lizanneh on 13/11/2001 at 13:33

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This FM was simply AMAZING!!! I played it all day on Sunday, and simply loved it. BTW, I want to go down on record saying that I did not have any technical difficulties. Not with the intro, the bridge scene, or any of the other stuff.

There was one problem (not really), in that when I went upstairs,<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, sans-serif">Spoiler:</font><div style="background-color:#000080"><font color="#202080">Bradey wasn't knocked out, but Liz was. Bradey didn't pay any attention to me, though except for the one time I picked up Liz and dropper her in front of him. Then he went screaming through the building!</font></div></blockquote>

For those of you who are stuck, the game is scripted very well. There's a specific order to things. You really have to follow it and pay attention. This would have completely baffled me, but here's how I figured it out:<br /><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, sans-serif">Spoiler:</font><div style="background-color:#000080"><font color="#202080">I had completely cleaned out the library, and was back down in the courtyard to read the guestlist. I looked up at the library windows and saw someone walking around up there. I knew he wasn't there before, so I went to investigate! Got the attic key that easily.</font></div></blockquote>

Anyway, I thought I was sunk when I couldn't find Bradey's room, so I decided I might as well go steal the sapphire. When I came out of the museum, sapphire in hand, lo and behold... <blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, sans-serif">Spoiler:</font><div style="background-color:#000080"><font color="#202080">the servants area was open, compliments of "M."</font></div></blockquote>

This FM was awesome, absolutely high quality in every way. I loved the subplots and the guard patrols and event spawning made me have to strategize my knockouts carefully! #1 FM I've finished (reference the "which FMs have you finished" conversation to see that I'm stuck in Inv Manse)! <img src="graemlins/thumb.gif" border="0" alt="[Thumbs Up!]" />

Theef on 13/11/2001 at 18:51

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I think this mission easily has the potential to be the greatest fm ever. Hands down. I say this after playing through the mission twice on "Hard".

Some ruminations and critiques:

1) What ever happened to Cutty?

2) Why, if Alexandria can open every door in the place, does she need Garrett to break in? I mean, Garret doesn't even (potentially) kill anyone. (Personally, the only one I had to off was the guard on the metal catwalk overlooking the courtyard. He accidentally swallowed an arrow.)

3) Why is it called the "attic" if the 3rd floor living quarters are on a level higher (somewhat) than those living quarters. Looking for the entrance to the attic on a level lower than the living areas was a real b$*#!

4) This level is just sheer eye-candy. The movie (mind-blowing conceptually) was well-done. I liked the way you were able to look about as you were guided through. The only thing that seemed anti-climataic was the tomb, at the end. Don't get me wrong, I "WOW!-ed" out loud at the collapsing staircase. I also loved the elevator maze. But it wasn't scary enough. Lighting, or something, was a bit off. I did play with the gamma. Helped a bit, but background music would be helpful in that spot- build tension.

5) This level asks of us a great question- what is scary supposed to be? I remember the first time I played RTTC in TG- I almost personally wet myself. That visual impact is definitely there on this level that Saturnine & Co. have blessed us with. The problem seems to be that, throughout the level, this "Hammerite Tomb" is built up perhaps a bit more than it needs to be.

Nothing scared me more than "Join usssss! Join us now!" and that chain-rattling and laughter when you got caught by one of those haunts who wield swords like a food-processor blade. Also, the way a zombie could be completely still and suddenly mobilize out of the darkness and come at you- that was great. There was one zombie in the cathedral that was hidden just below the metal hammer where the Eye was suspended above- scared the piss out of me.

6) Why would they need to club Garret in the end? If he had gotten them what they wanted, and they had the goods on each other, why would one turn the other in? No motive. Or at least not strong enough. 'Wonder what they're going to do with him? Hmm...

7) This level represents work. Lots of work. I'm talking Cecil B. DeMille-Hebrew-nation-enslaved-by-the-Egyptians work. But it ends abruptly. And that's what's keeping us begging for more, and will keep us begging for more. Blessing *and* a curse, I guess.

8) Why, why, why the hell would anyone hire someone to do a job they might easily have accomplished themselves? That problems makes the whole thing seem a bit hokey. Perhaps the sequel could tie up this loose end?

9) The guards seemed over-sensitive to approach, for some reason. This made it much more challenging. That was great. At other times, though, they seemed blind (walking right in front of them in the light and no effect).

All in all, I'm doing the "I'm not worthy" wave. I just hope that, in revisions, a couple of things get ironed out. That will easily place this level well out of reach for other fm designers for a long, long while, I think. I've played damn near every fan mission ever released on The Circle, and this one is one of the best I've ever played.

Nightwalker on 14/11/2001 at 04:34

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nubetaffer - Your spoiler cover didn't work. Try using the "Spoiler" button down below, then just fill in the text in the box that appears. Works every time!

You need to give a little more information about what you have done in Act 2. Highlight here for a little help: <blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, sans-serif">Spoiler:</font><div style="background-color:#000080"><font color="#202080">Have you found the note and the money yet that was mentioned in Act 1? If not, that is the very first thing you have to do. Just keep working your way East in the mansion until you come to an outdoor gardenlike area. There are 3 statues here and down behind them you will find the map and the money. Then you need to look around the mansion for a guard with a key. Don't rule out places you've already been. Guards can pop up anywhere in this mission and it's something you need to keep in mind all the way through. </font></div></blockquote>

Spitter on 14/11/2001 at 07:16

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why is there 200 loot in the start movie and 175 in the end movie? are these attainable? i find it difficult to grasp objects with my eyes.

There are some loot objects used as decoratives (ie. a golden candlestick), but Saturnine forgot to take away their loot values. You can't get them.

what do the 3 servants' keys go to? i tried them on every door and chest in the quarters area and they didn't do jack.

That's a good question...

where have i heard that closing music before? have i heard it before? it certainly sounds familiar.

I believe it's from Thief 1's ending.

I still want to say this, again: Congrats from the awesome level, Sat!

Nightwalker on 15/11/2001 at 00:19

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nubetaffer - <blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, sans-serif">Spoiler:</font><div style="background-color:#000080"><font color="#202080">If you've seen Bradey and Elizabeth knocked out, then you have the key to the Museum and Bradey's key, right? Then go down into the Museum and steal the gem. After you've stolen that, the door to the servant's quarters will open and you can get into Bradey's room. In his room you will find Lord Saturnine's room key and in HIS room you should be able to figure out how to open the grave under the library. <img src="smile.gif" border="0"> </font></div></blockquote>