I recently got Demise: Ascension in the IndieFort Bundle 2 on GamersGate and wanted to share some initial thoughts on it for anyone interested in this title. As of this post there is still time to get the Bundle (1 day, 17 hours left) - and it's a real bargain to get Demise for the bundle price ($5.99). The usual price for Demise: Ascension is $32.50.
Demise has been around for a long time (since 1999) in its earlier form (Rise of the Ku'Tan) but it's new to me and has been a pleasant surprise so far. Ascension is a very extensive expansion / update which includes all of the original game content.
I played last night for a few hours straight into the wee hours of the morning, and totally lost track of time. I can see this game becoming very addictive and can understand why it has gained a cult following.
This is a grid-based dungeon crawl which combines elements of classic RPGs (like Wizardry, Might & Magic, etc) with a kind of roguelike feel in some ways. The dungeon is not randomized, but hand-crafted. Some elements within it are random though such as monsters and loot. It is party-based or solo - depending on your preference. You can also add numerous companions / hirelings, and charm denizens of the dungeon to aid you. Multiplayer is also possible but I haven't tried that.
The dungeon is massive, complex and intricate with a good variety to the layout and variations in height. There are plenty of tricks, traps, secret doors, monsters and treasure to keep things interesting. Also it's well-decorated with lots of little details which add to the atmosphere.
The combat system is a little odd but I adjusted to it fine after a while. It is real-time and basically you can choose to be hostile or at peace (if the monster isn't initially aggressive) - and if you're hostile you will enter melee with nearby creatures automatically. You can cast spells and activate magic items when you want, those aren't automatic. Supposedly you can also talk to monsters - though I haven't done much of that so far.
I'm uncertain if there is much tactical depth to the combat - it might be more about how you build up your character's stats and improve your items in the long run. The stat system is satisfyingly "crunchy" and it seems like you can build a pretty diverse party, through joining different guilds (classes) and choosing from a wide variety of races.
The town area has a lot of features you'd expect (shop, tavern, bank, quest-givers, etc.), and you'll return there often to recuperate from your dungeon excursions. The game is definitely brutal early on - you will die a lot, until you've gained a few levels. The death penalty is not very harsh in the early levels at least.
Overall the game exudes a certain old-school charm which I find very appealing. It captures the atmosphere of old-school D&D and old CRPGs - in a visual way and also with its focus on a deep dungeon-delving experience. The primitive 3D graphics may turn some off but I find them appealing in a nostalgic way. I really enjoy the music as well.
Anyway - I highly recommend getting in on the bundle price if you like old-school dungeon crawling. By the way, there is an introduction video recently posted by Decklin which shows off the features of the game pretty well.
I attached some screenshots I took which show the 3 different ways you can display the interface, and some of the dungeon scenery. I only have one character in these shots but of course you can have more in your party.
Demise has been around for a long time (since 1999) in its earlier form (Rise of the Ku'Tan) but it's new to me and has been a pleasant surprise so far. Ascension is a very extensive expansion / update which includes all of the original game content.
I played last night for a few hours straight into the wee hours of the morning, and totally lost track of time. I can see this game becoming very addictive and can understand why it has gained a cult following.
This is a grid-based dungeon crawl which combines elements of classic RPGs (like Wizardry, Might & Magic, etc) with a kind of roguelike feel in some ways. The dungeon is not randomized, but hand-crafted. Some elements within it are random though such as monsters and loot. It is party-based or solo - depending on your preference. You can also add numerous companions / hirelings, and charm denizens of the dungeon to aid you. Multiplayer is also possible but I haven't tried that.
The dungeon is massive, complex and intricate with a good variety to the layout and variations in height. There are plenty of tricks, traps, secret doors, monsters and treasure to keep things interesting. Also it's well-decorated with lots of little details which add to the atmosphere.
The combat system is a little odd but I adjusted to it fine after a while. It is real-time and basically you can choose to be hostile or at peace (if the monster isn't initially aggressive) - and if you're hostile you will enter melee with nearby creatures automatically. You can cast spells and activate magic items when you want, those aren't automatic. Supposedly you can also talk to monsters - though I haven't done much of that so far.
I'm uncertain if there is much tactical depth to the combat - it might be more about how you build up your character's stats and improve your items in the long run. The stat system is satisfyingly "crunchy" and it seems like you can build a pretty diverse party, through joining different guilds (classes) and choosing from a wide variety of races.
The town area has a lot of features you'd expect (shop, tavern, bank, quest-givers, etc.), and you'll return there often to recuperate from your dungeon excursions. The game is definitely brutal early on - you will die a lot, until you've gained a few levels. The death penalty is not very harsh in the early levels at least.
Overall the game exudes a certain old-school charm which I find very appealing. It captures the atmosphere of old-school D&D and old CRPGs - in a visual way and also with its focus on a deep dungeon-delving experience. The primitive 3D graphics may turn some off but I find them appealing in a nostalgic way. I really enjoy the music as well.
Anyway - I highly recommend getting in on the bundle price if you like old-school dungeon crawling. By the way, there is an introduction video recently posted by Decklin which shows off the features of the game pretty well.
I attached some screenshots I took which show the 3 different ways you can display the interface, and some of the dungeon scenery. I only have one character in these shots but of course you can have more in your party.