Muzman on 8/10/2001 at 01:28
It's true the vault is a bit of a tease, but it's really not necessary (I can't remember exactly, but I don't think it's an objective on any of the difficulty levels. Maybe on warrior).
I.M.'s schtick, if you like, is replayability. There's so much new stuff, all of it limited, that you have to make some pretty big commitments each time you play (ie; buying mighty powerful razorheads at the loadout so you don't have to get near haunts too often cuts down your cash pretty severly. Can't blow out quite as many torches). The difficulty levels are vastly different too. It takes quite a bit of experence and experimentation to get the hang of all the options available too you. (you know all this, I'm just blabbing) I guess that's the risk it takes. Some people will persevere, others won't know what's going on and give up.
Sledge on 8/10/2001 at 06:37
Everyone's of course entitled to their opinion, and I'll be the first to admit the Inverted Manse wasn't perfect, but I'd like to address a couple of things really quickly.
Quote:
Originally posted by Sceptre:
<STRONG>The haunts and zombies are alerted every time I draw that damn glowing sword, give me back the sword from Mystery Man one whack and they were dust.</STRONG>
No, they're only alerted if they're facing you when you draw it. The idea was, as Muzman says, to balance out the power of the sword with a distinct and unique disadvantage. It allows for combat, but in order to use it, you must be sneaky. One of the biggest complaints in undead missions was that you didn't have a way to deal with zombies... this sword fixes that problem, but also has the disadvantage of revealing you if you're not careful. Ultimately I wanted to encourage sneaking but still allow for different playing styles. I know that it's my mission and I know it backwards and forwards, but I've beaten all three difficulty levels in under 25 mins all loot not being seen once. It can be done. I didn't want to turn this into a mission where hack and slash style was favored on all difficulty levels.
Quote:
<STRONG>
Also what is with Garret when the sword is drawn, all of a sudden it's like I'm walking through syrup I can hardly catch up to a zombie.
</STRONG>
It sounds like you didn't read the readme which instructs you to check out the arrows.doc file that comes with the zip to learn more about the weapons. The sword is the same as a normal, save for the skin, the glow, the power (greater than a normal sword), and the ability to kill zombies. I never adjusted the player speed.
Quote:
<STRONG>
I also am very disappointed with the puzzle to obtain the weapon in the vault. The puzzles have to be solvable or whats the point? even Sledge admits in a post on these boards that if you don't play all three levels you probably won't solve this puzzle.
</STRONG>
It sounds like you didn't read the readme *cough*. (copied directly) "There are two clues on how to solve this puzzle on each of the different difficulty levels, and chances are, you won't be able to solve it by only playing through once. Three times is a dead giveaway, and you might be able to solve it going through on two difficulty levels (hats off if you get it on one!). However, this is just an easter egg (and a bit of an anacronysm), so don't feel obligated to get it!" It was never intended to be a part of the mission, but rather an extra cookie for people who played it more than once. A few more perspicacious players actually have solved it in one go though ;)
Quote:
<STRONG>
I have not made it all too far into this mission because of becoming frustrated to often with doors that won't open and can't be picked among other things.
</STRONG>
There is a bit about this in the readme also: "The difficulty settings are molded not really to give different levels of 'difficulty' per se, but rather to increase re-playability through slight alterations of playing style, areas of accessibility, and objectives. All 3 levels are similar in actual difficulty to complete, and you have the same health in each." A lot of areas are barred off in certain difficulties... but all of the OMs had areas of inaccessibility and locked doors.
Very surprisingly (and perhaps undeservingly) gold hammer material, as the mission isn't for everyone, but I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out. Like any designer, I'm always looking for ways to improve, but perhaps it would help if your criticism was worded in such a way as to be more constructive?
<IMG SRC="angel.gif" border="0">
Sceptre on 9/10/2001 at 03:08
I have played the mission through now and I have to say it is good and the difficulty I had with the sword was gone, with it, when I got the weapon from the church basement. But I swear to you that on several occasions I did sneak up on a haunt and drew my sword and was immediatly attacked. One case that I can remember for sure was in the room where they have the hammers roasting on spits (if you flip the switch, but I wouldn't do that if I were you) there was a haunt beside the metal furnace thing over by the door where the other haunt is that goes up and down the stairs, I crept up behind him just after he turned his back drew my sword and got whacked by a hammer. That one I remember specifically. The puzzle for the weapon(which I did solve just by pure chance). Talk about frustrating. I spent probably 45 minutes trying to solve it in the hopes that it would be something nice to have around. No I did not read the document I never have had any reason to before, my problem. After having read the document I understand now how you have designed your mission not as usual in that you add tougher villians or more of them to increase the difficulty but changing the style of play required to succeed. I have to admit that I am not a sneaker I tend to go through the level and eliminate all of the competition then try to solve and or find whatever objectives remain in peace and quiet. I may play the other levels to see how they go along with the styles but I do have one question. In the room with the collapsed bridge and the wooden roof just begging for a rope arrow can the doors on either end be opened? I spent a good deal of time pushing a barrel back into the room so I could reach my rope only to find that the doors didn't open, frustration sets in. Do they work on another level or am I just wasting my time pushing barrels around? Overall though after playing it through it is quite well done and well worth the time to play. And finally I don't usually post any kind of criticism on any missions unless something is just plain not working and I don't want to offend anyone in doing so but I do believe my criticism to be valid. As for constructive well without criticism good or bad there is nothing to construct on. Those who can do. Those who can't criticize.
[ October 08, 2001: Message edited by: Sceptre ]
Nightwalker on 9/10/2001 at 03:26
I asked the question about the collapsed bridge, too, and was told that it is just there to add atmosphere. You can't get up there or open those doors.
Sceptre on 9/10/2001 at 18:44
Ah but you can get up there. Shoot a rope arrow into the ceiling then go back to the office where you get the church key, I think, and push one of the barrels down the hall get on top of it and jump to your rope. Like I said it was kind of time consuming but it can be done I guess there just is no point to do it but no way to find out but try.
MadBull on 12/10/2001 at 04:12
Hi there! I´ve got an other problem: I´m playing this mission for the third time, actually with difficulty "warrior", where you have to give the scholar three heads. two of them were easy. But the last one is very tricky. I´m talking about the invisible skelleton-warrior. I sneaked from behind at him and tried to knock him off. I used the sword, those war gauntlets, even the holy water arrows. It seems to be, that he's invincible.He only stands there with no reaction. If I come from the front, he starts attacking me (sure thing). 'til now I didn´t survive his attacks. can anyone help?
paulben on 3/11/2001 at 03:03
OK, there is no way to ask this without sounding like the moron that I obviously am, so I'll just get right to it. In the briefing, there was mention of a place where I could get weapons--a nearby town, I think. Where is it?!? I've played this mission for over 2 hours now and can't find any sign of it. Please, I already feel stupid enough so be gentle...Thanks! <img src="confused.gif" border="0">
Hit Deity on 3/11/2001 at 03:50
I don't recall a nearby town. Just a church, crypt, armoury, factory, a few windmills, and some tunnels. A few really neat weapons can be found if you're really good or really lucky and observant, but I don't remember a cache of weapons or anything.
paulben on 3/11/2001 at 16:12
Thanks for your reply...can you tell me where the armory is, then? <img src="smile.gif" border="0">
Jocke on 3/11/2001 at 16:30
Where do you think you bought your starting gear, then? <img src="rolleyes.gif" border="0">
