Dungeon Lords

I literally had a barracks full of sailors laughing at this game because it was so terrible. And that was when I was honestly trying to give it a fair shot.

Definitely one of the most unpolished turds ever put into a box. If it had been labeled modern art and found only in a pretentious art gallery maybe it would be more acceptable. But it was sold in game stores as a… game. GAME IT IS NOT!

Originally Posted by chamr
…you've really not played any games with significantly less depth than DL? I find that very hard to believe. I've played quite a few, and I'm sure you've played many, many more games than I have.

I don't believe I said I said I've never played a game with less depth. I may have but they had other redeeming features of some sort. A decent story or characters or…you know, furniture. DL doesn't (both redeeming features and furniture).

I'm not a prolific gamer, so you may be wrong about having played more games than yourself - I wouldn't know how to compare. I'm slow and have little time (I see people posting about finishing ME3 the day after release - I'd be surprised if I'm finished in 6 months).

The dungeon level designs themselves are head and shoulders above most crawlers I've played.

Yeah, they're OK, taken as a separate element.

And the multi-classing is silly? You're really going to argue logic about RPG multi-classing? Seriously? If you are, add many, many games to that list, some of which I'd hazard a guess are on your “liked” list. But I digress…)

Most games don't try to combine western, asian and arabic influences in a strange 5-way multiclassing melange - but, yes, logic isn't a strength of multiclassing. Let me re-phrase: Bradley tried to hide the lack of design coherence behind what appears to be a unique 5-way multiclass system, which sounds impressive. In practice, each "class" added one active extra skill (did I say impressive?) and some learning bonuses that might or might not work. Half the House bonuses didn't work and none of the Heraldry worked. None. Repair, scout, identify, alchemy, and steal didn't work. Class pre-requisite checks didn't work.

So, yes, you could create an Adept/Stargazer/Kenjasai/Cabalist/War Witch (<— made that up - couldn't be bothered to remember the exact details) and enjoy the half-dozen skills you would get throughout the entire game, although only three or four would work properly.

Other games offer a half-dozen skills for one weapon type, let alone across so many "classes". In fact, let's be honest - can you really call them "classes"?

Originally Posted by JDR13
You mean worst crpg, or worst game regardless of genre? Dungeon Lords was terrible for a crpg, but I've played a lot of worse games in my lifetime.. especially back in the NES days.

Never had an NES. Only ever been a "PC" gamer (including Apple 2, Sinclair ZX81, Spectrum, C64, Amiga). Apart from some classics (Ultimas, Elite etc) I remember none of the amateur one-man games I may have played. If you consider it a weakness in my comment that I haven't included games I can't even remember, then perhaps it isn't the worst I've played.

But this came out in 2005, which makes it a modern era game. I think it's fair to say professional, modern development is a different animal to some Loderunner rip-off back in 1981. That said, I mostly only play RPGs and I do my research - I don't buy many truly bad games. So, no, it's not the worst game ever made but it is categorically the most incompetent professional development I can recall.

Originally Posted by Dhruin
I don't believe I said I said I've never played a game with less depth. I may have but they had other redeeming features of some sort. A decent story or characters or…you know, furniture. DL doesn't (both redeeming features and furniture).

Arguable on the redeeming features front, but I'll give you the furniture point. :-)

Originally Posted by Dhruin
I'm not a prolific gamer, so you may be wrong about having played more games than yourself - I wouldn't know how to compare. I'm slow and have little time (I see people posting about finishing ME3 the day after release - I'd be surprised if I'm finished in 6 months).

If you've even started ME3, you've probably played more games than I have. :-)

Originally Posted by Dhruin
Most games don't try to combine western, asian and arabic influences in a strange 5-way multiclassing melange

That's enough awesomeness right there to make me want to reinstall! ;-)

Originally Posted by Dhruin
and some learning bonuses that might or might not work. Half the House bonuses didn't work and none of the Heraldry worked. None. Repair, scout, identify, alchemy, and steal didn't work. Class pre-requisite checks didn't work. [snip] and enjoy the half-dozen skills you would get throughout the entire game, although only three or four would work properly.

Point of clarification for those that haven't decided whether to try the game: they fixed most (all? been a while, can't remember…) of these bugs by the time the CE rolled out.

Originally Posted by Dhruin
That said, I mostly only play RPGs and I do my research - I don't buy many truly bad games.

Ah. K. I can see why DL would be one of your worst ever.

Originally Posted by Dhruin
So, no, it's not the worst game ever made but it is categorically the most incompetent professional development I can recall.

Won't argue that. :-)

From Chamr: Point of clarification for those that haven't decided whether to try the game: they fixed most (all? been a while, can't remember…) of these bugs by the time the CE rolled out.

What MANY of us really resented more than anything, was that the game was never Patched. Instead, after buying the original turd we were expected to BUY the CE so we could get what we thought we had originally bought!! That should NEVER be forgiven or forgotten!!!!

What an amazingly important game … there are few games that could inspire such heated debate 7 years after release!

Originally Posted by Corwin
[/I]What MANY of us really resented more than anything, was that the game was never Patched. Instead, after buying the original turd we were expected to BUY the CE so we could get what we thought we had originally bought!! That should NEVER be forgiven or forgotten!!!!

I get that. I'm just trying to separate the old bitterness many understandably feel from whether the game, in its current state and at its current price, is worth a try for someone who has never played it but is interested. Of course, some may choose to stand in solidarity with those that think buying or not buying is an ethical decision based on what went down when the game came out, and that's fine too. But it's an independent consideration from whether the game is fun or not, again in its current form and at its current price point.

For some one that has not played many crpgs such as myself and have no ideal and perfect games to compare with I found this game enjoyable, similar how ppl bash lionheart legacy of the crusader happens here, no matter what ppl say you should try it and see for yourself as you could actualy enjoy it or even both games

Cleaning up my basement the other day I ran across the box - Best Buy $43, release day. How many cheeseburgers is that? 9? I could have had 9 cheeseburgers.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demerit_good

Holy crap

http://www.nordicgames.at/index.php/…on_lords_mmxii

*runs for shelter*

Originally Posted by chamr
Holy crap

http://www.nordicgames.at/index.php/…on_lords_mmxii

*runs for shelter*

Sad thing … there is a strong chance I would buy it a 3rd time … and enjoy it!

Haha! Of all the games crying out for a nice update via an enhanced edition, they pick this crapfest.

I bet they still have your character sliding around on roller skates swinging and missing endless respawning enemies…but now in glorious HD!

Originally Posted by txa1265
Sad thing … there is a strong chance I would buy it a 3rd time … and enjoy it!

Me too. :-)

Wish D.W. would do another Wizards and Warriors. I would buy that one without a second thought, but paying a third time for Dungeon Lords? Maybe, but I don't think so.

I did like DL just not as much as W&W. I loved that game and still play it to this day even though I have to jump through a ton of hoops to get it running on my computer.

Bad choice choosing to sell DL again. Especially since CD Projeckt goes out of their way to offer new content for free.

I have some land I wonder if you guys would be interested in….

Originally Posted by skavenhorde
Wish D.W. would do another Wizards and Warriors. I would buy that one without a second thought, but paying a third time for Dungeon Lords? Maybe, but I don't think so.

I did like DL just not as much as W&W. I loved that game and still play it to this day even though I have to jump through a ton of hoops to get it running on my computer.

Bad choice choosing to sell DL again. Especially since CD Projeckt goes out of their way to offer new content for free.

Totally agree on all counts - I just did a retrospective on DL last year and was able to play on a Win7 PC without issue. Wizards & Warriors, however, I have failed to ever complete - and now more recently fail to get running. Would love to see a HD version of that - or just a GoG treatment that gets it running on every platform.

And yes, the Witcher contrast is striking!

Next time I get an itch to get W&W running again I'll post a step by step instruction on how I did it. There are one or two third party programs involved and some hex editing and I believe a fan patch or two

It really is a process, but worth it once it's all done.