Legend of Grimrock

[Vampyr]

http://www.grimrock.net/

Is anyone else playing this game? I actually preordered it, but they're still running a promotion to get it for $13.50 instead of the regular $15.

It's an "old school" first person dungeon exploration game. You play as a party of four people who were found guilty of being traitors, but have been granted freedom if they can survive the dungeons of Grimrock.

You move on a "grid" system, so you push W and your entire party moves forward. You push D and your entire party moves to the right. You can look around with the mouse. You are actually looking from the first person perspective of your party, so you don't actually see them.

The combat is done in real time by moving around enemies and clicking on a weapon you want to use that a character has equipped. Magic is done on a dial system, almost like a phone pad. You dial in some runes and hit the cast button, and if you entered the combination correctly the spell goes. Combat isn't the games forte, but it has some really exciting moments when you get surrounded by enemies and you're trying to dodge everything while still lining up hits.

The best part of the game is by far the puzzles and exploration aspect. I've only encountered simple puzzles so far, but I've heard they get progressively more elaborate and satisfying as the game progresses. Exploration is done by finding hidden panels to hit which opens secret rooms that have items.

There are several skills you have to choose from when you level, which makes building your character easier because you can see what level you need to get a skill to to unlock the next perk in that skill.

And for a game where you can't see your characters I've become oddly attached to mine. You get to create your party where you can choose from 3 classes (fighter, rogue, mage), and 4 different classes (human, minotaur, lizardman, insectoid), with 2 genders for each. You also get to name them, and each character has food requirements so you need to collect the meaty bits of monsters you kill to feast on later.

Definitely worth checking out at $13.50, and even $15. I think they're going to release a modkit in the future where people can build their own dungeons, so you could get an enormous amount of replayability out of this game.

[ZebraRampage]

I was looking into buying this. It's inexpensive, so I should just get it, but I've been focusing on other things lately like moving out and getting a new car, so games have taken a back seat. It does look like a lot of fun. I wish it could be co-op though.

[Vampyr]

Eh, I don't really think the game needs multiplayer, or that it would make it any better. A huge part of the game is the immersion and atmosphere, feeling alone in the depths of a dungeon. The only thing co-op would add to is combat, and it's the weakest part of the game.

Not to mention most of the puzzles just wouldn't work with two people.

I played a bit more last night, encountered a couple of legitimately tough puzzles. Also had to fight off about 10 spiders at once. I've still managed to not have everyone in my party die, at least.