Dungeon Siege III - March 20

[cyniclaus]

EDIT: Release Date Now May 31

This is looking very Diablo-esque, like Champions of Norrath... especially the loot system and the isometric POV with ability to zoom way out.

http://www.amazon.com/Dungeon-Siege-...4862315&sr=8-2

Youtube from NY Comicon:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZ0ErJYHS7Q

I've been looking for a Diablo-style game on PS3 forever and the best we've got so far was Sacred 2. DS3 looks much more promising in this regard than Dragon Age 2 or Two Worlds 2

[awongus]

Originally Posted by cyniclaus

I've been looking for a Diablo-style game on PS3 forever and the best we've got so far was Sacred 2.

2 words: Demon's Souls. Essentially Diablo with a 3rd person perspective. Best PS3 game of 2009...maybe ever.

[BlackMamba]

Originally Posted by awongus

2 words: Demon's Souls. Essentially Diablo with a 3rd person perspective. Best PS3 game of 2009...maybe ever.

agreed, Demon's Souls is really good.

I have high hopes for Dungeon Seige III. I heard the other two were pretty good. Might as well pick it up... otherwise, you'll probably have to wait a year+ for Diablo 3!

[cyniclaus]

I tried Demon's Souls, and it is a good game in it's own right, but it is really nothing like Diablo other than being an action-based RPG. For one thing, there is no randomization...each level is always exactly the same with the same enemies in the same place. Trying to get through a level was basically just memorizing the path you have to take and figuring out the tactics for each enemy encounter....way too much repetition and trial and error for my liking, especially since they make you replay the entire level every time you make a mistake. I also prefer playing ranged or spellcasters, but Demon's Souls forces you to be melee initially.

I also vastly prefer the isometric viewpoint of games like Diablo, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Dungeon Siege, Sacred, Champions of Norrath, Titan's Quest, Bard's Tale, etc... Just being able to see the whole battlespace makes a huge difference and you don't have all the viewpoint-related problems with being surprised by enemies or obstacles that you can't see. Nothing more frustrating to me than playing a 1st-person game and you're getting hurt but you can't tell by what or from where. I know playing in 1st-person is more "realistic" and is the direction most games are going nowadays, but to me it adds more frustration than fun.

[Samus Aran]

Sweet. Just in time to coincide with Uwe Boll's Dungeon Siege 2 movie!!!

[hellmonkey]

Looking forward to trying it. I just signed up for gamefly, and this was one of the games I added. Iz too poor to buy every game I want to play.

[cyniclaus]

This game will be the second of it's type on PS3 (after Sacred 2) to allow "couch co-op", meaning two players (on the same team) simultaneously on the same console...your friend or significant other can drop in and out of the game whenever they want.

[Uxi]

Originally Posted by Samus Aran

Sweet. Just in time to coincide with Uwe Boll's Dungeon Siege 2 movie!!!

You. Bastard.











Hmm... does Demon Soul's have trophies?

[dk3dknight]

The thing that scares me is the devs from 1 and 2 are not developing 3, they have allowed another company to develop it but there not selling the ip, there lending it..

A company not really known for making dungeon siege style games.. through knowledgable on rpgs but a different kind.

I have no idea why the devs did that but I wonder if it was from pressure from the publisher... 2k.

In fact DS2 Broken worlds expansion pack was there technically last game done by gas powered, it seems the psp game was even made by another dev.

Well heres me crossing my fingers.

[cyniclaus]

Originally Posted by dk3dknight

A company not really known for making dungeon siege style games.. through knowledgable on rpgs but a different kind.

Yeah, Square Enix is obviously most known for the Final Fantasy games and they admit to taking on this project in part to show that they can do action as well. They mention during a demo that they are working hard to put a good story into the game, since that is what their reputation is based on...I just really hope that doesn't come at the expense of gameplay. I mean, if I want a good story I'll watch a movie FFS

[Icemage]

Originally Posted by dk3dknight

The thing that scares me is the devs from 1 and 2 are not developing 3, they have allowed another company to develop it but there not selling the ip, there lending it..

A company not really known for making dungeon siege style games.. through knowledgable on rpgs but a different kind.

I have no idea why the devs did that but I wonder if it was from pressure from the publisher... 2k.

In fact DS2 Broken worlds expansion pack was there technically last game done by gas powered, it seems the psp game was even made by another dev.

Well heres me crossing my fingers.

As someone who spent an inordinate (read: 2+ years) modding Dungeon Siege 1 (because it was so horribly flawed) and was disappointed thoroughly with DS2, I'd say handing the IP off to someone else can't really hurt the franchise much.

Even so, I'd keep expectations in check for this. I've seen no gameplay trailers or much of anything else for this game.

EDIT: I got curious and so did a little digging. Apparently Gas Powered Games sold the rights to the Dungeon Siege franchise to Square-Enix, who then subcontracted Dungeon Siege III to Obsidian Entertainment (who most recently worked on Fallout: New Vegas). That's reason to be cautiously optimistic about this title - Obsidian certainly knows their way around isometric 3rd person RPGs since they worked on Neverwinter Nights 2.

[dk3dknight]

Originally Posted by cyniclaus

Yeah, Square Enix is obviously most known for the Final Fantasy games and they admit to taking on this project in part to show that they can do action as well. They mention during a demo that they are working hard to put a good story into the game, since that is what their reputation is based on...I just really hope that doesn't come at the expense of gameplay. I mean, if I want a good story I'll watch a movie FFS

Dungeon siege was always about mindless violence which is why it was so popular it was flawed game, easy to pick up, easy to learn, but required great time to master. That I believe was the draw.

DS2 tried something silly and tried to desperatly insert a plot and added more brutal violence odd enough I prefer the Legend of Arana personally.

Obsidian does have there pedigree in making western rpgs, I just feel they are the opposite guys to do a mindless adventure game.

Originally Posted by Icemage

As someone who spent an inordinate (read: 2+ years) modding Dungeon Siege 1 (because it was so horribly flawed) and was disappointed thoroughly with DS2, I'd say handing the IP off to someone else can't really hurt the franchise much.

Even so, I'd keep expectations in check for this. I've seen no gameplay trailers or much of anything else for this game.

EDIT: I got curious and so did a little digging. Apparently Gas Powered Games sold the rights to the Dungeon Siege franchise to Square-Enix, who then subcontracted Dungeon Siege III to Obsidian Entertainment (who most recently worked on Fallout: New Vegas). That's reason to be cautiously optimistic about this title - Obsidian certainly knows their way around isometric 3rd person RPGs since they worked on Neverwinter Nights 2.

Nice find I retract some of my statements I hadn't relized that gas powered would do something silly like that.

Originally there publisher was microsoft then it was 2k then square.. I guess I need to read more up on what lead to that.

Obsidian Entertainment's history as working with kotor and neverwinter nights 2 is also a double edged sword there familiarity with building games using d&d rulesets are not really compatible with high octane rps like dungeon siege.

Alpha Protocal kinda offers a saving grace showing d&d being stretched into a more action role by Obsidian Entertainment, which gives me a little hope that they can pull it off.

I admit I played alot of the original ds with buddies, I never played it to win I just kept starting over with freash characters.

[Toptube]

Obsidian is a great choice for a game like this. and its a logical gametype for them to work on. They may not have any direct experience with an action RPG, but they have plenty of quality output to warrant optimism. Besides, New Vegas actually is an action RPG, just a different flavor than something more like Diablo. and, Kotor's combat is very similar to Dungeon Siege. The only major difference being that Kotor allows you to pause the game and issue commands. The games only feel different because Kotor is much more entwined with its story and its world.

So far they have some great graphics and presentation going on in Dungeon Siege III. With their pedigree, I've no reason to doubt a competent final product.


Diablo comparisons with Demon's Souls are pretty stretched, and really its because there are few games out there that really are similar to Demon's Souls. Aside from moving through dungeons, killing enemies and eventually bosses, the similarities are slim.

Diablo has a much higher focus on loot. stats are important in Diablo, but loot is the main game. The combat is also more fast paced, with little emphasis on defense. The encounters are larger, with crowd control and AOE often being the main strategy. and because of the AOE focus, there is less emphasis on skill or positioning. The isometric, pulled back view allows clear view of the battlefield and your many opponents. There is an overall atmosphere and aesthetic to Diablo. But in the past, there has been little attempt by the devs to really force the player into any specific atmospheric scenarios. Diablo 3 seems like it may be making some attempts at doing more interesting things with the world.

Demon's Souls shares more with Severance:Blades of Darkeness and Enclave, than it does Diablo. Demon's Souls' combat is about defense and positioning and stresses each individual enemy as a legitimate threat. Rather than crowds. There are crowds here or there, but you have to be extra careful. The gameplay is more closely entwined with the atmosphere. the levels twist around on themselves. Often with purposefully obstructed views and choke points. The camera is pulled in to put the player closer to their character, so that you can feel more like you are in the game. The camera is fully controllable to allow negotiation of these often tight environments, and to allow more specific control over your character's position and orientation VS. the dangerous environments and the enemies. and the game has less a focus on loot and more a focus on stats. There is better and unique equipment out there but the specifics on equipment aren't really important unless you plan on doing PVP or preparing to go for several playthroughs. Initially the game is about the atmosphere, and defending yourself to victory.

[Zyclone]

am i the only one who read the title as Dungeon keeper 3?

[dk3dknight]

Originally Posted by Toptube

Obsidian is a great choice for a game like this. and its a logical gametype for them to work on. They may not have any direct experience with an action RPG, but they have plenty of quality output to warrant optimism. Besides, New Vegas actually is an action RPG, just a different flavor than something more like Diablo. and, Kotor's combat is very similar to Dungeon Siege. The only major difference being that Kotor allows you to pause the game and issue commands. The games only feel different because Kotor is much more entwined with its story and its world.

So far they have some great graphics and presentation going on in Dungeon Siege III. With their pedigree, I've no reason to doubt a competent final product.


Diablo comparisons with Demon's Souls are pretty stretched, and really its because there are few games out there that really are similar to Demon's Souls. Aside from moving through dungeons, killing enemies and eventually bosses, the similarities are slim.

Diablo has a much higher focus on loot. stats are important in Diablo, but loot is the main game. The combat is also more fast paced, with little emphasis on defense. The encounters are larger, with crowd control and AOE often being the main strategy. and because of the AOE focus, there is less emphasis on skill or positioning. The isometric, pulled back view allows clear view of the battlefield and your many opponents. There is an overall atmosphere and aesthetic to Diablo. But in the past, there has been little attempt by the devs to really force the player into any specific atmospheric scenarios. Diablo 3 seems like it may be making some attempts at doing more interesting things with the world.

-snip- never played dragon soul so im going to take your word on it- dk

I was agreeing with till you said kotor was like dragon siege.. there is no words in this universe that are more opposite they should not be used together unless to declare how opposite they are.

Kotor was a dungeons and dragons reskinned for star wars, through slightly different from the original dungeons and dragons reskin for star wars.

Watching *player 1 rolls 8+2 (spot check) against droids 9+3 (spot check), player misses should have been a clear flash light check of there differences, the traits and stuff that worked in with adding more to the dice moves, it was translucent enough that most people did not realize they were playing dungeons and dragons unless someone told them.

Those spot checks, inititive rolls etc etc a that requires alot more structure in the game rules, personally I see dungeon siege being a more lose game, you never really missed you just went around murdering things.

My cocern doesn't really matter Obsidian wouldn't take the job if they had any doubt in themselves.. and really thats probably all that matters.

(Because im tired im just going to make some tv show references, im sorry for the inconvience.)

<lazy>Through ive been disapointed with alot of reboots done with almost no research into the series they were working in.

Season 2 of War of the worlds where the director admits that he and the writers had never watched the show and took in such new directions one of the most acclaimed shows died as confused fans left the show in drows.

The new battlestar galactica they spat on my childhood with that, and thats all im going to say.</lazy

I don't know any gamming references right now im tired and I haven't had my coffee..
On that note Have a nice day , and if I made some horrific mistakes please forgive me.

Originally Posted by Zyclone

am i the only one who read the title as Dungeon keeper 3?

Yes, but you were probably just over excited..

[cyniclaus]

Originally Posted by Icemage

Even so, I'd keep expectations in check for this. I've seen no gameplay trailers or much of anything else for this game.

Actually, there is a decent demo from NY Comicon on Youtube...I'll add it to original post http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZ0ErJYHS7Q

Originally Posted by Toptube

Diablo comparisons with Demon's Souls are pretty stretched, and really its because there are few games out there that really are similar to Demon's Souls. Aside from moving through dungeons, killing enemies and eventually bosses, the similarities are slim.

Diablo has a much higher focus on loot. stats are important in Diablo, but loot is the main game. The combat is also more fast paced, with little emphasis on defense. The encounters are larger, with crowd control and AOE often being the main strategy. and because of the AOE focus, there is less emphasis on skill or positioning. The isometric, pulled back view allows clear view of the battlefield and your many opponents. There is an overall atmosphere and aesthetic to Diablo. But in the past, there has been little attempt by the devs to really force the player into any specific atmospheric scenarios. Diablo 3 seems like it may be making some attempts at doing more interesting things with the world.

Demon's Souls shares more with Severance:Blades of Darkeness and Enclave, than it does Diablo. Demon's Souls' combat is about defense and positioning and streory.

Awesome breakdown, brother.... not sure if that really captures the "essence" of Diablo that made it one of the most addictive, replayable and successful games of all time, but it definitely backs up my point that it is not like Demon's Souls. The fun gameplay and potential for specialization were merely the foundation of Diablo. But the loot was really key...the pride in having an awesome gear set... the real excitement when you saw a high lvl rare or a certain unique drop, knowing that it could be extremely valuable {even to the point of people paying real money on ebay for in-game items } Blizzard really understood how to keep people playing....any first year psychology student can tell you the best way to motivate people to continually do anything is partial reinforcement {the same principle that makes people buy lottery tickets}, and that's exactly what the randomized loot system was. It made Diablo 2 like crack.

[Toptube]

Originally Posted by dk3dknight

I was agreeing with till you said kotor was like dragon siege.. there is no words in this universe that are more opposite they should not be used together unless to declare how opposite they are.

Kotor was a dungeons and dragons reskinned for star wars, through slightly different from the original dungeons and dragons reskin for star wars.

Watching *player 1 rolls 8+2 (spot check) against droids 9+3 (spot check), player misses should have been a clear flash light check of there differences, the traits and stuff that worked in with adding more to the dice moves, it was translucent enough that most people did not realize they were playing dungeons and dragons unless someone told them.

Those spot checks, inititive rolls etc etc a that requires alot more structure in the game rules, personally I see dungeon siege being a more lose game, you never really missed you just went around murdering things.

My cocern doesn't really matter Obsidian wouldn't take the job if they had any doubt in themselves.. and really thats probably all that matters.

I realize that Kotor has a lot more going on under the hood. But as you said, its all automatic. So the actuall gameplay experienced is pretty similar. Kotor has a little more strategy with some of the force powers you can do and the "turns" fore each character are probably a little slower, which overall probably makes most of the fights a little slower paced than Dungeon Siege.

[dk3dknight]

Originally Posted by Toptube

I realize that Kotor has a lot more going on under the hood. But as you said, its all automatic. So the actuall gameplay experienced is pretty similar. Kotor has a little more strategy with some of the force powers you can do and the "turns" fore each character are probably a little slower, which overall probably makes most of the fights a little slower paced than Dungeon Siege.

Okay, I had to be careful with kotor I started to care more about the happenings in the hood to what was happening on the screen.

Until you understood the hood and the inner workings you were confused why you kept losing..

At least it prepared me for NWNs, sadly dungeons siege is the opposite tool used to preapre for NWN.. lol

As a old president and wise man said, "Its all good"

[Toptube]

I didn't really have big problems with losing in Kotor :\

It was challenging, but in the sense that you many occurrences of barely winning.

[dk3dknight]

Originally Posted by Toptube

I didn't really have big problems with losing in Kotor :\

It was challenging, but in the sense that you many occurrences of barely winning.

I had a enemy sith one hit kill each member of my party. Or near close to it.

I was paying for what I sow I was being cheap and minimust. Also mixxing crap loads of mods that changes enemies and such in a horrible way without knowing how to play first.

I liked my clone trooper armor mod though..