Lords of Xulima: The sleeper hit of 2014

[JumBie]

I had written a whole review about it here but somehow closed the browser before I could post it while I was drinking my coffee and reading the news. The whole review is lost and while it was more convincing I will still give you the quick rundown.

Lords of Xulima is a throwback to great rpgs. It ties in beautiful isometric graphics with hand drawn artwork and a captivating soundtrack to create a wonderful universe that is both diverse and pleasant to the eyes.

I had never heard of this game until yesterday when somehow it showed up on my steam recommended page. I debated with my self but ultimately caved in after reading the reviews, let me tell you, I was not let down.

This is a top down RPG with a robust party, skill, and combat system. It is also one that does not hold your hand, does not give you way points or tell you how to complete a mission. This is a game that relies on quicksaves for its turn based combat can be unforgiving and the world is filled with traps and ambushes at every corner. The story is well crafted and the world feels like it has history with plenty of side quest and secrets hidden throughout the map. There is so much to do, so much to see, so much to experience. I have played about 12 hours so far in the past 2 days and I still have not scratched the surface.

If you are a die hard cRPG fan, if you enjoyed Grimrock, if you enjoy isometric rpgs or even just a great story, well then this game is for you. I promise you, you will not be disappointed.

You can get this game on steam, or even at GOG if you want DRM free.

http://store.steampowered.com/app/296570/

http://www.gog.com/game/lords_of_xulima_deluxe_edition

I wish I could be a little more convincing but I am depressed at the loss of my original review as I spent quite some time writing it. However, I can assure you that the game will speak for itself.

Here are a few screenshots.

 

[DaveSimmons]

From the first screen it looks like the combat is 1-D, like the original Bard's Tale, Wizardry, and PS1 JRPGs, is that right? Just ranks, no 2-D map positioning?

 

[JumBie]

From the first screen it looks like the combat is 1-D, like the original Bard's Tale, Wizardry, and PS1 JRPGs, is that right? Just ranks, no 2-D map positioning?

So I am not exactly sure what you are referring to, but allow me to explain how the combat works.

Combat can be either through a random encounter (ambush, enemy not seen on screen) or through interaction (walking up to a enemy). Once that happens you are taken to the battle screen, as seen in the first picture. All characters on screen, both enemies and members of your own party are placed in a battle formation. This means that enemies in the back row cannot attack unless they have a long weapon (pole arm, staff etc...) or a missile type weapon (bow, crossbow, magic). All enemies on screen are rendered in a 2d/3d style and have both attack/stationary animations. When you choose to attack an enemy you attack will be animated. All spells/weapons have their own unique animation. The combat system is almost identical to that of the one used in The Legend of Grimrock. Turns are issued through the speed attribute (initiation) and status effects (stuns, snares etc...). Its appears rather simple but it is quite complex.

A good little video to give you an idea of how the game works.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7YXQeApvQw

 

[CPA]

Already on my Wishlist. Just too many other games right now.

 

[ControlD]

I came this close to buying this game during the Winter sale but I passed on it. Next time there is a sale I will probably pick it up. To me it looks like a modern version of the older Ultima games (3-6) which probably accounts for the name. I loved those games back in the day so I'll probably like this one as well.

 

[xantub]

The game is great and challenging. My only problem is... it's too freaking long! My ideal RPG length is 40-60 hours. I can go up to 80 hours, but after that my interest drops siginificantly. I don't know how many hours I've played LoX because I was offline when I played in my last long trip, but it was several weeks for a bunch of hours each day, and after all that, I think I'm only about halfway there, and not feeling like continuing.

 

[JumBie]

Already on my Wishlist. Just too many other games right now.

I hear ya, damn Steam and their sales!

I came this close to buying this game during the Winter sale but I passed on it. Next time there is a sale I will probably pick it up. To me it looks like a modern version of the older Ultima games (3-6) which probably accounts for the name. I loved those games back in the day so I'll probably like this one as well.

Yeah it reminded me of the Ultima series as well. Hopefully it lives up to your expectations .

The game is great and challenging. My only problem is... it's too freaking long! My ideal RPG length is 40-60 hours. I can go up to 80 hours, but after that my interest drops siginificantly. I don't know how many hours I've played LoX because I was offline when I played in my last long trip, but it was several weeks for a bunch of hours each day, and after all that, I think I'm only about halfway there, and not feeling like continuing.

I gotta say about 50% of my time is spent exploring the map trying to figure out exactly where I need to go. The quest are very ambiguous when it comes to locations.

I also really like how they made the collection of herbs and plants worthwhile. In other games like Skyrim I completely ignore collecting plants because they really didn't have any benefit. In this game collecting enough plants and herbs of a certain kind gives you permanent bonuses to main attributes and resists. I find my self collecting every single thing I see around me.

 

[Denithor]

I never really played the Ultima series but this looks reminiscent of the Wizardry - World of Xeen games to me. Which could be fun.

 

[DaveSimmons]

So I am not exactly sure what you are referring to, but allow me to explain how the combat works. ...

Thanks. By 1-D I mean 1-dimensional positioning, that is a line. The art may be 3D but there is only depth as a position.

Line --- [your rank B] [your rank F] [enemy rank F] [enemy rank B] ---

That's how many older JRPGs and some older Windows games did things.

In games with 2-D combat there is a grid like a chess board, and the positions of your party and the enemy can change. Area effect spells will only hit those who are in their circle of effect, which might include your party members if friendly fire is enabled.

Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, etc. used 2D combat.

 

[shortylickens]

Hmmmm, that actually looks like something I might enjoy......

 

[JumBie]

Thanks. By 1-D I mean 1-dimensional positioning, that is a line. The art may be 3D but there is only depth as a position.

Line --- [your rank B] [your rank F] [enemy rank F] [enemy rank B] ---

That's how many older JRPGs and some older Windows games did things.

In games with 2-D combat there is a grid like a chess board, and the positions of your party and the enemy can change. Area effect spells will only hit those who are in their circle of effect, which might include your party members if friendly fire is enabled.

Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, etc. used 2D combat.

Oh I see what you mean. Well its sort of like a chess board. You can move the position of your party members, and the enemy can move their units as well. But as far as AOE spells hurting your own members, I have not encountered that yet.

 

[you2]

So I've completedt his game a bit ago month or so maybe - it does some thing extremely right but it also does somethings rather poorly. The game starts out fantastic and perhaps the first 40 hours it is 9 but to be honest near the 60th hour or so it became a bit old and I was happy to finish and move on. It is not a bad game and for the price it is absolutely fantastic and I highly recommend it but I wouldn't call GOTY. In a lot of ways it is similar to MM X (the story/lore is very different) of the two it is not clear to me which is the better game - they are similar but extremely different and the art style is very different (MM X probably has more 'real/signfiicant' bugs).
-
Anyways don't take me wrong I do recommend the game and before level 7 it does something absolutely fantastic that very few games manage to accomplish (can't say what it is as it is a spoiler) which is a sign of good game design. But just be prepared for a bit of backtracking and such.

 

[JumBie]

So I've completedt his game a bit ago month or so maybe - it does some thing extremely right but it also does somethings rather poorly. The game starts out fantastic and perhaps the first 40 hours it is 9 but to be honest near the 60th hour or so it became a bit old and I was happy to finish and move on. It is not a bad game and for the price it is absolutely fantastic and I highly recommend it but I wouldn't call GOTY. In a lot of ways it is similar to MM X (the story/lore is very different) of the two it is not clear to me which is the better game - they are similar but extremely different and the art style is very different (MM X probably has more 'real/signfiicant' bugs).
-
Anyways don't take me wrong I do recommend the game and before level 7 it does something absolutely fantastic that very few games manage to accomplish (can't say what it is as it is a spoiler) which is a sign of good game design. But just be prepared for a bit of backtracking and such.

I completely agree. A lot of side quest are set up to the point where you cannot actually complete them after you get them, this is mainly due to areas being blocked off by extremely difficult enemies, or the actual enemy in the quest being too hard to fight. I find my self going all over the place completing both the main and side quest but doing whichever one is easier first, then backtracking to another quest after I have gained a level or two. Its definitely a long game and there is tons to be done, so you will absolutely get your moneys worth. I guess its up to the player to decide whether or not things remain compelling even after 40 hours in.