SneakyJack on 2/2/2009 at 22:28
:laff:
Thats a great story about your friend - I'm sure if the creators of the dark engine saw these missions this community is cranking out they'd be just as shocked if not more.
About the testing situation, I completely understand about missions that you've poured your heart and soul into being criticized. My suggestions to this particular author were more "this will break the fun for many non ghosters" suggestions (I try to go into testing from the viewpoint of someone that hasnt played hundreds of fan missions like I have - the casual player I guess) and was shot down and told that my suggestions were just because of my poor thief skills. I put aside more than 10 hours (over a few versions) of my life for this mission to try not just to break it and find bugs - but to make sure it was fun. Can't win 'em all I guess. :laff:
I would be glad to test any of your future missions and would be honored if you chose me to be part of the testing team. :thumb:
SneakyJack on 3/2/2009 at 00:31
Just got done playing the newly released Lost Castle By Cardia1
This mission sees you once again traveling to a different planet and taking place in a giant castle setting. (Two of Cardia1's trademarks at this point I think)
Gameplaywise this mission is alot of fun. You'll have dozens of blackjack opportunities over the course of this huge castle romp - and there will be no shortage of situations for you to truly test your skills. Most of the castle is comprised of huge open areas and stone floors (with a few marble exceptions that are quite noisy as you'd expect. You'd do a ton of running, which can get mentally tiring (go figure) but overall no frustrating puzzles or situations. Well - other than one. There is one spot that will have you climbing up into a room with an archer facing the ladder who will plunk you with an arrow or two before you can get to him. This happens more than once - and from what I saw there is no way to avoid getting hit at least once - Garrett just isnt that fast.
Storywise its pretty thin here, but really, the gameplay is why you play Cardia 's missions. I really didnt care for the whole "space garrett traveling to other planets yet here we are in a medieval castle" explanation - but at least its different. Cardia could have swapped out a blue sky for the orange one and put it in typical thief time and and it would have been just the same to me.
Looks wise this mission is incredible looking. The textures are crisp and gritty, the spaces are huge and open but well decorated and lit (could have used a few more water arrows being that there are dozens and dozens of torches in this mission) and the lighting and sunlight effects are very nice looking. The castle is well built and never becomes too confusing despite its size. Overall very well done.
This mission may lead to a little bit more combat than you'd like if you are a ghoster, but for me it was just right and can be blackjacked through with no problem. Highly recommended!
Tannar on 3/2/2009 at 01:55
Quote Posted by SneakyJack
There is one spot that will have you climbing up into a room with an archer facing the ladder who will plunk you with an arrow or two before you can get to him. This happens more than once - and from what I saw there is no way to avoid getting hit at least once - Garrett just isnt that fast.
It is possible to get up there without getting hit. In fact, it is possible to ghost the mission believe it or not. Just very, very challenging (and time consuming).
SneakyJack on 3/2/2009 at 02:30
Quote Posted by Tannar
It is possible to get up there without getting hit. In fact, it is possible to ghost the mission believe it or not. Just very, very challenging (and time consuming).
Please share your method because I tried everything.
I guess you could use an invisibility potion or a flashbomb - but is it possible without expending resources and without getting caught? I couldnt get a water arrow off in time to not get hit.
Cavalorn on 3/2/2009 at 02:50
I really love reading this thread! Keep up with the amazing work, SneakyJack!:thumb::thumb::thumb:
SneakyJack on 3/2/2009 at 03:45
Quote Posted by Cavalorn
I really love reading this thread! Keep up with the amazing work, SneakyJack!
Thank you friend! I really appreciate your kind words. Everyone that is posting in this thread is making it great to read - I just wish I could convince folks to post more of their own fan mission reviews and impressions so I'd have more to read as well!
Rowena's Curse By Lady Rowena
Where to begin on this fan mission - it truly is a tour de force of thiefy goodness that only Lady Rowena can bring us!
You may know Lady Rowena's fan mission work from The Seven Sisters - which in itself is one of the best fan mission sets ever produced - but years before the sisters caused their own unique brand of terror Rowena was causing Garrett trouble in this gem from 2003, Rowena's Curse.
The story in this mission has you discovering just how far into the spiral Rowena (the character in the mission, not the mission author) has gone and what you must do to stop her - along with some very interesting side stories like a kidnapping rescue and a love story of sorts with one of the guards and his lady. There are many plot twists and reveals along the way - and the story here really is top notch and well written. Lady Rowena knows how to write a story, and it definitely shows here.
Gameplay wise this mission is a strong - if not mixed - bag of different gameplay styles. There is alot of marble - something I know alot of folks are not thrilled about (I'm not particularly fond of marble use in fan missions but it does add to the challenge) so your sneaking skills will be tested quite often - keep those moss arrows handy. A good bit of carpeting in the main halls does sort of even out the marble use - but marble hallways throughout the whole mansion seems a bit like overkill. Marble should probably be reserved for a few main rooms in most missions. (Wishful thinking on my part I guess)
Also making an appearance is the dreaded jumping puzzle. Never been a fan of those, but at least the one here is not that bad or taxing on your nerves. I fell to my death once, but only once - so no big problem there. I dont think the dark engine was built for jumping puzzles, really.
Those two minor points aside, this mission is incredible fun and throws alot of different situations at you. A major showdown that you can solve a few different ways, lots of guard activity and even a creature or two will cross your path in this one. Shadow placement and cover are always nearby, and you can make it through the entire mission using only your blackjack if you use your head.
As far as looks - this is one fine looking mission. Everything is textured very nicely - and the different locations and feels really give you variety. The mansion layout is very well done and linked in the middle by a courtyard to help you keep your sense of direction. Plenty of nooks and crannies to sneak through and quite a few secret areas will keep you looking for switches - just the way I like it.
I guess the final thing I should mention is the length of this mission - you will spend some time on this one. It isnt a lunchtime mission, that much is certain - prepare to devote three to seven hours on this one depending on your play style, how well you know the mission and how often the jumping puzzle hands your behind to you. I've refrained from showing many of the locations and talking about many of the story points and objectives due to them being interesting enough to want you to see them for yourself - so give this one a spin.
Lady Rowena's Curse is one of the finest fan missions ever produced - set aside a few hours and experience it yourself.
SneakyJack on 3/2/2009 at 05:28
After screenshotting and reviewing a few well known fan missions in a row I decided to jump into some rather unknown ones to see what they were all about - next up is
The Librarian By Nightshifter
This mission has you in search of the fabled spear of destiny housed inside a huge library complex. On your journey you'll meet up with foes both mechanical and magical - along with a few surprises that I wont ruin for you here. Needless to say, it isnt as easy as you might hope.
The first thing I have to mention right offhand (thanks to pavlovscat for reminding me in another thread after I forgot to include it here) is the hilarious theme song to this mission played at the main menu screen. I don't want to ruin this song for you, just give it a listen, its pretty funny.
Storywise this mission is pretty solid. There are a few readable scattered here and there that talk about the objects you are after along with a little backstory. The spear of destiny (The real historic one) is always interesting to me due to how important it really was in religion and history - so I wanted to find out what happened in this mission indeed.
The gameplay in this one is pretty uneven. It starts out really slow with very few guards to encounter and alot of ground to cover - and there are a few negatives (Marble floor abuse and whats up with the metal doorframes? There is almost no way short of a moss arrow to cross over them without making a loud metal CLANG every time you enter the room. Not a good design choice I dont think) but overall the mission gives you plenty of shadow skulking chances to sneak by both human and camera on your way to the fabled items. Nothing too frustrating is encountered really, but the metal door frames can be a pain if there is a guard so much as two rooms away.
Architecture wise - this mission is not going to win any awards.. Most of the rooms and hallways are completely empty of any decoration or anything that really makes them even worth going into - about 90% of the first floor is made up of rooms that have no point or even anything to look at. A future re-release with added texture enhancements and decor items would be really great with this mission - it would add so much production value to an otherwise solid level. The overall design of the building is good - lots of hidden ladders and passageways leading to every corner of the building to make your way around without being seen - though difficulty is really not an issue in this one. The camera areas are a bit rough - but even if you set off the alarm - the turrents usually end up in the floor giving you no worries there either. This is more a bug in the turrents than the authors fault, however.
Though this mission has a few bits that may get to you - it really is worth a look if you have not yet checked it out. Its a fine mission overall and a good bit of fun once things really take off - the last half of the mission is much better than the first half. I won't spoil anything, but there are surprises.
Melan on 3/2/2009 at 07:17
Quote Posted by SneakyJack
Everyone that is posting in this thread is making it great to read - I just wish I could convince folks to post more of their own fan mission reviews and impressions so I'd have more to read as well!
I plan to, but it may be some time before I actually have the opportunity to contribute. Keep up the good job, though! :thumb:
all on 3/2/2009 at 11:20
Quote Posted by Melan
I plan to, but it may be some time before I actually have the opportunity to contribute. Keep up the good job, though! :thumb:
Same for me! This this is lots of fun. I'll post some as soon as I can.
SneakyJack on 4/2/2009 at 03:48
By Order Of An Unknown By BlackThief
I don't know how this one managed to slip under the radar for me for so long, but this had been my first playthrough (that I can remember) and I was really impressed with this mission.
Storywise this mission has you being approached by a mysterious benefactor wanting you to break into the estate of a hammerite and specifically obtain the Book Of Death. You also learn of a long lost magicians tower that most people dismiss as nonsense. Time to find out!
As far as Gameplay I had a ton of fun with this mission - and it only makes me all the more disappointed that I somehow missed it until this evening. The mansion does suffer from a bit of the ol' Marble abuse but not enough to get frustrating (in fact, only in one or two main halls which I guess isnt really abuse at all) and well placed lighting and switches make it a joy to sneak through. I guess If I had to have one complaint it is the
magic bridge item that you need to advance that I used pre-maturely and screwed myself into a reload - but thats just a minor thing. This mission contains no frustration and a good bit of fun and sneakery. I don't think sneakery is a word - but I'm using it anyway.
This mission will not leave you wanting when it comes to looks - this is a fine looking mission. Every room is well furnished and decorated - there is one room with a twisting staircase that is particularly well done and the hammer decor is always a welcome sight - and extra points specifically go to the texturing of the guards clad in red and gray - the colors used on their uniforms really stood out and looked fantastic. I don't know if BlackThief made them or borrowed them from another author - but those are the best looking guard uniform colors I've seen in a fan mission to date.
There are a few surprises in this one that will keep you playing to see what happens, and the mansion estate is littered with fun little areas of things to see and do. I very much recommend this one.
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http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n25/motherfuckingjack/unknown10.jpgHammers with lanterns. Yeah - best to stay hidden.
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http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n25/motherfuckingjack/unknown9.jpgThose hammers sure know how to decorate.
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http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n25/motherfuckingjack/unknown8.jpgInside the estates main hall.
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http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n25/motherfuckingjack/unknown7.jpg"No flash photography, taffer!"
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http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n25/motherfuckingjack/unknown6.jpgThe master bedroom.
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http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n25/motherfuckingjack/unknown3.jpgThat twisty staircase looks like fun.
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http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n25/motherfuckingjack/unknown2.jpgTime to get drunk and practice my Jerry Lewis impression.
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http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n25/motherfuckingjack/unknown1.jpgEerie fog is... Eerie!
