Adventure Game Studio

Community => Adventure Related Talk & Chat => Topic started by: jetxl on Mon 24/11/2003 15:07:47

Title: Broken Sword is AMAZiNG
Post by: jetxl on Mon 24/11/2003 15:07:47
I bought broken sword the other day and I can tell you it's the BEST 3D adventure game since GF, maybe even better. It's the first time the 3D part is useful in a game. The cinematic camera's are the best ever in a game. The locations are full 3D, no 3D rendered backgrounds, but the real "Im exploring the whole street in 3D" thing.
The game takes all the good things from part 1 and 2 and mixing it with a new and fresh story (there will always be clishes of course).
Best game I played in a long time.

edit=BUY IT. It will make your life even better.
Title: Re:Broken Sword is AMAZiNG
Post by: Ghormak on Mon 24/11/2003 15:58:01
I thought the "Im exploring the whole street in 3D"-feeling would have been much better if the cameras weren't fixed, but rather controllable like in your average 3rd person shooter. I find it very annoying not to be able to take in the view of the whole room once you enter it.

Good game, though. Still haven't finished it.
Title: Re:Broken Sword is AMAZiNG
Post by: Las Naranjas on Mon 24/11/2003 22:30:14
Or like the Cameras in the explorable 3d environs in GK3 (1999), Normality (1995) or UAKM (1994)?
Title: Re:Broken Sword is AMAZiNG
Post by: shbaz on Tue 25/11/2003 00:28:10
Quotewould have been much better if the cameras weren't fixed, but rather controllable like in your average 3rd person shooter

They could have done this to save time, so they wouldn't have to completely texture and model all sides of the 3d objects. If you can only see one side 3d artists usually won't bother with the back, like jewelry.

I haven't played the game though, so I dunno.
Title: Re:Broken Sword is AMAZiNG
Post by: Layabout on Tue 25/11/2003 02:59:56
I havent played it but i think not being able to control the camera allows for a more 'cinematic' feel if the developer uses it correctly.
Title: Re:Broken Sword is AMAZiNG
Post by: remixor on Tue 25/11/2003 10:11:32
I don't think the camera can really accurately be described as "fixed."  That implies that the camera never moves, just switches between views.  If that was the case, this game could have been done with prerendered backgrounds.  In the game, the camera pans and zooms to great effect.  There were some really well-done shots, in my opinion.  
Title: Re:Broken Sword is AMAZiNG
Post by: Ghormak on Tue 25/11/2003 14:18:54
I know it's not really fixed, and it does indeed work well in some places, it's just the exploring bit that annoys me. When I enter a new location with wonderful machines and strange symbols everywhere, I want to be able to look around freely, and not have to run from wall to wall to catch a small glimpse of everything.

And that is why I'd want a game with a freely adjustable camera.

QuoteOr like the Cameras in the explorable 3d environs in GK3 (1999), Normality (1995) or UAKM (1994)?

I have to check them out then.
Title: Re:Broken Sword is AMAZiNG
Post by: tamper on Tue 25/11/2003 17:00:17
Just an aside on Under a Killing Moon (UAKM).

I remember when it was 'eagerly antipated' (it was released very late as I recall) and I heard a sales pitch by a rep from Access Software. You've got to remember that this was before the era of FPS's, even pre-DOOM (just).

The guy had a really hard time explaining what UAKM's free-roam environment was like, and in the end said imagine "The 7th Guest" but being able to go anywhere you liked. I think people just couldn't visualise the concept in their heads!

Oddly enough, of equal importance in the pitch was the fact that Margot "loony bin" Kidder was in it...


Hmm. Sorry - I thought that anecdote was going to be more interesting than it turned out to be.

t
Title: Re:Broken Sword is AMAZiNG
Post by: Goldmund on Tue 25/11/2003 22:11:52
Tex Murphy: Overseer also had 3d exploration, but - like in latter parts of Nomad Soul - it was spoiled by poor puzzles.

Ah, to get my hands on Nomad Soul engine!... Okay, after I hire my programming monkey.

Coming back to BS, is the protagonist also so dull and irritating as in previous 2 parts?
Title: Re:Broken Sword is AMAZiNG
Post by: remixor on Wed 26/11/2003 06:23:29
Quote from: Goldmund on Tue 25/11/2003 22:11:52Coming back to BS, is the protagonist also so dull and irritating as in previous 2 parts?

He's essentially the same as he was in the previous parts.  I didn't find him to be either of those things, but since you did before, you probably will this time too.
Title: Re:Broken Sword is AMAZiNG
Post by: Las Naranjas on Wed 26/11/2003 07:06:49
George Stobart.
Comes from California. Studied Law. Likes the book "Treasure Island" and pirates. Is smartarse to strangers who are probably smarter than him. Roots Nico.



And that's the extent of his character. In a [relatively] well written series it's surprising that the main character is so completly and utterly devoid of development and, well, character. I guess they wanted an everyguy tourist, but that inevitably leads to a very bland character.


And Ghor, for the record, UAKM and Normality are first person, the former mouse controlled, the latter keyboard, and since they have sprites it's sorta 2 and a half d. GK3 did a [in my view] clever thing by making the camera moveable whilst being a thrid person game. There's 6 or so cameras in each room (though I only ever used one) and you move that round the place, and look under tables and genuinely explore kinda thing. It made greater feeling of exploration than any other game as a result.
Title: Re:Broken Sword is AMAZiNG
Post by: AGA on Wed 26/11/2003 08:06:34
He's never rooted Nico. At least it doesn't seem like, at all, from all intimation.
Title: Re:Broken Sword is AMAZiNG
Post by: Las Naranjas on Thu 27/11/2003 22:49:15
Just like some people fail to recognise hyperbolic licence.
Title: Re:Broken Sword is AMAZiNG
Post by: AGA on Thu 27/11/2003 23:02:49
It's not hyperbole to suggest someone had sex with someone else, fool.
Title: Re:Broken Sword is AMAZiNG
Post by: Las Naranjas on Thu 27/11/2003 23:18:16
It's exaggerated extrapolation of the relationship as to which we are given a glimpse, which although not strictly hyperbole in itslef, is covered by the licence, which is why I used the latter term rather than the former, although considering the level of people I deal with here, pidgin English may be more appropriate.
Title: Re:Broken Sword is AMAZiNG
Post by: Nine Toes on Thu 27/11/2003 23:28:02
I've been looking for a copy of Broken Sword 1 and 2 for PS, but PS1 games are few and far between around here.  Anybody know of any good websites where I could buy both unused? (I just prefer new games, as used ones usually can have scratches)

They looked interesting, but every time I came across them, I never had the money for them.
Title: Re:Broken Sword is AMAZiNG
Post by: Vel on Fri 28/11/2003 14:36:59
GK3 is a much better game imo.
Title: Re:Broken Sword is AMAZiNG
Post by: jetxl on Fri 28/11/2003 18:17:44
I finished broken sword 3!
The game is one of the biggest and longest adventure games I ever played. Am I getting better in adventure games or do puzzles get more logical?

Ps. esseb is in the credits.
Title: Re:Broken Sword is AMAZiNG
Post by: Las Naranjas on Fri 28/11/2003 22:42:08
All the truly rock AGSers are.

http://www.agsforums.com/yabb/index.php?board=3;action=display;threadid=9896
Title: Re:Broken Sword is AMAZiNG
Post by: Czar on Sun 30/11/2003 19:57:43
OH YEAH!!!!
I'm done. After a weekend of sleeping infront of the PC and not eating and doing things essential to live, i passed the game!
It took me fair 10-11 hours. Tho i spent some sleeping on my hand in front of the screen.
Well 3D sure changes it and all those action puzzles give it a more 'action' feeling, obviously. :)
I loved the 2D inventory, and Nico isn't bad at all. Tho maybe they could have used the petra face for her :)
Anyway great game.
Looks like i dont enjoy playing games like i used to. Maybe its just because i dont have time. I used to play games for weeks sometimes even months, and that made me love them, cause thats when you get in the athmosphere.
Oh yeah, the camera was irritating a few times and yeah, CRAETS!!!111!!
Title: Re:Broken Sword is AMAZiNG
Post by: Dave Gilbert on Sun 30/11/2003 23:16:36
Just finished the game.  Darn cool!  It's been a long time since a commercial adventure game had me grinning so much.  I didn't want it to end, which is rare in my case.  

I never cared much for either George or Nico in the other two games.  but I enjoyed their antics this time around.  I guess it's because they finally get to interact with each other, as opposed to acting seperately like in the other two games.  

And the dialog!  Oh, the dialog.  I was in heaven.  The characters talk alot, but they don't ramble (as in, say, Longest Journey).  They have this wonderful snappy back-talk thing going on, and I eat that stuff up.  ("Very subtle, George."  "If you want subtle, sister, you gotta pay extra.")  

Only small two gripes:  
1 - the crates.  Gah!  What a pain.  Did George study crate pushing in law school?  There were too many of these puzzles.
2 - The "stealth" elements.  This was a bit of a joke.  You'd be right in front of the guard and he wouldn't see you.    It DID create some tension to some scenes, but it wasn't done very well.

I liked the 3D. It added a lot to this atmosphere of the game.  I definitely think 3D is the future of commercial adventure gaming, if done well.  Adventures are about exploration, after all.  

Bravo, Revolution.  Can't wait to see more.
Title: Re:Broken Sword is AMAZiNG
Post by: n00bie on Mon 01/12/2003 02:40:05
Awful game which isn't a patch on the first two.

Not to mention the infuriating bug outside the castle in Prague which puts you in an eternal loop of being shot, restarting in that exact position again, and being shot straight away before you can even do anything.