed from World Of Warcraft, with beards, booming voices and a stunted love for mountainous and snowy terrain. In short, it's as exaggerated and as clichéd as ever.

Meanwhile, just today <A href="/http://www.gamedaily.com/dark-messiah-o ... >Gamedaily reviewed Dark Messiah</A>. It looks like the reviewer clearly liked the game but since he was experiencing several technical difficulties (I wonder, did he apply any of the patches?), here’s his final verdict:

Dark Messiah creates a fantastic fantasy-laden frolic. Sadly, the steep system requirements and associated glitches will only allow those with high end rigs to thoroughly enjoy it, thus detracting from this mighty and magical experience.

The game gets a decent score 8 out of 10. Up to date the <A href="/http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages4/ ... merankings database has listed</A> 38 media outlets on Dark Messiah, with an average score of 75% while <A href="/http://www.metacritic.com/games/platfor ... tacritic's average score</A> is 73% from 34 reviews. Unfortunately Dark Messiah did not met the very high expectations put on it, mostly due to the poor game stability on some systems and several nasty bugs, but it still remains a good game to give a try, especially for a Might and Magic series fan. And while we are talking, you can help the Dark Messiah and the whole Might and Magic cause, participating in the <A href="/http://ve3d.ign.com/">Woodoo Extreme</A> organized poll for the Game of the Year title.

If you would like to take a look at the original page visit this link:
https://www.celestialheavens.com/1166475956

Grumpy Old Wizard · Unread postby **Grumpy Old Wizard** » 18 Dec 2006, 21:55

While the review actually is quite neutral, short and half of it contains a brief description of delivered features, the game got yet another reference to World of Warcraft.

For instance, generic dwarf-type folks are now part of the festivities, adding an overall look that's not too far removed from World Of Warcraft, with beards, booming voices and a stunted love for mountainous and snowy terrain. In short, it's as exaggerated and as clichéd as ever.

Wow, I didn't know WOW invented the short, bearded, deep voiced, mountainous dwelling (underground) dwarven concept. Gee, I don't think they did.

Why do reviewers always want to say everything is a ripoff of WOW or Diablo when in fact Blizzard did not invent the fantasy creatures in them?

What do they want, dwarves who are 30 feet tall, beardless, with a high squeeky voice, who dwell in cities in the clouds?

GOW

Angelspit · Unread postby **Angelspit** » 18 Dec 2006, 21:59

Grumpy Old Wizard wrote:What do they want, dwarves who are 30 feet tall, beardless, with a high squeeky voice, who dwell in cities in the clouds?

I thought we had some of those already.

ThunderTitan · Unread postby **ThunderTitan** » 18 Dec 2006, 22:18

Grumpy Old Wizard wrote: Why do reviewers always want to say everything is a ripoff of WOW or Diablo when in fact Blizzard did not invent the fantasy creatures in them?

Coz they're idiots. And Warcraft = Warhammer, just like SC = WH40k. But they did invent some of the creatures in Diablo, at least the names anyway.

Caradoc · Unread postby **Caradoc** » 18 Dec 2006, 22:42

Doesn't one of the WOW boxes depict a dwarf that looks a lot like the one on HOF? The HOF dwarves seem not to be crazy for gold or master smithies like the stereotype. And they are hardly magic resistant.

asandir · Unread postby **asandir** » 18 Dec 2006, 23:20

75 is a pretty decent result overall, not great certainly, but definately a good result (prolly not what Ubi were looking for thou)

HodgePodge · Unread postby **HodgePodge** » 18 Dec 2006, 23:22

I like the Dwarves in HoF … even if they are as exaggerated & clichéd as ever. Even their Scottish brogue reminds me of Lord of the Rings. But they are a fun alignment to play.

Grumpy Old Wizard · Unread postby **Grumpy Old Wizard** » 19 Dec 2006, 00:37

The dwarf heroe, a rune mage, is a good spellcaster. There is also the rune priest, and the Thane who possess magical ability. Dwarves who are good spell casters is not typical fantasy.

Additionally, dwarves who ride bears and befriend dragons is not typical fantasy.

So while there is a certain amount of HOMM5 dwarven lore that matches what you would expect from dwarves there is some originality there also.

Did the article acknowledge anything HOMM5 does differently with dwarves or did they just say Blizzard copycat?

GOW

ToweringAmishPlumber · Unread postby **ToweringAmishPlumber** » 19 Dec 2006, 00:42

Huzzah to Grumpy Old Wizard. I couldn't agree more. I have been playing Fantasy RPG games for over twenty years, and WOW, Diablo,

etc. owe a huge debt to games like Wizardry, the SSI Gold Box Games, and many, many others. And frankly, other than graphics and sound, I'm still not convinced that the old games weren't more fun.

asandir · Unread postby **asandir** » 19 Dec 2006, 01:03

when you use dwarves or elves you kinda have to use parts of the lore, otherwise you'll get nailed for ruining the mythos .... so I think in that regard they haven't done anything wrong

ThunderTitan · Unread postby **ThunderTitan** » 19 Dec 2006, 01:04

Grumpy Old Wizard wrote:"Dwarves who are good spell casters is not typical fantasy."

*cough* Clerics *cough*

And anyway, all the games you can bring up copied from D&D, even if not directly.

Kareeah Indaga · Unread postby **Kareeah Indaga** » 19 Dec 2006, 01:10

"What do they want, dwarves who are 30 feet tall, beardless, with a high squeeky voice, who dwell in cities in the clouds?"

Careful; you might give Nival ideas.

Elvin · Unread postby **Elvin** » 19 Dec 2006, 01:11

I like their HoF incarnation as well.They have a new twist but retain their typical generic dwarven attitude

Their reactions,way of thought,values and not-as-charming manners was what made me like them in the campaign.I don't think I'd like dwarves to act and talk in a different manner anyway.

ThunderTitan · Unread postby **ThunderTitan** » 19 Dec 2006, 01:16

Kareeah Indaga wrote:"Careful; you might give Nival ideas."

You mean something like the Thane/Warlord, the giant-dwarf?!

DaemianLucifer · Unread postby **DaemianLucifer** » 19 Dec 2006, 01:55

Grumpy Old Wizard wrote: Wow, I didn't know WOW invented the short, bearded, deep voiced, mountainous dwelling (underground) dwarven concept. Gee, I don't think they did.

Why do reviewers always want to say everything is a ripoff of WOW or Diablo when in fact Blizzard did not invent the fantasy creatures in them?

Because most of the time you copy from the most recent thing,no matter what that thing is based on.

Grumpy Old Wizard · Unread postby **Grumpy Old Wizard** » 19 Dec 2006, 02:53

ThunderTitan wrote:
Grumpy Old Wizard wrote:"Dwarves who are good spell casters is not typical fantasy."
And anyway, all the games you can bring up copied from D&D, even if not directly.

D&D did not invent elves, dwarves, mummys, dragons, ect. D&D borrowed from the myths and legends told throughout the world. Yes, D&D did come up with some creatures, but most are based on creatures types talked about around campfires for thousands of years.

GOW

DaemianLucifer · Unread postby **DaemianLucifer** » 19 Dec 2006, 04:08

Grumpy Old Wizard wrote: D&D did not invent elves, dwarves, mummys, dragons, ect. D&D borrowed from the myths and legends told throughout the world. Yes, D&D did come up with some creatures, but most are based on creatures types talked about around campfires for thousands of years.

Its the source you are using that matters,not the source your source used.

asandir · Unread postby **asandir** » 19 Dec 2006, 04:28

and let's face it, even if D&D only codified it all, it's still a major source of info for all fantasy

hahakocka · Unread postby **hahakocka** » 19 Dec 2006, 09:21

Hi all.

Please help me.

My brother bought last day a new PC computer. 3.2 ghz Celeron D, 1 gb DDR2 ram, woth 160 gb Winchester and an Ati X 1100 shared card. Can it play Heroes of might and magic 5 well on 800*600?

Thansk the answers.

hahakocka · Unread postby **hahakocka** » 19 Dec 2006, 10:40

Ati X1100 has 64 mb GDDR2 ram and up to 256 shared ram +. Has a hypermemory 512 ram they say.

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