Episode 2 - CONSTRUCTIVE feedback (No fighting, please!)

[wilco64256]

As stated before, we're not making previous episodes longer via a patch or anything else - we're only working forward at this point.

We can't tell you what things were cut because many of them relate to the plot later in the game, but most of what was cut came from gameplay that took place long after our current Episode 5 so we can't talk about that because it would spoil our storyline.

Most people seem to think Episode 2 was just about the right length - it's taken most people longer to beat Episode 2 than it takes to beat some full-length $60 top-of-the-line games these days.  We are working to add even more gameplay to later episodes as we continue to work on them, but don't expect them to start taking 20+ hours each or anything like that.

We are looking at making it easier to transition from one episode to the next (you may have noticed the continue option at the beginning) but haven't fully implemented that for jumping from the end of one to the beginning of the next one - hopefully we will have that done when we release Episode 3.

[snabbott]

I Assumed we would Directly Start from Ep1 to Ep2, why am i still Selecting Episodes. 

That has been considered. I don't know whether it will be implemented or not.

the original plan wasn't to have 5 episodes.  I think the total 5 episodes is only a third of the original plan.  I think part 1 would be episodes 1-5, so it wouldn't have seemed so short back then.

Episodes 1-5 represent Chapters 1 and 2 of the original 9.

[atec123]

A quicker transition from one episode to the next when you have a number of them installed is one thing we're looking at implementing, actually. This process has only just begun, though, so I have no concept of how difficult or easy it may be and what the likelihood of it happening is; but, we are looking into it.

it doesn't sound like it would be that hard, but a lot of those things are more complex than one would think.  you could always have a better option to skip the credits at the end at least.  like pressing escape.  that lets you exit the game and then start it over but that is a lot of trouble.

[snabbott]

Most people seem to think Episode 2 was just about the right length - it's taken most people longer to beat Episode 2 than it takes to beat some full-length $60 top-of-the-line games these days.  We are working to add even more gameplay to later episodes as we continue to work on them, but don't expect them to start taking 20+ hours each or anything like that.

It was mentioned at one point that all of TSL (Chapters 1 & 2/Episodes 1 - 5) was about the length of KQVI, so each episode will be substaintially shorter than that.

[wilco64256]

A quicker transition from one episode to the next when you have a number of them installed is one thing we're looking at implementing, actually. This process has only just begun, though, so I have no concept of how difficult or easy it may be and what the likelihood of it happening is; but, we are looking into it.

it doesn't sound like it would be that hard, but a lot of those things are more complex than one would think.  you could always have a better option to skip the credits at the end at least.  like pressing escape.  that lets you exit the game and then start it over but that is a lot of trouble.

The option itself isn't all that bad, the part that takes more work is making sure the game saves everything properly and then carries it all into the next episode correctly.  We've got that down pretty well now so I think we'll be able to get the transition working just fine for the next episode's release.

[MangoMercury]

If you guys had 8 Years with Two C&D, why dident you guys keep On working with TSL to Make Ep1 Longer

You pretty much answered your own question; when the C&D's came into effect, the team had to stop working since that was what was asked of them.

[wilco64256]

If you guys had 8 Years with Two C&D, why dident you guys keep On working with TSL to Make Ep1 Longer

You pretty much answered your own question; when the C&D's came into effect, the team had to stop working since that was what was asked of them.

Yes a Cease and Desist means exactly that - Stop Everything.  Everything is completely put on hold.  Nothing at all could be done to further develop the project during those times, so team members would leave to work on other projects and TSL would just sit and grow cold.

[Big C from Cauney island]

The length of episode 2 was actually fine. I listened to the all the dialogues between the characters, I didnt really listen to descriptions on most things. It took me 2.5 hours. Pretty good. I remember hearing that ep3 was the longest. So, all in all, this game will probably be at least a good 10 hours, which is excellent. I can't imagine the 1500 page script for the whole project. I really think when people are able to play the whole thing it will resolve a lot of issues. But again, I understand episode  advantages.  I'm just wanting the full thing. And I DEFINITELY would not expect POS to change everything at this point. Even as is this is great.

And I didnt even think about the water bottle spraying the flowers. It does make sense, but having the necklace and bottle laying around in the castle just seemed strange.  Blame it on bad housekeeping.  But really my "critiques" are so petty. I'm fine with this game.

[Lambonius]

it's taken most people longer to beat Episode 2 than it takes to beat some full-length $60 top-of-the-line games these days.  

Heh--now that's definitely an exaggeration.    It's a reasonable length for an episodic game, but let's not go being unrealistic and start comparing it to a full-length commercial adventure game.  You'd be looking at at least an 8 hour playtime for just episode 2 alone, and even that is on the short end when talking about commercial length games.  Anyway.

I have a full review in the making, but one smaller annoyance that strikes me as correctable would be the black-screen load times when moving from scene to scene.  While they aren't totally obnoxious, they do seem to be inordinantly long sometimes for a game that isn't exactly cutting edge in the graphics department.  It just seems like you guys should be able to work on some optimizations with the code and engine that would improve or even entirely eliminate these.

[daventry]

What Lambonius say is True, Tales of Monkey Island had Decent Lenghtly Chapters with a Decent Price, if i Could Compare Each Episode Time Playthrough, that Game would Beat TSL by 2 Hours Extra of Gaming Fun.
Example:
TSL Ep1-Ep5 10 Hours for the Whole Game
TOMI Ep1-Ep5 20 Hours for the Whole Game
Were TOMI a bunch of Fans, or did they get Help from LucasArts to make the Game.  

[kindofdoon]

...it's taken most people longer to beat Episode 2 than it takes to beat some full-length $60 top-of-the-line games these days.

I thought the length of Episode 2 was fine, but that's a bit exaggerated...what $60 game can you complete in 4 hours?

[daventry]

Tomb Raider Legend 

[KQIX-Team]

it's taken most people longer to beat Episode 2 than it takes to beat some full-length $60 top-of-the-line games these days.

Sorry, guys. I have noting to say. I'm... speechless.

[KatieHal]

TSL Ep1-Ep5 10 Hours for the Whole Game

The full length of the five episodes has yet to be determined, and I definitely imagine it'll be more than 10 hours!

In any case, let's keep this thread focused on constructive feedback and comments, okay?

[daventry]

A Small Suggestion, sometimes the Background Noises Cancels the Sound, as in its Difficult to sometimes Hear what the Characters are saying.

I tried Listening to the Joke about the Narrator on the Isle of Wonder, but those Annoying Yawning of the Oisters kept Ruining the whole thing.

[Cez]

...it's taken most people longer to beat Episode 2 than it takes to beat some full-length $60 top-of-the-line games these days.

I thought the length of Episode 2 was fine, but that's a bit exaggerated...what $60 game can you complete in 4 hours?

Uncharted? Ok, maybe 6 hours.
Heavenly Sword?
Some of the latest Tomb Raider games, as pointed out.
Metroid: Other M

To be honest, they are all 5 to 6 hour games. We've had people finished Episode 2 in 7 hours.

I'm not saying that our episode is longer, by the way. Just saying it's not completely out of the reaches of possibilities if you want to be technical about it. What I'm sure of is that when all 5 Episodes are out there, it will be definitely longer than a lot of commercial games.

[Cez]

What Lambonius say is True, Tales of Monkey Island had Decent Lenghtly Chapters with a Decent Price, if i Could Compare Each Episode Time Playthrough, that Game would Beat TSL by 2 Hours Extra of Gaming Fun.
Example:
TSL Ep1-Ep5 10 Hours for the Whole Game
TOMI Ep1-Ep5 20 Hours for the Whole Game
Were TOMI a bunch of Fans, or did they get Help from LucasArts to make the Game.  

Daventry, I seriously sometimes don't know where you come from with these questions. Tales of Monkey Island was made by Telltale Games, which is a established company. They were not a bunch of fans.

[wilco64256]

it's taken most people longer to beat Episode 2 than it takes to beat some full-length $60 top-of-the-line games these days.  

Heh--now that's definitely an exaggeration.    It's a reasonable length for an episodic game, but let's not go being unrealistic and start comparing it to a full-length commercial adventure game.

I beat Uncharted, Uncharted 2, Tomb Raider: Legend, Tomb Raider: Underworld, and Metroid:Other M all in less than 6 hours the first time I played them.  The average time for Episode 2 of TSL is around 5, so that's pretty close.

[atec123]

What Lambonius say is True, Tales of Monkey Island had Decent Lenghtly Chapters with a Decent Price, if i Could Compare Each Episode Time Playthrough, that Game would Beat TSL by 2 Hours Extra of Gaming Fun.
Example:
TSL Ep1-Ep5 10 Hours for the Whole Game
TOMI Ep1-Ep5 20 Hours for the Whole Game
Were TOMI a bunch of Fans, or did they get Help from LucasArts to make the Game.  

Daventry, I seriously sometimes don't know where you come from with these questions. Tales of Monkey Island was made by Telltale Games, which is a established company. They were not a bunch of fans.

BTW, Cez... you work for telltale don't you?  I think I remember hearing that.

[Cez]

I used to. Not anymore.

Dedicated to Phoenix Online full time now.