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Feedback and thoughts on Episode 3!

Started by dark-daventry, February 17, 2011, 02:51:19 PM

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Hbech

Oh yes, and I just love the music from this episode. It is epic and beautiful and awesomeness!

daventry

Quote from: snabbott on February 18, 2011, 05:39:29 PMWell, TSL is Phoenix's way of trying to bring closure to the series. It's not going to do it for everybody. I think there could be a whole thread of people's opinions of what it would take to bring them closure. (And some people probably don't think there's a need for closure.) Feel free to start one if you want. :)
I wouldent even know how to start my own Version of a KQ Closng the Book part, since you guys arent AGDI/IA/TellTale Remaking KQ in your Own Funny Version so to speak, to me, this is Official Stuff to KQ9 as i can see it.

I dont remember much about the Previous KQ Games, but the Only Confusion about them were The Black Cloack, its like a Big Chunk of a Diffrent Story being put into the Game, i bet if Jane Jenson Never Menchioned the Black Cloak, there would have been no need for TSL.
Quote from: Lambonius on February 18, 2011, 06:29:41 PMYeah, I'm of the camp that the series had plenty of closure as is, especially after the end of KQ7 when it seemed both of Daventry's royal children had found their significant others.  The only reason people felt like closure was need was because KQ8 was such a flop.
KQ8 should have Never been made, you cant make some KQ Game into an RPG Style with a Character that has No relation to the Royal Family and expect to end it right there.


Enchantermon

So I haven't finished yet, but I wanted to lay out something that has become quite irritating. I don't remember being irritated by this in the other episodes; not sure why, either (unless it came along with Episode 3). Every time I do something that causes the cursor to change to the picture of a crown, when it returns control to me, it always reverts back to the Walk icon no matter what icon I previously had. Like I said, this has gotten to be quite irritating; could this be changed at least when Episode 4 is released so that it reverts back to the last icon you used? And I'm not just suggesting this because "this the way Sierra did it, so this is the only way it should be done," but because it just makes sense. Thanks for listening. :)
So what if I am, huh? Anyways, I work better when I'm drunk. It makes me fearless! If I see a bad guy, I'll just point my sword at him and saaaaaaaaaay, "Hey! Bad guy! You're not s'posed to be here! Go home or I'll stick you with my sword 'til you go, 'Ouch! I'm dead!' Ah-ha-ha!" Ha-ha. *hic* See? Ain't no one gonna be messin' wit' ol', Benny!

Sslaxx

One thing that might be amusing is having one of the guards growl at you if you're entering Cassima's bedroom after you get them in trouble with the meat...
Stuart "Sslaxx" Moore.

Big C from Cauney island

Here is my review of the episode:

5/5

This is by far the best episode, but let me explain why and then I will give any criticism (if any).  First off, the puzzles are WAY BETTER here.  I had made a post about episode 2 a while back, and I had made the critique of multi-step puzzles and more variety. You achieved this in full. a VERY good variety of puzzles, and MANY of them.
Physical puzzles, action sequence (though i didn't find it too tough), how objects were used, and multiple parts too one puzzle. The game took me 5 hours to complete, but ONLY because I looked at the hints section. If I hadn't, god only knows.  This felt like a true kings quest.  I'm still not a huge fan of episodic gaming, but this is the correct size of an episode for going that route. 

Also, it seemed like the animations were much better. The new additions to the team helped a lot I suppose.
Man, that (spoiler) scared the $#% out of me.  Nice!

There were so many points I didn't know what to do.  But that's good. That's classic kings quest.

The only criticism I have is that the game would shut down every 30 minutes or so, and the downloaded patch didn't work.   

The most important thing for me is that now, the game not only felt kings quest, but PLAYED like a true kings quest in all ways.  Cez was right, it was beast, and I am only finished because I cheated. I mean, almost every puzzle I had to look at the hint section (no exaggeration). I was so excited, I was up until 3 am last night, then got up extra early to play again!  Some suprising twists in the story as well.

Story, puzzles, variety... and lets not forget Austin. Once again, his music is on point.  I swear, he could work for any gaming company and make music.  I would be shocked if he didn't get hired on somewhere due to TSL.
Really guys, I've shared my critiques before, and I honestly say I have not a one aside from my technical issues. Not a one. Bravo.

Ultima992

My Feedback and thoughts on Episode 3  :o

Episode 3 - Was great. As the last poster (BIG C) Said. "This felt like a true kings quest." For me it brought me back further then that. To other games i used to play, the many hours of watching my brothers and dad play the game or older games similar to it, then playing the games myself still confused as what I am really doing ( Being 5 years old ). Episode 3 was really great. You guys really put allot of thought into it, and im sure the next Episodes are going to be just as good. I enjoyed the puzzles thats what i was hoping for. Great work you all! Everybody, from programmers to beta testers, to the people to just manage things, It took a team effort and you guys did it right!

Congrats on a great Episode 3

wilco64256

Quote from: Enchantermon on February 19, 2011, 06:33:43 AM
So I haven't finished yet, but I wanted to lay out something that has become quite irritating. I don't remember being irritated by this in the other episodes; not sure why, either (unless it came along with Episode 3). Every time I do something that causes the cursor to change to the picture of a crown, when it returns control to me, it always reverts back to the Walk icon no matter what icon I previously had. Like I said, this has gotten to be quite irritating; could this be changed at least when Episode 4 is released so that it reverts back to the last icon you used? And I'm not just suggesting this because "this the way Sierra did it, so this is the only way it should be done," but because it just makes sense. Thanks for listening. :)

If you grab that patch I posted for the "Goodbye" bug in the tech support forum it should also resolve this issue.
Weldon Hathaway

KatieHal

Thank you guys! I'm thrilled to hear you're enjoying it. It was a beast, and we have had some technical issues, but we took some big risks with both gameplay and story here, and it's great to see people are liking both of them! (I know they won't be for everyone.)

Katie Hallahan
~Designer, PR Director~

"Change is the constant, the signal for rebirth, the egg of the phoenix." Christina Baldwin

I have a blog!

Big C from Cauney island

Quote from: KatieHal on February 19, 2011, 09:23:14 AM
Thank you guys! I'm thrilled to hear you're enjoying it. It was a beast, and we have had some technical issues, but we took some big risks with both gameplay and story here, and it's great to see people are liking both of them! (I know they won't be for everyone.)


Thank you guys for making it.  Everyone has a different perspective on what kings quest is and what not.
Regardless, gameplay wise I REALLY had to think. And when I looked at the hint section, I slapped my forehead.
It wasn't to the point were it was unsolvable, but I just wasn't getting it.  One puzzle in particular confused me some, but I should have done more reading.  But I just kept getting excited because just when I solved a puzzle, I'd just find another that stumped me.

writerlove

I'm enjoying the game as well. I'm not done yet  but it's a great game. It's recapturing the frustrating and yet rewarding aspects of adventure games. I forgot how frustrating it can be to be stuck on a puzzle. The pure excitement after you figure the puzzle out is part of the thrill. The Hints section has been a huge help as well. I'd have the Hints section of the board open while I played the game in windowed mode, lolz. The voice acting is wonderful, and man, Austin has delivered again on the music. Perfect accompaniment to the game.
"Love can't be banished, even from this place. ... still less can it be banished from my heart."
"ENOUGH! Burden me not with thy poetry."-KQ6

adamstan

#30
Hello :-)

This is really great game - a true King's Quest, as many have said above.

I'd like to mention one thing that wasn't mentioned yet - the song that plays on credits. It's BEAUTIFUL, and Amy is great singer. Thank you for this - it brought back memories of playing AGDI KQ2+ back in 2004 and hearing Valanice's song.

It was long waiting for TSL - but it was worth it.


------edit---------
Well, now I see, that the song was present from the beginning. I must admit, that on earlier episodes, I skipped the credits, but final EP3 cutscene was so enchanting...

And from this forum I've learned, that KQ6 had a song as well - unfortunately I've only played floppy version.

Enchantermon

Quote from: wilco64256 on February 19, 2011, 09:19:29 AMIf you grab that patch I posted for the "Goodbye" bug in the tech support forum it should also resolve this issue.
Ah, so this was a bug? Okay, cool. I've applied the patch, but I haven't gotten to play any more today. Thanks.
So what if I am, huh? Anyways, I work better when I'm drunk. It makes me fearless! If I see a bad guy, I'll just point my sword at him and saaaaaaaaaay, "Hey! Bad guy! You're not s'posed to be here! Go home or I'll stick you with my sword 'til you go, 'Ouch! I'm dead!' Ah-ha-ha!" Ha-ha. *hic* See? Ain't no one gonna be messin' wit' ol', Benny!

Talos

This is the first episode which feels like a "full" one, and that is definitely something to cheer about.

The major issue is bugs, and that is purely a technical one which I am sure can be solved soon enough. We got what we "paid" for.  ;)

The other issue is how little Valanice speaks, and why King Graham doesn't just talk to her about the shocking revelations. Still, I know that this product was originally intended to be much, MUCH larger, so you all had to work with what you had, not the footage you wish you did. That might also explain why Valanice is so... quiet.

Other than that, this work was really good, intriguing, ambitious, well-animated (except for the lip-synching) and a far more impressive work than the other two chapters, bugs notwithstanding. I still don't get the Easter egg in in stone circle. XD

KatieHal

Valanice needs a little rest. She's been through a lot.

Don't worry--we'll hear more out of her eventually. ;)

Katie Hallahan
~Designer, PR Director~

"Change is the constant, the signal for rebirth, the egg of the phoenix." Christina Baldwin

I have a blog!

night-owl

#34
Well I finished it.

All I have to say- I never felt more sympathethic towards Graham and his poor family but particularly Graham since it seems like he is surronded by secrets others keep but  then also by a play and ploy of other forces.  How much poor Graham is a pawn. He should be start putting two and two together in the next episode...hopefully. I can certainly perceive the amount of material and for how many more games it could last. As it is, I'm expecting the final episide to end with some some sort of realization from poor Graham and nothing more, though it's a kind of inconclusive perspective. But  honestly with all these characters right now as you have expanded them..there is material that could be worked on for ages on numerous other series, spin-offs even, I have been blown by the sheer though of how much had to be cut.

Bottom line is; I remeber when I was more avtive in the forums a while back before the TSL movement was forced to launch, there was talk about  ending episde leaving the player with a sense of having asccomplished everything it is possible to achieve within this scope and of psycholgical depth. This is certainly there and it's quite stirring for the imagination- and that's always a trait of good  writing. It's very much to my liking.

[spoiler] I just love the dialogues Graham has with the narrator and LOVE the pawnshop AND the action sequence - I applaud the change of pace, it made things more exciting, though a bit hard on my compouter and I didn't manage to get through completely unscathed because the cues flicked too fast, and the shadows in fact were two fast attacking from both sides but maybe thaqt's the point. I blame my lame reflexes.  I have died a few different deaths, got puzzled a bit with chess riddle and almost missed the mist obvious thing in the entire game with the silver crescent ingredient. I clearly forget about rules of adventuring -if you have a left over item from a previous quest, it remained there for a reason. Heh. [/spoiler]

Adore the dog guards.

This episode feels complete and satisfactory, it is indeed longer and much more like original KQ games in a certain sense. The only thing missing is the score board for all the tasks completed, indicated by the famialir sound.

I'm very honoured to have been able to play it, and happy. I've been stirred by the music yet again- my favourite pieces being played in Mist Isles..

For me this is how King's Quest should be, depth has been brought to light and with depth and more complexity, adventuring certainly keeps me more on the edge of my seat.



Hold fast to dreams for if dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly.

newcombm7

#35
Finished a little while ago after fighting throughout the day with crashes and not being able to save the game towards the very end.  But those 2 things would be my only "complaints".  There were many times I was tempted to check the Hint forum for help [spoiler]guard dog, snap dragons, &  candle circle especially[/spoiler].  I never gave in and when I finally solved the puzzles, I was really excited.  It brought me back to the old days of playing King's Quest (playing the games in DOS) and being so thrilled about passing a really hard part of the game (and then not wanting to stop until my parents forced me off the computer :)).  

I was totally shocked when I found the Baby Suffer [spoiler]I didn't look at what I clicked on (with the eye) first, just grabbed it and opened my inventory and started laughing.  I totally expected it to be the next clue for how to find one of the ingredients.[/spoiler]

As many others have said, I really enjoyed the story line this time and I'm looking forward to seeing where this will go next.  Keep up the good work and thanks for creating such a great game!

Arkillian

Looks like the secret is out. I hope that competition was finished ^^;



daventry

#37
I finished Ep3 and it was INCREDIBLE.  :sweetheart: :sweetheart: :sweetheart:

Im Very Happy with the way the Narriator is keeping it Short with her Talking and Insults, i think we can still be good without the Guards Guards Insult.

Are we Ever gonna go to Etheria

Will we see or go to Daventry and see Conner, since i assumed for the Spells to be used after finding the Ingredients, the Children has to go to Daventry.

I hope we will get to see Alhazred or the Parents of Cassima.

I thought the Dream Lady will give Nice Dreams to Valanice, yet she is getting Nightmares

Will we see Cedric and the other Wizard again.

Arkillian

AHHHH! I WANNA KNOW MORE ABOUT MR MYSTERIOUS RANGER!!!

I want to know if my thoughts on who he is are with in the ball park of what he is, or if he's really just an unimportant guy with an important and cool job T.T



Ravager

Finished! Best episode yet! It lasted longer than the previous one and we learn more of the story and characters. I love the arcade sequence and usually I dislike them in adventure games.

I'm starting to noticing a pattern in some puzzle. Not saying it's bad or anything, it is part of KQ gameplay after all. I call it "the 3 obstacles":

[spoiler]KQ6: to reach Beast you need disable the three traps: boiling pond, stone archer, the hedge.

TSL-Ep2: to enter chessboardland you need to get rid of the vines, get the key with a magnet, use the invisible cloak to pass the knights pieces.

TSL-Ep3: to reach the spirit tree you need to pass the banshee, the beast lord (forgot her name), the guardian.[/spoiler]
IRENICUS: Once my thirst for power was everything. And now I hunger only for revenge. And... I... Will... HAVE IT!!