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Digital Gaming => Computer Gaming => Topic started by: Gusington on June 23, 2022, 09:28:20 AM

Title: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: Gusington on June 23, 2022, 09:28:20 AM
Fantasy role-playing 4x with tactical combat and a massive campaign map set in the SpellForce universe, whose other games I have enjoyed muchly over the years.

Pre-alpha below but looks strikingly good. Fingers crossed for this one, no definite release day announced yet. Published by THQ Nordic.

Came outta nowhere for me!

Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: devoncop on June 23, 2022, 10:45:14 AM
Already wishlisted last week.

Not familiar with Spellforce world but the description and the magic words "turn based" make it a contender straight away.

Decent developers too.
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: Gusington on June 23, 2022, 10:56:21 AM
Looks epic to me. Didn't know anything about it until an hour ago!
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: glen55 on June 23, 2022, 11:08:51 AM
RPS does a fairly in-depth preview. The attitude is to release when ready instead of on a schedule but they are targeting early 2023.

https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/spellforce-conquest-of-eo-is-a-strategy-rpg-with-4x-dna-and-do-or-die-action
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: jamus34 on June 23, 2022, 11:27:06 AM
Never played the sequels but the original Spellforce was a solid game that cribbed from a lot of other games (Like HOMM) but managed to mix it into something that felt both unique and fresh.
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: Gusington on June 23, 2022, 11:31:20 AM
^Yes I felt the same about the games in the series I played. This new one looks to be switching gears quite a bit.
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: FlickJax on June 24, 2022, 03:03:08 AM
Looks good, missed this genre recently
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: devoncop on December 20, 2022, 03:08:50 PM
Necro'ing this thread as some gameplay and Dev Commentary/  in depth interview just posted by Rob from Explorminate and THIS looks great.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpynRGYKj1A
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: Gusington on December 20, 2022, 04:45:01 PM
Awesome will have to watch when I get to a pc, thanks!
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: SlagDog on December 21, 2022, 11:08:38 AM
Yeah I watched that interview by Rob on Youtube and I was encouraged by what I heard. But The Spellforce games have always promised a lot and delivered less then expected. I'm hoping this new team will breath some life into a great turn based game using the Spellforce IP. I'm cautiously optimist that this will be a good title.
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: Gusington on December 21, 2022, 11:09:59 AM
I agree about the 'less than expected' but even that was pretty good in most SpellForce games.
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: devoncop on January 23, 2023, 03:42:12 PM
Magical Times Ahead! SpellForce: Conquest of Eo Will Release on February 3rd, 2023

Vienna, Austria, January 23rd, 2023 - Are you ready to embark on a journey to become the most powerful mage of all time? SpellForce: Conquest of Eo, launching on PC on February 3rd, 2023, offers a deep 4X experience with an abundance of content and high replayability. With over 80 handcrafted battle maps across 15 unique environments, players can assemble their armies from a variety of over 100 units, including dwarven axe wielders, stone golems, orcish shamans, and majestic griffons. Perfect your armies by hiring one of more than 15 heroes and apprentices to lead them. Embark on a plentitude of adventures and master over 700 handwritten quests. As a master of magic, research over 100 different spells in your grimoire and use them strategically in tactical battles that demand consideration of flanking, range, visibility, high ground, and special battle enchantments. Explore the vast world of Eo, a magical realm full of treasures and resources, inhabited by various races such as men, elves, orcs, dwarves, goblins, and monsters. Are you ready to experience the ultimate adventure?


Price is £24.99 in UK
         $29.99 in US

In first week the game can be bought with a 20% discount which seems pretty reasonable pricing.

Too many interesting games coming out in quick succession !
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: Gusington on January 23, 2023, 04:18:40 PM
 :Dreamer: That was much sooner than I expected.

Dwarven axe wielders!

'A plentitude of adventures'!!
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: FarAway Sooner on January 24, 2023, 08:38:38 PM
That demo looks VERY intriguing!  So long as they give us enough character classes, and introduce enough complicated game play pieces that interact together, this could be a very sweet game. 

I like the notion of a 4x that plays a little bit more like an RPG at times.  Fantasy games seem particularly suited to that theme.  I'll be watching this one very carefully. 
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: steve58 on February 03, 2023, 09:19:55 AM
Its out.  $23.99 until 2/10

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1581770/SpellForce_Conquest_of_Eo/
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: Gusington on February 03, 2023, 09:49:19 AM
Unless I hear it is utter drivel, I will be buying this today...no reviews yet on Steam, though.
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: devoncop on February 03, 2023, 10:19:35 AM
I will be getting it in the next hour Gus.

19.99 GBP is a great price. I haven't played any Spellforce before so it will all be new for me.

Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: Gusington on February 03, 2023, 10:21:13 AM
^They're solid games, I have enjoyed most of them - this one is more ambitious than previous titles.
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: devoncop on February 03, 2023, 12:27:25 PM
The good news is it loads and runs great. Will dig into it more this evening but managed to win the first combat tutorial so I now own a Tower  :ThumbsUp:

I have gone in as a necromancer so let's see how it goes....I like the story driven approach already.
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: ArizonaTank on February 03, 2023, 12:57:01 PM
I'm in...price point is good...looks like it is my kind of game.
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: Gusington on February 03, 2023, 01:03:10 PM
Was the tutorial confusing, devon? Some on Steam have said as much.
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: devoncop on February 03, 2023, 01:34:58 PM
It's not a tutorial as such which is why I like it.

You just launch a new campaign and there are tutorial like directions to get you to come across each concept. For example when you first move your starting stack into your Mages Tower it gives you an option to fight a battle which acts as a combat tutorial.

There are tooltips for pretty much anything you need. So far I find it pretty straightforward but I only dipped in for 20 mins or so.

Will find out more tonight.

I see on Steam you bought it so will be interested in your impressions.
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: Gusington on February 03, 2023, 02:02:14 PM
^You see that? I didn't buy it yet hahaha  :3musketeer:

I prefer tutorials that are part of the game so I dunno what people are whining about.
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: devoncop on February 03, 2023, 02:10:27 PM
You have an imposter on Steam then who needs to be taken out with extreme prejudice  :knuppel2:

No idea who I have "Friended" then....must be some Nigerian con man from Lagos....no wonder he wanted to pay all that oil money into my bank account  :grin:

Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: Gusington on February 03, 2023, 02:18:38 PM
Funny yet f*cked up at the same time  :cool:
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: devoncop on February 03, 2023, 02:33:58 PM
Quote from: Gusington on February 03, 2023, 02:18:38 PMFunny yet f*cked up at the same time  :cool:

It's been said before  :azn:
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: devoncop on February 03, 2023, 04:14:14 PM
Okay so I have no played this for almost 2 hours and I am really impressed.

Tactical battles are very much like AOW3 and there are lots of level ups available for units and a nice varied selection  of enemies.

I have a lot to learn but it is hugely enjoyable so far.
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: Gusington on February 03, 2023, 04:15:29 PM
^You did this same thing to me with Knights of Honor 2...dammit all to hell.

I was planning on buying this today anyway but you should consider a new career in PC game marketing.
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: devoncop on February 03, 2023, 04:26:17 PM
 :ROFL:

I was right with KoH2 though wasn't I ?

I just realised on my Steam page it shows you as having it on your wishlist not having bought it  :idiot2:

My bank account details are safe after all :-).

If you like AoW games you will like this one.
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: Gusington on February 03, 2023, 04:43:56 PM
^You were right, yes. And I really did like the AoW games, especially the legendary AoWII.
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: JasonPratt on February 03, 2023, 05:32:45 PM
Wait, AoW?? Spellforce is going turn-based instead of F/3PS - RTS for this entry??
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: devoncop on February 03, 2023, 05:34:09 PM
100% turn based Jason!
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: Gusington on February 03, 2023, 05:41:37 PM
I can hear Pratt rifling through his piggy bank right now.
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: JasonPratt on February 03, 2023, 05:45:35 PM
Not really -- I find the change interesting, but the original point to Spellforce was the immersive RTS/RPG experience. I've played the first mission or two of the original game, and just haven't ever gotten back to it due to shiny things elsewhere, but I very much appreciated the attempt: enough so that I own the whole series up to this point!

I'm slightly LESS likely to buy it eventually as a tbs. Certainly not at once (though I wasn't going to do that anyway, wanting to play through the originals first.)
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: Gusington on February 03, 2023, 05:48:24 PM
You're crankypants today.
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: FarAway Sooner on February 03, 2023, 09:40:42 PM
We'll be waiting for more extensive descriptions in the coming days, gentlemen!  I like the notion of a story-based tutorial, myself...
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: JasonPratt on February 04, 2023, 10:11:28 AM
I don't know about the later entries (having not played them yet), but I can confirm that the original game had not only one but two story-based tutorials -- the first one not having anything obvious to do with the plot, and could be skipped entirely.
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: devoncop on February 04, 2023, 10:22:28 AM
This one is entirely related to the overall plot but is done with a VERY light touch so some things I am discovering through the tooltips and trial and error. There is certainly no railroading going on which suits me but some folk may want a more traditional tutorial I guess that runs separate from the actual campaign.

My feeling is that if you have played a number of 4X/RPG type games you should pick things up fairly quickly, notwithstanding the several unique aspects of this one.
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: Gusington on February 04, 2023, 11:06:42 AM
Reviews on Steam are looking 'very positive.'
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: devoncop on February 04, 2023, 11:13:45 AM
Rob from Explorminate has written a very positive review on Steam of this one for those that (like me) respect his opinion.

Played some more this afternoon and got my Mages Tower levitating and moving around which is very cool. There is no city spam in this game at all. It is very much a type of "one city" challenge where the city is constantly being improved and moved around to grab resources. This is necessary because mines, wheat fields etc are not indefinite in supply and get exhausted so there is a need to stay on the move.

The difficulty level affects how aggressive the other mages are as well as the strength of independents. So far I have only been moderately challenged in fights but I am playing on "novice" which is only the second level to get familiar with the mechanics. I am already looking forward to my next run :-)

Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: Gusington on February 04, 2023, 11:23:23 AM
This thread is playing out exactly like the KoH2 thread. Expect my whining and mewling on how the game is kicking my ass soon  :Loser:
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: Grim.Reaper on February 04, 2023, 05:09:58 PM
Depending on your membership level at GMG, can get for $19.99

https://www.greenmangaming.com/games/spellforce-conquest-of-eo-pc/
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: bobarossa on February 04, 2023, 05:25:16 PM
Quote from: Grim.Reaper on February 04, 2023, 05:09:58 PMDepending on your membership level at GMG, can get for $19.99

https://www.greenmangaming.com/games/spellforce-conquest-of-eo-pc/
Thanks for mentioning!  I usually delete my GMG emails. Apparently I qualify!
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: Gusington on February 11, 2023, 03:44:24 PM
I have only put in three hours but I feel we have a Knights of Honor 2 type winner here with Eo. Making slow progress this weekend...it is a calming, chill vibe in this game, great storytelling and good music. Easy to fall in love with.

(https://steamuserimages-a.akamaihd.net/ugc/2035100194151489878/794D9B297C35397E0626DDCBEA92818442A82007/?imw=5000&imh=5000&ima=fit&impolicy=Letterbox&imcolor=%23000000&letterbox=false)
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: devoncop on February 11, 2023, 04:30:15 PM
Another fan of the Undead ehc :ThumbsUp:

Told you it was a great game.... Like you say, it is really relaxing to play with loads of side quests.
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: FarAway Sooner on February 11, 2023, 04:50:17 PM
Aside from the "you only have 1 Mage's tower" aspect, what does this game do differently than the million other 4x Fantasy TBS games out there?  I'm deeply intrigued, I'll admit.

Also, how many character classes can you play?  I've never been crazy about role-playing a Necromancer character.  It just brings back too many flashbacks of Alice Cooper's classic:

Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: Gusington on February 11, 2023, 05:05:22 PM
^So far only three types which did seem a little limited to me but that could have changed with yesterday's big patch. Each class is extremely customizable, though.
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: joram on February 11, 2023, 05:10:12 PM
It did not change with the patch.  As Gus said, it feels very chill but I really have no idea if I'm falling behind or not and that's a little scary!
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: Gusington on February 11, 2023, 05:23:22 PM
^Me neither, not yet anyway. I have it on 'explorer' difficulty' which I think is the 2nd out of 5 tiers. I am enjoying just finding things on the map and the combat. I need to figure out where and how to construct buildings for infrastructure as resources are finite and run out.

Same type of progression I did with Knights of Honor 2, but so far with no colossal failures  :3musketeer:
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: FarAway Sooner on February 11, 2023, 07:14:38 PM
OK, you bastards talked me into it.  Is there any reason I shouldn't try buying this on Green Man Gaming if I live in the US?  I'm not going to get some version of the game that talks about limey Goblins and needing to build a lift in my tower for access to the observatorium, am I?

 :magnify:
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: devoncop on February 11, 2023, 10:07:09 PM
Quote from: Gusington on February 11, 2023, 05:23:22 PM^Me neither, not yet anyway. I have it on 'explorer' difficulty' which I think is the 2nd out of 5 tiers. I am enjoying just finding things on the map and the combat. I need to figure out where and how to construct buildings for infrastructure as resources are finite and run out.

Same type of progression I did with Knights of Honor 2, but so far with no colossal failures  :3musketeer:

Infrastructure improvements are done by building rooms in your Tower. Once you get to a certain level (Ponce you have 5 rooms built) those rooms themselves can be improved. Defences for the Tower can be improved via a specific bit of research.

Always make sure you have at least one or two workers (human or dwarf) working the mines or harvestable resources as some of the tings they get for you get you great troop improvements in the crafting screen.
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: Gusington on February 11, 2023, 11:30:31 PM
^So I can use units to build structures like mines, etc?

I have been progressing alright with my tower...into Tier 2 today.
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: devoncop on February 12, 2023, 01:14:08 AM
Quote from: Gusington on February 11, 2023, 11:30:31 PM^So I can use units to build structures like mines, etc?

I have been progressing alright with my tower...into Tier 2 today.


No. You can't "build" mines. Each game the harvestable resources like wheat, pumpkins etc and mounds of ore are randomly placed and you just use workers or units with the mining or harvest trait to exploit them.

 The tricky bit of course is they get depleted and run out so that is why it is good to move your Tower around so fresh sources of Gold and harvestable resources are  more easily exploited.

It sounds like you have those mechanics figured out anyway though.

Are you playing with the "Goldenfields" map start ?
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: Gusington on February 12, 2023, 09:36:28 AM
^Yes I am playing Goldenfields. Not quite grasping how to harvest...it's not automatic, but I don't think I have noticed what units can harvest...?
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: devoncop on February 12, 2023, 09:54:39 AM
Quote from: Gusington on February 12, 2023, 09:36:28 AM^Yes I am playing Goldenfields. Not quite grasping how to harvest...it's not automatic, but I don't think I have noticed what units can harvest...?

Go to the human city to the east of the starting area. When you visit you can pick up quests and but provisions but also, once you complete some quests for them you can hire troops including workers. The workers (with pitchforks) can fight but also on wheat/pumpkins etc can harvest by putting them on the resource tile and choosing that option.

Some promotions options for units also allow you to choose the harvest ability so that unit also does it.
After 4 or 5 turns the resource is exhausted and you get a load of ingredients in your inventory which you can use for necromancy if playing Undead, or sell for gold.

Off topic I just got a Level 3 Demon fighting for me via a successful battle and now a hard ass Level 5 Human Hero mercenary who turned up at my Tower wanting help ....my other troops are all still Level 1 or 2 so this is BIG  :ThumbsUp:
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: Gusington on February 12, 2023, 10:25:48 AM
^Ah thanks. I have found that city but have not visited it yet. That city also hated me at first but by completing quests they are friendly now.

I have been leveling up my units as well, I have some trolls/goblins/gremlins at level 3-4.
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: devoncop on February 12, 2023, 10:51:36 AM
Do you mean Level 3/4 Trolls/Goblins etc or 3/4 promotions ?

My Level 1 troops are still only Level 1 but have had multiple promotions so can still be useful. Level 2 and 3 troops will have 100-200 hit points each...
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: FarAway Sooner on February 12, 2023, 12:29:09 PM
I'm kind of sad that nobody took the bait of my Alice Cooper YouTube.  Maybe you guys aren't as depraved as I thought you were?
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: devoncop on February 12, 2023, 12:55:22 PM
Quote from: FarAway Sooner on February 12, 2023, 12:29:09 PMI'm kind of sad that nobody took the bait of my Alice Cooper YouTube.  Maybe you guys aren't as depraved as I thought you were?

Alice Cooper ?

Before my time ....was she good ?  :evil:
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: Gusington on February 12, 2023, 03:10:07 PM
I am probably more depraved than that.

Anyway I'm not sure, devon. Going to go back in now to play a little more. I have been leveling up my units but I'll be damned if I can remember if they are actually at level 3/4 or promoted  :ninjameditate:
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: devoncop on February 12, 2023, 03:24:11 PM
Quote from: Gusington on February 12, 2023, 03:10:07 PMI am probably more depraved than that.

Anyway I'm not sure, devon. Going to go back in now to play a little more. I have been leveling up my units but I'll be damned if I can remember if they are actually at level 3/4 or promoted  :ninjameditate:

It's old age.

Affects the memory :idiot2:

Pull up the unit card. The level of the unit is spelled out at the top. The unit promotion level is the number of chevrons on the unit card.
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: Gusington on February 12, 2023, 04:28:25 PM
Well quite a bit happened in my roughly last 90 minutes of play, including learning how to harvest  :tongue: 

The game is deceptively deep.

(https://steamuserimages-a.akamaihd.net/ugc/2035100194156786132/4AC78A1B3CC02232049298762EC65A8D633A90B8/?imw=5000&imh=5000&ima=fit&impolicy=Letterbox&imcolor=%23000000&letterbox=false)

Also hired my first apprentice which I did get a screenshot of...

(https://steamuserimages-a.akamaihd.net/ugc/2035100194156786296/CD7F6C2E3A5C62C78515D7871683137B91CD6EFB/?imw=5000&imh=5000&ima=fit&impolicy=Letterbox&imcolor=%23000000&letterbox=false)

...and my first hero.
(https://steamuserimages-a.akamaihd.net/ugc/2035100194156786431/0A10D8A331EDB182B21C37179ABF550DCD2CB5D6/?imw=5000&imh=5000&ima=fit&impolicy=Letterbox&imcolor=%23000000&letterbox=false)



Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: devoncop on February 12, 2023, 05:30:11 PM
Nice !

You are right. There are a lot of elements to this game. I have 2 heroes but haven't found any opportunity to hire apprentices yet....

Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: Gusington on February 12, 2023, 05:34:58 PM
^One hero came to me as you mentioned. The apprentice I hired at an academy I found in the far north.
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: devoncop on February 13, 2023, 01:36:53 AM
Quote from: Gusington on February 12, 2023, 05:34:58 PM^One hero came to me as you mentioned. The apprentice I hired at an academy I found in the far north.

Ah...that may explain it. Most of my campaigning is being done against the Undead faction (splitters!!) in the South and South West.
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: Gusington on February 13, 2023, 09:25:09 AM
^And I am in the North...mostly. Spreading slowly in other directions. Trying to figure out how many units is too many to have at once. The map is also much bigger than it initially appears.
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: devoncop on February 13, 2023, 11:10:05 AM
Quote from: Gusington on February 13, 2023, 09:25:09 AM^And I am in the North...mostly. Spreading slowly in other directions. Trying to figure out how many units is too many to have at once. The map is also much bigger than it initially appears.

It is HUGE !

This will be a long game I think which I am very happy with as there is so much going on. I am now running with 3 full stacks and assorted smaller garrisons and can sense The Circle Mages getting a bit cheesed off with me.
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: Gusington on February 13, 2023, 11:28:20 AM
^I keep getting messages that The Circle Mages are pissed off at me as well...I must be doing something right  :tophat:

And I also have, if I remember correctly, 3-4 stacks as well as a couple of random single units roaming around.

I am trying to balance out how many units set to harvest resources vs. actual combat units.

Oh and the first major city I found, can't remember the name, now loves me because the missions I finished benefitted it muchly. Players can't take direct control of cities?
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: devoncop on February 13, 2023, 01:05:48 PM
You can't take control of cities from what I see. Your domain will always be within the radius of your Tower (though that expands as you progress as a Mage).

Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: Gusington on February 13, 2023, 02:13:31 PM
Gotcha, thanks
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: JasonPratt on February 13, 2023, 02:46:58 PM
Apparently I need a nap: I read the most recent several messages (back to 'the map is huge'), thinking I was in the thread about the WW1 game...
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: FarAway Sooner on February 13, 2023, 02:59:12 PM
Quote from: devoncop on February 12, 2023, 12:55:22 PM
Quote from: FarAway Sooner on February 12, 2023, 12:29:09 PMI'm kind of sad that nobody took the bait of my Alice Cooper YouTube.  Maybe you guys aren't as depraved as I thought you were?

Alice Cooper ?

Before my time ....was she good ?  :evil:

Talented?  Brilliant?  Artistic?  Creative?  "Yes" to all of them!

"Good"?  That one's a bit tricky.  He was one of the original forefathers of heavy rock, but with some balladeer thrown in and a heavy dose of intellectual snark (before "snark" was a word).

Imagine if Ozzy Osbourne had an IQ of 140+, a keen grasp of irony, and occasionally viewed himself as a social critic...
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: Gusington on February 13, 2023, 02:59:59 PM
Don't nap now, you may miss the alien invasion.
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: Gusington on February 13, 2023, 09:27:02 PM
The heroes' quests can get pretty intricate  :undecided:

(https://steamuserimages-a.akamaihd.net/ugc/2035100194162516407/08DC354822CE0A3DA25776ACD21317C66D156C14/?imw=5000&imh=5000&ima=fit&impolicy=Letterbox&imcolor=%23000000&letterbox=false)
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: devoncop on February 14, 2023, 01:39:27 AM
Quote from: Gusington on February 13, 2023, 09:27:02 PMThe heroes' quests can get pretty intricate  :undecided:

(https://steamuserimages-a.akamaihd.net/ugc/2035100194162516407/08DC354822CE0A3DA25776ACD21317C66D156C14/?imw=5000&imh=5000&ima=fit&impolicy=Letterbox&imcolor=%23000000&letterbox=false)

Thank God the locations are labelled up by quest name on the map rather than just by place name like in a lot of RPG's  :ThumbsUp:

Just taken my first Great Allfire Node off the Undead and I am now shown where all the others are on the map (Gulp !)
I had to take it by moving my Tower so it was in my Domain before I could assault the garrison. If that principle stays the same the Tower will have to be doing a lot of levitating !
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: Gusington on February 14, 2023, 08:29:08 PM
^I just tried that last night as well, including moving my tower for the first time...but the rest of my armies were not strong enough to take the rest of that factions nodes :/
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: devoncop on February 15, 2023, 12:06:30 AM
Quote from: Gusington on February 14, 2023, 08:29:08 PM^I just tried that last night as well, including moving my tower for the first time...but the rest of my armies were not strong enough to take the rest of that factions nodes :/

They can have some tough units guarding the node so it's no walkover.
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: Gusington on February 15, 2023, 09:49:17 AM
^I noticed last night  :angry:

I only played for about a half hour last night as I was really tired and could barely think straight, but I feel like I hit a point in the game where I don't know what I'm doing anymore and lost focus.

How to regain focus here?
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: devoncop on February 15, 2023, 09:58:32 AM
You have a choice here. Either concentrate on a side quest given by a city and visit all the locations that are linked to the quest to complete them in turn to improve relations and get units promoted ....or...decide to laser focus on the main quest and concentrate all your heroes and stronger units in one stack and try and take out the All Fire nodes one by one.

That gives you your best shot of beating the garrisons.

My strongest stack now has a power of about 650 and that is proving enough so far to take on the Undead stacks in the South to give you some idea.
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: Gusington on February 15, 2023, 11:11:27 AM
Hmm ok. I also need to explore the map further. I have tons of side quests to do but I am not strong enough to do some yet. It also looks like new parts of the map may be inaccessible for now?
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: devoncop on February 15, 2023, 02:39:38 PM
Quote from: Gusington on February 15, 2023, 11:11:27 AMHmm ok. I also need to explore the map further. I have tons of side quests to do but I am not strong enough to do some yet. It also looks like new parts of the map may be inaccessible for now?

I haven't come across any inaccessible parts as yet though some routes are quite circuitous via passes etc.
Make sure you take the "consume corpses" upgrade for any undead you are fielding as it restores their health when they eat the enemy dead on the battlefield  :grin:
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: Gusington on February 15, 2023, 02:51:07 PM
^Yes - quite circuitous  :embarrassed:
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: devoncop on February 16, 2023, 12:17:34 PM
Just got to a brick wall down south.

Have got close to the second All Fire node but there are 3 or 4 demonic stacks walking around with a power of about 700.... :HideEyes:

I have 2 stacks of about 650 but am pretty outclassed and haven't got to the All Fire garrison yet....

May be a game over.

I probably spent too long fannying around v the Independents...
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: Gusington on February 16, 2023, 05:31:26 PM
^I have definitely been fannying  :tophat: around way too much.
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: FarAway Sooner on February 19, 2023, 03:49:25 AM
I took the plunge this weekend and I am LOVING this game!  It is a crazy deep combination of RPG and 4X that I'm not sure I've ever quite seen before.

The floating castle (with resources that typically deplete over time) and the ability to construct smaller "Apprentice Lodges" keep it from turning into a micromanagement nightmare (like so many 4x games do), but the endless amounts of tower customization (15 rooms to build, lots of blueprints to choose from, and 1-3 extensions/enhancements for each room), the intense role played by crafting ingredients, the balancing act between gathering and fighting, the way quests are tied to various tower upgrades...  It's all very intriguing.

Like Gus, I've spent a lot of time figuring out what's going on and I've been spam-saving on multiple occasions as I figure out "Oh, I really don't have any way to fight these particular guys and win".  Like Gus, I've felt like I have little idea what I'm doing or what I should be doing next.  A few learnings:

Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: devoncop on February 19, 2023, 07:49:40 AM
Agree with all your observations though I will say that fully upgraded tier 1 units can still make a mess of certain tier two units.

You are right about the depth of the game though. It is lice an iceberg....what you see on the surface is only a hint of what lies beneath.

I am taking a break from this for a bit to play Pathfinder War of the Righteous but I will definitely be returning to Spellforce.

BTW it runs really smoothly for me with no bugs I have found which is pretty impressive for a new game.
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: Gusington on February 19, 2023, 03:07:07 PM
I have also put it aside temporarily while I consider getting what looks like a competitor, Shields of Loyalty.
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: devoncop on February 19, 2023, 04:13:10 PM
Oh heck.....is that another one I am going to get dragged into  :HideEyes:
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: solops on February 19, 2023, 04:57:07 PM
Why do you move your tower? Is it a retreat? Have not played yet, still playing Master of Magic.
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: FarAway Sooner on February 19, 2023, 08:34:21 PM
You only have one "city", and it's your magical tower.  Most (not all) resource sites within your domain (typically a 3-5 hex radius from your tower during the game) get depleted over time, so you'll need to move if you want to keep your traditional resource flows up.

In addition to the traditional resources (money, mana, etc.), another really important resource in the game are ingredients.  You use these to cast or learn important spells, to build new rooms in your castle, to craft magical items, etc.  You can get some ingredients (and magic items) simply by winning battles or completing quests, but as a Wizard, it's very important to find the right ingredients to help you cast more powerful magics.  So if you need to harvest resources from a particular region, you have to fly your tower there.

Your tower is a bit of a cross between a "base" (a la X-Com) and a "city" (a la Civilization), with limited selections but lots of customization options large and small.  So it seems early on, in any event.  There are a few other ways to establish local domains, but all come at a cost, so decisions about when to move your tower take some planning.

You can hire/acquire new units from time to time, but without the ability to spam cities, resource and ingredient access limit you to what feels like a handful of small parties, as opposed to one stack of doom and then tons of tiny garrisons.

Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: solops on February 19, 2023, 09:17:43 PM
So, you have a flying base (castle) like the aliens in "Independence Day" and you go from place to place stripping resources for your buildup and research into POWER and MORE POWER...cackle, cackle.
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: matt3916 on February 22, 2023, 12:36:29 AM
Gus -- Did you pull the trigger on Shields of Loyalty?  If so, opinions?
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: devoncop on February 22, 2023, 04:51:16 AM
Quote from: matt3916 on February 22, 2023, 12:36:29 AMGus -- Did you pull the trigger on Shields of Loyalty?  If so, opinions?

+1
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: Gusington on February 22, 2023, 09:19:40 AM
^Not yet...I am knee deep in God of War on PC right now. But...soon.

The reason I am going to get Shields of Loyalty is the gameplay looks similar to that ancient C64 game, Archon, if anyone remembers that.

One of my favorite games of all time.
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: FarAway Sooner on February 22, 2023, 11:38:14 AM
But which was your favorite unit when playing Archon?  I personally enjoyed the Light side's Golden Dragon.  The ability to make those diagonal shots was killer.

He was probably just called a "Dragon" due to limitations in text field length.

When playing the Dark Side, I also enjoyed the challenge of taking out an enemy Phoenix with one of my Goblins.
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: Gusington on February 22, 2023, 11:44:40 AM
IIRC each side had a set of identical units, and then there were a few unique ones to each. I remember being fond of the gryphon, because it was a gryphon, and I also loved the unicorn because it was fast as hell and almost unstoppable.
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: JasonPratt on February 22, 2023, 12:12:53 PM
I know Steam has an updated version of Archon somewhere... not where I can check Steam right now tho.
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: Gusington on February 22, 2023, 12:16:11 PM
Yes Archon Classic.
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: FarAway Sooner on February 22, 2023, 07:54:42 PM
The Unicorns were probably the most OP units in the game.  The light side got two of them!
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: Gusington on February 22, 2023, 08:44:12 PM
 :evil:
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: ArizonaTank on February 26, 2023, 04:59:42 PM
Have a few hours in on this one. Liking some of the novel ideas in it. There is enough new stuff to make if pretty fresh IMHO. But also some familiar things.
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: ArizonaTank on March 16, 2023, 02:00:21 PM
Quote from: ArizonaTank on February 26, 2023, 04:59:42 PMHave a few hours in on this one. Liking some of the novel ideas in it. There is enough new stuff to make if pretty fresh IMHO. But also some familiar things.

Many more hours in, and I can say hands down, I like (verge on "love") this game. It has become my recent obsession. It is both familiar and fresh; a great combo in my book. Great mix of RPG, strategy and tactical gaming.
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: devoncop on March 16, 2023, 02:06:55 PM
Agreed AT.

It has a lot to like about it.

Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: FarAway Sooner on March 16, 2023, 06:32:14 PM
I took a break from it after getting to a "what the heck am I supposed to do next?" threshold.  I suspect that just means I'm struggling with the sandbox aspect of this 4x title.  I also enjoy a lot of things about it.

Being able to customize and upgun your wizard tower, without having to worry about micromanaging 17 different cities spanning the entire world, makes for a much more enjoyable mid-game experience.  I haven't gotten any further than that.  I wish I had a clearer idea of what I was supposed to be doing, but I suspect after a few more play throughs I'll understand the story arc better!
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: Gusington on March 16, 2023, 07:54:04 PM
^I am in exactly the same spot as you with this game.
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: solops on April 15, 2023, 03:28:15 PM
OK, the game has been out for a while now and has had one big update. Anyone still playing? Thoughts?
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: bobarossa on April 15, 2023, 05:21:30 PM
Quote from: solops on April 15, 2023, 03:28:15 PMOK, the game has been out for a while now and has had one big update. Anyone still playing? Thoughts?
Bought opening day and haven't started playing yet.  I think I need to buy fewer games!  :hair:
Title: Re: SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
Post by: solops on April 16, 2023, 12:14:05 PM
Quote from: bobarossa on April 15, 2023, 05:21:30 PM
Quote from: solops on April 15, 2023, 03:28:15 PMOK, the game has been out for a while now and has had one big update. Anyone still playing? Thoughts?
Bought opening day and haven't started playing yet.  I think I need to buy fewer games!  :hair:

Same here. I have a LOT of unplayed games. I do not want to waste time on this one yet if it is lacking.