Telltale Games

[Lambonius]

I actually think KQ6 is overrated, heresy of heresies !

Well, now you're just courting controversy!  Though I tend to agree with you.  I like KQ6, but I do think it is often over-rated.


Bt

KQ6 is very very good.  I would even concede that it's the most polished in the series.  But I agree about it being overrated.  The others are equally good and classic, and every game has its flaws.  KQ6 should not be considered the be-all, end-all of the KQ series.  KQ5 for life!!  (Also a huge fan of KQ1SCI--and really, ANY Sierra SCI game--minus Codename: Iceman...*shudder*)

[Sir Perceval of Daventry]

I actually think KQ6 is overrated, heresy of heresies !

Well, now you're just courting controversy!  Though I tend to agree with you.  I like KQ6, but I do think it is often over-rated.


Bt

KQ6 is very very good.  I would even concede that it's the most polished in the series.  But I agree about it being overrated.  The others are equally good and classic, and every game has its flaws.  KQ6 should not be considered the be-all, end-all of the KQ series.  KQ5 for life!!  (Also a huge fan of KQ1SCI--and really, ANY Sierra SCI game--minus Codename: Iceman...*shudder*)

Comparing KQ6 to the other KQ games is like comparing Metallica's "Kill 'Em All" to the "Black Album"--One is more commercial, more polished and more critically palatable, but which is generally more ''Metallica''?

[drunkenmonkey]

You know who's over-rated, for real?  Jane Jensen.  I think Gray Matter looks like a pretentious pile of monkey dung.

Bt

Perhaps, but we're all buying it. Because what was the last new commercial adventure game that any of us played. I haven't researched it but many will buy it just for the name Jane Jensen on the cover. Jane Jensen anything will sell. And the amount of times the release date has been pushed back, people will want to see what all the fuss is about. Really, anybody who claims to call themselves an adventure gamer is getting this game.

[kindofdoon]

Agreed, though the release date delays are quite annoying.

[Fierce Deity]

You know who's over-rated, for real?  Jane Jensen.  I think Gray Matter looks like a pretentious pile of monkey dung.

Bt

Perhaps, but we're all buying it. Because what was the last new commercial adventure game that any of us played. I haven't researched it but many will buy it just for the name Jane Jensen on the cover. Jane Jensen anything will sell. And the amount of times the release date has been pushed back, people will want to see what all the fuss is about. Really, anybody who claims to call themselves an adventure gamer is getting this game.

I guess this excludes me. I have been keeping my eye on the game, but I'm definitely preparing myself for the worse. The fact that it's getting ported to the 360 is making me think that this game is not going to be the typical adventure game that a lot of fans are expecting. The first thing that came to mind when I went on the website is Deadly Premonition (worst game ever). I guess it would be unfair of me to jump to such a broad conclusion, but unless there's evidence that this game will have that "Jane Jensen" charm that worked for KQ6 and Gabriel Knight, I'm going to rule Grey Matter under a "console-port disaster". Also, the setting of the game is too gloomy, even from the writer of Gabriel Knight.

It's safe to say that Telltale has successfully designed console-friendly adventure games (though at the expense of the PC controls). I am wary as to whether Grey Matter will have a similar success.

[kindofdoon]

The fact that it's getting ported to the 360 is making me think that this game is not going to be the typical adventure game that a lot of fans are expecting.

Wait, why? The developers probably just wanted to bring the game to as many consoles as possible, and porting form the PC to the 360 (or vice versa) is relatively straightforward.

I don't think the port says anything about the quality or content of the game.

[Fierce Deity]

The actual porting process isn't what bothers me. I realize that the 360 and PC have similar hardware, and development can be straightforward. It's the same reason why Telltale's console adventures took a toll on the PC versions, or vice versa. Lambonius mentioned the Sam and Max games on the 360, and how they played like a PC adventure game on a console. Then he talked about how Tales of Monkey Island played like a console game on the PC. Adventure games aren't easily transposed from one platform to the next unless the developers want to create a unique individual experience on each respective platform. I understand that my prejudice towards the game is not warranted, and I don't actually have a basis in which to form my opinion, but the constant delays and the platform crossover is suggesting to me that this isn't going to be the spiritual successor to Gabriel Knight. I'm keeping my expectations low. That way, if it winds up good, I'll be impressed.

[kindofdoon]

...the constant delays and the platform crossover is suggesting to me that this isn't going to be the spiritual successor to Gabriel Knight.

I get what you're saying. Just keep in mind that these things are mostly likely because of the developer's intentions, not Jane's.

[Fierce Deity]

I wouldn't blame Jane, I just know that there are expectations. Delays just insinuate that there is either some indecision, or an act of overachieving. I tend to be pessimistic with a lot of bigger titles, so don't mind me. I just don't think I'm in the same group of people that will buy Grey Matter just because it's being made by Jane Jensen (as drunkenmonkey had suggested).

On an utterly unrelated note, I'm a Powerful Wizard now.  

[kindofdoon]

Hey, cool.

Woah, I'm a Crystal Dragon! *goes off to the Posting Positions thread*

[Blackthorne]

See, that's what I'm saying.... buying a game just because Jane Jensen's name is on the cover.  I don't buy that kind of hype.  The game looks pretentious and lame to me, and I won't be buying it - unless I get a recommendation from someone I trust. 

Perhaps, but we're all buying it. Because what was the last new commercial adventure game that any of us played.

Uh, lets see - Strong Bad's Cool Game for Smart People, Tales of Monkey Island, Sam and Max, A Vampyre Tale.... jeez, aren't those all new games by Tell Tale, which we've been talking about?  Weird....

I haven't researched it but many will buy it just for the name Jane Jensen on the cover. Jane Jensen anything will sell. And the amount of times the release date has been pushed back, people will want to see what all the fuss is about. Really, anybody who claims to call themselves an adventure gamer is getting this game.

Getting a game because of curiosity, well that just strikes me as lame.  Though you're right - some will purchase it just to find out why it was delayed.

I don't understand the slavish fan-boy devotion to Jane Jensen - she's really only had two games that have any credibilty, and honestly I find her style to be overly dramatic and pretentious.  I know a lot of people worship Gabriel Knight as something great, but it plays like a cheesy pulp harlequin novel to me.  Like, every dark occult cliche I can think of permeates that game like a teenagers diary.


Bt

[kindofdoon]

Strong Bad's Cool Game for Smart People

You mean Attractive People?

I don't understand the slavish fan-boy devotion to Jane Jensen - she's really only had two games that have any credibilty

Don't forget KQVI. She wrote most of that.

[Lambonius]

Strong Bad's Cool Game for Smart People

You mean Attractive People?

I don't understand the slavish fan-boy devotion to Jane Jensen - she's really only had two games that have any credibilty

Don't forget KQVI. She wrote most of that.

I'm pretty sure BT is referring to KQVI and Gabriel Knight 1.

[KatieHal]

Whatever your personal opinions of them might be, I'd have to say GK2 and GK3 are certainly credible games as well.

[Lambonius]

I really liked GK1--I didn't have a problem with the dark, pulpy tone, cliche as it might be; I felt it fit the story being told.  However, what was bothersome to me was the absolutely incessant amount of dialog and exposition that just permeates every inch of that game.  Never before in an adventure game did I grow SO tired of having conversations with people (except maybe Laura Bow 2...*shudder*).  And this from a game with (mostly) fantastic voice acting, too!

[Cez]

Jane Jensen rules and I will buy anything and everything she releases. GK2 is the best game to have  ever graced the computer screen, and she hasn't missed the mark with any of the 4 big sierra games she designed --she's a master storyteller and a great puzzle designer (Le Serpent Rouge, anyone?). She rules, and I'm sorry, but anyone on this board would wish they had half of the game making skills Jane has on her.

And that's all I gotta say on the subject

[Blackthorne]

Heh.  Taste is a funny thing.  I think Gabriel Knight 2 is a bloated, pretentious piece of curiosity.  An experiment in technology and an exercise in ego.  I mean, there are much worse games, but I think that one is way too big for it's britches.

Bt

[Sir Perceval of Daventry]

Heh.  Taste is a funny thing.  I think Gabriel Knight 2 is a bloated, pretentious piece of curiosity.  An experiment in technology and an exercise in ego.  I mean, there are much worse games, but I think that one is way too big for it's britches.

Bt

How do you call it an exercise in ego?

[Blackthorne]

Heh.  Taste is a funny thing.  I think Gabriel Knight 2 is a bloated, pretentious piece of curiosity.  An experiment in technology and an exercise in ego.  I mean, there are much worse games, but I think that one is way too big for it's britches.

Bt

How do you call it an exercise in ego?

How do you NOT?  Neuschwanstein Castle itself is a locale in the game, there's a LOST WAGNER OPERA that was created just for the game, not to mention the overblown use of full motion video that was popular at the time.  The thing is a bloated "look at me!" exercise in egomania.  Not to mention the game is spread over 6 CDs. 


Bt

[kindofdoon]

Not to mention the game is spread over 6 CDs.

How is that significant?