Elemental: War of Magic

[Martimus]

I am trying to install my beta for this game now. I was just wondering if anyone else is going to try out the beta, and if there were any issues trying to install it?

For those that don't know, Elemental is a game similar to Master of Magic. I'll write my impressions here after I figure out how to install the thing. (This initial beta, is an early beta so that the beta testers can actually help mold the game. It doesn't include near the features that the end game will have, or even what has been shown so far.)

 

[Martimus]

I figured out my problem. There is a setting "show pre-release versions" in the pull-down menu that was not checked. It is checked now, and I am D/Ling the game.

 

[Martimus]

I tried a game, and have yet to figure it out really. I think I will try again tomorrow.

 

[TehMac]

Its out in beta already? I just noticed some initial screens and stuff released in April, and then some more screens a week or so ago. I dig the art style except the army bull shit. The figures look flaccid and unexciting, while the game itself is turn based. Can't we have a game like Sins of a Solar Empire, but a little less hectic and with a more appealing setting, puuuuhleeeeze?

 

[BladeVenom]

The figures look flaccid and unexciting

If it bothers you that much, make a suggestion for its improvement. The game is still in beta, and there's the possibility it might be changed if enough people agree with you.

 

[FeathersMcGraw]

I played around with Beta 1 for a couple hours last night. Lots of stuff is still disabled, so the focus is essentially on the general flow of the interface and mechanics. I found the interface to be only moderately intuitive at first glance, although I did manage to puzzle out things after a lot of "try this, see which widgets onscreen change". There are many bugs (although I've found the build to be mostly stable), and not much gameplay aside from exploration and some city building right now, but the elements that are hinted at look like they'll eventually make a spectacular game.

 

[TehMac]

Originally posted by: BladeVenom

The figures look flaccid and unexciting

If it bothers you that much, make a suggestion for its improvement. The game is still in beta, and there's the possibility it might be changed if enough people agree with you.

I think its part of the gameplay, from what I understand, but I could make a suggestion. Not sure I really care too much, because apart from the art style and the strategy, this game doesn't look all that exciting (setting, potential gameplay).

 

[BladeVenom]

Originally posted by: TehMac
...this game doesn't look all that exciting (setting, potential gameplay).

Not a fan of Master of Magic?

 

[TehMac]

No, not really.

 

[Skott]

I like turned base strategy games. HOMM and Jagged Alliance are two of my favs. Its nice to play a PC game that doesnt require a lot of clicking and twitching all the time. I'll have to keep my eye on this one and see how it turns out. Did they mention a release date?

 

[Martimus]

Originally posted by: Skott
I like turned base strategy games. HOMM and Jagged Alliance are two of my favs. Its nice to play a PC game that doesnt require a lot of clicking and twitching all the time. I'll have to keep my eye on this one and see how it turns out. Did they mention a release date?

Originally it was to be February 2010, but it has been moved back as they are doing a longer Beta cycle so that the players will have more input on the game. (They were trying to decide which method of beta testing they were going to do - one where they had few beta tests to iron out problems, or one where they would extend it to let beta testers alter the game play mechanics - they chose the latter.)

 

[TehMac]

Where can I get the beta anyway?

 

[FeathersMcGraw]

The beta is only available for people who pre-ordered, but you should be able to still pre-order through Stardock.net through the end of September and be able to download the beta through Impulse.

Be warned, though, the early beta is very rough and while it is, by the strictest definition, a playable game, the purpose of the beta is for testers to provide early developer feedback, not the usual end-user demo that gamers typically see.

 

[CurseTheSky]

I'm very interested in this. I used to LOVE Masters of Magic when I was much younger.

I was a bit unimpressed with the screen shots (the original shots I saw looked a bit too cartoony; I was hoping for something a little bit more defined like Civ IV), but games like this are all about the game play. Masters of Magic was insanely fun, except for numerous game-crashing bugs.

 

[Martimus]

I suggest skipping this first beta, unless you really want to do a lot of testing. It really isn't fun at the moment, and is just like when I used to test programs for bugs, except I am not getting paid for it.

If you want to get an early peak at the game, I would wait until the next round of beta's are released, I believe in November. Then it should be much more polished.

 

[TehMac]

http://www.gametrailers.com/vi...09-elemental-war/56386

Pretty cool movie if you want to see the game in action.

 

[TehMac]

I have to say, this game does look very appealing and very cool now. The art style really makes it come out.