Larian Studios Forums Divinity - Original Sin Divinity Original Sin - Beta Has the first orc battle been polished yet?

I saw the Youtube video of before/after the Kickstarter and it was nice, but last time I tried the game, my first impressions were somewhat lacking that "wow" factor:

• The boat just pops into existence from nothing.
• The boat approaches the shore at constant speed and stops dead, and a single, small, sad water splash happens.
• The boat doesn't rock on the waves... not even sure there were any waves.
• The orcs just popped into existence instead of rushing down the just lowered gangway from the boat.
• I got set on fire by one of the orcs but wasn't able to run into the water to put myself out (which, from that Youtube video, appears as if I should have been able to).

I mean, I'm sure the game is great, but the first impression that battle leaves of the game is just so, so weak!

And such a missed opportunity!

I mean, here you have a huge landing vessel smashing full speed into a beach with orcs rushing down from it's bow. Total chaos and calamity... and instead we get something from Pac Man.

Larian, when are you going to go full Saving Private Ryan on this??

You really found an opportune timing to complain about D day...

Its not even a battle, its just a small intro fight. No reason to go into any big details for it for three orcs.

The sea is unavailable throughout the beta and probably the who,e game so, no skinny dipping for you.
Also, wading into the usual water surfaces doesnt put out fires anyway.
You need something from the heavens for that.

While the orcs don't come down the gangway, they are actually running into view from the far side of the boat (a point that is hidden from your view from your current position). The reason they appear to be "popping" into view during that video is because of your perception score combined with line of sight. If you had gotten closer or approached from a slightly different angle you'd see the orcs coming into view sooner.

Are you *seriously* telling me that rain is more effective in putting out fires than wading into a body of water?



Ok, still not running down from the gangway, though. Also, I would skip that perception check for this first battle, as it looks confusing and again, it's a great (currently missed) opportunity to "wow" new players.


Also, you guys are obviously hardcore fans, but is it really so hard to picture a casual player, new to the game, not being impressed by this first thing he sees? You saw how I misinterpreted the "pop" as a glitch, and I will not be the only one.

I mean, in a lot of game development, the first level is saved to last, so everyone has experience to know how to put in the most bells and whistles to wow new players right from the start, because a bad first impression might color the entire rest of the game.

Again, I'm hoping that Larian just hasn't gotten around to do that yet.

Well, if the rain is a visual effect coupled with a script that stops the on-fire script and visual effect, and the body of water is just a visual effect on non-traversable terrain, then yes: that's what Gyson is saying.

Which is the case here.

If they tracked traversable areas that carry a water effect, like streams, and added scripting to put out fires when you walk there, then no: that wouldn't be true.

Personally, I think that would be a good idea, but they haven't done that for whatever reason. I assume they a reason, because the devs appear to be very busy and not stupid.

On a side note, I also think that when someone points out a game effect in a discussion *of a game*, taking a dramatic stance to suggest that they're real-world just-that-stupid is somewhat... unproductive.

No. Im telling you that in a fantasy game world where you cant walk into water at all, where you cant even crouch let alone roll - you better hope there will be some rain when youre clothes are on fire.


Please dont call me that... ever again.




Well... if someone is playing the game that means they bought it already so... who cares what they think? :P

Seriously though, most RPG games have a slow start, with some small battle at most. Because RPGs are not only about combat and action and they really dont need the start to be maximally spectacular at all.

I cant really remember any RPG of the top of my head that had any sort of that kind of spectacular SUPER AWESOME start.

Most had much worse, really.
Baldurs gates, Fallouts... Planescape Torment was only saved by Morte, really,... all horrible at the spectacular beginning department.

Its almost a tradition.

RPGs worth is achieved by all of the game being good. The start just have to be serviceable.

Could a mod please remove the off-topic posts?

I really don't want to have to start moderating content here. This forum has always been very friendly (that's why I started hanging out here after Divine Divinity was released, and stuck around long enough that Larian eventually hired me), and rare disputes always blew over quickly.

However, I also don't want to see an offhanded comment spiral things out of control. Hopefully when the game is released, people will be too busy playing to argue...

So, for the people who's posts I'm about to delete (some of whom have otherwise contributed greatly to the forum and game), other than spam, duplicate posts and one very crude limerick, in the last two and a half years, this is the first time I've deleted any content in the forum.

For me to judge so much based off of a very insignificant piece of the game..the intro 'how-to' engagement. Just as not judging a book by it's cover..it's rather a naive. What if that book is 200 years old and the cover is wrecked, what then?.

I really don't like when games dish out ALL it's graphical do-dads, force-feeding down my throat look what we can do! Only to find out that all those eye-candy and jazz only appears in the first 15 mins of gameplay, used to raise sales.

The fact is like a brand new car, with it's 'brand-new-car'scent, it eventually wears off, and your just left with your car. I'll be happier when I can use that car for years to come, making a better investment..the same for the game it's whats under the hood that matter, not how the first 15 mins play out.