Topic: Titan Quest is pretty cool.

[Pugnate]

Been playing for a couple of hours now, and the graphics are quite good. It is obviously a Diablo clone, and for the most part gets it right, though the gameplay is even simpler than Diablo!!! Which is insane considering there is a five year time difference. But a lot of important little  things from Diablo are missing. You would think Titan Quest would be a more advanced version of Diablo, but it isn't, at least in terms of gameplay and interface.

There is also a distinct lack of oooomph in the combat. It isn't bad, but not very impressive. Still it is highly addictive, and I hear it gets a lot better.

[Quemaqua]

The Vede was all over it a while ago on PCG.  And he's a Diablo 2 whore.

[Pugnate]

Yea he gave it 84%.

He is a Diablo whore, and whenever there is a decent game similar to Diablo he loves it. I remember how he loved Sacred.

[Xessive]

Yea he gave it 84%.

He is a Diablo whore, and whenever there is a decent game similar to Diablo he loves it. I remember how he loved Sacred.

Did he love Blade and Sword? This game is basically Diablo with an Oriental twist.

[Quemaqua]

Pretty sure that one didn't review well... anywhere.

[Xessive]

Pretty sure that one didn't review well... anywhere.

Oh yeah, it did pretty bad overall The funny thing is every time I played Diablo I wanted to be a ninja or a samurai at least. B&S (pardon the pun) satisfied that knack for me, but it pretty much sucked at everything else.

The good part is that the game helped me realize how much I hate dungeon crawls and relentless monsters endlessly coming at me. The only part of a dungeon crawl I enjoy is the anticipation of clearing the dungeon/cavern and coming out alive. I actually feel a little claustrophobic in them too, even though I'm not actually in one.

[Pugnate]

Oh man this game just got a whole lot better. That lack of depth in the skill tree? Scratch that. Once you hit level 8 you are able to invest in another skill line, and the game just gets so much cooler.

There are 8 skill lines if I remember correctly, including DEFENSE, OFFENSE, Woodsmen, Nature etc.

I started out as a woodsmen basically investing in archery and throwing net traps etc until I hit level 8. I then proceeded to invest some points in nature, and went from woodsmen to ranger in the process. I have actually been playing this for the past six hours, which is something I haven't done in ages. Of course having an actual system to play on helps, but I am loving this.

Also if you start out in Defense you are basically a brick wall. One of those warriors with a big shield who knows who to cover a party.

Anyone into the Diablo games as much as I was definitely needs to own this game. If you find it for $25 it is certainly worth it. Especially for those of you on the forums who can coordinate to get a game online. It is so worth it.

Here are some screenies, that are pretty big I must warn.

http://cc.1asphost.com/Pugnate/Titan%20Quest%2002.JPG
http://cc.1asphost.com/Pugnate/Titan%20Quest%2007.JPG
http://cc.1asphost.com/Pugnate/Titan%20Quest%2008.JPG

[Quemaqua]

It's definitely pretty.  I remember wanting it before just because it was pretty, heh.

[Pugnate]

Holy FUCK!


I mean it takes a long while, but the skills are really warming up. For example my ensnare skill would basically be used as a projectile to trap enemies in position. I'd use it on the really tough mofos of a group so that I could take them out with my bow or have my wolves do the job. You can further deepen the ensnare skill so that it stays on longer and hurts a bit more, but you can also develop it to include thorns in the traps... this way when the bastards struggle, they bleed.

I just had a kick ass little battle with a cyclops. Check it out:

http://cc.1asphost.com/Pugnate/Titan%20Quest%2011.JPG

[Pugnate]

I have a theory as to why there was a lack of oomph earlier. I think it was to give the more powerful weapons more dramatic impact later. Right now I've got a wonderful bow that already came with fire damage and then I modified it to give it further fire power, and the impacts sound like bombs going off!

Plus there is hardly any bleeding, but when it happens it looks brutal. My wolf have just gained the ability to maul, and it looks sweet.

Here is something with blood on impact:

http://cc.1asphost.com/Pugnate/Titan%20Quest%2014.JPG

Here is a very pretty night screenie:

http://cc.1asphost.com/Pugnate/Titan%20Quest%2012.JPG

[MysterD]

For those who played this, do you like this better than Dungeon Siege 1 and 2? How would they compare??? How is the interface and all???

I did like DS2 (took a while to really get going on the story and gameplay, though...) -- though, I really liked the DS2: Broken World expansion, even more so.

So, I am curious about this one...

Oh....how are the quests? Are there a lot???

[Pugnate]

Oh this is so much freaking' better. This game deserves an 85% score at least, and the only review that was on target was PC GAMER. I've never seen a game reviewed so well, and yet scored so low. Everyone says,"Oh well it is lots of fun, but it isn't original". I think the main purpose of a game is to be fun, and originality is overrated.

There are tons of quests, and the game play is really engaging. You know what? At first I was really impressed with Dungeon Siege's system of not investing in skills but rather having them improve as you use them? But as realistic as that is, it takes out the immersion factor.

This game is basically Diablo in a nice lovely engine. It is quite polished.

[MysterD]

Interesting.

I like the sounds of the expansion, too. They are adding like EIGHT new classes! That's a lot for a NEW game, nevermind an expansion pack!

I wonder this: are there plans of them releasing a Titan Quest: Gold Edition Box w/ the original game and the expansion together???

[Pugnate]

I can imagine D's heaven... full of non linear games and expansions released in neat little packages that are DVD only. 

D you should go for Titan Quest if you find a decent deal.

[MysterD]

Are there lots of unique loot to find in this game?

That is truly one thing I really liked about say the NWN games and especially Dungeon Siege games -- just the amounts of unique loot are huge, always having you to come back for more.

[Xessive]

When I played it, I remember there were loads of loot and unique items. You could even enhance some weapons and armour. And there are sets to collect, which can give you bonuses when you wear them together. Very diverse loot.

[Pugnate]

Yes D, just like Diablo there is plenty of unique loot. In fact I think there is a bit too much unique stuff heh.

The modification system is pretty cool. You find shards/artifacts that you can use for modifications. But once you use a certain shard/artifact for a modification, you can only use that type of modificatin again, so you have to wait to find other identical shards/artifacts. You are also restricted in the number of times you can modify. Once you hit that limit, you get a nice bonus.

For example you can use shards of turtle shells to modify your shield to add to the defense number. Once you apply five turtle shards, you get a strength bonus. Each modification item/artifact is meant to be used with a specific piece of arsenal. For example the turtle shells can be used with shields, while a Zeus's lightning artifact can be used with weapons. Most of the artifacts you find are for weapons, though you will find plenty for armor, rings as well as shields.

D, the game is very different from NWN. It is even a bit different from Dungeon Siege, especially in the interface and visual perspective. While Dungeon Siege had some strategy in its gameplay, it didn't have a lot of immersion in its stats system.

Titan Quest has a very cool tech tree, and is quite involving. The pacing is pretty good, though some parts can stretch. Huge game though.

[MysterD]

I see EB.com and BestBuy.com got the TQ: DVD Edition listed for $20 now.....

[idolminds]

Thats a good deal...damnit I dont want to spend any more money! Must...resist.....

[Pugnate]

For $20 that's a lot of game to play.

[idolminds]

Shut up! Get out of my wallet head!

[Pugnate]

haha.. well keep it in mind when you have the green to spend. There is so much of the same thing that I am playing it in four goes. Each act is like one game or something for me. I've just done one act and am taking a break from it.

[MysterD]

haha.. well keep it in mind when you have the green to spend. There is so much of the same thing that I am playing it in four goes. Each act is like one game or something for me. I've just done one act and am taking a break from it.

You make it sound the game takes like 60 hours or more.

[MysterD]

Shut up! Get out of my wallet head!

I wonder if they will release a Deluxe Edition w/ the original campaign and the expansion pack together in one box....

[MysterD]

When I played it, I remember there were loads of loot and unique items. You could even enhance some weapons and armour. And there are sets to collect, which can give you bonuses when you wear them together. Very diverse loot.

X, how did you like this game, overall...?

[MysterD]

I looked at the screenies; looks nice, Puggy.

The interface on the bottom of the screen looks good, too.

Oh --- does this game have party members??? Or is it you against an army of 9000???

[idolminds]

Its 1 vs 100 with Bob Saget.

D, did you ever play Diablo? Its like that with a Greek setting.

If you never played Diablo then this thread ends here and you march out and buy it.

[Quemaqua]

D doesn't like Diablo.

[idolminds]

...how is that even possible?

[Quemaqua]

Too, uh... linear?

[gpw11]

Is Diablo really that great?  I played the demo of Diablo 2 and to be honest I wasn't all that impressed.

[Pugnate]

Yes this is basically Diablo.

Also you are either addicted to Diablo or not. I find it hard to explain to infidels err.. friends why I love it so much. I got so addicted to it, that I actually missed work once. Now that I think about it, I feel ashamed.

[Quemaqua]

Diablo 2 is one of the greatest games ever made.  You have to get to a certain point where you understand what's so great, though.  If you just sit down and play for five minutes you probably won't get it.  The addiction comes almost entirely from building your character and watching how that lets you slaughter more things.

[Pugnate]

I looked at the screenies; looks nice, Puggy.

The interface on the bottom of the screen looks good, too.

Oh --- does this game have party members??? Or is it you against an army of 9000???

I think it is eight hours per act buddy. Unfortunately no party members, but yes the interface is quite good.

[MysterD]

For those who own Titan Quest: CD Edition, how many discs does that actually come on....?

I know there is a DVD Ed out there....


EDIT:
I found out how many CD's it comes on.....

7) Q: I bought the DVD version, but I don’t have a DVD player.

A: Please contact THQ to arrange to exchange the product for the CD (5 Disc) version of Titan Quest.

5 CD's?!?!?!

That's crazy talk....

[Quemaqua]

5 CDs isn't that many, D.  Games commonly come on 5 CDs these days.  You probably own at least 3 or 4 on so many.

[idolminds]

Far Cry came on that many if I'm not mistaken. 5CDs is about the norm now.

<rant>Fuck, what is with leaving DVD releases to collectors editions and charging $10+ more for it? Collectors editions are about the extras like cloth maps and figurines and shit. Both the regular release and collectors should be on DVD now. If you can afford a $300 videocard to play current PC titles you can bloody well afford a $30 DVD drive for christs sake.</rant>

[MysterD]

5 CDs isn't that many, D.  Games commonly come on 5 CDs these days.  You probably own at least 3 or 4 on so many.

X3: Reunion is on 6 CD's. Major blah.
Dreamfall was on 6 CD's. Yuck!
Far Cry's on 5 CD's. Ick.
Psychonauts was on 5 CD's.
Riddick was on like 4 or 5 CD's; can't recall....don't feel like looking.
SW: KOTOR 1 and 2 were on 4 CD's.
GRAW PC is on 4 CD's.
Vamp: BL was on 4 CD's.
DS2 was on 4 CD's.
Fable: TLC was on 4 CD's.

Yuh, this trend is TOO common, these days....especially since DVD drives are only like $30 to put in.....

<rant>Fuck, what is with leaving DVD releases to collectors editions and charging $10+ more for it? Collectors editions are about the extras like cloth maps and figurines and shit.

They want you to opt for the Collector's Ed for $10 more, that's why.

They want you to realize that not only are you getting the game on DVD w/ the Collector's Ed, but look at this -- more extra stuff!!! Oh, wow..... 

Both the regular release and collectors should be on DVD now.

Agreed.

NWN2 did the right thing. The standard edition was on CD and DVD.
There was also a collector's ed that put the game on DVD and gave other extra stuff....
That's the way it should be done!

Actually, let's go a step further here. Oblivion did it right. Standard and Collector's Editions are on DVD PERIOD. END of STORY.

If you can afford a $300 videocard to play current PC titles you can bloody well afford a $30 DVD drive for christs sake.</rant>

Amen, Idol! I agree. Preach it, brother.

4 or 5 CD's is NOT as expensive for publishers to put a game on as opposed to one DVD, right?

[MysterD]

Its 1 vs 100 with Bob Saget.

D, did you ever play Diablo? Its like that with a Greek setting.

I got the original Diablo.

Never got D2, b/c I was not impressed w/ D1's SP. It was okay, but nothing special to me. Though, the MP portion was give -- let's give the devil his due on the MP; I played MP a lot w/ others; that was much better than playing the SP. I finished the SP, but it didn't do much for me.

Though, after trying recent action-RPG's, I did like Dungeon Siege 1 and 2 -- and those games are action crazy. I own Sacred, but ain't began it -- I want to get Sacred: Underworld; that succubus class sounds....different....I did like Divine Divinity -- and that game is loaded w/ action, but DD is also quite open w/ the gameworld and has loads of side quests.

If I do get TQ and like TQ, maybe -- maybe I should give D2 a chance, someday...for the right price....

[MysterD]

My copy of Titan Quest: DVD-ROM Edition arrived today.
YAY!!!!