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Re: Coming up to speed

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Spalls Hurgenson wrote:
> On Mon, 14 Jul 2025 10:58:07 -0500, "Lane \"Stonehowler\" Waldby"
> <wichitajayhawks@msn.com> wrote:
> 
>> Spalls Hurgenson wrote:
>>> On Mon, 14 Jul 2025 16:50:54 +0200, Kyonshi <gmkeros@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>> On 7/7/2025 8:58 PM, Locus Bring'r wrote:
>>>>> WIzardry 6 7 & 8 are too dated.
>>>>>
>>>>> I'm finally a part of this century:
>>>>>
>>>>>       Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.
>>>>>
>>>>> Not the remake, but if you want to do that, go qahead.
>>>>
>>>> Hmm... I tried to get into Oblivion at one point after starting Skyrim,
>>>> but somehow the interface totally turned me off. Oblivion came out in a
>>>> time when I was just not playing all that many games, so I don't even
>>>> have nostalgia for it.
>>>
>>> I'm still plowing through the remaster and all I can say is that, if
>>> you have Skyrim, you aren't really missing much. It really feels
>>> hollow compared to modern games. It's got some of the magic of Skyrim
>>> (and Fallout) - but it feels barren in comparison; like it was a
>>> prototype to those better games. It's just so lacking in character and
>>> charm.
>>>
>>> Sure, it's fun to see an icon on the compass and know that, just over
>>> that hill, there's a new cave to discover, or a fort, or something...
>>> but once you actually get there, your desire to EXPLORE that location
>>> is low because you know it will be just like all the other
>>> forts/castles/etc. There's such a limited 'tile-set' used to build
>>> things in Oblivion that a sense of ennui sets in /really/ quickly. God
>>> knows that the quests and characters can't make up for the lack
>>> either; the dialogue and writing are extremely simplistic and it's
>>> impossible to really /care/ about any of it.
>>>
>>> In 2006, "Oblivion" was a marvel because of where it pushed games
>>> /technologically/; it's visuals, its open-world, the sheer amount of
>>> items and detail, it's AI... they were all first-of-class. But games
>>> have caught up and this makes the game's lack in other areas all the
>>> more apparent. I'll never forget the impression the game made on me
>>> twenty years ago... but it's really hard to enjoy it today.
>>>
>>>
>> This is kind of weird to me.  Twenty yrs old for a video game is still a
>> pretty marvelous game.  The only thing I can think of you are using
>> reverse psychology on me to berate me for calling Wizardry 7 & 8 dated
>> (which btw I'm back into I left Wiz 6 behind right after using Key of
>> Ramm because I don't like fighting the poison serpent repeatedly). Wiz 6
>> is dated for just the reason that its interface is < Wiz 7, in many
>> ways. You get an instant massive QoL upgrade moving to Wiz 7. Plus
>> there's an explosion when creatures die, which is cool.
> 
> I've nothing against older games. Some of my favorite games date back
> two or three decades. I can appreciate older games for what they are.
> I do often have problems /recommending/ these older titles to 'average
> gamers', though, because a lot of what made them special is de rigeur
> today.
> 
> Such is the case with Oblivion. As I said, there were quite a few
> things that made the seventh game in the Elder Scrolls franchise quite
> remarkable for their time. But since then games have become more
> advanced, and added new features that are missing from Oblivion.
> Compared to games like "Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2" or "Baldurs Gate
> 3", "Oblivion" doesn't come out on top. So why should 'average gamer'
> bother if they will get a worse experience?
> 
> That's not the case with every game. I still think games like "Ultima
> VII: The Black Gate" or "Full Throttle" or "Drakhan: Order of the
> Flame" are still eminently playable, despite being older titles. But
> that's because those games weren't as dependent on their technology,
> and had supporting features (gameplay, setting, whatever) that made
> the games memorable and fun after newer hardware made them
> 'old-school'. But that's because they were fairly unique in what they
> did. I can even appreciate games like the original "Wizardry" trilogy
> (even if I don't find them in the least bit fun), because they have a
> style that's their own.
> 
> I can't say that with "Oblivion". It's "Skyrim", but less-so. It
> hasn't the characters or story or variety of that game (much less
> later Bethesda open-world RPGs, or any of its modern competitors).
> 
> Our time and money are limited and I think there are better ways to
> spend those resources than with "Oblivion". Sure, if you've a
> nostalgia for "Oblivion", or just absolutely love its style gameplay,
> go for it. But I think on the whole people are better off playing
> other games.
> 
> IMHO. YMMV. ioTLAtma.
> 

After Spalls reverse-psychology attack making me honor Wizardry 6, I'm 
back in the mix.  I've past the first checkpoint - Portcullis of Ramm. 
The next checkpoint is when I open up Smitty's Shop.  The weapons there 
are first class (non-magical) weapons and I think the armor might be 
good too.  I'm buffing up my toons to level 7 to face the battles ahead. 
  I still have the Fat Rat and the Captain's Den fight to contend with. 
  Also, I want to be as high in level as possible to face the next 
grind, the poison serpents beyong the Golden Portcullis.  These give 
about 1800 xp per battle, but there is a risk of great poisoning. I'll 
be needing two cure poisons and full Divine spellpoints for healing.

Party:
Katie - Samurai: The only mage.  She has 8 spellpoints in Divine, and 
can cast magic missile at level 2.

Geoff - Priest: Has morningstar, will slow foes.

William - Priest: Has War Sceptre, will Enchant.

Beth - Valkyrie. Halberdier and basic healer

Lysandr - Thief.  You already know this guy.  Rapier & short sword, has 
to hide to attack.

Juju - Ranger. Casts itching skin and next level will get Cause 
Blindness.  Armed with light crossbow and quarrels.

If I keep going after Smitty's, the third checkpoint will probably 
involve a game win.

Last time I got here, I was discouraged because the treasure chest in 
the mountains was already opened by Queequeg.  One of these days if I 
have enough time, I want to see if informing him and killing him in the 
same visit will keep him from taking the treasure.  Queeequeg's an all 
around slayable guy.

-- 
Hasbro

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Thread

Coming up to speed Locus Bring'r <horchata12839@gmail.com> - 2025-07-07 13:58 -0500
  Re: Coming up to speed Spalls Hurgenson <spallshurgenson@gmail.com> - 2025-07-08 11:58 -0400
    Re: Coming up to speed Mandraphilia <horchata12839@gmail.com> - 2025-07-08 16:09 -0500
      Re: Coming up to speed Mandraphilia <horchata12839@gmail.com> - 2025-07-09 02:06 -0500
  Re: Coming up to speed Kyonshi <gmkeros@gmail.com> - 2025-07-14 16:50 +0200
    Re: Coming up to speed "Lane \"Stonehowler\" Waldby" <wichitajayhawks@msn.com> - 2025-07-14 10:27 -0500
    Re: Coming up to speed Spalls Hurgenson <spallshurgenson@gmail.com> - 2025-07-14 11:31 -0400
      Re: Coming up to speed "Lane \"Stonehowler\" Waldby" <wichitajayhawks@msn.com> - 2025-07-14 10:58 -0500
        Re: Coming up to speed Spalls Hurgenson <spallshurgenson@gmail.com> - 2025-07-14 14:01 -0400
          Re: Coming up to speed Xocyll <Xocyll@gmx.com> - 2025-07-15 05:34 -0400
            Re: Coming up to speed "Lane \"Stonehowler\" Waldby" <wichitajayhawks@msn.com> - 2025-07-15 05:34 -0500
            Re: Coming up to speed Spalls Hurgenson <spallshurgenson@gmail.com> - 2025-07-15 13:15 -0400
              Re: Coming up to speed Xocyll <Xocyll@gmx.com> - 2025-07-17 14:42 -0400
                Re: Coming up to speed Spalls Hurgenson <spallshurgenson@gmail.com> - 2025-07-17 15:52 -0400
              Re: Coming up to speed "Lane \"Stonehowler\" Waldby" <wichitajayhawks@msn.com> - 2025-07-18 13:51 -0500
          Re: Coming up to speed "Lane \"Stonehowler\" Waldby" <wichitajayhawks@msn.com> - 2025-07-15 05:41 -0500
            Re: Coming up to speed Xocyll <Xocyll@gmx.com> - 2025-07-17 14:50 -0400
          Re: Coming up to speed "Lane \"Stonehowler\" Waldby" <wichitajayhawks@msn.com> - 2025-07-18 07:16 -0500
          Re: Coming up to speed "Lane \"Stonehowler\" Waldby" <wichitajayhawks@msn.com> - 2025-07-18 13:53 -0500

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