Warlock Released

[Svend Karlson]

i understand its all about the LOTR mod

Which is freaking awesome. Shadow Magic is a fantastic base game, but the LoTR mod with it makes for an epic game both in terms of length, according to how I experienced it, connection to the feeling of the books and films. Heck, I watched the trilogy again and read for the first time The Hobbit whilst playing through it to enhance the overall immersion.

I buy about 25 and finish somewhere between 0 and 1 games per year. I did complete the LoTR mod scenario for Shadow Magic though, and wasn't sick of it even at the end. I made it to Mount Doom in around 110 turns.

[JasonPratt]

It seems that they are patched to run in Vista / W7 - and although you can buy them as seperates, it seems a good deal to get AoW and the 2 expansions for the same price as Warlock.

And yes, its a bugger, because I have now played the warlock demo about 5 times, and I can see why people like it. If I were to be pressed to make a choice, then it would probably be warlock, subject to me changing my mind again, in true, indecisive, games buying fashion :-\

Well I just might have to go without lunch next week and get the bundle!  :)

There are really only two reasons to pay any extra for AoW1 and AoW2 (other than AoWSM, which I guess would be AoW2.5): because they AoW1 has some different factions to play with, and because they have somewhat better campaign stories. (But on the other hand the AoW2 campaign is very long and tends to get redundant quickly. I quit due to a broken script in one of the missions, too. Never got AoW1.)

AoWSM is equal or superior to them otherwise in every way. For a random or custom game experience, no real reason to go with anything less. (Especially since the earlier games don't feature random map generation!)

On the other hand, now that I've (finally!) finished Skyrim, I may (finally!) get around to the LotR mod for AoWSM...

[Nefaro]

So.. uhh.. sorry to interrupt but has anyone started a new 'Challenging' level (or higher) game on Warlock lately?  Since the May 24/25 patch that was snuck in?

I think the AI was once again tweaked some more.  Seems like the enemy Mages aren't all spamming me with demands quite so much, yet my first neighboring Mage city put up quite a good fight for awhile too.  Killed numerous units of mine!  The new bolstered city defenses helps a lot too!

It's certainly improving.  I sure Warlock sold quite well so I'm looking forward to more tweaking and additions to it. 

[Bison]

I'm disappointed that the game has such crap performance for me.  Still have black screen of death at start up which hangs around for 1-15 minutes.  And now I get the same land tile mouse over.  Last time I tried to play everything was deep water.  Reload everything is sand.  Cannot build buildings, move units.  I'm so very disappointed.  I've been following similar issues over at Paradox, but the developer doesn't seem to give a crap. 

Sorry but I disagree with the Hex award given to this game.

[Nefaro]

I'm disappointed that the game has such crap performance for me.  Still have black screen of death at start up which hangs around for 1-15 minutes.  And now I get the same land tile mouse over.  Last time I tried to play everything was deep water.  Reload everything is sand.  Cannot build buildings, move units.  I'm so very disappointed.  I've been following similar issues over at Paradox, but the developer doesn't seem to give a crap. 

Sorry but I disagree with the Hex award given to this game.

The first time I started the game, I had a couple similar issues as you.  The interface was screwy, and the tooltip for land all read the same (and would pop up over other tooltips & windows).   After a restart, it worked fine though.

Have you tried reinstalling it some place outside of the Program Files folder perhaps?  And your startup crash sounds like a video codec issue - perhaps renaming the intro vids will help you skip them?

[Gusington]

Weird Bison the game since the beginning has run smooth as butta for me.

[bob48]

Well, I just brought it, and its downloading from Steam at this very moment :P

[Barthheart]

Well, I just brought it, and its downloading from Steam at this very moment :P

Welcome to the party... the KoolAid is great!  8)

[TheCommandTent]

Well, I just brought it, and its downloading from Steam at this very moment :P

Welcome to the party... the KoolAid is great!  8)

+1    ;D

[Bison]

Have you tried reinstalling it some place outside of the Program Files folder perhaps?  And your startup crash sounds like a video codec issue - perhaps renaming the intro vids will help you skip them?

Yeah it's installed outside of the programs file.  I've also done a complete reinstall.  The videos don't seem to be the issue as I see them after the extensive wait for the program to get off of the black screen.  The mouse issues just add more frustration because it will clear up occassionally after a restart of the game, but that has at times taken 3 or 4 attempts.  There is a hardware/sofeware issue between my laptop and the program.  I just don't know what it is nor does the developer seem to have any interest in addressing it as there are many similar complaints over at the PI tech support forum.

I do for the most part like the game when it plays.  I hate the diplomacy options.  Seems lame that it's a give me more money or war only diplomacy.

Anyway I'm not really trying to rain on the game love parade around here.  It's just not been a good experience for me.

[bob48]

Oh blimey. I should have been sorting out my new PC, and instead, I've spent all night playing Warlock, 'tis a good game alright.

[Windigo]

Have you tried reinstalling it some place outside of the Program Files folder perhaps?  And your startup crash sounds like a video codec issue - perhaps renaming the intro vids will help you skip them?

Yeah it's installed outside of the programs file.  I've also done a complete reinstall.  The videos don't seem to be the issue as I see them after the extensive wait for the program to get off of the black screen.  The mouse issues just add more frustration because it will clear up occassionally after a restart of the game, but that has at times taken 3 or 4 attempts.  There is a hardware/sofeware issue between my laptop and the program.  I just don't know what it is nor does the developer seem to have any interest in addressing it as there are many similar complaints over at the PI tech support forum.

I do for the most part like the game when it plays.  I hate the diplomacy options.  Seems lame that it's a give me more money or war only diplomacy.

Anyway I'm not really trying to rain on the game love parade around here.  It's just not been a good experience for me.

Its your laptop man. Just accept it. I will never own another one in my life...EVAH!

[Gusington]

The diplomacy is the weakest part of the game, I agree with that.

[Nefaro]

I do for the most part like the game when it plays.  I hate the diplomacy options.  Seems lame that it's a give me more money or war only diplomacy.

Anyway I'm not really trying to rain on the game love parade around here.  It's just not been a good experience for me.

That sucks.  I feel for ya. 

I guess there's no specific hardware pattern indicated in all the similar complaints?  I recall USB peripherals (or the laptop touchpad software) having screwy effects on some programs on occasion.  Hell, there's a couple I've had that go nuts when I have a joystick plugged in, even though they don't have joystick support.  :-\

[Bison]

Its your laptop man. Just accept it. I will never own another one in my life...EVAH!

If it is my laptop this is the only game that I have issues with and that is unfortunate.