Do Tell....
 

Ok, so, since Dominions 2 has been out for a couple months....what is your favorite aspect of the game?

Mine?

well....there are so much that I do like, but here is probably my favorite:

The magic strategy. There is so many different spells, that so many "killer" strategies can (and probably will) be countered with a spell, or combination of spells. Even though I don't know the magic system all that well, with all the different spells, but the whole magic system is impressive to me. Along those same lines, are the forged magic items....I think that these things add much to the strategy/counter-strategy also.

So, again, what are your favorite aspect of the game (so far, anyways)?

Re: Do Tell....
 

I've always loved auras. The Last 2 year RPG campaign I ran was all about a war between Divine, Infernal, and Faerie auras from Ars Magica.

While Total War has a kind of aura feature, not many games do, and it isn't central to the strategy in Total War like it is in Dom2.

So, between that and the sophisticated philosophical coverage of the fantasy elements of the game, along with the extreme flexibility and smart design, this all comes together to make Dom2 a real winner as far as game design goes in my own eyes.

Besides, it's fun http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

[ January 27, 2004, 01:24: Message edited by: diamondspider ]

Re: Do Tell....
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Ars Magica has probably influenced us more than any other game (RPG or computer). MoM, contrary to common belief was not a major influence. I didn't play it very much, although I liked it. Actually I do not play computer games that much.

Re: Do Tell....
 

Ars Magicka was a bigger influence than MoM? Wow.. really? What kind of influences did it have on you? I got pretty far in Ars Magicka, but hrmm.. I can think of ANY similarities between D2 and A.M..

Re: Do Tell....
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Ars Magica has probably influenced us more than any other game (RPG or computer). MoM, contrary to common belief was not a major influence. I didn't play it very much, although I liked it. Actually I do not play computer games that much. </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Wow, you guys have good taste http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

We had a bLast in that campaign and the effect of the auras, how they conflicted, weakened or aided each other really added a ton to the game.

There is something about wars of "energies", wars of ideas, wars of belief, and such that has always facinated me; even more than the more physical sorts of war.

Maybe the pen really is mightier than the sword http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

[ January 27, 2004, 16:23: Message edited by: diamondspider ]

Re: Do Tell....
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Look at the tables of how the 4 auras influence each other and read how they effect magic.

It is unique to Ars as far as I know as far as an RPG dynamic.

Re: Do Tell....
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Hehe. Sounds like the old story of the plumber who had leaky faucets in his house. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Re: Do Tell....
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Magic sites and gems - magic gems are referred to as 'vis' by us. The path-school matrix is comparable with the form-technique concept. Dominions - auras. Medieval/ancient history in a fantasy setting. Armor names - cuirass, hauberk, full armor. Combat system with att-def, dmg-prot (although ars uses d10). Spells and rituals. Empowerment of mages by usage of vis/gems. Probably lots of other stuff I cant remember now.

Re: Do Tell....
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Hehe. Sounds like the old story of the plumber who had leaky faucets in his house. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">JK and Johan O do most of the gaming in the Illwinter neighborhood.

Re: Do Tell....
 

I've heard a lot about Ars Magicka around here and I have to say I'm getting very intrigued. Is it still available? Who published it, and does anybody know if there's a Version available in the US?