Leylines: help playtest a strategy game

[Radiant]

For the past several years, I've been working on a strategy game called Leylines. This even predates ATOTK, but it's had a few breaks in development; this is one of those projects that seem to last forever, but now it's finally getting close. It's turn-based and fantasy-themed, and quite extensive. With over 150 units and 90 spells, there's a lot of strategy to be explored. Several artists have contributed background art and hero portraits, as well as a catchy soundtrack.

There's seven playable races with unique buildings, units, and flavor text; from the stoic Dwarves with their trained spiders, to the enigmatic shapeshifting Theria. And there's terrain to take into account, like poisonous swamps, lakes that freeze during winter, and undead troops that cannot cross running water.

So anyway. I realize this is quite a different genre than adventure gaming; nevertheless there is a whole forum here of creative and artistic people. So if this sounds interesting, give it a shot and tell me what you think, or what to improve, or other feedback.

It's not written in AGS, which is why I'm posting in this board rather than GIP; I used C++ since I didn't know AGS back when I started this. It runs under Windows, and a Linux build is under construction. The game is freeware, and should easily run on older systems.

Download * More info * Screenshots

[Anian]

So this is like a cross between Heroes of M&M and Civilization? Sounds interesting. Will try tomorrow.

[Fusiomax]

hi im downloading it as i type i will get back to you asap.

just quickly what did you use to compile and debug it?

Fusiomax

[tzachs]

Wow, this looks amazing! Looks like you did a whole lot of work...
I tried it just for a few minutes since I didn't have much time now, but already I have some comments:

* It looks like the quick start doesn't work for me, it keeps saying "map is too small".

* The background images seem many times unrelated to what they suppose to portray, like a couple hugging when you view the soldiers details, the stars in the play game menu, and some other stuff...

* There's also seem to be a mixing of different graphical styles, which is a bit weird on the eye (high color and pixelated).

* The structure of the boxes inside the cities is not symmetric...

* When I quit the game it crashes (to reproduce: start new game in one player, accept all default, then abort game and quit)...

[Radiant]

just quickly what did you use to compile and debug it?

Visual C++ with DirectX.

Wow, this looks amazing! Looks like you did a whole lot of work...

Thank you!

I tried it just for a few minutes since I didn't have much time now, but already I have some comments:

Hm, I'll look into that. The different art styles are the result of employing various artists, though.

* When I quit the game it crashes (to reproduce: start new game in one player, accept all default, then abort game and quit)...

That works fine for me. What windows version and directX version do you have?

[tzachs]

That works fine for me. What windows version and directX version do you have?

Windows XP Professional + DirectX 9.0c

[Nikolas]

First of all congratulations on the release! (even if it's for play testing purposes).

I have to say that I didn't spend too much time (a little more than the tutorial) but I found the game solid, if only a little too complicated (not for me personally, but overall). Too many choices, too many things to remember.

The one grip I could mention is the graphics. Too "loud" that get annoying after a while, with bold colours, a font that is readable (on a 22" screen), but not enough to make the experience a nice one, over a red background...

Nothing crashed, nothing was in trouble. Windows XP, 32-bit, SP3, Direct X 9

[Jasmine]

I'm having a lot of trouble getting into this game.  It's the type of game I really like, but it seems like there are too many controls and they are not always explained fully, which prevents me from really being able to have fun with it.  Some points:

*The terrain art doesn't really look like terrain to me.  The colors are too unnatural, which makes it hard to figure out what it's representing.

* The description bar at the bottom of the screen is way too small and the color makes it hard for me to read the description.  (This may be part of why I'm having trouble figuring the game out.)

* Your 'old english' font is hard to read.

* All of your description boxes are too small.  I especially noticed this on the screen to choose your god.  There's a ton of open space, but you have to look in a teeny-tiny box to read the god's description.  To make it even worse, there's no indication of which god's description you are reading (the god's name isn't at the top of the box and the name isn't highlighted in the list of gods).

* I really dislike the music, especially the title screen music.  It's way too modern sounding for my tastes, given that this is a fantasy game.

* I'd suggest using "Menu" instead of "Files" for accessing the save/restore/quit menu.  It took me a really long time to figure out how to quit the game.

* I personally found some of the tutorial tips' wording off-putting.  This may be just me, though.
--- I never like games that say "Let's try [action]." as it always seems like something you'd say to a young child.  I prefer "Now click on [button]." as it is simple instructions.
--- One that really annoyed me was: "Right-click on their icons.  That means the icons at the right of the screen, not the one on the map." Again, it felt like the game was talking down to me (I can't really put my finger on why, unfortunately). Much better would be "Right-click on their icons on the right of the screen (not the ones on the map)."

* I also was unable to start a game using the quickstart button.

Sorry this is so negative; I really like the concept!  I just wish I could get into the game 

[Radiant]

Hm, those are good points. Let me think on this for a bit.

[Crimson Wizard]

I actually downloaded and played this a little about a half of a year ago.
Don't remember much, except for the font that was terribly tough to read.