FortressCraft is out.

[AyreonMaiden]

Pardon me if this topic has already been made. Didn't see it on the front page, so...

I've been playing FortressCraft for a bit now, and while it's extremely rough around the edges, I'm so glad it exists and it has a ton of potential.

I tried playing Minecraft Classic on my netbook (My only computer, yay college) and I managed to scrape about 10 FPS if I wasn't facing the horizon. No good to me.

The build isn't nearly as stable as Minecraft. The chunk loading is insufferable, you don't have the panoramic vistas and there's a fair bit of screen tearing when you look around too quickly, but it's also nowhere near as ugly as people think. You can dial down the detail on a lot of cosmetic things too, such as the world and water detail in order to emulate that rough lo-res look. Too many people like 8-bit stuff too much IMO, so that might be just me who grew up on the N64 who thinks that the hyperdetail isn't as ugly as people say.

On the whole, I'm so glad this exists for people like me who want to do the Lego building thing but lack the resources Minecraft demands. I'm definitely gonna look out for the rest of the updates, as I'd like to see this expand into the Lego game for those of us who can't do Minecraft for whatever reason, or who simply prefer the consoles for whatever reason. If Notch won't port his game (and I hope he does someday) someone has to. Like he cares anyway.*

What do you guys think?**

* Source: http://www.minecraftforum.net/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=49256, "On Minecraft Clones."
** inb4NotchDefenseForce

 

[Veylon]

Color me interested, if they can move out from under Minecraft's shadow a bit. The Information Page [http://www.fortresscraftwiki.com/index.php?title=Fortress_Craft_Guides/Information] of their wiki promises us future installments which will include groundbreaking features such as 'Crafting' (Chapter 2) and 'Life' (Chapter 3). When/if they get to the point where there are Machinery and Minions (4 & 5), then they've got something new.

The PR on this thing has been terrible; any time you need to dedicate the first three questions on your FAQ to explaining that your cube-mining simulator in a procedurally generated world is not, in fact, infringing on an existing cube-mining simulator in a procedurally generated world, something has gone horribly wrong. Even something like 45-degree slopes sometimes on hills or using that wonky thing where the corners are slightly off-square would at least make the game look different.

 

[AyreonMaiden]

Machinery & Minions = Dwarf Fortress or Industrial craft (minecraft mod)

They really offer nothing new. Why pay for something you can get for FREE?

I already have Dwarf Fortress, and it's one of the most complicated games I've ever set eyes on. I don't always feel like having such a high barrier of entry. That and, sadly, the game locks up and loads a lot on my pansy ass computer. Yeah, an ASCII game chugs on my computer when it loads and generates worlds and stuff. That, and frankly I don't really like ASCII much. I'll get into DF in time, after I finish watching 51ppycup's Let's Plays.

I dunno how tough Minecraft can be, since I also can't play that lol. I missed out when MC was cheap, it cost 3 bucks to get Chapter 1 of FC, so it was at the very least worth a shot. I may have a better computer by the end of summer but for now, this is an interesting thing to look out for IMO.

 

[Liberaliter]

I'm interested in this as after a few recent updates I can't run minecraft above 8fps.

Can anyone tell me how it compares to MC?

 

[Liberaliter]

I'm interested in this as after a few recent updates I can't run minecraft above 8fps.

Can anyone tell me how it compares to MC?

It's just the building part so far. It promises to release more content down the road. Try the demo out.

I'm an idiot, I can just go play the XBLA trial! Haha thanks for reminding me

 

[DeadlyYellow]

That, and frankly I don't really like ASCII much. I'll get into DF in time, after I finish watching 51ppycup's Let's Plays.

The Mayday pack changes the graphics. It is a processing monster though, and takes up about a third a gig of ram on my machine.

I can't tell if it's supposed to be an LP or just a cluttered tutorial. Reading off the wiki would be faster and more efficient. I never understood the appeal behind singular-play sim games. Heritage games make for more interesting entertainment.

 

[GrizzlerBorno]

I'm glad that Xbox players can enjoy Minecraft FortressCraft.

Why did they name it that anyway? Why not something that shows you're even mildly interested in not touting it as a petty clone.

 

[allinwonder]

Why do I smell PC hate in this thread.

 

[Chibz]

I'm going to try Fortresscraft as soon as I gain the points for it. Will report findings.

Why do I smell PC hate in this thread.

Well, I for one have never received anything OTHER THAN hatred from the glorious PC gaming master race for being a dirty, console gaming peasant. So it makes sense that they might not be so popular.

 

[Cheesus333]

Downloading the demo for it on XBL right now - oh, there it goes actually. I'll edit this post with my thoughts in a little bit.

EDIT: Yeah that was shit. I was expecting it to be like what Torchlight was to Diablo, i.e. shamelessly stealing every single idea, but doing it well, but... no, it just shamelessly steals every idea and does it horribly horribly wrong. Won't be playing that again.

 

[Veylon]

Machinery & Minions = Dwarf Fortress or Industrial craft (minecraft mod)

Curse you! You've just wasted hours of my time searching for resources to build a set of elaborate electrical machinery and lighting for my new bunker. Why must you be so cruel?

I still feel that there has to be some magical nexus between Minecraft and Dwarf Fortress that will produce the ultimate game. FortressCraft may not be it, but it has some of the right ideas. Maybe the MC modders will turn it up.

 

[JordanXlord]

a Minecraft clone?

Hell like i care

*Shrugs off then Walks away*

 

[Littlee300]

a Minecraft clone?

Hell like i care

*Shrugs off then Walks away*

Oooh... you cool /sarcasm
____________________________________________________________
My bro bought it. It is 'meh'. The lighting when you go in holes isn't as good as minecraft and it doesn't seem to offer much more. The water does look cool though.
Don't expect to feel that 'survivor' feel. It is more like designing a level.

Edit: It doesn't add much. You know what would've been cool? Cities. Maybe servers can have different cities with a player as mayor and they trade resources. There could be a supply depot. (where you put your supplies) a research plant (researches the relics) and maybe, somehow an economy system. MAybe you could even have wars! oooh I want to play that.

 

[PlasmaFrog]

I really don't know what to think of this, yet I absolutely feel nothing for it.

 

[Brian Hendershot]

I like the idea of FortressCraft (Just played it) but I have Minecraft so why play FortressCraft? Granted, FortressCraft has some nice things going for it (I liked the third person camera) but at the end of the day, if my giant golden cock and balls is not getting destroyed by a Creeper, it's just not worth it.

 

[Reece Stevens]

Im only playing fortresscraft as an appetizer until I can work out a way to get minecraft full, you see I don't know anyone with paypal right now so it will take me a while to get this sorted.