Obsidian Does it Again

[qbanknight]

Honestly, Obsidian has had one of the WORST histories when it comes to handling other properties. Hell event their own original game was filled with bugs. Why the hell do publishers insist on giving these assholes work? I understand there are HUGE complexities to RPGs like these, but come on people. 4 BAD GAMES? In a row? Sorry, I don't care how complex the game is in designing it; that's when you gotta say "you're fired" and tell every publisher not to trust them

 

[CptJackRabbit]

Though it really does seem like the higher percentage of complaints are Steam /
PC users. Im not saying limited to, as I know my 360 version has its issues, but the majority complaints come from computer versions.

And yes, I know it isnts Steams fault, or even Bethesda's.

 

[jaketheripper]

Before i got the game i read all the reviews and things about glitches, so i was scared to get it. but i got it anyway on my ps3 and have had an almost flawless experience just a few framerate problems

 

[Fumbleumble]

snip....there are still some games I will support by buying immediately, and one of these will be The Witcher 2. If there is any game on the horizon right now which promises to be bugged to hell and back (going by past studio experience) it's that one.

Yep... W2 is a day one buy for me also..but really?... exepected to be buggy.. .. I'm kinda surprised by this.. yeah, it certainly did contain bugs on release, like all games, but as far as I can *remember* (not a contradiction, just a querie as to you being sure..)I was on the boards for release and I seem to remember the general consensus being that for a first major release it was remarkably polished...

Might I also recommend Drankensang... the first was excellent, pnp based, and uncompromising (the uk version didn't even need a patch because The German's had 'beta'd' it for us lol..) and the second is due out very early next year (and again it's been well played by the German's so it should be another excellently polished release.)

 

[Kris015]

Funny.. I haven't had a single bug yet, i've had 1 crash and it sometimes lag a lot when i talk to people.

 

[Casimir_Effect]

After that they released some expansion packs. But they were expansion packs to a broken game with a reprehensible ending, so I didn't play them. Even if the expansion "fixes everything that was wrong with the original game," I didn't feel like rewarding them for their misbehavior.

You need to play Mask of the Betrayer, right now. NWN2 was too ambitious like everything Obsidian does. In fact there's an LP of it here http://lparchive.org/LetsPlay/NWN2/index.html which will show just how much was left out in the end (the player was very in depth). But MotB was near to perfect and fixed up the engine really well.

The thing I will always love about Obsidian is that they will take risks. Bioware are boring. Great, but boring. Obsidian are like a studio of Peter Molyneuxes. They promise so much that even though they try really hard something will fail in the end. But they put so much love into their games and make them so unique that it's always worth the struggle.
And their excuses will always be a bit false, because I don't they would ever have enough time to make a game exactly how they want it, due to their scope. Blame Atari or LucasArts or Bethesda for releasing it before Obsidian were ready if you like. But I'm sure that, if given another year, there would be just as many problems if not more, because instead of fixing things they were more concentrated on adding new stuff someone thought of while driving to work which sounded cool.

I have a high bug tolerance, so I'll take their approach any day. Also, buying things several months after release means shit gets fixed, yo.

THANK YOU!
I love KOTOR 2. Yes it wasn't as good as the firts one but it's FAR from bad, and I thought NWN 2 was even better than the first. And Bioware being boring is true. I LOVED every game from Bioware ever since MDK 2 but it seems they are doing almost the same RPG over and over again.

OT:Black isle/Obsidian/Troika always had buggy games and I'm really suprised the haven't fixed the problem that has been with them for like 12 years.

Bar the twist from KOTOR 1 (which I loved) the story and characters were so much more appealing in KOTOR 2. The characters especially because they were so damaged.

But also, my god was KOTOR 2 hard to get in to. Taris was painful, but only took an hour to burn through and did have some good moments. The opening of KOTOR 2 was several hours of hell. Then there was the typical Obsidian part of screwing you over by your gameplay choice. In KOTOR 2, this was when Atton (I think) gets lynched by the Twileck assassin chicks and, if you haven't been levelling with him, gets royally fucked (I got them trapped in a table luckily). In NWN 2, this happens when you get made a knight of Neverwinter and those damn Elite Vampires appear. Good luck dealing with those bastards if you're a sorceror with no anti-undead stuff or a rogue whose sneak attack is now useless.

It's hard for me to say anything bad against Bioware, as I still have much love for the Baldur's Gate series and Jade Empire, while also enjoying the new stuff. But I would love them to try something different with their games. Not just the same characters with all the depth of a crepé or a story with a getting-progressively-crapper twist. For example

Spoiler

after meeting Loghain for the first time, did anyone not think he was going to be an evil bastard?

They must have enough money and security now to take a risk or two. But I can't see Dragon Age 2 doing anything remotely new or risky.

Obsidian I will always love though because KOTOR 2 was so good after a few hours, and NWN 2 was great from Act 2 onwards, and Mask of the Betrayer was near perfect, and from the old days Planescape Torment was perfect. I tried to play Troika's Bloodlines but every time I did the game punished me for not choosing a basher character. That game loved giving you the idea of talking your way out of something, but failed to include the option half the time. And seeing as the stealth was broken as all hell, that was never much of an option either.

Regardless, taking chances is always better than not in this business. It seems to always lead to my favourite games.

 

[Fumbleumble]

Funny.. I haven't had a single bug yet, i've had 1 crash and it sometimes lag a lot when i talk to people.

A crash, and lag when you perform an ordinary action....not buggy?.. what do you call it then (mild admittedly.. but hardly non exisitant.)

 

[Enkidu88]

A few hours later I forgave the game and came back. I managed to win a $16,000 jackpot at the slot machines. (An exceptionally unlikely spin.) And then the game insta-crashed on me. This was like scratching off a winning lottery ticket and then getting hit by a car. A car driven by Obsidian Entertainment.

I literally burst out laughing at that line. Good show, good show indeed.

 

[Fumbleumble]

Seems like a lot of people are running into serious bugs with this one. I haven't hit anything beyond some minor graphics glitches.

But then again, I guess it helps to have an ungodly computer which processed everything the game had to offer within ten seconds of loading it.

Lol.. wrong thread mate.. the dick swinging contest is thata way ---->

 

[Acidwell]

Firstly why are people on this thread(and in the official vegas review) blaming the game engine for being buggy, as everyone points out its been out since 2006, bethesda managed to do a good lot of fixing on it and fallout 3 had bugs yeah but nowhere near as bad as oblivion. In that case why has there been a step back in terms of buggyness? ObsidianObsidianObsidianObsidianObsidianObsidianObsidian

And btw I fucking called it months ago.

 

[aaaaaDisregard]

I don't want my $50 back - the game is great so far, it's like Fallout 3 but with sane dialogue, interesting quests and lots of meaningful choices. And it crushed only once in about 10 hours of playtime.

There are rough edges here and there, but I gladly close my eyes on them - they are the minor problems which don't ruin the game, at least if you don't encounter some serious bug.

It's just too damn hard to achieve for New Vegas-like game the level of polish of Mass Effect 2 (which is probably the best RPG in terms of production values). ME2 is very short, super-linear and controllable.
Every movement in the cutscene, smallest detail, camera angle - it's hard and expensive, but possible for (relatively) small RPG with little to no consequences for the game world (I love Mass Effect 2, but most of decisions just don't cause noticeable changes - world always stays the same. And quests are scarce).

On the other hand we've got New Vegas with open world, lots of NPCs (most of which don't just stand in one place for ages, awaiting player's visit - they simulate simple sleep-work-eat cycle or even roam the surroundings), many quests with several solutions which affect environment, other NPCs and player's relations with different factions.

It's insanely hard to debug such a game, so naturally with constrains of time and money we don't get a perfect product immediately after release, but I'd rather buy slightly unpolished Fallout - New Vegas than stable, linear and uninspiring grinding of Gothic 4.

 

[azzamatazz]

I'm not buying this game, obsidian can burn in hell, EVERY game they've made has been bugged to hell.
NWN2 was so badly scripted its hard NOT to break the game while your playing... and after that, well i guess i just can forgive them

 

[Fumbleumble]

I don't want my $50 back - the game is great so far, it's like Fallout 3 but with sane dialogue, interesting quests and lots of meaningful choices. And it crushed only once in about 10 hours of playtime.

There are rough edges here and there, but I gladly close my eyes on them - they are the minor problems which don't ruin the game, at least if you don't encounter some serious bug.

It's just too damn hard to achieve for New Vegas-like game the level of polish of Mass Effect 2. ME2 is very short, super-linear and controllable.
Every movement in the cutscene, smallest detail, camera angle - it's hard and expensive, but possible for (relatively) small RPG with little to no consequences for the game world (I love Mass Effect 2, but most of decisions just don't cause noticeable changes - world always stays the same. And quests are scarce).

On the other hand we've got New Vegas with open world, lots of NPCs (most of which don't just stand in one place for ages, awaiting player's visit - they simulate simple sleep-work-eat cycle or even roam the surroundings), many quests with several solutions which affect environment, other NPCs and player's relations with different factions.

It's insanely hard to debug such a game, so naturally with constrains of time and money we don't get a perfect product immediately after release, but I'd rather buy slightly unpolished Fallout - New Vegas than stable, linear and uninspiring grinding of Gothic 4.

Pu-leeze..... Dude.. I think most rpg players are of the general conviction that ME2 wasn't an RPG... just a simple shooter, with a 'few' customisable options and a storyline that took a jump and a sharp left in so far as the direction the frist was going... yep polished.. but that's not too dificult for an on rails shooter..

But here we go again... someone else using the size of the game to somehow infer that Ob should be let off the hook... they choose to take on a project of this size.. they said they knew what they were doing.. the fact is they failled... totally their fault....

If I say I can build a mansion, then 'finish' it, but the windows let in water and the doors don't hang plumb.. is it ok if I say that the project was too big for me after all?

 

[Casimir_Effect]

Snip

I may be wrong in this but my memories of The Witcher upon release were that is had a pretty dodgy engine and some massive autosaving & quest bugs. The engine problem meant massive slowdown after a certain amount of playtime due to not clearing the RAM properly (similar to the slowdown NWN 2 experienced before patches, interestingly enough) or random bad lag. The autosave bug would crash the game while saving, which was annoying, and the quest bugs would involve the usual problem of people not appearing etc.

These were all fixed in the Enhanced Edition (although I still kill autosave just in case) and this is one of the main reasons why I support CD Projeckt. The fact the had the humility to re-do the game and fix it, then give this to all the people who had bought it already for free (along with some extra content too). The other reasons I like them are GoG, and that The Witcher was such a good game anyway (very Obsidian-ey with it's choice/consequence system).

I remember looking at Drakensang on Steam once. What sort of game is it? And would you also be able to list some games which are similar, or at least fit the parameter: If I liked ____, then I might like Drakensang?

 

[Fumbleumble]

Seems like a lot of people are running into serious bugs with this one. I haven't hit anything beyond some minor graphics glitches.

But then again, I guess it helps to have an ungodly computer which processed everything the game had to offer within ten seconds of loading it.

Lol.. wrong thread mate.. the dick swinging contest is thata way ---->

Just tellin' it like it is. But from reading a bit of the article again, it seems as if Shamus is playing on a console. The PS3 and 360 versions of this game may be having a lot more issues with it, considering that nobody I have talked to (playing on a PC) has had much trouble at all.

Also, there have been two updates for the PC version so far. Not sure about the consoles.

Can we change your first sentence to 'Just tellin' it AS I SEE IT'... because if you did a bit more looking around you'd see that PC players are screaming every bit as much as console players...maybe even more so... dunno... let's just agree half and half.

.. But still... nothing to do with hardware... it's all piss poor effort on Ob's behalf.... you're just simply 'a lucky one' read the thread(s)... a few of you exist.

 

[DestroytheTyrant]

I'am only having a minor bug, the game doesn't start..... oh wait.

 

[lumenadducere]

I just want to say that I really think you should play the Mask of the Betrayer expansion for NWN 2. I think it's the best thing they've put out yet, though I haven't played New Vegas - waiting for next month's paycheck. But I really, really liked MotB.

 

[bob-2000]

Mine does crash when I walk into s a few towns, but its not that bad, really. I can deal with it because the rest of the game is really good.

 

[Fumbleumble]

Snip

I may be wrong in this but my memories of The Witcher upon release were that is had a pretty dodgy engine and some massive autosaving & quest bugs. The engine problem meant massive slowdown after a certain amount of playtime due to not clearing the RAM properly (similar to the slowdown NWN 2 experienced before patches, interestingly enough) or random bad lag. The autosave bug would crash the game while saving, which was annoying, and the quest bugs would involve the usual problem of people not appearing etc.

These were all fixed in the Enhanced Edition (although I still kill autosave just in case) and this is one of the main reasons why I support CD Projeckt. The fact the had the humility to re-do the game and fix it, then give this to all the people who had bought it already for free (along with some extra content too). The other reasons I like them are GoG, and that The Witcher was such a good game anyway (very Obsidian-ey with it's choice/consequence system).

I remember looking at Drakensang on Steam once. What sort of game is it? And would you also be able to list some games which are similar, or at least fit the parameter: If I liked ____, then I might like Drakensang?

Yep, fair enough.. I'll take it as read you are correct... just something I was 'remembering'

Drakensang is a fully fledged old school RPG with some really nice scripted quests, a nice engine (with the single most imaginative area I've seen in a game.. you can't miss it, it's gorgeous) and the system has all the depth of the Mirny Diamond Mine (google an image).. comparable with D&D 2nd ed (i.e, you gotta be able to count)... Divinty 2 Ego Draconis is also a good rpg has it's issues but it's certainly eminently playable and enjoyable... steer clear of Arcania.. it's piss poor... Risen is OK-ish.. but mainly shouted about by Gothic fans (good games, nice story and such.. but the combat is arse.. and G3 is 'almost' an unplayable mess ), it certainly has it's own issues. Dragon Age also is 'ok' in flat kind of way (pure opinion...it's kinda shiney in a cinematic kinda of way...caters too much to angsty teens.. wayyyy too much blood and the sex is pointless (as I feel it is in every game).. this was the main complaint I had about The Witcher..yes it's supposed to be 'adult', but it always just comes off as being a bit of (lame) tittilation for spotty tweens :/) and Mass effect 1..which was quite good in a simplified sort of way (compared to Biowares older stuff)..the second was just too simple and naught but a shooter at the end of the day (again opinion).

Those are some of the most recent examples... but tbh I prefer older rpgs which seemed to be more about gameplay, story and system as opposed to eye candy.. I can recommend a few of my older favs if you so wish.... but to start with, if I were you I definately grab a copy of Drakensang and/or Div 2 (preferrably Drakensang... careful of the learning curve )

 

[lacktheknack]

I'm waiting for the Unofficial Patch on the Mod Nexus before buying. End of.