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| Thread: Warlock: Master of the Arcane demo, full in 1 week 4d |  This thread is pages long: 1 2 · NEXT» |
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B0rsuk
Promising
Famous Hero
DooM prophet
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posted April 27, 2012 07:04 PM |
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Edited by B0rsuk at 19:25, 27 Apr 2012.
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Warlock: Master of the Arcane demo, full in 1 week 4d
Demo:
http://store.steampowered.com/app/203630/
Full version in 1 week 4 days as of this writing.
Go ahead, and play it. It's a fantasy turn-based strategy game looking like a cross-breed of Civilization V(Hex based) and Master of Magic. Stop talking about Mass Effect 3, Diablo III and other irrelevant crap.
almost 40 minutes of gameplay video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=0ydHz7X4GF8
"WTF is Warlock: Master of the Arcane" by Total Biscuit
For those who haven't played Master of Magic, it's a very old classic. A game that started out as a "fantasy Civilization" has became a class of its own. MoM and W:MotA have several things in common:
- lots and lots of spells
- a long tech tree, which is actually magic spell research
- many spells work on adventure map (in case of Warlock, all of them because there's no tactical combat)
- randomly generated worlds
- multiple parallel planes. MoM had 2, Heroes had 2 (with underworld), Warlock can have up to 5 additional planes.
- you play as a powerful mage and you have detailed customization options. You select your magical powers and independently of that, a race (only 3 in Warlock but they differ significantly).
For better or worse, Warlock doesn't have heroes. Yet units gain levels making them much better, and you can choose which bonuses they get.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5um8QWWRvo RSA Animate - Smile or die
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B0rsuk
Promising
Famous Hero
DooM prophet
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posted April 27, 2012 09:58 PM |
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Shameless bump. This is a forum of people who play a fantasy turn-based strategy game. Warlock is such a game. Go play it. Or else.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5um8QWWRvo RSA Animate - Smile or die
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Minion
Legendary Hero
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posted April 27, 2012 10:29 PM |
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Downloading the demo right now, might be good  Thanks for the heads-up!
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"These friends probably started using condoms after having produced the most optimum amount of offsprings. Kudos to them for showing at least some restraint" - Tsar-ivor
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Elodin
Promising
Legendary Hero
Free Thinker
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posted May 02, 2012 07:27 AM |
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I only listened to a few minutes of Total Biscuit's review. The game company also made the Majesty series, which I enjoy. Majesty 1&2 are real time fantasy strategy/simulation games.
I'll be getting the game, as if I have time to play all the games I have now. Maybe it is time to speed up my plans to retire....
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Revelation
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B0rsuk
Promising
Famous Hero
DooM prophet
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posted May 02, 2012 09:12 AM |
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Edited by B0rsuk at 09:19, 02 May 2012.
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Quote:
Majesty 1&2 are real time fantasy strategy/simulation games.
They also developed two turn-based strategy games played on hexes:
- Fantasy Wars (2007)
- Elven Legacy (2009)
For reference, Civ 5 came out in 2010. So 1C definitely have experience developing TBS games.
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Some more videos:
- a presentation of a game played on Impossible. Lots of stuff happening everywhere:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bZVrD6i12k
An older video, played as Monsters (not available in demo)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zoM7lvntgI
Robbers, goblins, ratmen etc. Played in low detail.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5um8QWWRvo RSA Animate - Smile or die
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SKPRIMUS
Promising
Supreme Hero
The One and the Prime
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posted May 02, 2012 03:55 PM |
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Quote:
Shameless bump. This is a forum of people who play a fantasy turn-based strategy game. Warlock is such a game. Go play it. Or else.
You bump your own thread after a few hours? I watched most of that long video - most looks very nice but I surely don't remember MoM battles between units being as bad as that! Seems like a big minus there.
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Hope defeats despair - "a blatant clue"
too many idiots in VW
"to lose is to win, and he who wins shall lose"
bashing orcus 
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yasmiel
Supreme Hero
Former Chessmaster
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posted May 03, 2012 12:57 AM |
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I gave the demo a try and I had alot of fun (though a mob of vampires was harassing my poor warriors and hunters in early game).
It certainly is fun from both Majesty fan and TBS fan perspective.
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Jackson
Known Hero
Random Spirit Lover
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posted May 06, 2012 12:08 AM |
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After watching a bit of the video, I downloaded the demo. It was decent, but I guess I didn't get out of it what I was hoping for. The various menus in he video are gorgeous though.
What is it that you guys like about it?
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Jackson
Known Hero
Random Spirit Lover
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posted May 09, 2012 10:01 PM |
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No replies? That's interesting. I was looking forward to hearing more detailed responses on what you guys think of this game, particularly its merits.
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B0rsuk
Promising
Famous Hero
DooM prophet
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posted May 09, 2012 11:23 PM |
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Edited by B0rsuk at 23:24, 09 May 2012.
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Minion
Legendary Hero
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posted May 09, 2012 11:27 PM |
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I actually like it, but only because it fits to it's price of 20€ or so. It definatly is not much, for a great enjoyment. I am unsure yet will I keep playing it for a long time, but for that price, in my mind I have already won. Having the blast playing it
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"These friends probably started using condoms after having produced the most optimum amount of offsprings. Kudos to them for showing at least some restraint" - Tsar-ivor
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B0rsuk
Promising
Famous Hero
DooM prophet
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posted May 10, 2012 08:25 AM |
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Edited by B0rsuk at 08:30, 10 May 2012.
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You should read this review and comments following the article.
http://www.quartertothree.com/fp/2012/05/07/does-warlock-master-of-the-arcane-understand-the-art-of-war/
Highlights - unusually good tactical AI (short term), but bad as usual long term AI. The game is constant war, much like Heroes and city building only serves to produce more/better military units.
My interpretation: the game suffers from "Nox Curse". Nox was an action game which looked quite a bit like Diablo 2, and it was released very close to Diablo 2. There are great differences between Nox and Diablo - Nox doesn't have random loot, toHit chance (you hit by aiming well), dodge chance (you dodge by moving out of the way), blocking chance (you block by raising your shield in time). Nox has separate mouse buttons for movement and attack.
Back to Warlock. Warlock looks deceptively like Civilization 5, but is much more war oriented. Warlock doesn't even pretend to be a simulation.
The game seems quite balanced, a bit on the bland side because there isn't that much creativity among spells or units. However, it looks like it will be a great multiplayer game, unlike Heroes III.
In any case, Warlock is only $20.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5um8QWWRvo RSA Animate - Smile or die
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Tsar-Ivor
Promising
Legendary Hero
Scourge of God
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posted May 10, 2012 02:34 PM |
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Quote:
Warlock looks deceptively like Civilization 5, but is much more war oriented
And there's the big minus, war, I much prefer a game where I have a choice between war and peace. That's why I adore Ceasar 3. You build armies to protect your city and their population, and not the other way round.
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"No laughs were had. There is only shame and sadness." Jenny
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B0rsuk
Promising
Famous Hero
DooM prophet
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posted May 14, 2012 11:01 AM |
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Edited by B0rsuk at 11:02, 14 May 2012.
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Adrius
Honorable
Undefeatable Hero
Stand and fight!
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posted May 14, 2012 03:09 PM |
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Quote:
I think they prefer games with shinier graphics. It doesn't matter a lot that Warlock is a fantasy turn-based strategy game like HOMM. Mass Effect, Skyrim, Diablo 3 are shinier.
Or it's because we're not limited to simply one kinda genre.
And that Mass Effect, Skyrim and Diablo 3 are all fricking awesome games in their own right, despite being mainstream and shiny.
Personally I'm keeping my eyes on Elemental: Fallen Enchantress for my fix of turn-based fantasy.
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Jackson
Known Hero
Random Spirit Lover
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posted May 14, 2012 06:04 PM |
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BOrsuk, I'm surprised you don't play it. Thanks for spreading the word about it anyway! I wish I could hear more about the positive features it has. If you ever get the chance to upgrade your system and get this game, be sure to post a little review for it here, will you?
Adrius, what's the deal with Elemental: Fallen Enchantress?
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B0rsuk
Promising
Famous Hero
DooM prophet
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posted May 14, 2012 07:53 PM |
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I need new hardware. And that's not happening until I get a job. It's not the best time to be looking for a job, but it's better than the alternative.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5um8QWWRvo RSA Animate - Smile or die
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Adrius
Honorable
Undefeatable Hero
Stand and fight!
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posted May 14, 2012 07:55 PM |
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Edited by Adrius at 19:57, 14 May 2012.
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@Jackson: It's hopefully gonna be like Galactic Civilizations 2 but in a fantasy world.
What's great about Stardock's games is how you can create your own race, culture, units and heroes and stuff. I'm a sucker for stuff like that, writing up your own lore and ****.
I'm not too fond of the overly cel-shaded artstyle, but other than that it looks pretty cool, and they're working really hard at the game.
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Jackson
Known Hero
Random Spirit Lover
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posted May 14, 2012 09:31 PM |
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Edited by Jackson at 21:34, 14 May 2012.
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BOrsuk, I wish you the absolute best of luck in finding a job! Not only because you usually have an interesting perspective on games and I wish I could hear your first-hand verdict on Warlock, but also because I'm in the same boat of needing a job and an income.
Adrius, I'm intrigued. I watched a preview and agree that the graphics aren't very pleasing, but I don't yet know anything about the gameplay mechanics. Can you link me to a good article or video where I can learn more about what this game's all about?
As far as graphics are concerned, I prefer Warlock's over Elemental's. However, initially, I do like the art direction of Elemental's. Of course graphics aren't nearly as important as game mechanics to me. Nor is art direction, as enjoyable as the art in a game can be. It's still the game mechanics that I'm by far most interested in.
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Adrius
Honorable
Undefeatable Hero
Stand and fight!
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posted May 14, 2012 11:07 PM |
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Edited by Adrius at 09:27, 15 May 2012.
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I've never really been a "gameplay vs graphics" kinda guy... I'm more about atmosphere, which can only be achieved when art, sound and gameplay is in unison.
Dunno that many trailers and articles, but here's some I found through some random searches.
Combat dev. diary
Magic dev. diary
IGN article
Gamespy article (good one)
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