Blackguards :: Progress update 1
Assigned by PaterAlf
I have played the game for a few days after I was kindly suggested to play it. So far I like all The Dark Eye games and I was excited to try Blackguards. For some unholy and unknown reason I used to treat this game like a behemoth, as if it was too big for my taste. Can't really explain the feeling. But... Thank you, PaterAlf!
My expectations were starting to fulfill themselves from the very beginning of the game. Laptop could run it nicely, without a lag and without starting to heat too much. Then it was the appearance of the game, the looks. From the first gaze I was heavily reminded of Drakensang games. Those are beautiful! If you guys ever get your hands on Drakensang, play it or at least, try it. No regrets, only sometimes it will feel like pain to run a long way to fetch something and sometimes combat can prove too much challenging.
Back to Blackguards... It reminded me of Drakensang - the mood, the looks, even the character's appearance and the way they sound. Creating a character, I chose expert mode as I am familiar with the sort and if possible, I love to make my own decisions. Even if they turn out to be bad. I chose to have the ability to wield magic. Chose to wield stave (staff?) and one handed sword. I thought that in case of close combat, I would switch to sword and shave enemy's beard. By the way, I did not know how the combat was to be played...
Game started. The first visual scene (do you call it cut scene?) left me surprised, interested, a lot of mystery and I became sort of a framed criminal, seeking revenge. The game started in prison from which I was supposed to run away. What I was surprised and still don't understand, is WHY did I have to choose my starting gear at character creation if I never got a chance to use it?! Anyway, a dwarf busted me out, I got somewhat familiar on how to play turn based combat. Also I realized that there are formulas and random rolls that my actions depend on. In other words, I always see a percentage of success to land any attack. And this percentage can be manipulated by changing my distance from the enemy (depends on what weapon I use), changing the weapon and many other things. I also learned that changing a weapon in combat (I can have three sets ready) costs me a turn, so most of the times it is NOT effective. And then I realized that my choice to wield sword was a bust.
In combat it is also possible (not always) to use surroundings for my advantage. Depending on what is present in the battlefield, I may hide behind a tall object, so that enemies with ranged attack could not shoot me or would miss more easily, but same applies for my attacks. I may also turn tables to provide some cover. If there are stacked wooden boxes on top of each other, I may drop them to the side and thus, I might even get an enemy (or myself) trapped under them. Or I may crash them boxes, so my path would be free. If I crash the boxes with a torch or fire magic, they will burn. Anyone who steps on them, takes damage. Some things (most of the times), like rocks of various size, can't be moved, but they still can prove useful. You would encounter a wood troll from time to time and that bastard takes not one square to walk on, but seven. So I may run through thin passages and the troll would have to go around. THere are many more things that might be on battlefield. Bee hives, swamps that you or enemy can get stuck into, swamp that explode if fire touches them (deals massive damage), just ponds of water that if a person steps onto, he slips, treasure chests, mushrooms to collect, some other interactive things.
Enemies are very different. So it always requires you to use your wit to get ready and then make a good strategy as the combat progresses. Strategy and abilities means a lot. After every battle you get some sort of reward. You may take it or not. You may take more things than you can endure to carry, but in combat you would have a penalty for moving. In towns you can always heal yourself, heal injuries and sell stuff. If certain NPCs are available. I tend to visit the city after almost every combat. Because every point of health, every point of mana, everything is precious, no matter what you fight. And healing yourself in town is MUCH cheaper and more effective than buying health potions and healing yourself in combat.
Story is involving, characters are amazing. They have strong personalities and believe me, as the game progresses, your point of view on each character will change like the wind.
By the way, after I got familiar with the combat and my skills, I restarted the game from beginning. This time I chose to master staves (staffs) and bows. Still with magical abilities.
That is it for now. I shall make another progress update after I play more.
Cheers!
