Market "Diablo Clone" experiencing a renaissance lately - most recently we are dealing with a real rash of more or less successful representatives of this species. Many companies would like to cash in on this trend - it is hardly surprising resurrection of a brand Dungeon Siege by studio Obsidian Entertainment. Game developers, however, went a little against the current, serving not another typical fever, and creating something completely unique. Unfortunately, with things like this exceptional case, they are advocates of both hot and bitter enemies. That's right this time.
Dungeon Siege III differs significantly from its predecessors and competitors from the rest. The authors are tempted to combine the classic "predatory-worshipped” gameplay with elements typical of RPGs, and even slasherów. "Troika" of opponents guarantees the headlands, the mass of interesting locations and a few characters whose development is definitely geared to fight. But this is not the whole content of the game - this happens very large amount of dialogue and the ability to carry out certain tasks in different ways (including, without warning, without violence!). The icing on the cake is the combat system - a very arcade based on the application of different sequences of moves and skills. End with a simple clicking on the enemy, now count combos!
All this makes the orthodox genre fans will probably adopt the latest Dungeon Siege with a large reserve, or even hostility. This can be seen on internet forums - the players clearly divided into supporters of new solutions and their resolute opponents.
The adventure begins in the land of EHB, known from previous cycle. The story begins quite hackneyed: the world on the decline, because of the devastating civil war in which at stake is the fate of the entire kingdom. On one side are the religious fanatics, led by his holy and the other, the royal family. In the midst of this struggle gotten the Tenth Legion, accused of murdering the previous king - and thus, causing the conflict. It was in the ranks of the organization gets the player's character - her primary goal is to purify the Legion of Honor, and find other members.
The above description is very stereotyped - especially in the face throws resemblance to the story told in Dragon Age: Origins . Fortunately, soon find that Obsidian Entertainment has prepared something better than a story created by BioWare - the plot has many twists and turns, of which many can surprise quite a bit. Seemingly black and white world turns out to be much more complex, and our role in the events much more interesting than it might seem. Moreover, like in an RPG, make many decisions that are important not only for the following events later, but for the future of the world in general. Sometimes these are great choices of measure (such as savings or a major enemy to kill him), sometimes small (suppression of the strike, or to join a union.)
This shows a significant deviation from production in the style of Diablo - one like it, others do not. For my part I can say that quite a large number of dialogues and the really interesting story is, for me, the enormous advantages of Dungeon Siege III .
In the game, we can direct the fate of one of four characters - forget about the creation of an independent character. Contrary to appearances, this solution is the most hit - all the heroes are very diverse, have common skills for themselves, also have their own histories and personalities. And so: the choice was given to us crazy Reinhart Manksa technique (acting as the magician), delighting in firearms Katarina, honorable warrior and a mysterious archon Lucas Anjali. Playing all of them are slightly different sorts of adventure - all have their strengths and weaknesses, control, is also different. Each player should find something for themselves.
Although throughout the game data is sent to us only one hero, it does not mean that it remains on the battlefield alone. Our team is made up because of two characters - the hero chosen by us, we can throw in a companion. So there is nothing in the way to create a branch composed of militant Lucas, fighting in close quarters, and a clever Manx, supporting him from a safe distance. Unfortunately, lacking the option of switching between characters - our assistant will always be controlled by a computer or another player in co-op (at a time can play up to four people). The consolation I will say that the computer is doing really well, sometimes saving us from the fuel (if it dies, your companion can heal us.) An additional advantage is thrown by the comment characters - not just silly and pathetic cries of speech, but also funny inserts that add interesting color to the game. This means that we share love dilemmas Lucas, listening to lectures Manx complicated if we are seduced by Katarina. The creators of these elements should be a big praise.
It is worth mentioning the development of the system, the characters - each of them has a certain set of statistics, nine skills, as well as several unique talents. Fortunately, not transplantation on this issue - there is every fear that drowns in a flood of numbers and modifiers - everything has been given in a simple and transparent. Thus, it is clear how the development of our team, with successive levels - each promotion associated with distinct professionalism in the form of new capabilities and better performance. Leveling is not the only way to improve the heroes - if you often use a skill, we specialize in it - so we get a chance to comply with special compost with her.
Of course all this comes to the enormity of objects that have a significant impact on the characteristics of heroes. The whole makes the same characters can be developed in several different ways.
The vast majority of tasks in the game based on the struggle - the enemies are in mass quantities, and clash with them is pure delight. Very often stumble is also the boss - sometimes fights with them, pose difficult challenges, requiring the development of detailed tactics and appropriate selection of characters, items and skills. Players attempting to defeat enemies by simply clicking on them quickly disappointed - it usually ends in death of the hero and his entourage. Skirmishes in the Dungeon Siege III are not easy - often come to us to think about the fight and plan to approach her several times. This makes, however, that victory is all the more satisfying.
The enemies are very varied - they depend on the type of environment where we fight. In addition to skeletons and zombies in the catacombs, or inherent in the fantasy spiders we compete with opponents in a rather unusual, such as cantaloupes strikers at the factory or guard in the city. Diversification is a big plus niemilców game.
It is worth mentioning that not all missions require the use of force - bursting with several legal disputes, we find a person guilty of the murder of our friends and solve many a mystery. It's quite an unusual element in bloodlust erpegach oriented, so you should pay attention to it.
Binding the game is more than pretty. While detailed models of visual effects and the number stands at an average level, already on the ingenuity of developers look really impressive site. During our travels we visit the tombs of dark and spooky mansion, admire the raw beauty and intricate mountain peaks, crystal caves. There is also advised that no forests, jungles and small towns - done tastefully and with considerable taste. Then there are sites more sophisticated - as mentioned earlier the town of machinery or another dimension (slightly reminiscent of the Abyss of Oblivion). Locations and characters have been designed with imagination, easily could serve as a backdrop to the real paper RPG session.
Similarly, positive feelings awaken the audio layer. The music is very moody and appropriately raised - just a shame that the soundtrack consists of a few songs in total. It is hard to stick to the surrounding sounds or voices teachers - those pretty well assume the their roles, adding a lot of charm to the game (especially the Manx).
From the above description one might infer that we are dealing with the production of excellent - unfortunately, on each monolith will be wrinkles. The biggest pain points Dungeon Siege III is by far the interface and control system - it is clear that the title was transferred from the console alive, so many solutions will dazzle PeCetowych players. While directing the characters using the pad is quite comfortable, so no longer control the keyboard is a real hard labor. The main problems are: the number used while the (mouse + keys + modifications with the skills of the latter), set the camera awkwardly and painfully clumsy menus. Sometimes we will gnash their teeth when they move between different windows - even a simple change of equipment requires far too much clicking.
Another downside is the opponents of tracking system - very often it happens that your character does not attack the enemy you want. In this case, remains a hero or manually rotate the camera and change the count on the fact that this time the system track down the proper opponent. As the clashes are extremely dynamic, and often require agility monkey (based on a roll over, evasion and quick attacks with conventional or skills), this disadvantage grows into real trouble. Fortunately, it leveled the pad control option, but not everyone has to have it.
Dungeon Siege III is a game whose rating never satisfy everyone. As I wrote at the outset - the players are already divided into its supporters and opponents, and fanaticism on both sides often takes bizarre forms. But trying to define cool completely on the latest work of Obsidian Entertainment, I must say that it is at least satisfactory. Very addictive gameplay, arcade fighting model, a large number of RPG elements, and interesting characters and plot - this is the component which I completely turned away. Rarely happens to a game sucked me with such force as is Dungeon Siege III - I do not regret a single one of about twenty hours spent in the kingdom of EHB. How to hack'n'slash production is surprisingly complex and comprehensive - and as for role-playing adventure and delightfully effective.
Dungeon Siege III is a very interesting trade-off between games, "Diablo Clone" a serious RPG - for me it is a really excellent mix.
