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Penny Arcade Releases Episodic PC Game
Posted by
timothy
on Thu May 22, 2008 09:32 AM
from the your-large-eyed-tolerance-may-vary dept.
from the your-large-eyed-tolerance-may-vary dept.
CyDharttha writes "Greenhouse Interactive on Wednesday released a RPG titled 'On the Rain-slick Precipice of Darkness: Episode One.' The title is available on Linux, Mac, and Windows platforms, as well as XBox Live Arcade. A quick look at the game shows it promises the same great humor frequently displayed at Penny Arcade, and with the help of Hothead Games, intriguing graphics, sound, dialog and game play. Demo and purchase is available online now."
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Let me be the first to say... (Score:5, Funny)
And yes, it runs on Linux... (Score:5, Informative)
Re: (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:And yes, it runs on Linux... (Score:4, Informative)
The game had a simultaneous online release for: PC, Mac, Linux, and Xbox 360.
That's some nice cross-platform support.
Parent
Re:And yes, it runs on Linux... (Score:5, Informative)
Parent
Re: (Score:3, Interesting)
I played the demo on the 360 last night, and decided I'd purchase it, but I'm still not sure for which platform. I think I'll probably go with the 360 in the end though.
And yes, it runs on Linux... and Mac (Score:5, Informative)
Parent
Re: (Score:3, Interesting)
http://www.penny-arcade.com/images/1999/19990305h.jpg [penny-arcade.com]
Looks good so far, but... (Score:4, Informative)
Re:Looks good so far, but... (Score:4, Informative)
Parent
Re:Looks good so far, but... (Score:4, Insightful)
Anyway, the opening cut scene was skipped after I created my first character. I did notice that the first time I started it up, I couldn't skip it, and when I started it up after quitting without starting a game, I couldn't skip it. But once I created a game, it worked as I would expect, and I went right to the menu (I don't even remember if it started to play, or if I was hitting buttons to skip it, but I definitely remember not being annoyed or delayed when I went to restart my game).
Parent
Re: (Score:2)
Downloading the demo now to test it
It's fun, too! (Score:3, Informative)
It's great, if you enjoy their humor. (Score:5, Informative)
Not a single graphics glitch or sound glitch was experienced. Game moves and loads quickly, looks good, has an extremely easy interface to learn.
I have fundamental issues with the authorization that's required for the license - see Bioware/Mass Effect - but at least it's only one time, and it doesn't appear to be tied to your hardware. (A post on the official forums said someone could use their license key on their laptop and their desktop, different operating systems, with no problem.)
The only problem that's annoyed me thus far is the pathfinding. It could use some work -- especially when an item falls into the path of the character.
Still, for $20.00 for 6 hours of laughing my ass off... well worth the cash.
Re:It's great, if you enjoy their humor. (Score:5, Informative)
Parent
The demo entertained me. (Score:4, Interesting)
Combat in the game is a strange mix of turn-based and sort of real-time clicking, it was different from anything I've played before but I don't have that much experience with those sorts of games. The demo didn't have enough combat for me to become comfortable with the combat system, so I can't give a complete opinion, but it seems like it works well enough.
If you've read penny arcade over the years, the notion of a character that you created (and which most likely you identify as yourself for the purpose of the game) interacting with characters that you've been watching for years is pretty neat.
I'll probably buy the game after next week when I'm done with a crunch at work. It's certainly worth at least downloading the demo. I don't think it's the type of game that will appeal to everyone just because of the gameplay, but for what it is it appears to be carefully crafted and generally high quality. Certainly not a cheap cash-in of their PA brand or anything like that.
Re:The demo entertained me. (Score:4, Interesting)
That being said I found the game witty and highly entertaining; with very few drawbacks. Though on notable drawback for me was the fact that each time you traveled to Pelican Bay you got to hear the same piece of music; and that got annoying fairly quick.
Parent
Linux + Sound = BAD! (Score:3, Informative)
Re:Linux + Sound = BAD! (Score:5, Informative)
For reference, I'm running Ubuntu 8.04 with PulseAudio on an AMD X2 using whatever integrated sound (Realtek, I think) is built into the motherboard. Sound works perfectly well, no stuttering, no lag.
Parent
Played the demo, bought game. (Score:4, Interesting)
I'm also very, very pleased with their decision to fully support Linux. There were a few hiccups to start off, but after changing some basic settings in the in-game menu the game ran smoothly. Their forums offer support for every OS and the HotHead staff, for the time being, seem to be on the ball with answering support questions. I give PA two thumbs up and three cheers for their efforts. I will definitely be purchasing the next installments, no questions asked.
Re:Played the demo, bought game. (Score:5, Informative)
Parent
Torrents Here (Score:5, Informative)
Innovative (Score:3, Interesting)
I haven't followed PA consistently, so I don't have much of an opinion on their content. An online comic I think that would translate well to a game is Girl Genius (http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/index.php). Heck, I think that whole universe would translate well to a MMO, though the female characters wouldn't be able to see the ground or run without toppling over.
If this process is easily mass produced, I could see past and current comic books becoming games.
Ratings (Score:5, Informative)
GameRankings.com:
http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/935227.asp?q=precipice [gamerankings.com]
Metacritic:
http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/pc/pennyarcadeadventuresepisode1?q=precipice [metacritic.com]
Re: (Score:3, Informative)
The tutorial help mentions it only fleetingly, but the enemy's lifebar flashes right at the moment you need to block. If you hit the block button quickly enough after that (I'd guess 1/10th of a second leeway), you'll get a counterattack.
I also found it a little easier to start by holding the button partially down, then complete the press on cue. But that was on the 360 using the triggers; it might not work as well on a keyboard.